A good scholarship can make your studies much more affordable. But what grade average do you need? And which scholarships are available for Dutch students? Here you'll find all the information.
Types of scholarships
Excellence scholarships
Scholarships for students with exceptionally good study results. These are often offered by universities themselves and usually require an average of 8.0 or higher.
Student finance (DUO)
The basic grant via DUO is not grade-dependent - everyone who studies can get supplementary grant depending on income. The loan must be repaid, the supplementary grant doesn't (if you graduate).
Private funds and scholarships
There are hundreds of private study funds in the Netherlands that provide scholarships based on field of study, background, or achievements. Websites like Beursopener.nl help you search.
Grade requirements per type of scholarship
Typical average requirements for scholarships:
- University excellence scholarship: average ≥ 8.0
- Honours programme: average ≥ 7.5 - 8.0
- Some private scholarships: average ≥ 7.0
- Most scholarships: no specific grade requirement, but motivation/CV
Note: Requirements vary greatly per scholarship. Always check the specific conditions!
Holland Scholarship
The Holland Scholarship is for international students coming to the Netherlands, but Dutch students can get similar exchange scholarships:
- Study at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences
- Good study results (often average ≥ 7.0)
- Motivation letter and sometimes teacher recommendations
Scholarships per university
Each university has its own excellence programs and scholarships:
- UvA: Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (€5,000 - €25,000)
- VU: VU Fellowship Programme for talented students
- Leiden: Excellence Scholarship (tuition fee waiver + stipend)
- TU Eindhoven: Talent Scholarship for excellent students
Tips for applying for scholarships
- Start early - deadlines are often months before study start
- Collect evidence of your grades and achievements
- Write a strong motivation letter - this often counts heavily
- Request recommendation letters from teachers who know you well
- Apply for multiple scholarships - success chances vary
Calculate your average
Want to know if your average is high enough for an excellence scholarship? Use our calculator to calculate your weighted average based on your credit points.