Vrije University Fellowship Program (VUFP) for Master Studies in the Netherlands 2026

📖 About Vrije University Fellowship Program (VUFP)

The VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is a merit-based tuition fee waiver designed for students from non-EU/EEA countries who pay higher tuition fees. It can be combined with the NL Scholarship, which contributes towards living costs.

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: October 11, 2025
• Application Deadline: February 01, 2026
• Category: Postgraduate, Masters
• Opportunity Location: Netherlands
• School: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)

🎁 Benefits of Vrije University Fellowship Program (VUFP)

• Full tuition fee coverage for the duration of the program.
• Opportunity to apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly HSP) without a separate application, offering an additional €5,000 or €10,000 towards living expenses.
• VUFP scholarship extension to the second year for two-year programs if 100% of ECTS from the first year is obtained.

Additional Notes:

1. The NL Scholarship is only available for the first year of your degree.
2. Students enrolled in a two-year program will not be eligible for the NL Scholarship in their second year.
3. There are a total of 20 to 25 NL Scholarships available.
4. Only a few VUFP recipients will be eligible for the NL Scholarship.
5. The VUFP scholarship is available for a one-year or two-year Master's program.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Vrije University Fellowship Program (VUFP), applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for the lower tuition fee.
• Do not have Dutch nationality.
• Prove academic excellence (GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8).
• Be conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s program at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam starting in September 2026.
  • Note: Students starting in February cannot apply.
  • Joint programs where VU Amsterdam does not administer the admission process are excluded.
• The degree with which you are seeking admission must not have been obtained in the Netherlands.
• You must not need to complete a preparatory program before starting your Master’s program.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: February 01, 2026
• Visit the official application portal to apply for the Vrije University Fellowship Program (VUFP).

🌐 Scholarship Application Portal

For more details, visit the Vrije University Fellowship Program (VUFP) official page.
To apply, visit Studielink.

This scholarship offers a fantastic opportunity for international students to pursue their Master's degree in the Netherlands with financial support. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria and submit your application before the deadline!

• Full tuition fee coverage for the duration of the program
• Opportunity to apply for the NL Scholarship (formerly HSP) without any separate application, offering an additional €5,000 or €10,000 towards living expenses.
• VUFP is extended to the second year for two-year programs if 100% of ECTS from the first year.
• The NL Scholarship is only available for the first year of your degree.
• Even if enrolled in a two-year program, you will not be eligible for the NL Scholarship in your second year.
• There are a total of 20 to 25 NL Scholarship.
• Only a few VUFP recipients will be eligible for NL Scholarship.
• The VUFP scholarship is available for a one-year or two-year Master's program. If 100% of the ECTS from the first year is obtained, the scholarship will be extended for the second year of a two-year Master's program.