VU Fellowship Programme: Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

University's own VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is a merit-based tuition fee waiver. It can be combined with the NL Scholarship, meant as a contribution towards costs of living. They are both meant for students from non-EU/EEA countries who pay higher tuition fees.

The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) offers talented prospective non- EU/ EEA students the unique opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. VU Amsterdam has committed to providing approximately 1 million euros towards attracting highly motivated and excellent students. 

Combining the VUFP with the NL Scholarship 

When applying for the VUFP scholarship, you automatically also apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly HSP). No separate application is necessary. 

NL Scholarship is a contribution towards the costs of living. It is €5,000 or €10,000 for the entire duration of your study period. Please note:

• The NL Scholarship is awarded only for the first year of your study programme. You will not receive the NL Scholarship for the second year of your studies even if you are following a two-year study programme.
• University has around 20- 25 NLS scholarships available. Only a few of the VUFP awardees will get the NL Scholarship.

The VUFP scholarship covers the tuition fees only.

It does not provide any additional allowance towards study or living costs, like rent, food, insurances. Be aware that you must be able to finance these living expenses by yourself.

When applying for the VUFP scholarship, you automatically also apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly HSP). No separate application is necessary. 

NL Scholarship is a contribution towards the costs of living. It is €5,000 or €10,000 for the entire duration of your study period. Please note:

• The NL Scholarship is awarded only for the first year of your study programme. You will not receive the NL Scholarship for the second year of your studies even if you are following a two-year study programme.
• University has around 20- 25 NLS scholarships available. Only a few of the VUFP awardees will get the NL Scholarship.

• You hold a non- EU/ EEA passport and you are not eligible for the lower tuition fee.
• You do not have the Dutch nationality.
• You can prove your academic excellence (GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8).
• You are conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam starting per September 2026. Please note that:
  • students starting in February cannot apply,
  • joint programmes where VU Amsterdam does not administer the admission process are excluded from VUFP.
• The degree with which you are seeking admission has not been obtained in the Netherlands.
• You do not need to complete a preparatory programme before the start of your Master.

GPA

• University base grade conversion on data collected by expert institutions, such as ECCTIS (UK). The comparison between the Dutch and foreign grade is based on grade distribution statistics, so how often a certain grade is given. This methodology ensures that a student who is successful in one country will be regarded as equally successful in another country. This way, university ensure all applications are treated fairly and equally. It is important to realise that grade comparison is not as simple as calculating that the grade 8 out of 10 is equivalent to, for example 80%, 16/20 or 3.2/4.
• Furthermore, a grade 8 or higher is considered a very high and therefore a quite rare grade in the Netherlands, as a result of Dutch grading culture. This means that only a small portion of students will graduate with a GPA of at least an 8 out of 10. Thus, when university compare Dutch grades to foreign grades, only a small portion of the distribution of foreign grades qualifies for the minimum GPA requirement to apply for the VUFP Scholarship. Moreover, meeting the minimum GPA requirement is only a minimum that should be reached so university accept and process your application, and is by no means a guarantee to actually be offered the VUFP Scholarship. The total score used to rank all applicants is based on several factors, of which GPA is only one.

Register for a Master's programme in Studielink and after that in your personal dashboard on vu.nl.

To apply please fill out the VUFP-NLS application form and at the end of it paste the GPA proof/ programme transcript and a grading scale explanation. Once done, save it as a one file in .PDF format and upload it in the Scholarship section of your personal dashboard on vu.nl (located on the Complete Registration page).

Answer all questions and include the GPA proof/ programme transcript. Not answering one or more questions or not including the GPA proof/ programme transcript will result in your application being considered incomplete.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Please write here your extracurricular activities related to the study programme (MAX. 200 words) For example: exchange abroad, internships, extra study courses, graduate programme(s), etc.
• Please write here your extracurricular activities NOT related to the study programme  (MAX. 200 words) For example: volunteer work, internships, community service, etc.
• Please write here your Professional Background (MAX. 200 words. Do not add a cv, summarize it here) For example: work experience, internships, research etc.
  
  

Personal Statement

• What is your motivation to choose Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam? (MAX. 200 words)
• What is your motivation to follow this specific Master programme?  (MAX. 200 words)
• Do you have sufficient funds to live and study in The Netherlands? (MAX. 200 words)

• You hold a non- EU/ EEA passport and you are not eligible for the lower tuition fee.
• You do not have the Dutch nationality.

•  The VUFP-NLS Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Personal Statement