Many people ask about the Netherlands Government Scholarship. This often means the NL Scholarship. It used to be called the Holland Scholarship. This scholarship helps students. It is for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA includes EU countries. It also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
Who funds this scholarship? The Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science pays for it. Dutch higher education schools also help pay. These schools can be research universities. Or they can be universities of applied sciences.
The main aim is to help students. These are students who want to get a Bachelor’s degree. Or they want a Master’s degree. The scholarship is a one-time payment. It is usually €5,000. You get this in the first year of your studies. It helps pay for your study costs. It is not always a full scholarship. But it is a big help.
Why Choose to Study in the Netherlands with a Scholarship?
Studying in the Netherlands is a great choice. A scholarship makes it even better. Here are some good reasons why.
World-Class Education System
The Netherlands has very good schools. Their education system is one of the best. Many Dutch universities rank high in the world. You get quality learning.
International and Multicultural Environment
Many students come from other countries. You will meet people from all over the world. This makes learning fun. Most schools offer programs in English. So, language is not a big problem.
Innovation and Research Opportunities
The Netherlands is known for new ideas. There is a strong focus on research. Students can often join in these new projects. This is great for learning new things.
Gateway to Europe
The Netherlands is in a good spot in Europe. It is easy to travel to other countries. You can explore many cultures. This adds to your study abroad time.
Career Opportunities
After you study, you might find good jobs. The Netherlands has opportunities. Some students can even stay and work for a while. This is a good start for your career.
Netherlands Government Scholarship 2025-26: Key Details
Here are key facts about the scholarship for 2025-26.
Scholarship Value and Benefits
The NL Scholarship is often €5,000. This is a one-time payment. You get it in your first year of study. It helps pay for your tuition fees. Or it can help with living costs. Getting this scholarship is also a great honor. It looks good on your record.
Program Levels
This scholarship is for two main study levels. You can apply if you want a Bachelor’s degree. You can also apply for a Master’s degree.
Eligible Fields of Study
The scholarship often covers many study fields. But this can change. It depends on the university. You must check with the school you choose. See if your program is part of the scholarship.
Participating Universities
Not all schools in the Netherlands offer this scholarship. Many do, but not all. There is a list of schools that take part. You can find this list on the official StudyinNL website. This website lists research universities. It also lists universities of applied sciences. Always check this list for the 2025-26 academic year. Okay, here are the next three sections of the article, written with a Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease score of 95+ in mind, and including external links.
What is the Netherlands Government Scholarship (NL Scholarship)?
The Netherlands Government Scholarship has a common name. It is often called the NL Scholarship. You might also see its old name, Holland Scholarship. This scholarship gets money from two main places. One is the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The other is from many Dutch schools. These schools are top universities and universities of applied sciences.
Who is this scholarship for? It is mostly for students from outside a place called the European Economic Area (EEA). These are international students. What is its goal? It aims to help students. These students want to get a Bachelor’s degree. Or they want to get a Master’s degree. It is good to know this is not usually a full scholarship. But it gives a good amount of money. Often, it is €5,000. This money is for your first year of study. This helps students a lot. You can find official details on the Study in NL website.
Why Choose to Study in the Netherlands with a Scholarship?
Many students want to study in the Netherlands. A scholarship makes it even better. Here are some good reasons why.
World-Class Education System
The Netherlands has very good schools. Dutch universities are known all over the world. They have a high quality of teaching. They also have great research. Many Dutch schools rank high in global lists. This means your degree will be valued.
International and Multicultural Environment
Schools in the Netherlands have many students from other countries. You will meet people from all over the world. This makes learning fun. It also helps you understand different cultures. Many courses are taught in English. So, it is easy for international students to study.
Innovation and Research Opportunities
The Netherlands is a country that loves new ideas. Schools focus on innovation. They also give chances for research. If you like to discover new things, this is a good place. You can be part of exciting projects.
Gateway to Europe
The Netherlands is in a great spot in Europe. It is easy to travel to other European countries from here. This means you can see many places. It also helps you learn about different cultures in Europe.
Career Opportunities
Studying in the Netherlands can help your future job. Some students may find work there after they finish school. The Dutch economy is strong. There are chances in many fields.
Netherlands Government Scholarship 2025-26: Key Details
Let’s look at some key facts about the NL Scholarship for 2025-26.
Scholarship Value and Benefits
How much money does the scholarship give? It is usually €5,000. Some universities, like Erasmus University Rotterdam, might offer different amounts for their NL Scholarship programs, so always check with the specific institution. What does this money help pay for? It helps with your study costs. Or it can help with living costs. It is a one-time payment for the first year. This scholarship also looks good on your record. It shows you are a good student.
Program Levels
What kind of study can you do with this scholarship? You can do a Bachelor’s degree. You can also do a Master’s degree. So, it helps students at different levels.
Eligible Fields of Study
What subjects can you study? The scholarship often covers many areas of study. But this can change. It depends on the university. You need to check with the school you choose. They will list the study programs that are part of the scholarship.
Participating Universities
Do all universities offer this scholarship? No, not all of them. Many good Dutch research universities take part. Also, many universities of applied sciences join in. The official Study in NL website usually lists participating institutions for the 2025-26 academic year. It is important to check this list. You need to apply to one of these schools. Some well-known ones include Utrecht University and the University of Groningen. Always look at the university’s own website for the most current information.
Eligibility Criteria for the Netherlands Government Scholarship 2025-26
Who can get this scholarship? There are rules. You must meet these rules.
Nationality
Your home country is important. You must be from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA includes European Union countries. It also includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. So, if you are not from these places, you might apply. The official Study in NL website states this clearly.
Program Application
You must want to study full-time. This means not a part-time course. It must be for a Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree. Also, the school must be a participating Dutch school. Not all schools offer this scholarship.
Admission Requirements
You need to get into the university first. You must meet all the entry rules for the course you choose. Each university and program has its own rules. Check these rules on the university’s website. For example, Utrecht University lists specific program requirements.
Previous Dutch Education
Have you studied in the Netherlands before? If you have a degree from a Dutch school, you usually cannot get this scholarship. This scholarship is for new students to the Dutch system.
Other Specific Criteria
Some schools might have more rules. It is very important to check with the school you like. They will tell you all their specific needs.
How to Apply for the Netherlands Government Scholarship 2025-26: Step-by-Step
Applying takes a few steps. Follow them carefully.
Step 1: Research Participating Universities and Programs
First, find schools and courses. Look for Dutch universities that offer the NL Scholarship. Make sure they have a Bachelor’s or Master’s course you like. The Study in NL site often lists participating institutions.
Step 2: Secure Admission to a Dutch University
Next, you must apply to the university. You need to get an offer of admission from them. The scholarship is tied to your place at the school. Getting into your chosen program is key.
Step 3: Check University-Specific Scholarship Application Procedures
How do you apply for the scholarship itself? This is usually done through the university. It is not often a separate application to the government. Each school, like HAN University of Applied Sciences, has its own way. So, check their website for how to apply for the NL Scholarship.
Step 4: Prepare Required Documents
You will need many papers. Get them ready. Common papers are:
- Your admission letter from the university.
- School papers like transcripts and diplomas.
- Proof you know English well (like IELTS or TOEFL scores). Many schools list their language requirements.
- A motivation letter. This tells them why you want the scholarship.
- Letters of recommendation. These are letters from teachers.
- Your CV or resume. This lists your study and work history.
- A copy of your passport.
- Any other papers the university asks for.
Step 5: Submit Your Application Before the Deadline
Watch the dates! Each university has its own deadline for the scholarship. You must send your application before this date. Do not be late.
Application Deadlines for Netherlands Government Scholarship 2025-26
Deadlines are very important. They are not the same for all schools. Each university decides its own closing date for the NL Scholarship.
Many university deadlines for the 2025-26 year will be in early 2025. This could be February 2025. Or it might be May 2025. Some can be different. For example, the University of Groningen often has deadlines around February and June. Always check the exact dates on the website of the university you want to attend.
It is smart to start early. Give yourself lots of time. This helps you prepare a good application. It also helps you meet all deadlines. Look for 2025-26 deadline information on university websites and the Study in NL portal.
Tips for a Successful Netherlands Government Scholarship Application
You want to get the scholarship. Good tips can help. Here is what you can do.
- Meet all eligibility criteria. Make sure you fit all the rules. Check every rule for the NL Scholarship. Also, check the rules of your chosen Dutch university.
- Achieve strong academic results. Good grades are important. Work hard in your studies. Show them you are a good student.
- Write a compelling and tailored motivation letter. Your letter tells them why you want this. Make it personal. Write it for the specific course and school. The University of Amsterdam offers good advice on this.
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation. Ask teachers who know you well. They should write good things about you. Give them time to write the letters.
- Pay close attention to university-specific requirements and deadlines. Each school is different. Read all their instructions. Do not miss any dates.
- Proofread all documents carefully. Check for any mistakes in your papers. Ask someone to read them for you too. This makes your application look neat.
Other Scholarship Opportunities in the Netherlands for International Students (Brief Overview)
The NL Scholarship is great. But there are more ways to get help with money. Many other scholarships exist in the Netherlands.
Some universities have their own scholarships. For example, Leiden University has the Excellence Scholarship (LExS). The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) is another good one. Many schools offer these. Look on the website of the university you like.
There is also the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP). This is for professionals from certain countries. It helps them with study or training in the Netherlands. It aims to help their home countries grow.
You should look for scholarships in many places. The Study in NL website is a good place to start. University websites also list their specific scholarship options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions. People often ask these about the NL Scholarship.
- Is the NL Scholarship a full scholarship? No, it is usually not a full scholarship. It often gives €5,000. This helps with costs. It is for the first year of study. You will likely need other money too.
- Can I apply if I am an EEA student? No. The NL Scholarship is for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). You can check EEA countries here.
- How many universities can I apply to for the scholarship? You usually apply for the scholarship through the university. So, you apply to the university first. You can apply to more than one university. Then, you follow each school’s scholarship process.
- When will the scholarship results be announced? This depends on the university. Each school has its own timeline. They will tell you when they announce results. Check their website for this info.
- Can I work part-time while on this scholarship in the Netherlands? Yes, international students can often work part-time. There are rules for this. For example, how many hours you can work. The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has details. The scholarship itself usually does not stop you from working.
Conclusion
The Netherlands Government Scholarship, widely known as the NL Scholarship, offers a great chance. It helps international students study in the Netherlands. This guide showed you key facts. You learned about who can apply. You found out how to apply. We also shared tips for success.
Studying in the Netherlands can be a rich experience. The schools are top quality. The country is welcoming. The NL Scholarship can help make this dream real. Remember to check all details on the official Study in NL website. Also, look at the websites of universities you like. Start your research early. Prepare your application with care for the 2025-26 academic year. This could be your first step to an amazing education in Holland. Start your journey to study in the Netherlands today!