TU Delft Excellence Scholarship: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

The TU Delft Excellence Scholarship is TU Delft's own flagship funding programme for exceptional international students, financed by the legacy of Justus and Louise van Effen. Mr. van Effen studied at TU Delft in the 1940s and believed strongly that technological progress could help solve real societal problems — a mission the foundation carries on by supporting the university's most promising incoming Master's students.

This guide walks through exactly who qualifies, what the scholarship pays for, the documents you'll need, and the application timeline, step by step.

1. What Does the Scholarship Actually Cover?

Unlike a flat cash grant, the TU Delft Excellence Scholarship covers your full annual tuition fee for a TU Delft Master's programme — calculated at either the statutory or institutional rate depending on your nationality — plus a separate contribution toward your living expenses. This support runs across both years of your MSc, not just the first.

2. Who Can Apply? (Core Eligibility Criteria)

To be considered, you generally need to meet all of the following:

1. Programme Fit: You are an excellent international applicant (conditionally) admitted to one of TU Delft's 2-year regular MSc programmes — Joint Education Programmes are not eligible.
2. Academic Excellence: A cumulative GPA of roughly 80% or higher of the scale maximum on your bachelor's degree, with results that place you among the top 10% of your graduating class.
3. Relevant Prior Degree: Your bachelor's degree, from a recognized university outside the Netherlands, must be relevant to the Master's programme you're applying for.
4. Full-Time Enrollment: The scholarship is only available to full-time students — part-time MSc students are not eligible.
5. Complete Application: You must have submitted a full MSc application, including all supporting documents, before the scholarship deadline.

3. English Proficiency Requirements

TU Delft assesses English proficiency separately from the scholarship itself, but you'll need to satisfy it as part of your MSc application:

• Standard Tests: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge English (C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency) are the most commonly accepted options.
• Exemptions: Students who completed their entire prior degree in a fully English-medium programme, or who are nationals of recognized English-speaking countries, may be exempt — this depends on your specific faculty, so confirm with your programme's admissions office.
• EU/EFTA Applicants: Non-EU/EFTA students must submit their English test result with the initial application; EU/EFTA students can typically submit this at a later admissions stage.

4. Documents You Need to Prepare

Because the scholarship application runs alongside your MSc application, you'll need to prepare these items well in advance:

• Academic Transcripts & Diploma: Certified copies of your bachelor's degree transcripts, translated into English, showing your GPA and class ranking if available.
• Motivation Letter: A focused essay explaining your academic background, your reasons for choosing the specific programme, and why the scholarship is essential to your studies.
• Updated CV: Covering your academic history, research experience, internships, and any relevant extracurricular achievements.
• Recommendation Letters: Typically two or three references from professors or academic mentors. If a referee can't submit directly, they can email a scanned PDF letter that includes your full name and student number.
• Proof of English Proficiency: Your IELTS/TOEFL/Cambridge certificate, unless you qualify for an exemption.
• Valid Passport Copy: Identity and photo page.

5. Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these four steps to apply:

1 Choose an Eligible 2-Year Regular MSc Programme

Confirm your target programme is a 2-year regular Master's (not a Joint Education Programme) on TU Delft's official list of eligible programmes, since not every Master's at TU Delft qualifies.

2 Apply via Studielink and the TU Delft Portal

Register in Studielink, then complete your admission application through TU Delft's own admissions portal, uploading transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and English test results.

3 Submit the Scholarship Form Alongside Your Application

Indicate that you wish to be considered for the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship and submit any additional scholarship-specific documents your faculty requests, before the 1 December deadline.

4 Wait for the Decision

Results are typically announced around the end of March or early April. Make sure the contact email on your application stays accurate and check it regularly during this period.

6. Eligible Faculties & Fields of Study

The scholarship is available across TU Delft's 2-year regular MSc programmes, spanning faculties including:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Applied Sciences
• Architecture & the Built Environment
• Civil Engineering & Geosciences
• Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science (EEMCS)
• Industrial Design Engineering
• Mechanical, Maritime & Materials Engineering (3mE)
• Technology, Policy & Management (TPM)

Because roughly two scholarships are awarded per faculty each year, competition is intense — a strong, specific motivation letter tailored to your chosen faculty matters as much as your GPA.

7. Staying in the Netherlands After Graduation (Zoekjaar)

Once you complete your TU Delft Master's, you become eligible to apply for the Orientation Year permit (Zoekjaar) — one of the most accessible post-study pathways in Europe.

The Zoekjaar gives you 12 months to live and work in the Netherlands without needing employer sponsorship or a separate work permit. If you then secure a job meeting the minimum salary threshold, you can transition into a Highly Skilled Migrant residence permit.

Frequently Asked Questions