Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) for a master's degree in the Netherlands

Why it fits you

Who can apply

Three different things not to mix up: the country where you study, your nationality and the country where you live when you apply.

Country of study

Netherlands · Amsterdam

Target level

Master’s

Fields of study

Social sciences

Other conditions

• You must hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (Studiefinanciering) and/or the low tuition fee.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans ("Studiefinanciering"; for more information please refer to: www.DUO.nl) and/or the low tuition fee.
• You must be fully admitted to a degree programme at the Graduate School of Social Sciences; the scholarship is not guaranteed if you change your degree programme.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be fully admitted to a degree programme at the Graduate School of Social Sciences. Scholarship continuation is not guaranteed when a candidate changes their degree programme.
• The scholarship will not be awarded to candidates who have to complete a preparatory programme (pre-Master's) before their Master.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: The AMS will not be awarded to candidates having to complete a preparatory programme (pre-Master's) before their Master.
• You must be admitted unconditionally to a master's programme of the Graduate School of Social Sciences, and this programme must be your first programme in the Netherlands, either at bachelor or master level.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be admitted unconditionally to a Master's programme of the Graduate School of Social Sciences, and this programme being the first programme for the applicant, either on bachelor level or master level, in The Netherlands.
• You must be able to comply with Dutch visa regulations.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be able to comply with Dutch visa regulations.
• You must be enrolled at the UvA as a full-time student for the academic year and the programme for which the scholarship is awarded.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Be enrolled at the UvA as full-time student for the academic year and the programme for which the scholarship is awarded.
• You must not receive a full coverage scholarship for the same period of study.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: The candidate should not receive a full coverage scholarship for the same period of study as the AMS scholarship.
• Continuation of the scholarship in subsequent years depends on satisfactory study progress; approximately 80% of credits are expected in any one year.RequiredOrganisation’s wording: Please be advised that you are expected to gain approximately 80% of credits in any one year.
• Candidates are selected on their academic excellence and promise in the proposed field (academic records and letter of recommendation) and on the quality of their letter of motivation.Organisation’s wording: The best eligible candidates are selected for a scholarship on the basis of the following criteria: Their academic excellence and promise in the proposed field, as evidenced by their academic records and letter of recommendation The quality of their letter of motivation
• The master's programme you wish to apply for might set extra requirements such as academic and language requirements.Organisation’s wording: The Master's programme you wish to apply for might set extra requirements such as academic and language requirements.

The real funding

What the opportunity pays, what is left for you to pay and the money to plan before leaving.

At your expense

Tuition

Money to plan before leaving

• You must still pay the full amount of tuition due yourself (the scholarship is not a tuition waiver, not even partial); this payment can be made in instalments.

When it is paid

The grant is paid in monthly instalments.

Dates

Applications close

15 February 2027 at 23:59 CET (Europe/Amsterdam)

Results announced

Selection takes place in March; applicants will be informed no later than mid-May.

Application steps

In the order set by the programme. Open a step to see the details.

1. 1
   Step 1: Indicate on your master's application form in SIS that you want to be considered for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.

   With whom

   You (the applicant)

   By when

   15 February 2027 at 23:59 CET (Europe/Amsterdam)

2. 2
   Step 2: Upload one single PDF file containing, in a row, your curriculum vitae, scholarship motivation letter, letter of recommendation and financial plan, in the section 'Additional documents' under the item 'scholarship motivation letter'.

   With whom

   You (the applicant)

   By when

   15 February 2027 at 23:59 CET (Europe/Amsterdam)

   Documents to provide

   • Curriculum vitae
   • Scholarship motivation letter
   • Letter of recommendation (written by a professor or another member of academic staff)
   • Financial plan

Where to apply