✨ Should I Apply for VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) – VU Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
Low (Highly Competitive)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Full tuition fee waiver (approx. €15,000 to €16,000 depending on program)
⏱
Duration
1 or 2 years (matching the duration of the Master's program)
🗓
Deadline
February 1st (Annual)
🌐
Fields
All English-taught Master's programs offered by VU Amsterdam
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 20 to 30 awards per year
🌏
Study Country
Netherlands
🏛️
Provider
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
📊
Acceptance
Check official website
The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is a prestigious scholarship for talented prospective students from outside the EU/EEA. It covers the full tuition fee for a Master’s degree at VU Amsterdam, supporting the university's goal to foster international diversity and academic brilliance.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must hold a non-EU/EEA passport, not have Dutch nationality, not have previously studied in the Netherlands, and must have an excellent academic record (GPA equivalent to Dutch 8/10).
🏛️ Host University
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
🌐 Fields of Study
All English-taught Master's programs offered by VU Amsterdam
✨ Key Benefits
The VU Fellowship Programme provides a full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the Master's program. It does not cover living expenses, health insurance, travel, or residence permit costs.
🎯 Target Students
International students (Non-EU/EEA)
🏷 Tags
Netherlands
Masters
Tuition Waiver
Non-EU
Excellence
Merit-based
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (100% of the tuition fee)
Total Award
Full tuition fee waiver (app
✈️ Travel: No
🏠 Accommodation: No
💊 Health Insurance: No
🔄 Renewable: Yes
💳 App Fee: €100 (Master's program application fee)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (100% of the tuition fee)
🎁 Other Benefits
Priority for VU Amsterdam housing (though not paid for), access to a network of international scholarship students, and exclusive invitation to VUFP events.
📋 Renewal Conditions
For two-year programs, the scholarship is renewed for the second year if the student earns 100% of the credits (60 ECTS) in the first year.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-EU/EEA international students applying for an English-taught Master's degree.
🎓 Academic Level
Master's (MA, MSc, LLM)
📊 Minimum GPA
Equivalent to 8.0/10 in the Dutch grading system (Top 10% of class)
🗣️ English Requirement
IELTS 6.5 - 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 92 - 100 (depends on the specific Master's program requirements)
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Recommended but not mandatory (to be highlighted in motivation letter)
💰 Financial Need
Not considered (purely merit-based)
🎯 Target Students
International students (Non-EU/EEA)
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Motivation Letter for VUFP)
Rec Letters
Varies by program (usually not required for the scholarship itself but may be for program admission)
Interview
No (Selection is based on the application dossier)
Application Fee
€100 (Master's program application fee)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Varies by program (usually not required for the scholarship itself but may be for program admission) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- IELTS 6.5 - 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 92 - 100 (depends on the specific Master's program requirements)
- Interview: No (Selection is based on the application dossier)
- Min GPA: Equivalent to 8.0/10 in the Dutch grading system (Top 10% of class)
📋 Application Process
Begin your Master's application in Studielink and Osiris early. Ensure your motivation letter specifically addresses why you are an 'excellent' candidate and how you will contribute to the VU community.
💡 Insider Tip: Check the equivalence of your GPA to the Dutch system; usually, an A-grade average or being in the top 10% of your graduating class is necessary.