Study for Free in the Netherlandswithout worrying about tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs? The Netherlands is a top destination for international students, known for its high-quality education, globally recognized universities, and welcoming environment. The best part? You can study in the Netherlands for free or at a very low cost with fully funded scholarships.

In this article, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about scholarships that cover everything in the Netherlands—tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, travel tickets, and more.

1. Can I really study for free in the Netherlands?

✅ Yes! There are many scholarships in the Netherlands that offer full financial support for international students. With these scholarships, you can study completely free because they cover:

• Tuition fees (100%)
• Monthly living allowance (for food, transport, and personal expenses)
• Free accommodation or housing support
• Health insurance
• Visa fees
• Travel tickets (round trip airfare)

These scholarships are very competitive, but with good academic records, motivation letters, and proper documentation, you have a fair chance of securing one.

2. What are the most popular fully funded scholarships in the Netherlands?

Here are the top scholarships that cover everything:

🎓 1. Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP):

• For students from developing countries.
• Covers tuition fees, travel, visa, insurance, and living costs.
• Offered for short courses and master’s programs.

🎓 2. Holland Scholarship:

• €5,000 grant for the first year, some universities provide additional funding.
• Aimed at non-EEA students for bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

🎓 3. Eric Bleumink Scholarship (University of Groningen):

• Full tuition, costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance.
• Only for talented master’s students.

🎓 4. Radboud Scholarship Programme:

• Partial tuition reduction and coverage of living costs.
• Highly competitive, for selected master’s programs.

🎓 5. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS):

• Full tuition plus living stipend.
• For excellent non-EU/EEA master’s students.

🎓 6. TU Delft Excellence Scholarships (Justus & Louise van Effen):

• Covers full tuition and monthly allowance.
• For top engineering students.

🎓 7. Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES):

• Covers full tuition and living expenses (€25,000).
• For exceptionally talented master’s students.

3. Which universities in the Netherlands offer fully funded scholarships?

✅ Many Dutch universities offer full scholarships:

• University of Amsterdam
• Leiden University
• Utrecht University
• Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• University of Groningen
• Radboud University Nijmegen
• Maastricht University
• Wageningen University & Research

You can apply for scholarships directly through the university when you apply for your program.

4. What are the general eligibility criteria?

🎓 The basic eligibility requirements are:

• Non-European Union/European Economic Area (non-EU/EEA) nationality.
• Excellent academic records (high GPA or equivalent).
• Admission to a full-time bachelor’s or master’s program in a Dutch university.
• Motivational letter or statement of purpose.
• English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL).

Each scholarship may have specific criteria, for example:

• Age limits (especially for OKP).
• Field of study (engineering, social sciences, law, agriculture, etc.).
• Work experience (sometimes for OKP).

5. Is IELTS compulsory for Netherlands scholarships?

✅ Yes, most universities and scholarships in the Netherlands require proof of English proficiency:

• IELTS (usually minimum 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0).
• TOEFL (minimum 90-100 score depending on program).
• Some universities accept English-taught bachelor’s degrees as proof of language proficiency.

Tip: Always check the specific university and scholarship language requirements.

6. Do these scholarships include travel expenses?

✅ Yes, some scholarships include travel tickets:

• Orange Knowledge Programme covers round trip tickets.
• Eric Bleumink Scholarship covers international airfare.
• TU Delft Excellence Scholarship provides a travel allowance.
• Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship includes travel costs.

Other scholarships might not cover travel, but you can apply for travel grants through your local education ministry or other funding bodies.

7. How do I apply for these scholarships?

📝 Application Process:

1. Choose your study program at a Dutch university.
2. Apply for admission to the university program.
3. Indicate in your application that you want to apply for a scholarship.
4. Prepare documents: motivation letter, recommendation letters, CV, transcripts, passport, IELTS/TOEFL score.
5. Apply before the deadline (usually between January and May for September intake).

Some scholarships like OKP require you to apply through your country’s embassy or an online portal like Study in Holland.

8. Are these scholarships for undergraduate or master’s level?

✅ Most fully funded scholarships are for Master’s programs. However:

• Some scholarships (like the Holland Scholarship) are available for Bachelor’s too.
• OKP is mainly for Master’s and short courses.
• Bachelor’s scholarships are fewer but available with partial funding.

9. Are there scholarships for PhD in the Netherlands?

✅ Yes, PhD candidates in the Netherlands are considered employees rather than students.

• You get a monthly salary (not a scholarship).
• Salaries range from €2,700 to €3,500 per month.
• Vacancies are published on university websites.
• No tuition fees; you are paid for research.

10. How much monthly allowance do fully funded scholarships offer?

💶 It varies by scholarship but typically:

• Monthly stipend: €900 – €1,500/month
• This covers food, transport, clothing, and personal expenses.
• For PhD: monthly salary up to €3,500.
• Accommodation may be provided separately or you rent yourself.

11. What is the cost of living in the Netherlands for students?

💡 Average cost of living:

• Rent: €300 – €600/month (shared or student housing)
• Food: €150 – €250/month
• Transport: €50 – €100/month
• Other personal expenses: €100 – €200/month
  ✅ Fully funded scholarships cover or provide allowance for these costs.

12. What documents are required to apply?

📑 Common documents:

• Valid Passport
• Academic transcripts (translated into English)
• Degree certificates
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letters
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• English proficiency test scores
• Admission letter from Dutch university

13. What are the deadlines for applying

⏰ Deadlines vary:

• For September intake: January to April is the common deadline.
• Orange Knowledge Programme has different deadlines in February and June each year.
• University-specific deadlines can be early (some by January).

Always check the scholarship page of your chosen university for exact dates.

14. Do I need to pay application fees?

✅ Some universities charge an application fee (€50 to €100), but scholarship applicants can sometimes request a waiver.
✅ OKP does not require an application fee when applying through the embassy or Nuffic portal.

15. Can I apply for multiple scholarships?

✅ Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships but you can only accept one full scholarship.

• You can apply for university scholarships + national scholarships (like OKP).
• Some universities automatically consider you for scholarships once you apply.

16. Can I work part-time while studying on a scholarship?

✅ Yes, with a student visa you are allowed to:

• Work up to 16 hours per week during term time.
• Full-time during summer holidays (June, July, August).
  ✅ Many scholarships cover all expenses, so working is optional for extra income.

17. Do I need to return to my home country after graduation?

✅ It depends:

• OKP scholars usually have to return to their home country for 2 years.
• University-based scholarships often have no such rule.
• The Netherlands offers a “Orientation Year Visa” after graduation—allowing you to stay 1 year to find work.

18. Can I settle in the Netherlands after study?

✅ Yes, the Orientation Year Visa lets you stay after graduation.
✅ After finding a job, you can apply for a residence permit as a highly skilled migrant.
✅ After 5 years of residence, you can apply for Permanent Residency.

19. Is there any age limit for these scholarships?

✅ Yes, some scholarships have age limits:

• OKP: usually under 45 years.
• University scholarships: No strict age limit but preference for younger students.
  ✅ Always check the specific scholarship guidelines.

20. Where can I find official information and apply?

✅ Official sources:

• www.studyinholland.nl
• University official websites
• Nuffic (Dutch organization for international education)

✅ Conclusio

Studying for free in the Netherlands is possible with fully funded scholarships. With proper preparation, good academic performance, and timely application, you can secure a scholarship that covers everything—tuition, accommodation, travel, and living expenses.