University of Amsterdam 2023 Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

The University of Amsterdam is currently inviting international students outside the EU/EEA countries to apply for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) – a scholarship covers the tuition fee and part of the living for one academic year with the possibility of extension for a second year (for two-year Master’s programmes)4

• Table of Content
• About University of Amsterdam
• Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
• Requirements for Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About University of Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam is a modern university with a long and rich history and one of Europe’s most prominent research-lead universities. It is the Netherland’s largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the University of Amsterdam, research is at the heart of what the university does. Nearly 3,000 researchers carry out experimental and theoretical research, and every UvA student has the chance to carry out research themselves.... continue reading

Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

The amount of this single scholarship will be € 26.250 for the first academic year; with a possible extension of € 26.250 for the second academic year. Additional funding will not be offered. The AMS is a partial scholarship and cannot be used as a (partial) tuition waiver. The selected candidate must still pay the full tuition fee. 

Requirements for Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Qualification

Candidates wishing to apply for an AMS programme should: 

• Not have the nationality of one of the countries of the EU/EEA or Suisse
• Not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (for more information please refer to www.duo.nl).
• Not be eligible to pay the reduced tuition fee rate for EEA students at the UvA
• Not receive a full coverage scholarship for the same period of study as the AMS
• Have submitted a complete application to one of the MSc programmes (see the website of your MSc programme for the application and admission procedure)
• Have been (or will be) admitted for the first time to one of the MSc programmes at the UvA
• Be able to comply with the conditions to obtain a Dutch visa (if applicable)
• Have completed their previous academic programme no longer than 3 years ago

The International Team should be notified as soon as possible of any change in nationality, type of residence permit or additional financial support throughout the academic year.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

Selection criteria for the scholarship

The Faculty of Science has a limited number of Amsterdam Merit Scholarships available. In addition to the admission requirements of the Master's programme, eligible candidates are selected on the basis of their academic excellence and promise in the proposed field as evidenced by: 

• The candidate’s academic records. Students belonging to the top 10% of graduates from their class can apply. This generally means an overall GPA equivalent to:
  • 3.5 (American system, 4-point scale)
  • 1st class honours/ upper division (British system)
  • 8+ (Dutch EC-system, 10-point scale);
• The academic quality of the educational institute where the (under)graduate degree has been (or will be) obtained;
• The quality of the letter of motivation (maximum 500 words), in which the candidate explains the reasons for choosing the specific Master’s programme in a broader context and the relevance of obtaining this scholarship for the candidate’s future academic career;
• The candidate’s curriculum vitae, including a description of extracurricular activities such as participation in student commissions, international experience, sports or music at a high level or volunteer work

Failure to meet one or more of the requirements or selection criteria automatically means that the student is not eligible for this scholarship.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Application for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is part of the application procedure for the Master’s programme of your choice. On your application form we ask whether you want to be considered for a UvA scholarship. Please check this box if you want to be considered and if you fulfill all requirements mentioned above.

Furthermore, you should include a paragraph in your motivation letter in which you explain why you wish to be nominated for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and what it would mean for your future academic career.

Please make sure that your motivation letter contains -including this added paragraph- not more than 500 words.

After applying, the coordinators of the MSc Programmes decide which students qualify to apply for the scholarship. All students will be informed as soon as possible

For more details, visit University of Amsterdam website.