Are you an international student dreaming of studying in the Netherlands? Good news—there are plenty of partial or full scholarships you could apply for to ease your financial burden.
It’s no surprise that so many international students choose the Netherlands for their studies. With top-ranked universities, a wide variety of English-taught programs, and relatively affordable tuition fees, it’s a fantastic study-abroad destination.
If you’re planning to study in the Netherlands, figuring out how to fund your education is key. Fortunately, there are plenty of scholarship options to help cover part or even all of your costs.
Below, you’ll find a list of scholarships available for international students in the Netherlands. Since there are many opportunities out there, it’s a good idea to do some extra research on your own.
Individual universities and specific courses often have their own funding options, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your chosen school directly for more details.
Helpful resources:
- Everything you need to know about studying in the Netherlands
- Best universities in the Netherlands
- Graduate employability: Top Dutch universities ranked by employers
- Most international universities in the world
- International perspective: A South African student’s experience in the Netherlands
Government Scholarships
Holland Scholarship – Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, this scholarship is for non-EEA students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. It provides a one-time €5,000 grant, paid in monthly instalments during your first year. Note: You can’t apply if you already have a degree from a Dutch university.
HAN University of Applied Sciences – Offers up to €12,500 for bachelor’s students and up to €5,000 for master’s students.
Nuffic Scholarships
Nuffic is a non-profit organization dedicated to internationalizing Dutch education. They help the Dutch government and universities provide scholarships like:
Orange Knowledge Programme – For mid-career professionals from 38 eligible countries to study short courses or master’s programs in the Netherlands. Covers travel, visa, insurance, and 95% of tuition fees. To apply, first choose a course at a Dutch university and get nominated by them. Contact your university for details.
Orange Tulip Scholarship – Supports students from nine countries (including Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, South Africa, and Vietnam). Funding varies by university and program.
DIKTI-LPDP-STUNED Joint Scholarship Programme – For Indonesian students pursuing a master’s in water management, sustainable fishing, maritime sciences, or international development.
StuNed Scholarships – Helps Indonesian professionals (with 2+ years of experience) study master’s programs in sustainable entrepreneurship, water management, security and rule of law, or horticulture.
MENA Scholarship Programme – For young professionals from the Middle East and North Africa to take short courses (2-13 weeks) at Dutch universities.
NN Future Matters Scholarship – Offers up to €5,000 for master’s students in risk management, economics, data science, entrepreneurship, or IT. Open to students from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, or Turkey.
NRF-Nuffic Programme South Africa – Supports full-time study in the Netherlands, including joint PhD programs between Dutch and South African institutions.
Sino-Dutch Scholarship – Provides up to €16,113 per year for Chinese students in their third year of bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs studying/researching in the Netherlands for at least one academic year.
Desmond Fortes Scholarship – For professionals from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia with a strong interest in green finance. Applicants must be connected to FMO (a Dutch development bank).
Other Scholarships
Erasmus+ – EU students can get €370-€420 per month to study in the Netherlands (or other EU countries). Recent graduates can also apply for Erasmus+ funding for traineeships.
