VUB Excellence Scholarship Programme, administered by Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), is one of the funding options available to international students (both eea and non-eea) in Belgium. The award covers The scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver and a grant of up to 10,000 per academic year to assist with living expenses while studying at VUB. and is open to master's degree students studying all english-taught master's programs across various faculties. The scholarship runs for duration of the master program (1 or 2 years) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on applicants must be high-achieving international students applying for an English-taught Master's degree at VUB with a background demonstrating exceptional academic performance. The application deadline is February 1st (Annual), with an acceptance rate of approximately Estimated < 5% of eligible applicants. Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for VUB Excellence Scholarship Programme?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
8%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30-45 hrs
Time Required
Low
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Up to €10,000 per academic year
⏳
Duration
Duration of the Master program (1 or 2 years)
📅
Deadline
February 1st (Annual)
🌎
Fields
All English-taught Master's programs across various faculties
🏆
Awards/Year
Limited (Competitive)
🌏
Study Country
Belgium
🏛️
Provider
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
📊
Acceptance
Estimated < 5% of eligible applicants
The VUB Excellence Scholarship Programme is designed to attract top-tier international students to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. The scholarship is awarded to candidates who show outstanding academic potential and wish to pursue an English-taught Master's degree in the heart of Europe. It aims to foster a diverse and high-achieving academic community by removing financial barriers for the most talented students.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be high-achieving international students applying for an English-taught Master's degree at VUB with a background demonstrating exceptional academic performance.
🤝 Sponsor
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
🌎 Fields of Study
All English-taught Master's programs across various faculties
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver and a grant of up to €10,000 per academic year to assist with living expenses while studying at VUB.
✈️ Travel: No🏠 Accommodation: No (Paid for by the student using the living stipend)💊 Health Insurance: No (Mandatory for students but not covered by scholarship)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: €50 (Standard VUB application processing fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (Full waiver of the tuition fee)
🏠 Living Stipend
Yes (An allowance of up to €10,000 per year)
🏡 Accommodation
No (Paid for by the student using the living stipend)
✈️ Travel Allowance
No
💊 Health Insurance
No (Mandatory for students but not covered by scholarship)
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to international student networks and VUB ambassador opportunities
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Continuation depends on obtaining all credits (60 ECTS) in the first year of study with high marks.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Open to all nationalities; must be admitted to a VUB Master program; must demonstrate academic excellence.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's Degree
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent to Distinction or High Honors (Top 10% of class)
🗣️ English Requirement
IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79-92, or C1 Advanced/Proficiency
💼 Work Experience
Not required (unless specified by the specific Master's program)
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory but considered an asset
💰 Financial Need
Not the primary selection criterion
🎯 Target Students
International Students (both EEA and non-EEA)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation letter and academic goals statement)
Rec Letters
Yes (Minimum of 2 academic recommendation letters)
Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on the application dossier)
Application Fee
€50 (Standard VUB application processing fee)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Minimum of 2 academic recommendation letters) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79-92, or C1 Advanced/Proficiency
Interview: No (Selection is primarily based on the application dossier)
Min GPA: Equivalent to Distinction or High Honors (Top 10% of class)
📋 Application Process
Ensure your motivation letter clearly aligns your research interests with VUB's specific faculty strengths. Apply early as soon as the portal opens in November.
💡 Insider Tip: Double-check the equivalence of your previous degree and provide certified translations of all transcripts. Highlighting any publications or research projects is beneficial.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
November 1st (Annual)
⏰ Deadline
February 1st (Annual)
🎤 Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on the application dossier)
🎓 Study Starts
September
November 1st (Annual)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
February 1st (Annual)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
No (Selection is primarily based on the application dossier)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic record (grades and honors), quality of the motivation letter, strength of recommendation letters, and potential for future contribution to the field.
Applicants must be high-achieving international students applying for an English-taught Master's degree at VUB with a background demonstrating exceptional academic performance.
This scholarship covers: The scholarship provides a full tuition fee waiver and a grant of up to €10,000 per academic year to assist with living expenses while studying at VUB.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is February 1st (Annual). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Low. Acceptance rate: Estimated < 5% of eligible applicants. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79-92, or C1 Advanced/Proficiency, Yes (Minimum of 2 academic recommendation letters) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.