Netherlands Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam VU Fellowship (VUFP) 2026 (Fully Funded)

The Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is inviting outstanding international students to apply for the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP) 2026, one of the Netherlands’ most competitive and prestigious scholarships. Designed for high-achieving non-EU/EEA students, this fellowship provides full tuition fee coverage for selected Master’s programs, helping scholars pursue world-class education in Amsterdam - a city known for its innovation, culture, and diversity.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam), founded in 1880, is one of the leading research universities in the Netherlands, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact. Located in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, VU offers a wide range of English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs across disciplines such as science, business, law, social sciences, and humanities. The university is known for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary education, global outlook, and inclusive community of students from over 120 countries. With world-class research facilities, a central campus in the Zuidas business district, and a focus on sustainability and diversity, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam provides an ideal environment for students aiming to combine academic rigor with real-world relevance.

The VU Fellowship offers an excellent funding package for international students:

• Full Tuition Fee Coverage for one- or two-year Master’s programmes.
• Automatic consideration for the NL Scholarship, which offers an additional €5,000 or €10,000 contribution toward living expenses during the first study year.
• Around 20–25 NL Scholarships are awarded annually in combination with VUFP.

Note: The fellowship does not cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, health insurance, or travel costs. Students must arrange additional financial support for these expenses.

The VU Fellowship (VUFP) 2026 is open for students applying to Master’s degree programs at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam).

The scholarship is available for all English-taught Master’s programmes offered at VU Amsterdam. These include diverse disciplines across:

• Social Sciences and Humanities
• Business and Economics
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Environmental and Earth Sciences
• Health, Life, and Biomedical Sciences
• Law, Governance, and Public Policy

Applicants can choose from over 200 Master’s programmes offered by VU Amsterdam faculties.

The VUFP Scholarship is specifically for non-EU/EEA international students. Applicants holding EU/EEA or Dutch nationality are not eligible.

To qualify for the VU Fellowship Programme 2026, applicants must:

• Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and be ineligible for statutory tuition fees.
• Not hold Dutch nationality.
• Demonstrate academic excellence (Bachelor’s GPA equivalent to a Dutch 8.0/10).
• Be conditionally or unconditionally admitted to the first year of a full-time English-taught Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam starting in September 2026.
• Not be applying for joint-degree or February intake programmes where VU is not the admitting institution.
• The previous degree (Bachelor’s) must have been obtained outside the Netherlands.
• Applicants must not require a preparatory programme before beginning the Master’s studies.

Required Documents

When applying for the VUFP 2026, candidates need to prepare the following documents:

• Official Bachelor’s degree transcript (including GPA and grading scale).
• Motivation letter and proof of academic excellence (submitted via the scholarship form).
• Admission letter or conditional offer for a Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam.
• Valid passport copy and any additional documents requested by the faculty.

Application Timeline

Here’s the official timeline for the VU Fellowship 2026:

• 1 October 2025: Master’s programme applications open.
• 1 November 2025: VUFP scholarship application portal opens.
• 1 December 2025: Recommended deadline to complete Master’s admission.
• 1 February 2026 (23:59 CET): Final deadline to submit the VUFP application.
• Mid-March 2026: Scholarship results announced.
• End of March 2026: Accepted students confirm their scholarship acceptance.
• September 2026: Classes commence at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Follow these steps to apply for the VU Fellowship (VUFP) 2026:

Apply for Admission:

• Submit an online application for a Master’s programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam through the official portal starting 1 October 2025.
• Website: VU Amsterdam Admission Portal

Wait for Admission Confirmation:

• Once conditionally or unconditionally admitted, you can proceed to apply for the scholarship.

Apply for VUFP:

• Complete and submit the VUFP scholarship application form available in the VU Dashboard by 1 February 2026.

Automatic NL Scholarship Consideration:

• All eligible VUFP applicants will automatically be considered for the NL Scholarship (no separate application required).

Await Selection Results:

• Results will be announced by mid-March 2026, and selected candidates must confirm their acceptance before the end of March.

Why Study at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam?

Located in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities, VU Amsterdam offers world-class research facilities, a vibrant international community, and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary education. The university’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global citizenship makes it an ideal destination for future leaders.