VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)

Overview

The VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) is a merit-based tuition-fee waiver from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) for talented non-EU/EEA students starting an English-taught master's. It rewards academic excellence by waiving the tuition fee, which is the largest single cost for international students at a Dutch university.

The VUFP covers tuition only. It does not provide an allowance for rent, food, insurance or other living costs. To help with that gap, applying for the VUFP automatically enters you for the NL Scholarship, which can add €5,000 or €10,000 toward living costs for the first year. Together they make a VU master's far more affordable, though the NL Scholarship goes to only some VUFP recipients.

If you hold a non-EU/EEA passport, have results equivalent to a Dutch 8.0, and want to study at a research-focused university in Amsterdam, the VUFP is one of the main funding routes worth targeting. It's competitive, so meeting the minimum grade is the starting point rather than a guarantee.

Key Facts at a Glance

Item	Detail
Funding Body	Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam)
Host Country	Netherlands
Degree Levels	Master's
Value	Tuition-fee waiver (tuition only); combinable with NL Scholarship (€5,000 or €10,000, first year)
Deadline	1 February (for the September intake), 23:59 CET
Eligible Nationalities	Non-EU/EEA passport holders
Official Website	vu.nl master scholarships page

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

You need to show academic excellence at least equivalent to a Dutch grade of 8.0 on the 1–10 scale. VU converts foreign grades using statistical methods rather than a simple formula, so the conversion is done at their end. Meeting the 8.0 minimum doesn't guarantee an award, since selection is competitive.

Nationality Requirements

You must hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not hold Dutch nationality. You also can't have obtained your degree in the Netherlands or currently be enrolled at a Dutch institution.

Language Requirements

You must be admitted (conditionally or unconditionally) to a full-time, English-taught VU master's, which means meeting that programme's English proficiency requirement. You also can't be someone who first needs a preparatory programme.

Age & Other Requirements

There's no age limit stated. The key extra condition is that your previous degree was not earned in the Netherlands, and that you're entering a master's starting in September.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A merit-based waiver of the tuition fee for your VU master's
• No additional allowance for living costs, rent, food or insurance from the VUFP itself
• Automatic consideration for the NL Scholarship (€5,000 or €10,000 toward living costs, first year only) when you apply for the VUFP

How to Apply

1. Register for a master's. Apply for admission to a full-time, English-taught VU master's, ideally by 1 December so your admission is on track.
2. Complete the VUFP-NLS form. Fill in the combined VUFP and NL Scholarship application form, which enters you for both at once.
3. Attach your grade evidence. Provide your transcript or GPA proof and an explanation of your grading scale so VU can convert it.
4. Submit by the deadline. Send your VUFP application by 1 February at 23:59 CET for the September intake.
5. Watch for results. Decisions are communicated around mid-March, with an acceptance deadline at the end of March. Respond promptly to secure your place.

Required Documents

• Completed VUFP-NLS application form
• Bachelor's degree transcript or official proof of your GPA
• An explanation of your grading scale, so foreign grades can be converted to the Dutch system
• Evidence of admission (or pending admission) to a VU master's
• A valid non-EU/EEA passport

Key Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Timing
Master's registration advised by	1 December
VUFP application deadline	1 February, 23:59 CET
Results notification	Mid-March
Acceptance deadline	End of March
Programme starts	September

These dates follow the annual cycle for the September intake. Confirm the exact deadlines for your year on VU's scholarships page.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Register for your master's early (by 1 December) so admission is settled before the scholarship deadline.
• Include a clear grading-scale explanation, since VU's grade conversion depends on it.
• Apply through the combined VUFP-NLS form so you're considered for the living-cost scholarship too.
• Aim to exceed the Dutch 8.0 equivalent, because selection is competitive above the minimum.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving the application until after 1 February, when the window closes at 23:59 CET.
• Forgetting that the VUFP covers tuition only, so you still need a plan for living costs.
• Applying if your previous degree was earned in the Netherlands, which makes you ineligible.
• Submitting a transcript with no grading-scale context, which complicates the conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) cover?

It's a merit-based tuition-fee waiver covering tuition only. It does not provide an allowance for living costs, rent, food or insurance.

Who is eligible for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?

Non-EU/EEA passport holders without Dutch nationality, with results equivalent to a Dutch 8.0, admitted to a full-time English-taught VU master's, and whose degree was not obtained in the Netherlands.

What is the deadline for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?

The VUFP deadline is 1 February at 23:59 CET for the September intake. Registering for your master's by 1 December is advised.

Is the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) fully funded?

No. It waives tuition but not living costs. Applying does enter you for the NL Scholarship, which can add €5,000 or €10,000 toward living costs in the first year for some recipients.

What GPA do I need for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?

You need academic excellence at least equivalent to a Dutch grade of 8.0 on the 1–10 scale. VU converts foreign grades itself, and the minimum doesn't guarantee an award.

How do I apply for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?

Apply for admission to a VU master's, then complete the combined VUFP-NLS application form with your transcript and grading-scale explanation before the 1 February deadline.

Can I combine the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) with the NL Scholarship?

Yes. Applying for the VUFP automatically enters you for the NL Scholarship, though only some VUFP recipients also receive it.

Does the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) accept EU students?

No. The VUFP is for non-EU/EEA passport holders who do not hold Dutch nationality.

What documents do I need for the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?

The completed VUFP-NLS form, your bachelor's transcript or GPA proof, and an explanation of your grading scale.

When will I hear back about the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP)?

Results are usually communicated around mid-March, with an acceptance deadline at the end of March.

Can I get the VU Amsterdam Fellowship Programme (VUFP) if I studied in the Netherlands?

No. You're ineligible if you obtained your degree in the Netherlands or are currently enrolled at a Dutch institution.