If you are thinking about studying in the Netherlands with financial support, the Radboud University Scholarship presents an excellent opportunity for international students. This scholarship provides funding options for qualified students across a wide range of academic fields. This handbook offers complete information on the Radboud University Scholarship, covering its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you submit a strong application.
The Radboud University Scholarship 2027–2028 is available for Master’s degree programs. Successful applicants will pay a reduced tuition fee of €2,694 instead of the standard non-EU/EEA rate. The scholarship also helps cover essential expenses, including visa fees, residence permit costs, health insurance, and liability insurance during their stay in the Netherlands.
Radboud University Scholarship
1. Benefits of the Radboud University Scholarship
2. Eligibility criteria for Radboud University Scholarship
3. Courses Offered for the Radboud University Scholarship
4. Documents required for the Radboud University Scholarship
5. How to Apply for the Radboud University Scholarship
6. Deadlines for the Radboud University Scholarship
7. FAQs about for the Radboud University Scholarship
1. Benefits of the Radboud University Scholarship
Recipients of the Radboud University Scholarship receive the following:
- A significant reduction in tuition fees: instead of the regular fee of approximately €18,000, scholarship recipients pay only €2,694 (based on the 2026/2027 academic year example).
- Coverage of additional study-related expenses in the Netherlands, including visa costs, residence permit fees, health insurance, and liability insurance through Aon Student Insurance.
2. Eligibility criteria for Radboud University Scholarship
To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Be proficient in English.
- Come from any non-EU/non-EEA country.
- Not be eligible for the lower EEA tuition fee through any other means.
- Have obtained (or be on track to obtain) a Bachelor’s degree from a university outside the Netherlands. Applicants must not hold a Dutch degree or have previously studied in the Netherlands, except for exchange programs that were part of their foreign Bachelor’s degree.
- Meet the English language requirements of their chosen Master’s program.
- Receive full admission to an English-taught Master’s program starting on 1 September 2027, as confirmed in the official admission letter.
- Satisfy the requirements for obtaining a Dutch visa.
- Enroll as a full-time student at Radboud University for the academic year and Master’s program associated with the scholarship.
3. Courses Offered for Radboud University Scholarship
Faculty of Arts:
- Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies
- Linguistics and Communication Sciences
Faculty of Law:
- International and European Law
Faculty of Medical Sciences:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies:
- Philosophy
Faculty of Science:
Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Mathematics, Medical Biology, Molecular Life Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Science
Faculty of Social Sciences:
Artificial Intelligence, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, Social and Cultural Science
4. Documents required for Radboud University Scholarship
4.2. Passport & National ID card
4.3. English Proficiency Proof (IELTS/TOEFL)
4.6. Statement of Purpose or Motivational Letter
4.7. Research proposal/plan (Optional)
4.1. Academic documents
This includes all your certificates & academic record like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Master’s or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies to which you are applying)
NOTE:
All of the above documents should be attested by respective boards.
Also, attest them from issuing authority of home countries. The respective university must attest university documents.
In the case of Pakistan, The above-mentioned documents must be attested by IBCC, HEC, and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
IBCC authority is only responsible for the attestation of metric and inter documents.
Dear offices are present in Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and also in other cities of Pakistan.
HEC office attests to bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. documents.
Here is our detailed guide about Netherlands Government scholarships.
4.2. Valid passport, Birth certificate & NIC
The passport of the applicant must contain at least one full blank page on both sides.
The passport must be valid at the time of visa application and on arrival in Netherlands.
A birth certificate or national ID card is also important to attach.
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4.3. English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
Meeting the English language requirements set by the Master’s course is an important step toward achieving your bigger goal.
Generally speaking, Students with IELTS 6.5 overall or TOEFL above 100 are considered good.
Nevertheless, these requirements may vary from course to course and degree to degree.
4.4. Recommendation letters / Letters of Reference
The applicants must provide up to 2letters of recommendation. from the previous university, depending upon courses.
It is advised to provide a letter of recommendation from the HOD (Head of the department or Relevant course head) who should be a PhD.
The referees need to write their contact details (Email, phone number) at the end of the letter.
The letter must include an official letterhead, signature, and official stamp and must be of the current date.
Ask your Referees to write about your academic achievements & discuss their confidence in you that you are fully compatible with the project or course you wish to pursue.
The referees must also mention how long they know the applicant & when was the last time they came in contact with the applicant.
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4.5.CV
Europass CV can be easily made here.
The Cv must contain all the latest & relevant information about your occupation & interests.
A perfect CV must be hand signed.
4.6. Statement of Purpose or Letter of Motivation
Technically SOP (Statement of purpose) and LOM (Letter of Motivation) are the same things.
It’s a Short biography to tell the panelist about yourself:
A letter of motivation or SOP could be a tricky part while applying for the Radboud University Scholarship
In this letter, you are asked to write about your personal and professional reasons why are you applying for a course & scholarship.
The maximum length of this letter is three pages, But it is advised to make it short & concise to one page.
How to write a perfect letter of Motivation
If you are interested in writing your LOM on one page concisely, then follow this exact method.
LOM consists of three parts.
4.6.1.Introduction (one paragraph)
4.6.2.Body (3 paragraphs)
4.6.3. Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Let’s explain these three things one by one.
4.6.1. Introduction:
The introduction is the gateway to the rest of the letter. Try to capture their interest in the first few sentences. Be original & creative.
Make it personal & full of enthusiasm.
TIP: Try to initiate a story about yourself relevant to the scholarship you are applying for & then expand it to the first paragraph of the body.
4.6.2.Body:
In the first paragraph of the body, try to tell about your relevant academic & experienced background to the course.
And your professional goals attached to the Netherlands & university. Share your expectations of the scholarship.
In the 2nd paragraph be more precise & focus on the specific achievement related to the scholarship & course.
In the 3rd paragraph expand on what you are currently doing & the interesting things you look forward to.
4.6.3. Conclusion:
Tell them why you are the best candidate for the Radboud University Scholarship. Don’t sound needy or use pompous language instead focus on why you deserve it.
Tell them how this scholarship will help you or the future of your community.
Note: The motivation letter must be under 2 pages. It must mention your reasons and motivation for the course you are applying for. You can apply for 2 courses under Radboud University Scholarship
You need to mention both courses in one motivation letter. Second LOM is not required.
4.7. Research Plan / Proposal (Optional)
Research publications/ Achievements (conference papers, article review, abstract of thesis)
The research proposal is mostly required for postdocs or PhD students. (Depend upon the courses)
It asks you to write about the research project you agree upon completing with the assigned academic advisor.
Your research proposal should be a brief description of your research goals and objectives, the methods with which you wish to process that research, the outcomes you desire, the timeline and budget you have estimated, and the area of study you wish upon exploring.
It shall be a brief document yet explain the entire vision to the reader so that those analyzing your application could know of your objectives and grant you the scholarship if they match the program’s criteria and eligibility.
Taking help from an external party is strictly prohibited and violation in this regard could lead to your disqualification no matter how incredible your proposal is.
5. How to Apply for Radboud University Scholarship
Follow these steps:
- When applying for admission to a Master’s program via the OSIRIS application system, indicate your interest in the Radboud Scholarship.
- Submit three additional documents if not already included in your Master’s application: two recommendation letters and a curriculum vitae (CV).
- Note that the scholarship selection process and Master’s admission process are separate. Admission to a Master’s program does not guarantee the scholarship.
- There is no separate application for the full scholarship. By applying for the Radboud Scholarship Programme through OSIRIS, you will be considered for both full and partial scholarships.
- Submit your online OSIRIS application no later than 31 January 2027 at 23:59 CEST. After submission, the admissions office may return your application for corrections, payment of the handling fee, or submission of missing documents.
- Your application must be complete by 14 February 2027 at 23:59 CEST. Incomplete applications will not be considered. It is also recommended to submit proof of English proficiency before this deadline.
- The International Office will announce the final scholarship decision before mid-April 2027 (date subject to change).
6. Deadlines for Radboud University Scholarship
The deadline for the Radboud Scholarship application is 31 January each year. Students planning to begin their Master’s program in September 2027 must complete their application by 31 January 2027.
7. FAQs about the Radboud University Scholarship
Q. What is the Radboud Scholarship Programme?
The Radboud Scholarship Programme (RSP) is a competitive scholarship awarded by Radboud University in the Netherlands to outstanding international students from non-EU/EEA countries who wish to pursue a full-time English-taught Master’s program. It aims to enhance international diversity within the university community.
Q. Who can apply?
Applicants must be citizens of non-EU/non-EEA countries, hold admission to a full-time English-taught Master’s program at Radboud University starting in September, possess a Bachelor’s degree earned outside the Netherlands, have no prior Dutch degree, meet English language requirements, fulfill Dutch visa and residence conditions, and demonstrate strong academic performance.
Q. What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship lowers tuition fees by allowing eligible students to pay the lower statutory rate instead of the full non-EU/EEA fee. It also covers costs related to visas, residence permits, health insurance, and liability insurance. However, it does not provide funding for daily living expenses.
Q. How does the application process work?
There is no separate scholarship application. Applicants must apply for admission to an eligible Master’s program through Radboud University’s application system, indicate their interest in the Radboud Scholarship during the process, and submit all required documents before the deadline. Only students who receive conditional or unconditional admission will be considered for the scholarship.
