Utrecht Excellence Scholarship 2026 Available for All Nationalities
Utrecht, Netherlands – One of Europe’s most prestigious scholarships for international students, the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES), has opened its final round of applications for the academic year 2026–2027. Due to recent budget cuts, Utrecht University has confirmed that this scholarship programme will be discontinued after this cycle.
For years, the UES has attracted top talent from every corner of the world, offering outstanding non-EU/EEA students the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at one of the Netherlands’ leading universities. Now, the 2026–2027 intake represents the last opportunity for ambitious scholars to secure this award.
What the Scholarship Offers?
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship provides one of two funding options:
- Full coverage of tuition fees, or
- Tuition fees plus living costs for one academic year, as determined by Dutch residence regulations.
For students enrolled in two-year master’s programmes, the scholarship may be renewed for the second year, provided strong academic progress is maintained.
Who Can Apply?
This scholarship has always been highly competitive and selective. To qualify, students must:
- Be among the top 10% of their graduating class.
- Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for Dutch government student funding.
- Have completed their secondary education or bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands.
- Apply for a participating master’s programme at Utrecht University starting 1 September 2025.
Selection will be based on academic excellence, motivation, and the quality of the master’s programme application.
Application Platform: https://www.uu.nl/en/masters/general-information/application-and-admission/scholarships-and-grants/utrecht-excellence-scholarships
Application Submission Time
The final application cycle for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship will open on November 1, 2025, with the application portal accepting submissions until the deadline of 1 February 2026 at 23:59 CET. Applications will only be reviewed once the deadline has passed, and the results are expected to be announced by mid-April 2026.