The most popular scholarships in the Netherlands
that Nepali students (and other international applicants) commonly apply for in
2026
are:
The NL Scholarship is one of the most
widely known Dutch government scholarships for non-EEA (non-European Economic
Area) students planning to study in the Netherlands at the Bachelor’s or Master’s
level.
This grant is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education together with Dutch research
universities and universities of applied sciences. It provides a one-time award of €5,000
that is usually applied toward the first year of study to help cover living
expenses or other costs beyond tuition. The scholarship’s aim is to attract
talented international students to Dutch education and is typically awarded
based on academic merit and admission to a participating Dutch institution.
The Orange Tulip Scholarship is a
signature international scholarship framework managed by Nuffic,
the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education. It is designed to
support students from selected target countries typically through Neso (Netherlands
Education Support Office) networks with partial or full tuition
fee coverage and sometimes additional allowances depending on
the university and programme. Although availability and benefits vary by country
and partner institutions, it remains very popular because it offers relatively
substantial support (including partial to full waivers) for Bachelor’s and
Master’s degree aspirants who demonstrate strong academics and leadership
potential.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
are among the most prestigious scholarships available to international students
aiming for a Master’s qualification. Funded by the European Union,
these awards are open to students from all over the world, including Nepal, and
are offered by consortia of European universities that often include Dutch
institutions. Erasmus Mundus scholarships provide full tuition coverage, a
generous monthly stipend (often €1,000–€2,000), and travel and installation
allowances. This allows students to study in multiple EU
countries during the programme. Although highly competitive, Erasmus Mundus
remains one of the most comprehensive funding opportunities for Master’s level
study.
Leiden University, one of
the top research universities in the Netherlands, offers the Leiden University
Excellence Scholarships for
outstanding international students enrolling in eligible Master’s programmes.
These are merit-based awards that can cover partial to full tuition fees
and, in some cases, additional financial assistance depending on the award
offer. Selection is competitive and based on academic performance, motivation,
and potential contribution to the field of study. Leiden’s scholarships are
well-recognized and often highly attractive to Nepali students seeking quality
education in fields like international law, humanities, and sciences.
The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is
offered by Utrecht
University to exceptional international candidates (non-EU/EEA)
accepted into selected Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. This scholarship
often covers full
tuition and may include a living cost allowance making
it a valuable award for students aiming to pursue degrees in areas such as life
sciences, law, social sciences, and natural sciences. Applicants are typically
evaluated on their academic excellence, leadership qualities, and motivation to
contribute meaningfully to their chosen field.
The Maastricht University High Potential Scholarship
is a prestigious, competitive award targeting highly talented international
students applying for Master’s programmes at Maastricht University. Unlike
smaller grants, this scholarship often includes full tuition coverage, monthly living expense
support, visa and insurance cost coverage, and sometimes travel support
effectively making it a fully funded opportunity for eligible candidates.
Maastricht’s scholarship is known for selecting students with excellent
academic backgrounds and leadership potential in fields like business, social
sciences, and international studies.
The University of Twente Scholarships (UTS)
are institutional awards offered by the University of Twente for
high-performing international students applying to Master’s programmes. These
scholarships range from €3,000 up to €22,000 per year, and may be renewable for a
second year depending on performance and programme structure. UTS awards are
merit-based and support students in covering tuition and other study-related
costs, making them attractive for Nepali applicants pursuing technological or
engineering fields.
At Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence
Scholarships stand
out as among the most generous scholarships in the Netherlands for
international students pursuing Master’s degrees especially in engineering,
technology, and applied sciences. These awards often provide around €30,000 per year,
which can cover full tuition and living expenses. They are awarded based on
outstanding academic achievement and potential contribution to research and
innovation.
Nepali students (and other international
applicants) prefer the Netherlands because it offers high-quality
English-taught programmes, strong research opportunities, and a
range of fully
or partially funded scholarships tailored to non-EU students. Many of these scholarships target
academic excellence and leadership, making them suitable for ambitious
candidates who show strong academic potential and clear study goals.
