MastersFull tuition fee waiver. Can be combined with the NL Scholarship, offering €5,000 or €10,000 for living costs for the first year (limited number available). Closed 9260 days ago

VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP)

Last verified 8 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) offers talented prospective non-EU/EEA students the unique opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. VU Amsterdam has committed to providing approximately 1 million euros towards attracting highly motivated and excellent students.

Provider: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Host country: Netherlands
Deadline: 1 February (annual)
Region: Europe

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Eligibility & requirements at a glance

VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is open to African students applying to study in Netherlands at the Masters level, with full tuition fee waiver. can be combined with the nl scholarship, offering €5,000 or €10,000 for living costs for the first year (limited number available). funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for Netherlands
Funding: Full tuition fee waiver. Can be combined with the NL Scholarship, offering €5,000 or €10,000 for living costs for the first year (limited number available).
Study level: Masters
Deadline: 1 February (annual)

Key eligibility criteria

* Non-EU/EEA passport holder (not eligible for lower tuition fee)
* Not holding Dutch nationality
* Proven academic excellence (GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0)
* Conditionally or unconditionally admitted to a full-time, English-taught Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam starting in September (February starters are ineligible)

See full eligibility criteria ↓

What the full tuition fee waiver. can be combined with the nl scholarship, offering €5,000 or €10,000 for living costs for the first year (limited number available). award covers

Full tuition

About the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) (2026)

# VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) Brief ## Overview The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is a prestigious, merit-based tuition fee waiver offered by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Designed to attract highly motivated and academically excellent international students, the VUFP provides a unique opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree in the Netherlands. The university demonstrates its commitment to global talent by allocating approximately 1 million euros to this program. It is specifically intended for students from non-EU/EEA countries who are subject to higher tuition fees. The VUFP can be combined with the NL Scholarship, which offers a contribution towards living costs, although a separate application for the NL Scholarship is not required as it is integrated into the VUFP application process. This brief outlines the key aspects of the VUFP to assist prospective applicants. ## Benefits * **Tuition Fee Waiver:** The primary benefit of the VUFP is a full tuition fee waiver, significantly reducing the financial burden of pursuing a Master's degree in the Netherlands for non-EU/EEA students. It is crucial to note that the scholarship *only* covers tuition fees and does not include allowances for living expenses such as rent, food, or insurance. * **Opportunity to Combine with NL Scholarship:** While applying for the VUFP, applicants are automatically considered for the NL Scholarship. This additional scholarship provides a contribution towards living costs, typically €5,000 or €10,000 for the first year of study. However, the NL Scholarship is awarded to a limited number of VUFP recipients (around 20-25 per year) and is only for the first year of a Master's program. * **Two-Year Programme Coverage (Conditional):** For students enrolled in a two-year Master's programme, the VUFP scholarship can be extended for the second year, provided that 100% of the first-year ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) have been successfully achieved. * **International Student Ambassador Role:** As a recipient of the VUFP, students agree to become an international student ambassador for VU Amsterdam. This involves engaging with prospective international students, for example, through the Unibuddy chat platform, and contributing to the university's international community. A Kick-Off session and an Ambassador Handbook are provided to support this role. ## Eligibility To be considered for the VU Fellowship Programme, applicants must meet the following stringent criteria: * **Nationality:** Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for the lower tuition fee. Dutch nationality holders are not eligible. * **Academic Excellence:** Demonstrate academic excellence with a GPA (Grade Point Average) equivalent to a Dutch 8.0 on a 1-10 scale. This is a minimum requirement, and actual awardees typically have higher overall scores based on multiple factors. * **Admission Status:** Be conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, starting in September. Students starting in February are not eligible. * **Programme Exclusions:** Joint programmes where VU Amsterdam does not manage the admission process are excluded from VUFP eligibility. * **Prior Education Location:** The degree with which the applicant is seeking admission must not have been obtained in the Netherlands. Furthermore, applicants must not currently be enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme in the Netherlands. * **Preparatory Programmes:** Applicants should not require a preparatory programme before the commencement of their Master's studies. * **Two-Year Programme Specifics:** Students already enrolled in a two-year Master’s programme who did not receive the VUFP in the previous academic year are not eligible to apply for the current VUFP cycle. ## Required Documents Applicants for the VUFP must prepare and submit specific documentation as part of their application. Failure to provide complete and accurate information will result in the application being considered incomplete. * **Completed VUFP-NLS Application Form:** This is the primary application document. Applicants must ensure they use the correct and most recent version of the form (e.g., "VUFP-NLS Application form 2026-2027.pdf"). All questions on the form must be answered thoroughly. * **GPA Proof / Programme Transcript:** This document serves as evidence of academic excellence. It should clearly show the applicant's grades from their Bachelor's degree. Even if a Master's degree has been completed, only the Bachelor's GPA will be considered for VUFP purposes. * **Grading Scale Explanation:** Alongside the transcript, a clear explanation of the grading scale used by the applicant's previous institution is required. This helps the VUFP Scholarship Committee accurately assess the GPA against the Dutch grading system. * **Single PDF File:** The completed application form, GPA proof/programme transcript, and grading scale explanation must be saved as a *single* PDF file and uploaded to the Scholarship section of the applicant's personal VU dashboard. ## How to Apply The application process for the VU Fellowship Programme involves several distinct steps, emphasizing timely submission and careful adherence to instructions: 1. **Register for a Master’s Programme (from 1 October):** Begin by registering for your desired Master's programme via Studielink and then in your personal dashboard on vu.nl. Applicants must achieve conditional admission to their chosen Master's programme *before* they can apply for the VUFP scholarship. It is highly recommended to submit the Master's programme application no later than 1 December to allow sufficient time for processing, especially if the programme includes an intake or assessment procedure. 2. **Submit VUFP Application (from 1 November):** Once conditionally admitted, applicants can submit their VUFP application through their personal VU dashboard. It is crucial to note that applicants can only apply for the VUFP for *one* Master's programme. If applying to multiple Master's degrees, a choice must be made for which programme the VUFP application is submitted. 3. **Complete the VUFP-NLS Application Form:** Fill out the specific VUFP-NLS application form, ensuring all questions are answered and the correct version is used. At the end of the form, paste the GPA proof/programme transcript and a grading scale explanation. The entire document (form, GPA proof, grading scale) must be saved as a *single* PDF file. 4. **Upload the Application:** Upload the single PDF file to the Scholarship section located on the "Complete Registration" page of your personal VU dashboard. Applicants can only submit their application once, so thorough review before submission is essential. ## Key Dates Adhering to the application timeline is critical for prospective VUFP applicants. Missing deadlines will result in the inability to be considered for the scholarship. * **Master's Programme Registration Opens:** 1 October 2025 * **Advised Deadline Master's Programme Application:** 1 December 2025 (to ensure conditional admission in time for scholarship application) * **VUFP Application Opens:** 1 November 2025 * **Deadline VUFP Application:** 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET) * **Notification of Results (Expected):** Mid-March 2026 (approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline) * **Deadline for Acceptance of Scholarship Offer:** End of March 2026 (2 weeks after results are published) ## Selection Criteria The selection process for the VU Fellowship Programme is highly competitive, with a small percentage of applicants ultimately receiving the scholarship. The Central VUFP Committee makes the final decisions based on a holistic review that considers several factors beyond just academic grades. * **Academic Performance (GPA):** While a minimum GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0 is required, meeting this threshold does not guarantee a scholarship. The committee assesses academic excellence based on the GPA from the Bachelor's degree and its comparative standing within the applicant's home country's grading culture. * **Motivation:** The applicant's motivation for choosing Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and their specific Master's programme, as well as their future ambitions, play a significant role in the evaluation. * **Extracurricular Activities:** Engagement in extracurricular activities can also strengthen an application, demonstrating a well-rounded profile. * **Overall Score:** A total score is calculated based on these various factors, including GPA, motivation, and extracurricular engagement. Faculties nominate applicants to the Central Scholarship Committee, which then awards scholarships to the most talented students based on this comprehensive assessment. ## Tips Given the competitive nature of the VUFP, prospective applicants should consider the following tips to maximize their chances of success: * **Apply Early for Master's Programme:** Start your Master

What the Full tuition fee waiver. Can be combined with the NL Scholarship, offering €5,000 or €10,000 for living costs for the first year (limited number available). VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Full tuition

VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) eligibility for Netherlands applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

* Non-EU/EEA passport holder (not eligible for lower tuition fee)
* Not holding Dutch nationality
* Proven academic excellence (GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0)
* Conditionally or unconditionally admitted to a full-time, English-taught Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam starting in September (February starters are ineligible)
* Not applying to joint programmes where VU Amsterdam does not administer admission
* Degree with which admission is sought was not obtained in the Netherlands
* Not currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme in the Netherlands
* Does not require a preparatory programme before Master’s study
* For two-year programmes, previous VUFP recipients from the same programme year are ineligible to reapply.

Documents required for the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://vu.nl/en/education/more-about/incoming-master-scholarships and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "* Non-EU/EEA passport holder (not eligible for lower tuition fee) * Not holding Dutch nationality * Proven academic excellence (GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0) * Conditionally or unconditionally admitted to a full-time, E…". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://vu.nl/en/education/more-about/incoming-master-scholarships, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Aim to have the full draft complete by 3 Dec 2000. Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit by 1 February (annual) (aim 7 days early)
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours before the 1 Feb 2001 deadline. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) deadline & application timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (1 February (annual)). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

12 months out
7 Feb 2000
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
5 Aug 2000
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
3 Nov 2000
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
2 Jan 2001
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
1 Feb 2001
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and be able to relocate to Netherlands for the duration of the programme.

Is the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) fully funded?+

Funding model: Full tuition fee waiver. Can be combined with the NL Scholarship, offering €5,000 or €10,000 for living costs for the first year (limited number available).. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is 1 February (annual). Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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