Amsterdam Merit Scholarship 2025 | Fully Funded
About the University of Amsterdam (UvA)
The University of Amsterdam is ambitious, creative and committed: a leader in international science and a partner in innovation, the UvA has been inspiring generations since 1632.
Rankings
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is consistently ranked among the world’s best universities in global rankings. It is a top 100 university in the Times Higher Education and QS World University Rankings.
UvA global rankings
| US News Best Global Universities 2024-2025 | 33rd |
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 55th |
| Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 | 58th |
| Shanghai Ranking: Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024 | 101-150th |
| CWTS Leiden Ranking | 103rd |
About Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
Faculty of Science
For the September 2025 start one or two Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (AMS) will be offered. More information about the number of AMS scholarships and the exact amounts will be announced coming November.
Application Deadline
The deadline for application is 15 January 2025.
Requirements
Candidates wishing to apply for an AMS programme should:
- not have the nationality of one of the countries of the EU/EEA or Suisse
- not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans.
- not be eligible to pay the reduced tuition fee rate for EEA students at the UvA
- not receive a full coverage scholarship for the same period of study as the AMS
- have submitted a complete application to one of the MSc programme.
- have been (or will be) admitted for the first time to one of the MSc programs at the UvA
- be able to comply with the conditions to obtain a Dutch visa (if applicable)
- have completed their previous academic programme no longer than 3 years ago
The International Team should be notified as soon as possible of any change in nationality, type of residence permit or additional financial support throughout the academic year.
Selection criteria for the scholarship
The Faculty of Science has a limited number of Amsterdam Merit Scholarships available. In addition to the admission requirements of the Master’s programme, eligible candidates are selected on the basis of their academic excellence and promise in the proposed field as evidenced by:
- The candidate’s academic records. Students belonging to the top 10% of graduates from their class can apply. This generally means an overall GPA equivalent to:
- 3.5 (American system, 4-point scale)
- 1st class honor’s/ upper division (British system)
- 8+ (Dutch EC-system, 10-point scale);
- The academic quality of the educational institute where the (under)graduate degree has been (or will be) obtained;
- The quality of the letter of motivation (maximum 500 words), in which the candidate explains the reasons for choosing the specific Master’s programme in a broader context and the relevance of obtaining this scholarship for the candidate’s future academic career;
- The candidate’s curriculum vitae, including a description of extracurricular activities such as participation in student commissions, international experience, sports or music at a high level or volunteer work
Failure to meet one or more of the requirements or selection criteria automatically means that the student is not eligible for this scholarship.
Master programs
- Business Administration
- Communication and Media
- Economy
- Exact sciences
- Health
- Computer science
- Interdisciplinary studies
- Art and Culture
- Life and Earth
- People and Society
- Education and Upbringing
- Psychology
- Rights
- Language, Literature and Region
More about master programs Here
Two-year Master’s programme
Students who are awarded an AMS are expected to complete their first year of study with good results (at least 40 ECTS) in order to receive the scholarship for the second year as well. The Faculty of Science requires that students satisfy the supplementary requirements imposed on students by the faculty or programme, such as the obligation to attend all classes, good progress and effort.
How to apply
Application for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is part of the application procedure for the Master’s programme of your choice. On your application form we ask whether you want to be considered for a UvA scholarship. Please check this box if you want to be considered and if you fulfill all requirements mentioned above.
Furthermore, you should include a paragraph in your motivation letter in which you explain why you wish to be nominated for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and what it would mean for your future academic career.
Please make sure that your motivation letter contains -including this added paragraph- not more than 500 words.
