Holland Scholarship (NL Scholarship)
First Things First: It Has Been Renamed
If you are searching for the Holland Scholarship and finding confusing or contradictory pages, this is why:
NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship), financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, is meant for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their bachelor’s or master’s at one of the Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences in Holland.
The Holland Scholarship, now officially the NL Scholarship, is a financial award for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a participating Dutch university.
Holland Scholarship = NL Scholarship. Same programme, new name. Search for both when researching, because many university pages and scholarship sites still use the old name.
What It Actually Is
It provides a one-time grant of EUR 5,000 in the first year of study. The NL Scholarship is not a full-ride award, but it is one of the most accessible scholarships for studying in the Netherlands. The application process is straightforward and eligibility is broad, making it a good option for students from developing and emerging economies. The grant targets the first year, when upfront costs tend to be highest.
€5,000, once, in your first year. Not full tuition, not a living stipend for the duration, a single payment when costs are heaviest.
Its genuine strength is accessibility: broad eligibility, a simple application, and 41 participating institutions each running their own selection. For students from Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Bangladesh and India, that combination makes it one of the most realistic European awards on this site.
The Award
The 2027 NL Scholarship amounts to €5,000. You will receive this in the first year of your studies. Please note that this is not a full-tuition scholarship. The grant is awarded for 1 year and can only be received once.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amount | €5,000 |
| Paid | During your first year |
| Frequency | ⚠️ One-time only, cannot be received twice |
| Duration | 1 year, not renewable |
| Type | ⚠️ Partial, not full tuition |
| Funded by | Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science + participating institutions |
⭐ Why First-Year Timing Matters
The grant targets the first year, when upfront costs tend to be highest.
Your first year abroad is when money is tightest: visa fees, flights, a rental deposit, furnishing a room, insurance registration, and a full year’s tuition instalment all land at once.
€5,000 arriving in year one is worth more than €5,000 spread across three. For families in Pakistan, Nigeria or Kenya assembling funds under pressure, that front-loading is genuinely useful.
⚠️ Eligibility — Including Three Surprising Exclusions
Your nationality is non-EEA. You are applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at one of the participating Dutch higher education institutions. You meet the specific requirements of the institution of your choice. And You do not have a degree from an education institution in the Netherlands.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nationality | ✅ Non-EEA |
| Level | Full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s |
| Institution | One of the participating Dutch institutions |
| Programme requirements | Must meet your chosen institution’s own criteria |
| Prior Dutch degree | ❌ You must not already hold one |
| English | Most English-taught programmes need IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90 |
| Academic record | Strong academic performance is expected, though minimum GPA requirements vary by institution |
❌ Who Cannot Apply
EU/EEA nationals, Swiss nationals, and Surinamese nationals are not eligible.
| Excluded | Reason |
|---|---|
| ❌ EU / EEA nationals | The scheme exists for non-EEA students |
| ❌ Swiss nationals | Treated as EEA-equivalent |
| ❌ Surinamese nationals | ⚠️ Specific historical exclusion |
| ❌ Holders of a Dutch degree | Must be new to Dutch higher education |
The Surinamese exclusion is unusual and reflects Suriname’s particular historical relationship with the Netherlands. Surinamese students should look instead at other Dutch funding routes.
✅ Who This Opens Up For
Every country ScholarWing serves is non-EEA and therefore eligible: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and the rest.
There is no developing-country restriction and no country quota. Eligibility is simply: not EEA, not Swiss, not Surinamese, no prior Dutch degree.
⚠️ There Is No Single Deadline
This is the structural point that costs people the scholarship.
There is no single national deadline. Each university sets its own, typically between February 1 and May 1.
You can find the specific closing dates and the fields of study for this academic year on the website of the institution you want to apply to.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| National deadline | ❌ None exists |
| Typical range | 1 February – 1 May |
| Common dates | 1 February or 1 May |
| Set by | Each institution individually |
| 2026-27 applications opened | 1 November 2025 |
Example: The deadline for the 2026–2027 academic year is 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET) at the University of Groningen.
⚠️ Check your specific institution’s page. A 1 February deadline and a 1 May deadline are three months apart assuming the later one because a friend mentioned it is how people lose this.
Each Institution Also Sets Its Own Rules
The list of participating institutions changes yearly; each institution decides on selection criteria, the number of scholarships available, and exact internal deadlines.
| Varies by institution | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 1 Feb to 1 May |
| Selection criteria | Each sets its own |
| Number of scholarships | Each decides |
| Eligible fields of study | ⚠️ Not all programmes qualify |
⚠️ Fields of study: Varies by institution, check the specific institution’s NL Scholarship page for eligible programmes.
Not every programme at a participating university is eligible. Verify your specific course, not just the university.
Participating Institutions
41 leading Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.
Research Universities
Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, Wageningen University & more.
| University | Known For |
|---|---|
| Utrecht University | Consistently the Netherlands’ highest-ranked |
| Wageningen University | ⭐ World #1 in agriculture and food science |
| University of Groningen | Broad research university, affordable city |
| Eindhoven University of Technology | Engineering and technology |
| Maastricht University | Problem-based learning, international focus |
| Radboud University | Sciences, social sciences, medicine |
| University of Twente | Engineering, technology, entrepreneurship |
| VU Amsterdam | Broad research university in Amsterdam |
⭐ Wageningen is worth singling out for ScholarWing readers, it is ranked first globally in agriculture and food sciences, a field of direct relevance across South Asia and Africa.
Universities of Applied Sciences
Fontys, HAN, HU Utrecht, NHL Stenden, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Zuyd UAS, and many more.
Universities of applied sciences (hogescholen) are practice-oriented rather than research-focused often with strong industry links, placements and lower entry thresholds than research universities. For career-focused applicants they are a legitimate and frequently overlooked route.
⚠️ The participating list changes annually. Check the official Study in NL site for the current year.
⚠️ Combining It With Other Funding
Sources differ here, so read carefully.
The scholarship cannot be combined with other Dutch government-funded scholarships, and you can only receive it once.
Combinable with additional funding, the Holland Scholarship can be held alongside university-specific grants, faculty scholarships, and external funding awards, allowing students to build a more comprehensive financial support package.
The consistent reading:
| Can you combine it with… | Answer |
|---|---|
| ❌ Other Dutch government-funded scholarships | No |
| ✅ University-specific grants | Generally yes |
| ✅ Faculty scholarships | Generally yes |
| ✅ External / home-country funding | Generally yes |
⚠️ Confirm with your institution before assuming any stacking arrangement.
⭐ Strategically, this matters. €5,000 alone will not fund a Dutch degree but €5,000 plus a university merit grant plus a home-country loan can close the gap. Build a package rather than relying on one award.
Required Documents
A motivation letter, outlining your academic goals and how studying in the Netherlands aligns with your future plans; A transcript of records of all your undergraduate courses so far; A (conditional) admission letter from one of the programmes mentioned on this list.
Provide all requested credentials (academic transcripts, CV, motivation letter, proof of non-EEA citizenship) requested by the university’s scholarship committee.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| ✅ Motivation letter | Academic goals + why the Netherlands fits your plans |
| ✅ Transcript of records | All undergraduate courses so far |
| ✅ Admission letter | ⭐ Conditional is acceptable |
| ✅ CV | Academic and professional record |
| ✅ Proof of non-EEA citizenship | Passport |
| ✅ English test results | IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80–90 typically |
⚠️ Incomplete Applications Are Discarded
Please note: incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. Carefully read how to apply and make sure to attach all required documents to your application.
There is no chasing, no request for missing items. A missing document means rejection. Check your upload list twice.
⭐ A Conditional Offer Is Enough
You do not need an unconditional admission letter. A conditional offer from an eligible programme satisfies the requirement so apply for your course early, then use that conditional offer for the scholarship.
How to Apply
Step 1: Check the current participating institutions Visit the official Study in NL website for this year’s list.
2: Confirm your specific programme is eligible Not all courses at participating universities qualify.
3: Find that institution’s deadline ⚠️ Somewhere between 1 February and 1 May. Do not assume.
4: Apply for admission to the programme You need at least a conditional offer.
5: Prepare your documents Motivation letter, transcripts, admission letter, CV, passport, English results.
Step 6 — Submit via your institution’s NL Scholarship application form There is no central portal — you apply through the university.
Step 7 — Await notification Successful applicants will be notified directly by their university.
Honest Cost Planning
Master’s Example
| Item | Approximate |
|---|---|
| Dutch Master’s tuition (non-EEA) | €12,000–€22,000 |
| Minus NL Scholarship €5,000 | €7,000–€17,000 tuition remaining |
| Living costs (12 months) | €10,000–€14,000 |
| Visa / residence permit | €200–€400 |
| Health insurance | €1,200–€1,500 |
| Flights | €500–€900 |
| Your remaining cost | ~€19,000–€34,000 |
⭐ Dutch Tuition Is Lower Than the UK
This is the underappreciated advantage. Non-EEA Master’s tuition in the Netherlands typically runs €12,000–€22,000, against £18,000–£35,000 in the UK.
So a €5,000 Dutch award covers a larger proportion of your costs than a £10,000 UK award often does and the Netherlands has more English-taught programmes than almost any non-Anglophone country.
⚠️ Note the residence permit requires proof of funds, typically around €14,000–€15,000 in a bank account. The NL Scholarship can help evidence this, but confirm requirements with the Dutch immigration service (IND).
Who This Suits
✅ Good fit if you:
- Hold non-EEA citizenship (nearly all ScholarWing readers)
- Have partial funding and need the first-year gap narrowed
- Are applying to a participating Dutch institution
- Want a straightforward application with broad eligibility
- Are building a funding package from multiple sources
❌ Poor fit if you:
- Need full funding, target Chevening, Commonwealth, Erasmus Mundus or DAAD
- Already hold a Dutch degree
- Are an EEA, Swiss or Surinamese national
- Cannot fund roughly €19,000+ yourself
Quick Reference
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) |
| Funded by | Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science + institutions |
| Amount | €5,000 |
| When paid | First year of study |
| Frequency | ⚠️ Once only, 1 year, not renewable |
| Type | ⚠️ Partial, not full tuition |
| Levels | Bachelor’s and Master’s |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Institutions | 41 research universities + universities of applied sciences |
| Nationality | Non-EEA |
| Not eligible | ❌ EEA • Swiss • Surinamese • holders of a Dutch degree |
| English | IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL iBT 80–90 typically |
| Deadline | ⚠️ No national deadline, each institution sets its own |
| Typical range | 1 February – 1 May |
| Applications open | ~1 November |
| Admission letter | ⭐ Conditional accepted |
| Incomplete applications | ❌ Discarded without review |
| Combining | ❌ Not with other Dutch government scholarships • ✅ generally with university/external awards |
| Official site | studyinnl.org |
FAQ
Is the Holland Scholarship the same as the NL Scholarship?
Yes. The Holland Scholarship is now officially the NL Scholarship.
How much is it?
€5,000, received in the first year of your studies. It is not a full-tuition scholarship, is awarded for 1 year, and can only be received once.
Who is eligible?
Non-EEA nationals applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at a participating Dutch institution, who do not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution.
Who cannot apply?
EU/EEA nationals, Swiss nationals, and Surinamese nationals are not eligible.
When is the deadline?
There is no single national deadline. Each university sets its own, typically between February 1 and May 1.
Do I need an admission offer first?
You need at least a (conditional) admission letter from one of the listed programmes.
Can I combine it with other scholarships?
It cannot be combined with other Dutch government-funded scholarships. It can generally be held alongside university-specific grants, faculty scholarships and external funding.
What if I forget a document?
Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
How many institutions participate?
41 Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences.
Free Application Tools
- Motivation Letter: Motivation Letter Generator
- SOP / Study Plan: SOP Generator
- CV: Free CV Builder
- Reference Letter: Reference Letter Generator
- MOI Certificate (if needed): MOI Generator
- Research Proposal (PhD): Research Proposal Generator