Fully Funded Scholarships in the Netherlands Without IELTS for Master's and PhD in 2026 Various Netherlands Universities in Netherlands

Are you an ambitious student seeking a fully funded opportunity to study in the Netherlands without the need for IELTS? For the 2026 intake, a wide range of scholarships are available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs at various prestigious Dutch universities. These scholarships are open to all nationalities and cover tuition fees, living allowances, visa costs, health insurance, and sometimes travel expenses. The Netherlands is renowned for its high-quality education system and offers many programs taught entirely in English, making it an attractive destination for international students.

Key scholarship programs include the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) for mid-career professionals from developing countries, university-specific excellence scholarships such as the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship, TU Delft Excellence Scholarships, Utrecht Excellence Scholarship, and the Eric Bleumink Fellowship at the University of Groningen. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Scholarships are also available, often with an IELTS waiver if your previous degree was taught in English. The NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) provides a one-time payment of €5,000, which can be combined with other funding for full coverage.

To qualify, applicants must typically have a strong academic record (top 5-10% of their class), hold the relevant prior degree (Bachelor’s for Master’s, Master’s for PhD), and first secure admission to a Dutch university program. English proficiency can often be demonstrated with a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate or alternative tests such as TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Duolingo. Some programs may require a video interview. Application documents generally include a motivation letter, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and a CV.

Deadlines vary by university and program, often falling between December 2025 and May 2026. Applicants are advised to start the process early, as scholarship deadlines are typically earlier than general admission deadlines. For more information and to apply, visit the official scholarship and university websites.