Radboud University Scholarship 2026 in the Netherlands

The Radboud University Scholarship 2026 in the Netherlands offers a life-changing opportunity for outstanding international students outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to pursue a Master’s degree at one of the country’s most prestigious institutions. This scholarship aims to attract talented students from all over the world who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and a passion for contributing to their fields of study.

 

Scholarship Summary

• Host Country: Netherlands
• Host University: Radboud University, Nijmegen
• Study Level: Master’s Degree (Full-time, English-taught programs)
• Scholarship Type: Partially Funded
• Deadline: Usually by February 14, 2026

 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants generally need to satisfy:

• Hold a non-EU / non-EEA passport.
  
• Be applying for an English-taught Master’s programme at Radboud University, starting in September 2026. Programs such as Erasmus Mundus or joint-degree/master’s may be excluded.
  
• Have completed a Bachelor’s degree outside the Netherlands and not have previously obtained a degree in the Netherlands. Exchange programmes (if part of the degree outside the Netherlands) are usually allowed.
  
• Meet English language proficiency requirements of the Master’s programme.
  
• Be fully admitted to the programme before applying, or have conditional admission by the time scholarship applications are evaluated.
  
• For multi-year programmes: in some cases, you need to pass all first-year courses (for 2-year Master’s) to continue receiving the scholarship into the second year.

 

Benefits of the Scholarships

Here’s what successful applicants typically receive under the main Radboud scholarship schemes:

• Radboud Scholarship Programme: Significant tuition fee reduction, bringing non-EEA tuition down to approximately €2,695 rather than full non-EU fee (which varies by programme, often much higher). Also covers visa, residence permit, health & liability insurance.
  
• NL Scholarship: A one-time grant of €5,000 for the first year. Not full coverage; does not cover living costs or other general expenses.
  
• Fulbright-Radboud: Provides monthly stipend (for U.S. applicants), support for travel (limited), visa/residence permit cost, insurance. Tuition is not waived.

 

How to Apply

Here is the process for applying for Radboud Scholarships for Master’s programmes (2026-27):

• Apply for Admission: First, apply to the English-taught Master’s programme you want at Radboud University via the OSIRIS system. Indicate your intention to apply for a scholarship (Radboud Scholarship Programme, NL Scholarship, etc.).
  
• Submit Additional Documents: Along with the programme admission, upload required documents for scholarship evaluation: usually CV, two reference letters, and sometimes motivation letter specifically for scholarship. If you already uploaded them for your Master’s application, you might reuse them.
  
• Meet Deadlines: The deadline for both admission + Radboud Scholarship Programme + NL Scholarship is 31 January 2026, 23:59 CEST. But also ensure your complete application is finalized (any missing or illegible documents fixed) by 14 February 2026, 23:59 CEST.
  
• Selection: Selection is separate from admission. A committee assesses applications based on academic excellence, motivation, and past achievements (grades, relevance of previous degree, etc.). Faculties may conduct interviews.
  
• Notification: By mid-April 2026, applicants will be informed whether they have been awarded the scholarship.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is the Radboud Scholarship fully funded?

• No, it’s a partial scholarship. It greatly reduces non-EU tuition fees to ~€2,695 (instead of full fee), and covers visa, permit, and insurance, but does not cover living costs.

2. Can I get both the Radboud Scholarship and the NL Scholarship?

• Yes. The NL Scholarship (for prospective students) must be applied together with the Radboud Scholarship Programme. You may receive both, or just the Radboud Scholarship. But you cannot receive only the NL Scholarship.

3. Are Erasmus Mundus / joint-degree programmes eligible?

• No. Such programmes are excluded from both the Radboud Scholarship Programme and many of the related scholarships.

4. What must happen to renew for the second year (for two-year Master’s programmes)?

• You must pass all first-year courses to continue receiving the scholarship into the second year.

5. Who is not eligible?

• EU or EEA citizens (they are not eligible for these non-EU targeted scholarships).
  
• Students who already hold a Dutch degree or education in the Netherlands, except for certain exchange-portion situations.

6. Can I work while studying in the Netherlands?

• Yes. International students can work up to 16 hours per week during the academic semester and full-time during holidays, as long as they obtain a valid work permit.

7. Can I apply for more than one master’s program?

• Yes, you can apply for multiple programs, but you’ll need to submit separate applications. If admitted to more than one program, you can only receive the scholarship for one.

8. What is the deadline for application?

• The application deadline for the 2026 Radboud University Scholarship is February 14, 2026. Late applications will not be considered.

9. How are candidates selected?

Selection is based on:

• Academic excellence and previous achievements.
• Quality of the motivation letter.
• References from academic professionals.
• Potential to contribute to the university community.

10. When are results announced?

• Scholarship results are typically released in April 2026 via email. Admitted students will receive details about enrollment, visa, and accommodation shortly after.

11. Can I defer my scholarship if I can’t start in 2026?

• No. Scholarships cannot be deferred. If you postpone your studies to 2027, you must reapply for the scholarship in the next cycle.

12. Does the scholarship cover family members or dependents?

• No. The scholarship covers only the costs for the awarded student. Dependents must arrange their own financial support and visa processes.

13. Is housing provided by the university?

• Radboud University assists international students in finding affordable housing near campus, but accommodation costs are not automatically included in the scholarship unless stated otherwise for full-funded recipients.

14. Can I apply if I have a dual nationality (EEA and non-EEA)?

• If you hold EEA citizenship, you are not eligible for this scholarship, even if you also have a non-EEA passport.

15. What is the best way to increase my chances of getting the scholarship?

To improve your chances:

• Maintain a strong academic record (high GPA).
• Write a compelling and personalized motivation letter.
• Provide strong reference letters.
• Apply early to avoid technical or documentation issues.