Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship 2026 invites talented and ambitious international students to apply for one of the most prestigious scholarships in the Netherlands. The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) 2026 offers full tuition fee coverage for exceptional non-EU/EEA students pursuing Master’s degrees at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This fellowship provides an incredible opportunity to study in the heart of Amsterdam — a global hub of innovation, creativity, and academic excellence — while gaining access to a world-class education that shapes future leaders.
Founded in 1880, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands as one of Europe’s top research universities, recognized for its commitment to excellence, diversity, and societal impact. With a wide range of English-taught programs across science, business, law, social sciences, and humanities, VU Amsterdam fosters an inclusive academic community representing over 120 nationalities. Its central location in the dynamic Zuidas district, cutting-edge research facilities, and dedication to sustainability make it an ideal destination for students seeking an international learning experience that blends theory with real-world application.
Benefits of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship 2026
The VU Fellowship offers an excellent funding package for international students:
- Full Tuition Fee Coverage for one- or two-year Master’s programmes.
- Automatic consideration for the NL Scholarship, which offers an additional €5,000 or €10,000 contribution toward living expenses during the first study year.
- Around 20–25 NL Scholarships are awarded annually in combination with VUFP.
Eligible Nationalities
The VUFP Scholarship is specifically for non-EU/EEA international students. Applicants holding EU/EEA or Dutch nationality are not eligible.
Eligibility Criteria for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship 2026
To qualify for the VU Fellowship Programme 2026, applicants must:
- Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and be ineligible for statutory tuition fees.
- Not hold Dutch nationality.
- Demonstrate academic excellence (Bachelor’s GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0/10).
- Be conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam starting in September 2026.
- Not be applying for joint-degree or February intake programmes where VU is not the admitting institution.
- The previous degree (Bachelor’s) must have been obtained outside the Netherlands.
- Applicants must not require a preparatory programme before beginning the Master’s studies.
Available Subjects
The scholarship is available for all English-taught Master’s programmes offered at VU Amsterdam. These include diverse disciplines across:
- Social Sciences and Humanities
- Business and Economics
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Environmental and Earth Sciences
- Health, Life, and Biomedical Sciences
- Law, Governance, and Public Policy
Application Timeline
Here’s the official timeline for the VU Fellowship 2026:
- 1 October 2025: Master’s programme applications open.
- 1 November 2025: VUFP scholarship application portal opens.
- 1 December 2025: Recommended deadline to complete Master’s admission.
- 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET): Final deadline to submit the VUFP application.
- Mid-March 2026: Scholarship results announced.
- End of March 2026: Accepted students confirm their scholarship acceptance.
- September 2026: Classes commence at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
How to Apply for Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship 2026
- Apply Online: Submit your application for a Master’s program at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam starting 1 October 2025.
- Note: Complete all required fields and upload necessary documents to be considered for the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship (VUFP) is a merit-based tuition waiver for non-EU/EEA incoming master’s students, running from 1 Nov 2025 to 1 Feb 2026. It covers full tuition (not living costs), is open to first-year English programmes, and includes automatic NL Scholarship consideration.
What is the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship 2026?
The Fellowship is called the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP), a merit-based tuition waiver for incoming non-EU/EEA master’s students. It rewards outstanding applicants who pay the higher non-EU/EEA tuition.
Who is eligible to apply for the VU Fellowship Programme 2026?
You must hold a non-EU/EEA passport, not be eligible for the lower tuition fee, and apply for your first master’s year in a full-time English-taught programme. Also, you must not hold a Dutch degree.
What costs does the Fellowship cover?
The Fellowship covers the full tuition fee for the master’s programme. It does not include a living allowance—those costs must be covered separately by the student.
Can the Fellowship be extended for a two-year master’s programme?
Yes — for two-year master’s, the Fellowship can be extended into year two, but only if you successfully complete 100% of the credits in year one.
Do I need to submit a separate application for the Fellowship?
No separate application is required. When you apply for the Fellowship, you automatically apply for the NL Scholarship too, since the processes are combined.
How many Fellowship awards does VU Amsterdam offer?
VU contributes roughly €1 million to attract excellent non-EU/EEA students via this Fellowship, and they select various recipients each year from top applicants.
When can I apply for the 2026 Fellowship?
The call for applications runs from 1 November 2025 to 1 February 2026. Be sure your master’s admission is secured before applying.
Is the NL Scholarship connected to this Fellowship?
Yes- the NL Scholarship acts as a living-cost contribution and is combined with the VU Fellowship. It is only granted for the first master’s year.
What academic record do I need to qualify?
You must show academic excellence—typically equivalent to a Dutch grade of 8.0 (on a 1–10 scale). The committee evaluates transcripts and past performance.
Can students already studying in the Netherlands apply?
No- the program is targeted at incoming students. It is not open to those who already hold a degree from the Netherlands or are currently enrolled there.
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