| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award Amount | Varies by faculty: e.g. €25,900 (Law LLM), ~€24,875 (Science), €6,000/year (Bachelor's route) |
| Degree Levels | Selected Bachelor's and Master's programmes at UvA |
| Funding Structure | Amount equal to tuition, paid in monthly instalments — not an upfront fee waiver |
| Target Nationality | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students not eligible for Dutch study finance |
| Application Method | Through your UvA faculty's admissions/scholarship portal, alongside your degree application |
| Deadlines | Vary by faculty — commonly mid-January, with some tracks as early as 1 November |
| Selection Basis | Academic merit first, financial need second |
The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) is the University of Amsterdam's flagship award for attracting exceptional students from outside the EU/EEA to its Bachelor's and Master's programmes. It's highly selective — only applicants with excellent academic results and a strong motivation letter are typically successful.
This guide breaks down exactly how the scholarship works, who qualifies, what documents you need, and how to apply, faculty by faculty.
1. How Much Is the AMS Worth — and How Is It Paid?
The award amount is set individually by each UvA faculty and typically equals the value of your annual tuition fee. Recent examples include €25,900 for the Amsterdam Law School's LLM track, roughly €24,875 for the Faculty of Science, and €6,000 per year (up to €18,000 total) for the Bachelor's route through Economics and Business. Some Business Administration Master's tracks combine full tuition coverage with an additional €5,000 living allowance.
The part most applicants miss: for most AMS tracks, the scholarship is not a tuition fee waiver. You are still required to pay your full tuition fee to UvA up front (in one payment or instalments), and the scholarship amount is then paid back to you separately, in monthly instalments across the academic year. Budget for the full upfront tuition cost before assuming this money reduces what you owe at enrollment.
2. Who Can Apply?
Core eligibility criteria across most AMS tracks include:
- Nationality: You hold a passport from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
- Not Eligible for Dutch Funding: You do not qualify for Dutch study grants or loans (Studiefinanciering) or the reduced EEA tuition rate.
- First-Time UvA Applicant: You are applying to a UvA programme at this level for the first time — students who already hold a UvA degree at the same level are generally not eligible.
- Academic Excellence: Your prior academic results are excellent and clearly relevant to the programme you're applying for.
- Visa Compliance: You meet the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) requirements for a student visa and will enrol full-time.
- No Other Full Scholarship: You are not receiving another full-coverage scholarship for the same period of study.
3. Faculty-Specific Deadlines
Unlike a single university-wide cutoff, AMS deadlines are set independently by each faculty or graduate school:
- Amsterdam Law School (LLM): Typically 15 January, 23:59 CET — your LLM application must also be complete by this date.
- Faculty of Science: Also mid-January for a September start.
- Social and Behavioural Sciences: Commonly early February.
- Selected Business Administration tracks (February intake): As early as 1 November of the preceding year.
Always double-check the current date on your specific faculty's official scholarship page — these deadlines shift slightly year to year and differ significantly by programme.
4. Documents You Need to Prepare
- Academic Transcripts & Diploma: Certified copies translated into English, showing strong, relevant results.
- Motivation Letter: Explaining your academic excellence, career goals, and why you deserve the scholarship — counselors note this often carries real weight in close decisions.
- Updated CV: Academic background, research, internships, and relevant achievements.
- Financial Plan: Some faculties assess financial need as a secondary factor, so be ready to outline your funding situation.
- Proof of English Proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL, or another accepted test, per your programme's requirements.
- Valid Passport Copy: Identity and photo page.
5. Step-by-Step Application Process
1 Choose an Eligible Programme
Check your specific faculty's admissions page to confirm your Bachelor's or Master's programme is eligible for AMS, since not every UvA programme participates.
2 Submit a Complete Degree Application
Apply to your chosen programme through UvA's admissions system. Your scholarship application will only be considered once your full degree application has also been submitted.
3 Submit the Scholarship Application
Follow your faculty's specific scholarship instructions, uploading transcripts, your CV, and motivation letter before the deadline. If applicable, indicate interest in any linked top-up scholarship in the same form.
4 Wait for Selection
Selection typically takes place in March, with results communicated in April via the UvA application portal.
6. Staying in the Netherlands After Graduation (Zoekjaar)
After completing your UvA degree, you can apply for the Orientation Year permit (Zoekjaar), giving you 12 months to live and work in the Netherlands without needing employer sponsorship. Landing a job that meets the minimum salary threshold then lets you transition into a Highly Skilled Migrant residence permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) worth?
The amount depends on your faculty and programme. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Amsterdam Law School LLM award is €25,900, the Faculty of Science award is around €24,875, and the Bachelor's route (Economics and Business) is €6,000 per year for up to three years. Selected Master's Business Administration tracks combine a full tuition-fee amount plus a €5,000 top-up.
Is the AMS a tuition fee waiver?
No. For most AMS tracks, the scholarship cannot be used as a partial tuition fee waiver. You must still pay your full tuition fee up front, and the scholarship amount is paid back to you separately in monthly instalments over the academic year.
Who is eligible for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship?
You must hold a non-EU/EEA/Swiss passport, not be eligible for Dutch study finance (Studiefinanciering) or the reduced EEA tuition rate, be applying to a UvA programme for the first time at that level, and meet Dutch immigration (IND) requirements for a student visa.
When is the AMS application deadline?
Deadlines differ by faculty and programme. The Amsterdam Law School LLM deadline is 15 January, the Faculty of Science deadline is also mid-January, and selected February-intake Business Administration tracks close as early as 1 November. Always confirm the exact date on your specific faculty's admissions page.
Can I combine AMS with another scholarship?
Generally no, you cannot receive another full-coverage scholarship for the same period of study. However, some AMS recipients are automatically considered for a top-up such as the Holland Scholarship, depending on their faculty.
Official Portal
- University of Amsterdam Official Scholarship Page: uva.nl/scholarships/amsterdam-merit-scholarship