Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) is a prestigious opportunity for talented international students who want to pursue a master’s degree at Utrecht University. It is specifically designed for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. This scholarship aims to attract exceptional students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the potential to contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields.
Through this program, Utrecht University provides financial support to help students achieve their educational goals. The scholarship is highly competitive, offering either full tuition coverage or additional funding to cover living expenses required for a study visa. If you are passionate about advancing your education at one of the leading universities in Europe, this scholarship could be your chance to make it happen.
Scholarship Benefits
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship offers significant financial support to help students achieve their academic goals. The benefits of this scholarship include:
- Tuition Fee Coverage: The scholarship may fully cover the cost of tuition for your master’s program.
- Additional Financial Support: In some cases, it may also include funding to cover the required income for one year, as determined by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for a study residence permit.
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You must be among the top 10% of your graduating class.
- You must not have an EU/EEA passport and must not be eligible for financial support under the Dutch study grant and loan system.
- You must have completed your secondary school or bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
- You must apply for an international master’s program at Utrecht University that starts on 1 September 2025. Note that not all master’s programs are eligible. Check the “Tuition Fees and Financial Support” section of the specific program to confirm if the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is listed as an available option.
Application Process
To apply for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, follow these steps:
- Apply for a Master’s Program: Submit an application for an eligible master’s program at Utrecht University before the stated deadline.
- Access the Scholarship Application: From 1 November 2024, non-EU/EEA students who have applied for eligible programs will see the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) application option in their OSIRIS Online Application account.
- Submit the Scholarship Application:
- Log in to your OSIRIS account and click on the UES application linked to your chosen master’s program.
- Upload proof showing you are in the top 10% of your graduating class (e.g., a class ranking certificate, GPA with grade distribution, or a signed and stamped reference letter from your university).
- Answer the questions provided in the application and submit it.
NOTE:
- The application portal is open for an extended period, so submit your application early. Early submission allows time for document review and corrections if needed.
- If you submit your application between 27 January and 1 February, incomplete or incorrect information cannot be updated. Ensure you apply as early as possible to avoid issues.
Required Documents
When applying for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of Academic Excellence: Evidence that you belong to the top 10% of your graduating class. This can include:
- A class ranking certificate.
- A GPA summary with grade distribution.
- A reference letter signed and stamped by your university.
- Motivation Letter: A well-written letter explaining your reasons for applying to the master’s program, your academic goals, and your personal motivation.
- Master’s Program Application Documents: Ensure that your application for the master’s program is complete, accurate, and consistent, as it will be evaluated during the scholarship selection process.
Selection Process
The selection process for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is highly competitive and is based on the following criteria:
- Academic Quality and Potential: Your academic background and future promise in the proposed field of study, as demonstrated in your master’s program application, will be evaluated.
- Academic Excellence: You must provide evidence that you belong to the top 10% of your graduating class. This can be shown through a class ranking certificate, GPA with grade distribution summary, or a signed and stamped reference letter from your university.
- Motivation Letter: The quality and relevance of your motivation letter will be assessed. It should reflect your academic content, intercultural and communication skills, and personal motivation for pursuing the master’s program.
- Master’s Program Application Quality: The completeness, accuracy, and consistency of your application for the master’s program will play a significant role in the selection process.
Scholarship Duration
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is awarded for the duration of your master’s program:
- For one-year master’s programs, the scholarship is provided for one academic year.
- For two-year master’s programs, the scholarship can be renewed for the second year. Renewal is subject to meeting the program’s progress requirements.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is 1 February 2025 at 23:59 CET.
