Last updated: October 26, 2026 | category:Europe | Study Tribune Team
Quick answer: The NL Scholarship (called the Holland Scholarship until it was renamed) is a one-time grant of €5,000 for students from outside the EEA who start a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the Netherlands. It is paid in the first year only and is not a full-tuition scholarship. The Dutch government’s big fully funded scheme, the Orange Knowledge Programme, has ended. For a Netherlands scholarship that pays tuition and living costs, see our guide to scholarships in the Netherlands for international students.
NL Scholarship at a Glance
| Official name | NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) |
|---|---|
| Amount | €5,000, paid in your first year of study (some universities award up to €10,000 or €15,000) |
| Level | Full-time bachelor’s or master’s at a participating institution (several universities offer it for master’s only) |
| Who can apply | Students from outside the EEA with no degree from a Dutch institution |
| Funded by | The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, plus the participating universities |
| Where you apply | Directly to your chosen university, after (or alongside) your admission application |
| Deadline | No national deadline. Each university sets its own, from 1 February to 1 May |
| Covers full tuition? | No |
In this guide
What Is the NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship)?
The NL Scholarship is a partial Netherlands scholarship for international students from outside the European Economic Area. It gives a one-time €5,000 contribution toward your first year of a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme. The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science funds it together with participating research universities and universities of applied sciences, and the Study in NL website explains the programme in general terms.
If you searched for the “Holland Scholarship” or “NL Scholarship”, you are in the right place. They are the same programme with a new name, so the amount and purpose are unchanged. Search both names, because older articles and some university pages still say Holland Scholarship. If you want a wider list of Dutch options, including fully funded ones, see our guide to scholarships in the Netherlands for international students.
What Changed: Holland Scholarship, Orange Knowledge and Utrecht Excellence
- Holland Scholarship is now the NL Scholarship. Same programme, new name.
- The Orange Knowledge Programme has ended. It was the Dutch government’s fully funded scheme for professionals from partner countries and no longer accepts applications.
- Utrecht Excellence Scholarships are reported to have stopped. Utrecht University no longer lists them in its scholarship menu, and scholarship sites report that budget cuts ended them for programmes starting in 2026–27. Check Utrecht’s own site before you plan around them.
- The participating universities change every year. Several well-known universities were not on the official 2026–27 list (see the participating universities section).
Is There a Netherlands Government Scholarship That Pays Everything?
Not any more. The Orange Knowledge Programme has ended, and the NL Scholarship is only partial. The fully funded options we could confirm for 2027 are university-based, and their deadlines fall earlier than most NL Scholarship deadlines. We compare them in our guide to all current Dutch scholarship options.
Who Really Qualifies for the NL Scholarship: The Official Rules and the University Rules
The official Study in NL criteria are simple: you are not a national of an EEA country, you are applying for a full-time bachelor’s or master’s programme at a participating institution, you meet that institution’s own requirements, and you do not already hold a degree from a Dutch institution.
The catch is the third criterion. Each university adds its own rules, and they differ a lot. Here are four examples for the 2027 intake:
| University | Amount | Who qualifies | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Twente | €5,000 (first year only) | Master’s applicants from a long list of non-EU/EEA countries (including Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, India and Bangladesh). Requires a CGPA of 7.5/10 (top 5 to 10% of your class) and IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in speaking (or TOEFL iBT 90 with 20 in speaking) | Form opens 15 October 2026; closes 1 April 2027, 16:00 CET; results in the first week of May 2027 |
| Wageningen University & Research | €5,000, up to €15,000 (a maximum of three awards to one student) | Only a short list of nationalities (it includes India and South Africa but not Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya or Ghana). Requires a GPA of 80% or higher. Only eight scholarships are available | Eligible admitted candidates are invited from 1 February 2027; apply by 1 May 2027 |
| Utrecht University | €5,000, €10,000 or €15,000 | Master’s applicants from outside the EEA. Selected on academic background, motivation and a realistic financial plan (you must submit a Statement of Financial Resources) | 1 February, 23:59 CET; results around mid-April. Utrecht’s page still showed the 2026 intake at the time of writing, so confirm the 2027 date |
| University of Groningen | €5,000 | Full-time master’s students from outside the EEA who have an admission offer | 1 February (23:59 CET) for the 2026–27 intake; confirm the 2027 date on the Groningen site |
Two things most guides miss:
- Your passport can decide the outcome. The same student can qualify at Twente and not at Wageningen. Always check the nationality list on the university’s own scholarship page before you apply.
- The scholarship rewards strong grades. Twente asks for roughly the top 5 to 10% of your graduating class, and Wageningen for 80% or higher. If your grades are average, spend your time on the full-funding routes below. They also have high academic cut-offs (Wageningen’s Africa Scholarship Programme asks for a first-class degree or a GPA of 80% or higher), but they pay far more.
Participating Universities for the NL Scholarship (2026–27 List)
According to Study in NL, the participating research universities for 2026–27 are Eindhoven University of Technology, Maastricht University, Protestant Theological University, Radboud University, Theological University Apeldoorn, University of Groningen, University of Twente, Utrecht Theological University, Utrecht University, VU Amsterdam, and Wageningen University & Research.
More than twenty universities of applied sciences also take part. They include Fontys, Saxion, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Hanze, HAN, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and Zuyd.
Note: the University of Amsterdam, TU Delft, Leiden University and Erasmus University Rotterdam did not appear on the official 2026–27 research-university list. Older guides, including earlier versions of this one, named them as participants. The list is updated every year, so re-check the Study in NL page when it publishes the 2027–28 list.
NL Scholarship Deadlines and Timeline for the 2027 Intake
Study in NL opened applications for 2026–27 on 1 November 2025. On that pattern, expect the 2027–28 round to open around 1 November 2026, but we could not find an official 2027–28 opening notice at the time of writing. The dates that are already confirmed or published:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 October 2026 | University of Twente NL Scholarship form opens |
| Around 1 November 2026 | Expected national opening (based on last year; not yet confirmed) |
| 1 December 2026 | Wageningen complete master’s application deadline for its Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund |
| 1 February 2027 | Typical deadline at Utrecht and Groningen (confirm); Wageningen starts sending NL Scholarship invitations |
| 1 April 2027 | University of Twente NL Scholarship deadline (16:00 CET) |
| 7 April 2027 | Wageningen offers its Africa Scholarship Programme and Excellence scholarships |
| 1 May 2027 | Wageningen NL Scholarship application deadline (invited students only) |
| October 2027 | Wageningen pays the NL Scholarship to September starters, after you arrive and give a Dutch IBAN |
How to Apply for the NL Scholarship, Step by Step
- Pick universities that accept your nationality. Open each university’s NL Scholarship page and read the eligible-country list and the grade requirement before anything else.
- Apply for your master’s or bachelor’s programme first. Twente, Utrecht and Wageningen all require a submitted admission application. At Twente you then apply for the scholarship using your student number. At Wageningen, eligible admitted candidates are invited automatically.
- Prepare your English test early. Twente requires IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in speaking, or TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 20 in speaking.
- Write a motivation statement for the Netherlands, not for any scholarship. Utrecht asks you to explain why your time in the Netherlands and at Utrecht matters to your future goals.
- Prepare a financial plan. Utrecht requires the Statement of Financial Resources and says scholarships cover only part of the total costs. Show how you will cover the rest for the whole programme.
- Submit early. Utrecht warns that applications submitted in the last days before the deadline cannot be corrected or supplemented.
Need help with the motivation statement? See our guide to writing a personal statement for a scholarship, and our recommendation letter samples if your university asks for references.
Is €5,000 Enough to Study in the Netherlands?
No, and you should plan as if it is a contribution, not a solution. Wageningen’s own numbers show why: even for students whose tuition fee is waived, the revised first-year invoice is about €16,500, covering the living allowance, health and liability insurance and the residence permit fee. That is more than three times the €5,000 grant.
Three practical points follow from the universities’ own rules:
- It cannot replace tuition. Twente states that no costs, such as tuition fees, are paid on your behalf. Wageningen states that the grant cannot be used to meet its payment requirement, so you must pay your full invoice (or show another accepted scholarship letter) before 1 July 2027 for a September start.
- It arrives late. At Wageningen the money is paid in October 2027, after you have arrived, enrolled and provided a Dutch bank account.
- You must prove you can afford the rest. Utrecht scores your financial plan as part of the selection.
Scholarships That Fund More Than €5,000
If you need your tuition and living costs covered, look at university-based options first. Their deadlines come before most NL Scholarship rounds. The two to check first are Wageningen’s:
- Africa Scholarship Programme (ASP): for citizens of African countries starting an on-campus MSc in September 2027. Your complete MSc application is due before 1 December 2026.
- Anne van den Ban Fund (ABF): for students from a list of developing countries, by invitation only. The complete MSc application is also due by 1 December 2026.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are another route, with a monthly allowance of €1,400. We compare all current options, with eligibility and deadlines, in our guide to scholarships in the Netherlands for international students. If IELTS is a barrier, read our guide to scholarships in the Netherlands without IELTS.
Mistakes That Cost Students the NL Scholarship
- Assuming every non-EEA nationality qualifies everywhere. Wageningen’s list is short, while Twente’s is long. Check the country list first.
- Missing the early deadline. Wageningen’s scholarship deadline (1 December 2026) falls before its NL Scholarship round. Miss it and you lose the fully funded options entirely.
- Applying for the scholarship before admission. The scholarship is attached to a master’s application, so apply for the programme first.
- Treating €5,000 as proof of funds. A university or visa officer wants evidence that you can cover the full cost of the programme.
- Trusting an old participating-university list. The list changes every year. Use the current Study in NL page.
Frequently Asked Questions About the NL Scholarship
Is the Holland Scholarship the same as the NL Scholarship?
Yes. The Holland Scholarship was renamed the NL Scholarship. Study in NL describes it as the same programme, so the amount and purpose are unchanged.
Is the NL Scholarship a full scholarship?
No. It is a one-time grant of €5,000 for your first year, and Study in NL states it is not a full-tuition scholarship. Some universities, such as Utrecht and Wageningen, may award up to €10,000 or €15,000.
Is there a Netherlands government scholarship that pays everything?
The Orange Knowledge Programme has ended, and the NL Scholarship is only partial. The fully funded options we could confirm for 2027 are university-based (Wageningen’s Africa Scholarship Programme and Anne van den Ban Fund) and Erasmus Mundus. See our guide to our Netherlands scholarships guide for all current options.
Can students from Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya or Ghana apply?
It depends on the university. Twente’s NL Scholarship country list includes all four. Wageningen’s NL Scholarship list does not, but its Anne van den Ban Fund list includes Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, and its Africa Scholarship Programme is open to African citizens.
When is the NL Scholarship deadline?
There is no single national deadline. Twente closes on 1 April 2027, Wageningen on 1 May 2027 (for invited students), and Utrecht and Groningen usually on 1 February. Wageningen’s fully funded scholarships need a complete application by 1 December 2026.
Do I need to be admitted before I apply?
Yes. At Twente, Utrecht and Wageningen you must first apply for your programme. Twente asks for a student number, and Wageningen invites eligible admitted students automatically.
Can I use the NL Scholarship to pay my tuition?
Not directly. Twente says no costs are paid on your behalf, and Wageningen says the scholarship cannot be used to meet its payment requirement. At Wageningen it is paid in October 2027 after arrival.
Do I need IELTS for the NL Scholarship?
At Twente, yes: IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in speaking, or TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 20 in speaking. Requirements differ by university and programme, so check your own programme.
Can I get the NL Scholarship twice?
No. It is awarded once, in your first year of study. Utrecht pays it in the first year even if your programme lasts two years.
Is the Orange Knowledge Programme still open?
No. The Orange Knowledge Programme, the Dutch government’s fully funded scheme for professionals from partner countries, has ended and no longer accepts applications.
Which Dutch universities offer the NL Scholarship?
For 2026–27, Study in NL lists research universities including Eindhoven, Maastricht, Radboud, Groningen, Twente, Utrecht, VU Amsterdam and Wageningen, plus more than twenty universities of applied sciences. The list changes every year, so check the 2027–28 list.
Related Sources
- Scholarships in the Netherlands for international students
- Europe scholarships for international students
- Canada scholarships for international students
- How to get a free master’s degree
- Scholarships without IELTS
- Scholarship deadlines: apply now
- TU Delft van Effen Scholarship
- Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship
Deadlines and amounts change every year. Always confirm them on the university’s own page before applying.