The Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam awards a single Amsterdam Merit Scholarship of €26,125 to an outstanding non-EU/EEA student starting an MSc in September 2027. The grant is paid monthly and recognises academic excellence — but it is NOT a tuition waiver: you still pay full tuition. Application is automatic — you simply tick the scholarship box on your MSc application form.
Why it is notable: Most scholarship blogs describe the AMS as a tuition-covering award — the official page says the opposite: it cannot be used against tuition fees. That distinction decides whether this scholarship is right for you.
Funding at a glance
What it covers
Grant of €26,125 paid in monthly instalments (one scholarship for September 2027)
Renewal for the second year of a two-year programme: conditional on ≥40 ECTS with good results in year one, plus meeting faculty supplementary requirements (attendance, progress, effort)
IMPORTANT: NOT a tuition waiver — the recipient still pays the full tuition fee (payable in monthly instalments)
Eligibility criteria
Qualification Required
Graduationfor Masters
This scholarship is offered for MSc programmes at the University of Amsterdam's Faculty of Science (September 2027 start).
Who can apply
Non-EU/EEA or Swiss (Suisse) nationality; must not be eligible for Dutch study grants/loans (DUO) nor for the reduced EEA tuition-fee rate; must not hold a full-coverage scholarship for the same study period; must be (or will be) admitted for the first time to a UvA MSc; must be able to meet Dutch visa conditions.
Experience
No experience required
Language Certificate
Course-dependent (set by the chosen MSc programme's admission requirements)
Other Certificates
Academic records/transcripts showing top-10% standing; CV; motivation letter (max 500 words) — all submitted as part of the MSc application.
Age Limit
No Age Limit
Check your eligibility
Run all three quick checks before reviewing your chosen course's full entry requirements.
1
Country checker
Eligible = all non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss nationalities. Excluded = EU/EEA nationals, Swiss (Suisse) nationals, anyone eligible for Dutch DUO study grants/loans,…
2
Last degree checker
Choose your highest completed qualification to see which degree level may fit.
3
Course checker
Pick a course to see whether it falls inside this scholarship's scope.
Complete all three checks
Your combined result will appear here.
Based on published eligibility — always confirm on the official page before applying.
Application essentials
Requirements
Review each requirement before you begin the application.
01
Qualification
Previous academic programme completed no longer than 3 years ago; top 10% of class (≥3.5/4 US, 1st class honours/upper division UK, 8+/10 Dutch); quality of the degree-awarding institution counts.
02
Documents
Academic records, motivation letter (max 500 words — programme choice in broader context + scholarship relevance to future academic career), CV with extracurriculars — all inside the MSc application.
03
Nationality & finance
Non-EU/EEA/non-Swiss; not DUO-eligible; not EEA reduced-fee eligible; no concurrent full-coverage scholarship; sufficient funds for all other costs.
04
Admission
First-time admission to a UvA MSc; able to meet Dutch visa conditions.
05
Renewal
For two-year programmes, ≥40 ECTS with good results in year one plus faculty supplementary requirements (attendance, progress, effort) to keep the scholarship in year two.
06
Fee
No separate scholarship fee — completely free.
Document checklist
01Complete MSc programme application (per the programme's admission procedure)
02Academic records evidencing top-10% standing (GPA ≥3.5/4 US, 1st class honours/upper division UK, 8+/10 Dutch)
03Motivation letter (maximum 500 words)
04Curriculum vitae including description of extracurricular activities (student commissions, international experience, sports/music at high level, volunteer work)
Application fee
No fee for the scholarship consideration — completely free (it is part of the MSc application; no separate scholarship a
Visa, kept concise: Study visa type for this destination: Dutch residence permit for study (with MVV entry visa where applicable), arranged via UvA Immigration after admission.
Application Procedure
8 steps — follow in order. Each stage prepares the next.
01
Submit a complete application to one of
the Faculty of Science MSc programmes (see the programme's own application and admission procedure page).
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02
On the MSc application form
check the box asking whether you want to be considered for a UvA scholarship.
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03
Attach your academic records (evidence of top-10% standing)
a motivation letter (maximum 500 words — reasons for choosing the programme and relevance of the scholarship to your future academic career), and your CV including extracurricular activities.
↓
06
Academic records evidencing top-10% standing (GPA ≥3.5/4 US
1st class honours/upper division UK, 8+/10 Dutch)
←
05
Complete MSc programme application (per the programme's
admission procedure)
←
04
Meet the 15 January deadline
selection takes place in March and applicants are informed in April.
↓
07
Motivation letter (maximum 500 words)
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08
Curriculum vitae including description of extracurricular activities (student commissions
international experience, sports/music at high level, volunteer work)
Application milestones
15 Jan 2027
Application deadline
2027
Intake year
Ready to apply?
Continue on the official University of Amsterdam , Faculty of Science platform.
Does the scholarship cover my tuition fees? A: No — the official page states the AMS cannot be used as a (partial) tuition-fee waiver; you must still pay the full tuition fee, in instalments if you wiHow and when is the grant paid? A: In monthly instalments over the academic year.How many scholarships are available in the Faculty of Science? A: Only one for the September 2027 start.Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application? A: No — tick the UvA scholarship box on your MSc application form.When will I know the result? A: Selection takes place in March; applicants are informed in April.I finished my degree four years ago. Am I eligible? A: No — your previous academic programme must have been completed no longer than 3 years ago.What happens if I get another scholarship during the year? A: You must notify the International Team as soon as possible of any additional financial support — a full-coverage scholarship for the same Can I keep the scholarship for the second year of my Master's? A: Yes, if you complete your first year with good results (at least 40 ECTS) and meet the faculty's supplementary requirements.
Need document or attestation help?
Detailed attestation guidance stays in Opplore's standalone Guides section, not inside this scholarship page.
Netherlands · University of Amsterdam , Faculty of Science