Approximately €50,000 to €55,000 (total value over 2 years)
Duration
24 months (2 years)
Deadline
February 1st (for the September intake)
Level
Master's Degree (MSc)
Acceptance
Less than 2% of international applicants
Difficulty
Very High
Quick Summary
Wageningen University Excellence Programme, administered by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), is one of the funding options available to international students (non-eea/non-swiss) in Netherlands. The award covers The scholarship covers the full tuition fee, a monthly living allowance, a one-time travel allowance, visa costs, and health insurance for the two-year MSc program. and is open to master's degree (msc) students studying all master of science programmes offered at wageningen university & research. The scholarship runs for 24 months (2 years) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to excellent students from outside the European Economic Area who have been (conditionally) admitted to a WUR Master's program and demonstrate a high GPA (First Class Honours or equivalent). The application deadline is February 1st (for the September intake), with an acceptance rate of approximately Less than 2% of international applicants. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for Wageningen University Excellence Programme?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
5%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Low (Extremely competitive)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately €50,000 to €55,000 (total value over 2 years)
⏳
Duration
24 months (2 years)
📅
Deadline
February 1st (for the September intake)
🔬
Fields
All Master of Science programmes offered at Wageningen University & Research
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 10 awards per year
🌏
Study Country
Netherlands
🏛️
Provider
Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
📊
Acceptance
Less than 2% of international applicants
The Wageningen University Excellence Programme is aimed at attracting the world's most talented students to the Netherlands. It targets high-achieving non-EEA students and provides comprehensive financial support for two years of Master's study in fields related to life sciences, environmental studies, and social sciences.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to excellent students from outside the European Economic Area who have been (conditionally) admitted to a WUR Master's program and demonstrate a high GPA (First Class Honours or equivalent).
🏛️ Host University
Wageningen University & Research
🤝 Sponsor
Wageningen University & Research
🔬 Fields of Study
All Master of Science programmes offered at Wageningen University & Research
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship covers the full tuition fee, a monthly living allowance, a one-time travel allowance, visa costs, and health insurance for the two-year MSc program.
Estimated 1,500+ applicants for the general international pool
Applicants Last Year
10
Winners
Less than 2% of international applicants
Acceptance Rate
Low (Extremely competitive)
Competition Level
Win Probability
5%
Match Score
72%
Competition
75%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
100% of the tuition fee for the full duration of the program
Living Stipend
Monthly allowance for living expenses (approx. €1,100 per month)
Total Award
Approximately €50,000 to €55,000 (total value over 2 years)
✈️ Travel: Covers one-time travel costs (return flight ticket)🏠 Accommodation: Included within the monthly living stipend💊 Health Insurance: Full coverage for health and liability insurance (AON Student Insurance)🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: €100 (General university application fee, may be waived for some countries)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100% of the tuition fee for the full duration of the program
🏠 Living Stipend
Monthly allowance for living expenses (approx. €1,100 per month)
Full coverage for health and liability insurance (AON Student Insurance)
🎁 Other Benefits
Costs of visa and residence permit, and participation in the Wageningen Graduate Schools activities
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Contingent upon maintaining high academic performance (GPA) during the first year of study.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-EU/EFTA citizens who have applied for an MSc program and belong to the top 5% of their graduating class.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's Degree (MSc)
📊 Minimum GPA
GPA of 80% or higher (or First Class Honours equivalent)
🗣️ English Requirement
IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 in speaking), TOEFL iBT 92 (min. 23 in speaking), or Cambridge CAE/CPE
💼 Work Experience
Not required but considered an asset
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory but evidence of extracurricular excellence is preferred
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary selection criterion; focus is on academic merit
🎯 Target Students
International Students (Non-EEA/Non-Swiss)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation Statement is part of the standard MSc application)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two reference letters from academic or professional supervisors)
Interview
Yes (Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview)
Application Fee
€100 (General university application fee, may be waived for some countries)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Two reference letters from academic or professional supervisors) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 in speaking), TOEFL iBT 92 (min. 23 in speaking), or Cambridge CAE/CPE
Interview: Yes (Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview)
Min GPA: GPA of 80% or higher (or First Class Honours equivalent)
📋 Application Process
Ensure you apply for the MSc program well before the Feb 1 deadline. Focus your motivation on how your studies will contribute to 'Healthy Food and Living Environment'.
💡 Insider Tip: Only students invited by the university can participate in the selection process; there is no separate application form for the scholarship itself.
🗾️ 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
October 1st (prior to the intake year)
⏰ Deadline
February 1st (for the September intake)
🎤 Interview
Yes (Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview)
🎓 Study Starts
September
October 1st (prior to the intake year)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
February 1st (for the September intake)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Shortlisted candidates are invited for an online interview)
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 excellence (GPA/Class rank), quality of the MSc application, and performance during the selection interview.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
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Coverage
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Wageningen University Excellence ProgrammeCurrent
Netherlands
Full Funding
Master's Degree (MSc)
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Open to excellent students from outside the European Economic Area who have been (conditionally) admitted to a WUR Master's program and demonstrate a high GPA (First Class Honours or equivalent).
This scholarship covers: The scholarship covers the full tuition fee, a monthly living allowance, a one-time travel allowance, visa costs, and health insurance for the two-year MSc program.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is February 1st (for the September intake). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Low (Extremely competitive). Acceptance rate: Less than 2% of international applicants. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 in speaking), TOEFL iBT 92 (min. 23 in speaking), or Cambridge CAE/CPE, Yes (Two reference letters from academic or professional supervisors) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.