If you’ve ever dreamed of studying in the Netherlands with full financial support, this is your last chance! Utrecht University has officially announced that the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship (UES) will no longer be available for master’s programmes starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.

This means that the 2025–2026 intake will be the final opportunity for non-EU/EEA students to apply for one of Europe’s most competitive and prestigious scholarships.

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What Does the Scholarship Cover?

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship has been highly sought after because of its generous funding. Recipients could receive:

For two-year master’s programmes, the award could be renewed for the second year if students showed strong academic progress.

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Who Could Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

Until its final cycle, the scholarship was open to outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA. To qualify, applicants needed to:

✔️ Rank in the top 10% of their graduating class
✔️ Hold a non-EU/EEA passport (not eligible for Dutch state-funded grants or loans)
✔️ Have completed a bachelor’s degree or secondary education outside the Netherlands
✔️ Apply to an eligible master’s programme at Utrecht University starting on 1 September 2025

Selection was based on academic excellence, strong motivation, and the quality of the master’s programme application.

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Application Timeline – Final Round

Here’s what you need to know for the last UES cycle:

Applicants must first apply for admission to an eligible master’s programme at Utrecht University. After that, they can submit their scholarship application through the OSIRIS online portal.

⚠️ Important: Incomplete or incorrect applications submitted at the last minute cannot be corrected—so applying early is strongly recommended.

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Why Is This Important?

The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship has opened doors for hundreds of top students worldwide. With tuition fees and living costs in the Netherlands continuing to rise, this program has been a lifeline for many international students.

Now that it’s being discontinued, the 2026 intake is truly the last chance to benefit from this full-ride scholarship.

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Quick Recap – Utrecht Excellence Scholarship 2026–2027

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✨ If you’re planning to study in Europe, don’t miss this final round. After 2026, the UES will be gone for good!

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