VU Masters Fellowship Programme (VUFP) 2025/2026 For International Students: Apply Now!

About the VU Masters Fellowship Programme

The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) provides a unique opportunity for exceptionally talented students to pursue a Master’s degree in a variety of programs at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. This prestigious scholarship is designed to attract highly motivated and academically excellent international students to study at one of the leading universities in the Netherlands. The university has committed a significant financial investment of approximately 1 million euros to support the brightest minds globally through this initiative.

The VUFP is aimed at students who are determined to make a significant impact through their academic and professional achievements. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers a wide range of English-taught Master’s programmes, making it an attractive destination for international students.

The programme is merit-based, meaning the selection process focuses heavily on the applicant’s academic performance, motivation, and potential to succeed at the university.

Eligibility Criteria for VU Fellowship Program 2025

To be eligible for the VU Fellowship Programme, students must meet the following criteria:

Academic Excellence: Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievements and must have been admitted to an English-taught Master’s program at VU Amsterdam starting in September 2025.

Nationality and Educational Background:
- Students with Dutch nationality or those holding a Dutch degree used for admission are not eligible.
- Applicants must not already be enrolled in a two-year Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam unless they have been awarded the VUFP in the previous academic year.

One-Time Scholarship:
- The VUFP scholarship is awarded only once and is explicitly intended for the Master’s program for which the applicant has been accepted.
- If a student is following a one-year Master’s programme, they cannot apply for a second-year VUFP scholarship.

Credit Achievement Requirement:
- For two-year Master’s students, the VUFP scholarship can be extended only if they achieve 100% of the required credits in their first year. The faculty committee must demonstrate this achievement to the Central VUFP committee.

Benefits of the VU Fellowship Program

Upon applying for the VUFP, students will automatically apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly known as the HSP Scholarship), which offers additional financial support for living expenses.

The NL Scholarship is a contribution of €5,000 to €10,000 towards living costs, awarded for the first year of study only.
Approximately 20 to 25 HSP scholarships are available, and only a few VUFP awardees will receive the NL Scholarship.

Selection Process

The selection process for VUFP is thorough and competitive. Applications received by February 1, 2025, will be reviewed by the faculty where the student will be enrolled in a Master’s program. Each faculty nominates their top candidates, and the Central Scholarship Committee makes the final decision on awards.

Factors considered during the selection process include:

The quality of the motivation letter.
The student’s academic performance in prior education.

Specific claims backed by evidence are preferred over generic assertions.

How to Apply for the VU Fellowship Programme

The application process consists of two major steps:

Step 1: Register for a Master’s Programme

Begin by registering for a Master’s program via Studielink. After registering, log into your dashboard on vu.nl and follow the instructions to complete the application for the Master’s program.

You must receive conditional admission to a Master’s program before applying for the VUFP scholarship.
Advised deadline for Master’s application: December 1, 2024. This is particularly important if your program requires an assessment or interview.

Step 2: Submit the VUFP Application

Submit the VUFP application through your dashboard on vu.nl starting from November 1, 2024. You can apply for only one Master’s program, so ensure you choose wisely.

The VUFP application must include the following documents:
- A GPA proof or transcript from your previous studies.
- An explanation of the grading scale used in your previous institution.
- Answer all required questions fully and submit all necessary documents in PDF format.
Deadline for VUFP application: February 1, 2025 (23:59 CET). Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Important Notes:

The VUFP application can be submitted only once, so make sure everything is correct before submission.

Apply early to ensure that all requirements, including the conditional admission to the Master’s program, are met before the deadlines. Please note that the deadline for application is December 1, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY