University of Twente Scholarship 2025/2026 in the Netherlands Scholarship

The University of Twente (UT) in the Netherlands is offering the University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) 2026 for outstanding international students pursuing Master’s degree programs. This prestigious award aims to recognize academic excellence, leadership potential, and innovation mindset among students from non-EU/EEA countries. It’s one of the most competitive scholarships in the Netherlands, designed to help students achieve their academic goals while contributing to UT’s global learning community.

 

The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) is a merit-based award offered to high-achieving international students (non-EU/EEA) enrolling in Master’s programs at the University of Twente. UTS provides a financial award ranging from €3,000 to €22,000 for one academic year. Students enrolled in two-year Master’s programs may have the opportunity to extend the scholarship into their second year, provided they meet the university’s academic performance requirements.

Scholarship Summary

• Host University: University of Twente, Netherlands
• Study Level: Master’s Degree
• Eligible Nationalities: Non-EU/EEA international students
• Scholarship Duration: 1 year (renewable for 2-year programs)
• Scholarship Value: €3,000 – €22,000 per year
• Application Periods:
  
  • Round 1: October 15, 2025 – February 1, 2026
  • Round 2: February 1, 2026 – May 1, 2026
• Scholarship Type: Merit-based, partial funding

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for either UTS or NL Scholarship at UT for 2026:

• Must be a non-EU/EEA citizen.
  
• Must have been admitted (conditionally or unconditionally) to a qualifying Master’s programme at UT, starting September 2026.
• Must have a student number
  
• Must belong to the top ~5-10% of your graduation class or have an equivalent excellent academic record.
  
• Must meet English language requirements: IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90, with additional subscore requirement in speaking (TOEFL speaking ≥20).
  
• Must not have already graduated from a UT (undergraduate or graduate) programme.
  
• Must comply with visa/entry permit conditions in the Netherlands (if applicable).
  
• For UTS, the scholarship isn’t available for certain programmes: notably ITC (Geo-Information Science & Earth Observation faculty) and pre-Master programmes.
  
• Students must not be eligible for a Dutch study loan and be conscious that the scholarship does not cover tuition costs; you need to be able to finance the remaining costs.

 

Benefits of the Scholarships

Here are some of the key benefits you can expect if you are awarded one of these UT scholarships:

• Financial Aid: UTS offers a sizeable amount (between €3,000 and €22,000) depending on merit, to help cover study-related expenses. NL Scholarship gives €5,000 for the first year.
• Support for Master’s Programmes: These are for students who have been admitted (or provisionally admitted) to a Master’s programme at UT.
• Renewal Potential (for UTS): If you’re in a two-year programme, you may continue to receive the scholarship in the second year if you meet performance criteria (e.g., good grades and credit requirements by a certain point).
• Recognition and Prestige: Being a UTS or NL Scholarship recipient marks you as one of the more distinguished students, which can help with networking and academic reputation.

 

How to Apply

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for the University of Twente scholarship programmes:

• Choose your Master’s Programme & Apply
  First, apply (and secure admission or provisional admission) to one of the qualifying Master’s programmes at UT. After getting your conditional or full admission, note your student number. You cannot apply for the scholarship without having that.
  
• Check Scholarship Options and Eligibility
  Decide whether you will apply for UTS, NL Scholarship, or both. Read carefully the criteria and check if your programme is eligible (some programmes like those at ITC are excluded for certain scholarships).
  
• Prepare Required Documents
  Documents usually required include:
  • Academic transcripts & degree certificate
  • Motivation / Statement of Purpose
  • Proof of English proficiency
  • Student number (provided after programme admission)
  • Sometimes reference letters, class rank, or proof of previous academic excellence
• Submit Scholarship Application
  Use the UT scholarship portal. For UTS, after you have your UT student number apply for the scholarship using UT’s scholarship portal during the application windows:

• Round 1: Opens 15 October, Closes 1 February for programmes starting September 2026.
• Round 2: Opens 1 February, Closes 1 May for programmes starting September 2026.

• Performance Requirements (if applicable)
  If in a 2-year programme and awarded UTS, ensure you maintain academic performance by the end of the third quartile of your first year: average grade ≥ 7/10 and at least 50% of European Credits. Only then will the second-year scholarship be granted.
  
• Wait for Decision & Accept
  After application, wait for the decision (takes some weeks). If awarded, accept the scholarship and follow any follow-up instructions (visa, enrolling, etc.).

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)?

• The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) is a prestigious merit-based scholarship offered by the University of Twente to outstanding international students from non-EU/EEA countries. It aims to support highly motivated students who wish to pursue a Master’s degree in the Netherlands and who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, and future potential to make a global impact.

2. Is the University of Twente Scholarship fully funded?

• No, the UTS is not a fully funded scholarship. It is a partially funded award that provides financial support ranging from €3,000 to €22,000 per year. This amount is intended to help cover part of the student’s tuition fees and living expenses.

3. Who is eligible to apply for the UTS 2026?

To be eligible for the University of Twente Scholarship, applicants must:

• Hold citizenship of a non-EU/EEA country (you are not eligible if you hold EU/EEA nationality).
• Have received a (conditional or unconditional) admission offer to one of the eligible Master’s programs at the University of Twente starting September 2026.
• Have completed a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Dutch university degree.
• Be in the top 5–10% of their graduating class or demonstrate exceptional academic achievements.
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements (IELTS ≥ 6.5 overall, TOEFL iBT ≥ 90).
• Not have graduated from a Dutch higher education institution.
• Be able to meet the visa and residence permit requirements for studying in the Netherlands.

4. What is the scholarship duration?

The scholarship is awarded for one academic year (12 months).
Students enrolled in two-year Master’s programs can apply for an extension into the second year, provided they:

• Maintain a minimum average grade of 7.0 out of 10, and
• Earn at least 50% of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits in the first year.

If these conditions are not met, the scholarship will not be renewed for the second year.

5. How much financial support does the scholarship provide?

The UTS provides funding between €3,000 and €22,000 per academic year.
The exact amount depends on:

• The study program and its tuition fee.
• The student’s academic profile.
• The selection committee’s evaluation of the application.

6. What are the benefits of receiving the UTS scholarship?

Receiving the UTS offers more than financial assistance. Benefits include:

• A prestigious recognition of academic excellence.
• Opportunity to study in a top-ranked European research university.
• Access to networking and career development workshops.
• Exposure to international research environments.
• A chance to participate in leadership and entrepreneurship programs at UT.
• Priority access to campus facilities, innovation labs, and mentorship programs.

7. How can I apply for the University of Twente Scholarship 2026?

You must complete two separate applications:

• Apply for Admission to a Master’s program at the University of Twente via the UT Application Portal.
• After receiving your student number and a (conditional) admission offer, you can then apply for the UTS via the official scholarship form.

8. When is the deadline for the UTS 2026 application?

There are two application rounds:

• Round 1: Opens October 15, 2025 — Closes February 1, 2026
  
• Round 2: Opens February 1, 2026 — Closes May 1, 2026
  

Applicants are encouraged to apply early to increase their chances of consideration.

9. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the University of Twente?

Yes. You can apply for multiple scholarships such as:

• Kipaji Scholarship (for students from developing countries). However, you can only receive one scholarship at a time. The UTS may serve as a requirement for applying for other scholarships like the Kipaji.

10. Can I work while studying with the UTS?

Yes. International students are allowed to work part-time up to 16 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays (June–August).
However, you must obtain a work permit through your employer, and working should not affect your academic performance or visa conditions.

11. What happens if I fail to meet the renewal conditions?

If you fail to:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 7.0, or
• Earn at least 50% of the required ECTS credits in your first year,
  you will lose eligibility for the scholarship in your second year.
  However, this does not affect your admission—you can continue your studies by self-funding.

12. Do I need to pay an application fee?

Yes. The University of Twente charges a one-time non-refundable application fee of €100 when you apply for a Master’s program. The scholarship itself has no additional application fee once you have your student number.

13. Can I defer my scholarship to a later year?

No. The UTS cannot be deferred.
Recipients must begin their studies in September 2026. If you wish to start later, you must reapply for the next scholarship cycle.

14. What is the difference between UTS and the Kipaji Scholarship?

• The UTS is open to all non-EU/EEA students based on academic excellence.
• The Kipaji Scholarship is an additional grant for UTS recipients who come from developing countries and have limited access to higher education.
  You can only apply for the Kipaji Scholarship after being awarded the UTS.

15. When will successful applicants be notified?

• Round 1 results: March 2026
• Round 2 results: June 2026

Successful candidates will be notified via email and given instructions for visa processing and enrollment.

16. What is the best way to increase my chances of getting selected?

To improve your chances:

• Apply early (Round 1 is generally more competitive but prioritized).
• Write a strong, personalized motivation letter.
• Highlight academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.
• Show a clear link between your chosen Master’s program and your long-term career goals.
• Ensure all documents are accurate, clear, and submitted before the deadline.