Applications are available for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarships 2027/2028 at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Netherlands. These competitive scholarships support academically outstanding international students from outside the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) who wish to pursue eligible bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes.
The University of Amsterdam offers scholarships through different faculties, with funding amounts, eligibility requirements and application deadlines varying by programme. Depending on the faculty, awards may cover tuition fees or provide additional financial assistance, making this an opportunity for talented students seeking to study in the Netherlands.
SUMMARY
- Scholarship Sponsor: University of Amsterdam (UvA)
- Host Institution: University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Scholarship Type: Merit-based scholarships
- Scholarship Worth: Varies by faculty; may cover tuition fees and additional allowances
- Number of Awards: Limited; varies by faculty
- Study Levels: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in eligible programmes
- Eligible Nationalities: Non-EU/EEA international students
Also Check: Dutch Government SIDS Scholarships 2027 to Study in Netherlands
Scholarship Overview
The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) programme is designed to attract academically exceptional students from outside the EU/EEA to the University of Amsterdam.
Unlike scholarships with a single university-wide application process, AMS awards are administered by individual faculties and graduate schools. Each participating faculty determines its scholarship budget, selection criteria and application requirements.
Scholarships are available in selected academic fields, including:
- Economics and Business
- Social Sciences
- Communication Science
- Law
- Psychology
- Other participating academic disciplines
The programme is highly competitive, with only a small number of awards available each year.
Eligibility Criteria
Although requirements differ by faculty, applicants generally must:
- Hold a nationality outside the EU/EEA.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic performance.
- Be ineligible for Dutch student grants or loans.
- Apply for an eligible bachelor’s or master’s programme at the University of Amsterdam.
- Submit a complete admission application before the relevant scholarship deadline.
- Meet the academic and English-language requirements of their selected programme.
- Be able to comply with Dutch immigration and residence permit requirements.
- Not hold another scholarship providing full funding for the same period of study.
Some faculties require applicants to rank among the highest-performing students in their graduating class.
Additional requirements may include a strong motivation letter, academic references, selection assessments or participation in early matching activities.
Conditions for Scholarship Continuation
- For scholarships awarded over multiple academic years, continued funding depends on satisfactory academic progress.
- The relevant faculty or department determines the academic performance requirements, assessment procedures and conditions for renewal.
- Students are generally expected to complete a substantial proportion of their required credits each academic year.
- However, not all AMS awards are renewable. For example, some master’s scholarships are awarded for one year only.
Applicants should review the conditions attached to their specific scholarship offer.
Scholarship Benefits
The value of the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship depends on the participating faculty and academic programme.
Examples of available funding arrangements include:
- Economics and Business (Master’s): Tuition fee equivalent plus an additional €5,000 allowance for the one-year programme.
- Graduate School of Social Sciences: Scholarship equivalent to the tuition fee, paid in monthly instalments.
- Communication Science: One scholarship has been announced for 2027/2028, covering the full first-year tuition fee for an eligible new master’s or research master’s student.
- Amsterdam Law School: The scholarship was valued at €25,900 for 2026/2027. The amount for 2027/2028 should be confirmed on the faculty’s official website.
For some faculties, scholarships are paid through reimbursement or instalments rather than direct tuition fee waivers.
Applicants should therefore confirm whether they must initially arrange payment of their tuition fees.
Check Also: RSM Non-EEA Scholarship of Excellence to Study in Netherlands
Application Procedures
How to Apply: Interested applicants should follow the application instructions provided by their chosen faculty or graduate school.
- Visit the University of Amsterdam Scholarship portal and identify an eligible programme.
- Apply for admission through Studielink and complete the university’s required online application process.
- Review the scholarship instructions for your faculty, including whether a separate application, questionnaire or nomination is required.
- Submit the scholarship application and supporting documents through the designated platform before the faculty’s deadline.
For Economics and Business applicants, scholarship applications may be submitted through the UvA Embark Application Portal.
Other faculties use different application systems or selection procedures. Applicants should not assume that Embark is required for every AMS scholarship.
Application Documents
Depending on the faculty and degree programme, applicants may need:
- Academic transcripts and certificates.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Motivation letter explaining their academic achievements and reasons for applying.
- Recommendation letter from a teacher, dean or academic supervisor.
- Evidence of English-language proficiency, where required.
- Proof of academic excellence or class ranking.
- Additional programme-specific application documents.
For Economics and Business, applicants may be required to submit a motivation letter of approximately 300 words and a recommendation confirming their academic standing.
Application Deadline
Varies by Programmes.
