What scholarships are available for international bachelor students in the Netherlands?

International bachelor students in the Netherlands can apply for scholarships from Dutch universities, the Dutch government, and external organisations such as the Erasmus+ programme. Most awards are competitive and merit-based, and very few cover the full cost of study. Eligibility usually depends on your nationality, your academic record, and the institution you choose. Funding is available, but it takes early planning and realistic expectations. The sections below explain who qualifies, which scholarships exist, when to apply, what they cover, and whether you can combine them with work.

Who is eligible for Dutch bachelor scholarships?

Eligibility for Dutch bachelor scholarships mainly depends on your nationality, your academic achievements, and the university you apply to. Many awards are restricted to students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), while others are open to everyone who meets the academic criteria.

Requirements vary from one scholarship to the next, but most providers look at a similar set of factors:

• Nationality or residence status: Some scholarships are reserved for non-EEA students, while others target specific countries or regions.
• Academic performance: Strong grades from secondary school are usually the baseline for merit-based awards.
• Admission to the programme: Most scholarships require that you have already applied for, or been offered, a place at the university.
• Motivation and personal profile: Many providers ask for a motivation letter, references, or evidence of extracurricular involvement.
• First degree status: Bachelor scholarships typically go to students who do not yet hold a university degree.

Always check the exact criteria on each scholarship page, because rules change between application rounds. Being admitted to a selective programme is the first step, so make sure you understand the admissions requirements of every university on your shortlist before building a funding plan.

Which scholarships can international bachelor students apply for?

International bachelor students can apply for university-specific scholarships, national schemes, and external funding such as Erasmus+ for exchange periods. Most funding for full degrees comes from the university itself, while government and third-party options tend to be limited, so it pays to research several sources at once.

University scholarships

Many Dutch universities and university colleges offer their own awards, usually based on academic merit or financial need. These range from partial tuition reductions to one-off grants. Some are open to all international applicants, while others target particular regions. Because each institution sets its own rules, check the financial support pages of every programme you are considering.

National and external funding

Beyond university awards, you can look into several other routes:

• Dutch government and agency programmes: Some schemes support students from specific countries, though they are more common at master’s level than for bachelor’s degrees.
• Home country funding: Ministries, foundations, and national scholarship bodies in your own country sometimes fund study abroad.
• Private foundations and trusts: These may support students in particular fields or with particular backgrounds.
• Erasmus+ and exchange funding: If your degree includes an exchange student programme, you may be eligible for grants that help with travel and living costs abroad.

Research suggests that applying to several smaller awards often works better than relying on a single large one, since competition for headline scholarships is intense.

When should you apply for scholarships in the Netherlands?

You should start researching scholarships at least 12 months before your intended start date, and apply as soon as each application period opens. Dutch universities typically run application cycles for September entry, and scholarship deadlines often fall earlier than admission deadlines, sometimes by several months.

A practical timeline looks like this:

1. 12 to 18 months before you start: Research universities and the scholarships linked to them. Note every deadline in a single calendar.
2. 9 to 12 months before: Gather documents such as transcripts, reference letters, and proof of English proficiency. Draft your motivation letter.
3. 6 to 9 months before: Submit your university application and any scholarship applications that run alongside it.
4. 3 to 6 months before: Apply for external and home country funding, and follow up on decisions.

Some scholarships require you to be admitted before you can apply, while others ask you to apply at the same time. Read each set of instructions carefully, and never assume that a late admission offer leaves enough time to secure funding.

How much do scholarships cover compared with total costs?

Most scholarships for international bachelor students cover only part of the total cost of studying in the Netherlands. Full awards that pay for tuition, housing, and living expenses are rare. Many students combine a partial scholarship with savings, family support, or student finance from their home country.

To judge how far a scholarship will go, compare it against the main cost categories:

• Tuition fees: Non-EEA students typically pay higher statutory or institutional fees than EEA students, so tuition reductions can make a meaningful difference.
• Housing: Rent is often the largest living expense, and costs vary widely between cities and housing types.
• Living costs: Food, transport, health insurance, books, and leisure all add up over a year.
• Setup costs: Visa or residence permit fees, travel, and deposits can be significant in your first months.

Fees and living costs change from year to year, so confirm the latest figures with each university before you plan. Choosing a university that guarantees housing can also reduce uncertainty, since finding affordable accommodation is a common worry for new arrivals. Build a full budget for all four years of your liberal arts degree or other bachelor programme, not just the first.

Can you combine scholarships or work while studying?

You can often combine more than one scholarship, but each provider sets its own rules, and some prohibit holding other major awards at the same time. Working while studying is also possible for most international students, although hour limits and permit conditions apply depending on your nationality and residence status.

Combining scholarships

Read the terms of every award carefully. Some scholarships are explicitly designed to be topped up with other funding, while others are reduced or end if you receive additional support. If you win more than one award, tell each provider and ask for written confirmation that stacking is allowed.

Working alongside your studies

Rules on part-time work depend on your nationality and the type of residence permit you hold. Students from the EEA generally face fewer restrictions than students from outside it, who may need a work permit or must stay within a set number of hours. Check the current regulations with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and your university before accepting any job.

Keep in mind that demanding degree programmes leave limited time for employment. A part-time job can ease the budget, but it should not replace a realistic funding plan. Many students also find that on-campus roles, research assistant posts, and internships offer useful experience alongside income.

Explore your study options at University College Roosevelt

If you are weighing up how to fund a degree in the Netherlands, it helps to choose a programme that offers clarity on admissions, costs, and housing from the start. University College Roosevelt is a small, international honours college in Middelburg, and an international honours college of Utrecht University. It offers a fully English-taught Liberal Arts and Sciences programme leading to a B.A. or B.Sc. degree from Utrecht University. Admission is selective, and the college provides information on tuition fees, costs, and financial support so you can plan ahead.

• Guaranteed housing: Every student is guaranteed housing on the residential campus for the entire duration of their studies, which removes one of the biggest budgeting uncertainties.
• Personalised, interdisciplinary education: Students choose from 160+ courses across six clusters to design their own academic path in small-scale classes.
• Exchange opportunities: Students can go on exchange through partners such as the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Bard College in New York, and Glendon College in Toronto, or through Utrecht University’s worldwide programmes.

Have questions about applying or financial support? Connect with University College Roosevelt and speak with the admissions team.

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