Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship Programme

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship Programme is a merit-based scholarship for talented international students who want to study a master’s degree at VU Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It is awarded as a tuition fee waiver and is meant to make one of Europe’s most internationally minded research universities more affordable. This guide explains who can apply, what the fellowship covers, how selection works, and how to build an application that stands out.

What Is the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship Programme?

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship Programme, often shortened to VUFP, is a scholarship programme run by VU Amsterdam for high-achieving students from outside the European Economic Area who are admitted to a master’s programme at the university.

The award is not a cash payment in most cases. It works as a reduction of the tuition fee, which is why it is described as a fee waiver rather than a stipend. That distinction matters when you plan your budget.

• It is aimed at non-EEA students applying to a master’s degree at VU Amsterdam.
• The main benefit is a partial or full waiver of the tuition fee, depending on the award.
• It is competitive and based on academic merit, motivation, and the fit between you and the programme.
• It can sometimes be combined with other funding such as the Holland Scholarship.
• You must be admitted to a VU master’s programme before you can receive the fellowship.

Getting admitted is step one. The fellowship is an extra layer on top of your admission, not a replacement for it.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligibility rules are set by VU Amsterdam and can change between admission rounds, so always confirm the current criteria on the official scholarship page before you invest time in the application. That said, the general framework is fairly consistent.

• Nationality: you normally need a nationality from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
• Admission: you must apply for, and be admitted to, a full master’s programme at VU Amsterdam.
• Academic record: strong grades in your previous degree are essential, especially in subjects related to the master’s you are applying for.
• English proficiency: you must meet the language requirements of your chosen programme.
• Previous funding: students who already hold a full scholarship for the same degree are usually not eligible.
• Degree level: the programme generally targets master’s applicants rather than bachelor’s or PhD candidates.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, email the admissions office of your specific faculty early. Faculties at VU Amsterdam each handle their own master’s admissions, so the answer can differ slightly between programmes.

What the Fellowship Covers

The exact value of an award depends on the type of fellowship granted and the tuition fee of your programme. The table below gives a practical overview of what students typically need to plan for.

Because the fellowship focuses on tuition, most recipients still need a separate plan for living expenses. Many students combine the waiver with the Holland Scholarship, a part-time job, or family support.

Types of Funding You Can Combine

VU Fellowship Programme

The core fellowship is the tuition fee waiver itself, awarded by VU Amsterdam to a limited number of admitted master’s students each round.

• Awarded on merit, not on financial need alone.
• Requires a separate scholarship motivation letter in most cases.
• Decided by the faculty or by a central scholarship committee.

Holland Scholarship

The Holland Scholarship is a national award for incoming non-EEA students at participating Dutch universities, and VU Amsterdam is one of them.

• It is a one-time contribution toward your first year.
• It is usually paid out in the first months of your studies.
• It can often be stacked with the VU fellowship, but you must check the rules each round.

Faculty and Partner Funding

Some VU faculties and external foundations offer their own grants for specific fields such as law, business, science, or social sciences.

• Search each faculty’s scholarship page, not only the central university page.
• Check whether your home country has a bilateral funding agreement with the Netherlands.
• Ask about emergency or travel grants once you are enrolled.

Stacking funding is allowed far more often than students assume. Read the fine print before you rule it out.

How to Apply: Step by Step

The fellowship application is tied to your master’s application, so the two processes run in parallel. Missing one deadline can quietly end the other.

1. Choose your master’s programme and confirm that it participates in the fellowship.
2. Check the programme’s admission requirements, including your degree equivalence and English test.
3. Prepare your application documents well before the deadline.
4. Submit your master’s application through the official VU Amsterdam portal.
5. Complete the scholarship section or the separate scholarship form linked to your programme.
6. Write the scholarship motivation letter and upload it with your documents.
7. Wait for your admission decision, then for the scholarship decision.
8. Accept the offer and the award within the stated period, then start your visa process.

• Keep your student number consistent across every form you submit.
• Save PDF copies of everything you upload.
• Check your email spam folder during the decision period.

Documents You Will Need

Gathering documents early is the single easiest way to avoid stress later. Most applicants need the same core set.

• Passport copy valid for the full duration of your studies.
• Bachelor’s diploma and transcript, translated into English if necessary.
• English test result such as IELTS or TOEFL, if your degree was not taught in English.
• Curriculum vitae focused on academics and relevant experience.
• Motivation letter for the programme and a separate one for the scholarship.
• Letters of recommendation from professors who know your academic work.
• Proof of identity and, if requested, proof of financial capacity.

How Selection Works

Selection is competitive. Reviewers read a large number of files, and they are looking for clear signals of academic quality and genuine motivation rather than general enthusiasm.

• Academic merit: grades, the ranking of your university, and the difficulty of your previous programme.
• Relevance: how well your background connects to the master’s you are applying for.
• Motivation: a specific, credible reason for choosing this programme and this university.
• Ambition and impact: what you intend to do with the degree afterward.
• Completeness: files that arrive late or incomplete are often set aside regardless of quality.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Most applicants have decent grades. The difference between a shortlisted file and a rejected one is usually in the details.

• Name the programme and, where possible, specific courses you want to take.
• Mention one or two professors or research groups whose work aligns with your interests.
• Explain a gap or a weak semester honestly instead of hiding it.
• Show a concrete plan: an internship, a research topic, a career direction.
• Keep the letter to roughly one page and free of clichés.
• Ask a professor or a mentor to read it before you submit.
• Apply early rather than on the final day, when systems are slow and mistakes multiply.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoidable errors cost more applicants than weak grades do. Review this list before you hit submit.

• Submitting the same motivation letter to several universities and leaving another university’s name in it.
• Applying for a master’s programme that does not participate in the fellowship.
• Ignoring the separate scholarship form because you assumed admission was enough.
• Uploading illegible scans or documents that are not translated.
• Missing the earlier scholarship deadline, which often comes before the general admission deadline.
• Assuming the fellowship covers rent, insurance, and visa costs.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

VU Amsterdam works with admission rounds, and scholarship deadlines usually fall before the general programme deadlines so that reviewers have time to compare candidates.

• Start researching programmes several months before the round opens.
• Book your English test early, since results can take weeks to arrive.
• Request recommendation letters at least a month in advance.
• Treat the scholarship deadline as your real deadline, not the programme deadline.
• Check the official page regularly, because dates and requirements are updated each round.

Life After the Award: What to Expect

Once you receive the fellowship, the practical side of moving to Amsterdam begins. Amsterdam’s housing market is tight, so start looking for accommodation the moment you accept your offer.

• Register with the municipality after you arrive to get your citizen service number.
• Arrange Dutch health insurance if it applies to your situation.
• Open a local bank account for rent and daily expenses.
• Join orientation activities, which help with both practical questions and social connections.
• Keep your grades up: some awards come with academic conditions to remain valid.

Studying in the Netherlands also gives you access to a large international job market. Many graduates stay for a search period after their degree to look for work, and the fellowship looks good on a CV because it signals academic merit.

Conclusion

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship Programme is one of the more practical ways to reduce the cost of a master’s degree in the Netherlands, but it rewards preparation. Confirm your eligibility, apply to the right programme, submit complete documents, and write a motivation letter that says something only you could say. Do that, and you give yourself a realistic chance at a place in a competitive field. Even if the fellowship does not come through, the same effort strengthens your admission file and your case for other funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Fellowship Programme cover living costs?

No. The fellowship is applied to the tuition fee, either partially or in full depending on the award. Rent, food, insurance, visa fees, and travel remain your responsibility. You will need a separate budget and, for the visa process, proof that you can support yourself while studying in the Netherlands.

Can I apply for the fellowship before I am admitted to a master’s programme?

You usually apply at the same time as your master’s application, but the award itself only becomes valid if you are admitted. Some faculties require you to be admitted first before the scholarship form opens. Check the instructions for your specific programme so you do not miss the correct sequence.

Is the fellowship open to bachelor’s students?

The programme is generally aimed at master’s applicants. Bachelor’s students at VU Amsterdam usually look at other funding routes, such as the Holland Scholarship or faculty-specific grants. If you are applying for a bachelor’s degree, contact the admissions office to ask what is available for your situation.

How competitive is the fellowship?

It is competitive. Only a limited number of awards are available each round, and applicants come from many countries with strong academic records. Strong grades help, but a clear and specific motivation letter often decides close cases. Applying early and submitting complete documents also improves your position.

Can I combine the fellowship with the Holland Scholarship?

In many cases yes, but the rules are set per round and per programme. Some awards cannot be held together, and others can. Read the official conditions carefully, and if anything is unclear, email the scholarship contact at VU Amsterdam before you accept an offer.

What English test score do I need?

Requirements differ by programme. Some master’s programmes ask for a higher score than others, and some waive the test if your previous degree was taught entirely in English. Always check the specific programme page, because the scholarship committee follows the same requirement as the admissions office.

How long does it take to receive a decision?

Admission decisions and scholarship decisions are usually announced separately, and the waiting period varies by faculty and by application round. Expect several weeks after the deadline at minimum. Keep checking your email, including the spam folder, and respond to any request for extra documents quickly.

Does the fellowship renew for a second year?

This depends on the award and the programme. Some fellowships cover the first year only, while others continue if you meet certain academic conditions such as passing your courses on time. Confirm the exact terms in your award letter before you plan your finances for the second year.

What happens if my application is rejected?

A rejection is not necessarily final for the following round, and it does not block you from applying to other Dutch scholarships. Ask for feedback if the programme offers it, strengthen your motivation letter and academic profile, and consider applying again or exploring other universities in the Netherlands.

Where can I find the official requirements and deadlines?

Only on the official VU Amsterdam website. Scholarship rules, participating programmes, and deadlines are updated regularly, and third-party websites are often out of date. Use this article as a planning guide, then confirm every detail on the official pages before you submit anything.