University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS)
Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Scholarship Overview — What Is the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS)?

The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) is the University of Amsterdam's own institutional scholarship for outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA. It was created to help UvA attract some of the brightest students in the world to its Bachelor's and Master's programmes, and it is funded directly by the university rather than by the Dutch government.

The single most important thing to understand about the AMS is that it is not one scholarship — it is a decentralised family of scholarships. There is no university-wide AMS application form, no single fixed amount, and no single deadline. Instead, each UvA faculty — including Economics and Business, Law, Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Psychology, Communication Science, Child Development and Education, and Medicine — runs its own version of the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, with its own eligible programmes, its own award amount, its own selection criteria, and its own deadline.

This means two students applying to UvA in the same year, for the same intake, can receive completely different AMS experiences depending on their faculty. A Law School LLM applicant might see an award covering full tuition plus a several-thousand-euro stipend, while a Bachelor's applicant in Economics and Business might see a flat annual grant of a few thousand euros. Always treat the AMS as "check the rules for your specific faculty" rather than assuming a single, predictable scholarship package.

The University of Amsterdam itself is one of the largest and oldest research universities in the Netherlands, regularly ranking among the top universities in Europe and within the global top 100. It offers a large number of English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programmes, making it one of the most popular Dutch destinations for international students — which also means AMS competition is high and award numbers per faculty are limited.

Because the AMS is faculty-specific, there is also no single "AMS application portal." You apply for your degree programme through Studielink and the relevant UvA admissions system, and — depending on the faculty — either tick a box indicating scholarship interest, or submit a separate scholarship application form with its own documents and deadline, typically processed by the same admissions office handling your programme application.

What Does the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Cover — And What Doesn't It Cover?

Because award amounts vary so much by faculty, the most useful way to understand AMS coverage is by degree level and award type. Here is a breakdown of the patterns you'll typically encounter, along with what you'll still need to budget for yourself:

Who Can Apply — Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Eligibility Requirements for International Students

1. Nationality — Which Students Are Eligible?

The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is for non-EU/EEA nationals only. If you hold a passport from an EU member state or an EEA country (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), you pay EU-level tuition and have access to different funding routes — you are not the target group for this scholarship. If you hold dual nationality and one of those nationalities is an EU/EEA nationality, that nationality generally determines your tuition and funding category, so always confirm your status directly with UvA admissions if you hold dual citizenship.

There is no country-specific priority list. Students from any non-EU/EEA country — including India, China, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and beyond — are welcome to apply, provided they meet each faculty's specific criteria.

2. Degree Level and Programme Eligibility

• Bachelor's (BSc): A number of UvA Bachelor's programmes — particularly in Economics and Business, Social and Behavioural Sciences, and Psychology — offer AMS awards to a small number of incoming non-EU/EEA students each year.
• Master's (MSc / MA / LLM): Most AMS activity happens at Master's level, where faculties including Law, Economics and Business, Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, Psychology, Communication Science, Child Development and Education, and Medicine each run their own award.
• Not all programmes within a faculty are eligible. Even within a participating faculty, only specific designated programmes typically offer the AMS. Always check the "eligible programmes" list on your target faculty's scholarship page.
• Not eligible: Part-time programmes, distance/online programmes, short courses, exchange programmes, and most PhD positions are outside the scope of the AMS (Dutch PhD candidates are usually salaried researchers rather than scholarship recipients).

3. Academic Excellence

Every faculty requires demonstrated outstanding academic performance, though the exact bar differs. Commonly cited benchmarks include a GPA equivalent to roughly 8.0 or higher on the Dutch 10-point scale, a first-class honours degree (UK system), a GPA around 3.7–4.0 (US system), or being ranked in the top 10% of your graduating class or cohort. Some faculties also weigh class ranking certificates and recommendation letters heavily in this assessment.

4. Not Already Funded or Eligible for Dutch Student Finance

A consistent rule across faculties is that you must not already be eligible for Dutch government study grants or loans (Studiefinanciering via DUO) and must not already hold another scholarship that fully funds the same period of study. The AMS exists to support students who would otherwise lack sufficient funding — not to stack on top of another full scholarship.

5. Complete Admission Application Submitted on Time

You must have submitted — or in most cases be in the process of completing — a full admission application to an eligible UvA programme before or by the scholarship deadline. Faculties consistently state that incomplete applications, whether on the admissions side or the scholarship side, will not be considered.

Who Is NOT Eligible for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship?

• EU/EEA nationals (who pay EU-level tuition and have access to different funding routes)
• Students eligible for Dutch government student finance (DUO Studiefinanciering)
• Students who already hold another scholarship that fully funds the same study period
• Students applying for part-time, online, or distance learning programmes
• Exchange students or students on short-term mobility programmes
• Students applying to non-designated programmes within a participating faculty
• Most PhD candidates (typically employed as salaried researchers instead)
• Applicants who fail to submit a complete admission and/or scholarship application by their faculty's deadline

Eligible Faculties — Where Can You Apply for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship?

AMS awards are administered separately by each of the following UvA faculties and Graduate Schools. Each one maintains its own dedicated scholarship page listing eligible programmes, exact award amounts, selection criteria, and deadlines — always go directly to your specific faculty's page rather than relying on a generic AMS description.

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your AMS Documents

Use the interactive tools below to instantly check whether you're likely to qualify for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, build your document checklist, compare statistics, and explore alternatives — all without leaving this page.

How to Apply for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship — Step-by-Step Guide

Because the AMS is run independently by each UvA faculty, there is no single AMS application website. Every step happens through your chosen faculty's own admissions and scholarship system. Here is the complete process, structured to work no matter which faculty you're targeting:

1. Choose your target UvA programme and confirm AMS eligibility
   Start by identifying which UvA Bachelor's or Master's programme fits your academic background and goals. Then go to that faculty's dedicated Amsterdam Merit Scholarship page (linked from the central UvA "Fees and funding" overview) to confirm: (a) that your specific programme is on the list of AMS-eligible programmes, (b) what the award amount and structure are for that programme, and (c) what the scholarship deadline is.
2. Apply for admission to your chosen programme
   Submit your application for admission through UvA's relevant admissions system (typically via Studielink for the general registration step, plus a programme-specific application portal for many Master's programmes). The AMS application is generally processed in connection with this admissions application — you typically cannot apply for the scholarship as a fully separate, standalone process.
3. Indicate your interest in the AMS or submit a separate scholarship form
   Depending on the faculty, you will either tick a box during your admissions application indicating you want to be considered for the AMS, or you will need to submit an entirely separate scholarship application form (sometimes through a dedicated platform) with its own document checklist. Read your specific faculty's instructions carefully — this step varies more than almost any other part of the process.
4. Write your AMS motivation letter
   Most faculties require a motivation letter explaining why you are choosing the specific programme and why you deserve the scholarship. Word limits vary — some faculties cap this at 300 words, others allow up to 500. Always check your specific faculty's exact word limit before writing, since exceeding it can result in your application being penalised or rejected. See the dedicated Motivation Letter section below for a full breakdown.
5. Gather and upload academic transcripts and supporting documents
   Prepare transcripts from all years of your degree, clearly showing your GPA or grade average (and class ranking if available), along with your CV, passport copy, English proficiency proof, and any additional documents your faculty requests — such as an academic recommendation letter. Incomplete applications are typically excluded from consideration entirely.
6. Submit before your faculty's specific scholarship deadline
   AMS deadlines are set independently by each faculty, and several faculties require both your full degree application and your scholarship application to be complete by the same cutoff date. Missing this deadline almost always means exclusion from the scholarship round, even if your general admission is still under review. Always rely on the deadline published on your specific faculty's official page — not a generic university-wide date.
7. Await the selection decision
   Each faculty's own selection committee reviews applications based on academic merit, the quality of your motivation letter, and the overall strength of your application. Notification timing varies by faculty — some communicate results within weeks, others take longer. You will be informed directly by your faculty's admissions or scholarship office.
8. Apply for your Dutch student visa or residence permit (MVV + VVR), if required
   Non-EU/EEA students who are offered admission and the scholarship typically need a Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf (MVV) entry visa and then a Verblijfsvergunning Regulier (VVR) residence permit from the IND. UvA's international office typically sponsors your IND application as your recognised sponsor. Your AMS award letter helps support your application as evidence of financial means.
9. Confirm enrolment and receive your award
   After your admission and scholarship are both confirmed, complete your formal enrolment with UvA. Payment and disbursement schedules (lump sum versus instalments, tuition fee waiver versus direct stipend payments) depend entirely on your faculty's specific AMS structure — confirm this with your faculty's admissions office once you're awarded.

How to Write a Winning Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Motivation Letter

The motivation letter is the document most within your control in the AMS application, and it carries real weight in faculty selection decisions. Because word limits differ by faculty (commonly between 300 and 500 words), always confirm the exact limit for your programme before drafting. Here is a structure that adapts well across faculties:

Tips for Winning the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

• Go directly to your faculty's AMS page — never rely on a generic description. Because eligibility, amounts, and deadlines are set independently per faculty, the only reliable source of truth is your specific faculty's official scholarship page on uva.nl.
• Apply as early as possible. Many AMS deadlines fall earlier than, or align tightly with, general admissions deadlines. Starting your research and application months in advance gives you time to gather strong supporting documents, including recommendation letters that take time to arrange.
• Quantify your academic achievements wherever possible. Instead of saying "I am a strong student," say "I graduated in the top 8% of my class of 180 students with a GPA equivalent to 8.4/10." Specific numbers give selection committees a clear basis for comparison.
• Tailor your motivation letter to the specific programme and faculty. The strongest letters reference specific courses, research groups, or faculty members relevant to your chosen programme, rather than reading as a generic scholarship essay reused across multiple applications.
• Respect the word limit exactly. Faculties differ between roughly 300 and 500 words — exceeding the stated limit signals a lack of attention to detail and can count against you, even if the content itself is strong.
• Secure a strong recommendation letter early. Several faculties ask for a letter from a professor or academic supervisor confirming your standing (for example, top 10% of your class). Request this well in advance, since professors often need several weeks to write a thoughtful letter.
• Consider applying to more than one eligible UvA programme or faculty if your background allows it. If your academic profile genuinely fits more than one eligible programme, applying to multiple increases your overall chances of securing some form of AMS funding — just be mindful of each faculty's specific requirements and deadlines.
• Don't assume "Merit Scholarship" always means "fully funded." Research the actual amount for your specific faculty and programme before counting on AMS to cover your full costs — for some programmes it is a meaningful but partial contribution, not a full ride.
• Confirm your visa and financial sufficiency requirements separately. Even with an AMS award, the Dutch immigration authority (IND) requires documented evidence of sufficient funds for your residence permit. If your award doesn't cover full costs, have a clear plan — savings, family support, or part-time work — ready to document.

After Receiving the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship — What Happens Next?

Receiving an AMS award letter is your gateway to studying at UvA — here is what to do next:

• Confirm your acceptance promptly: Faculties typically require you to formally accept the scholarship award within a set window. Respond on time — delays can result in the award passing to another candidate.
• Complete your enrolment: Finish any remaining admission requirements and formally enrol in your programme. Full enrolment is usually a prerequisite for the scholarship to be activated or disbursed.
• Apply for your Dutch visa and residence permit (MVV + VVR), if applicable: UvA's International Office typically guides non-EU/EEA students through the IND application process as the recognised sponsor. Begin this as soon as your admission and scholarship are confirmed, since processing can take several weeks.
• Arrange accommodation early: Student housing in Amsterdam is highly competitive. Apply for university-affiliated housing options as soon as you receive your admission offer, and explore reputable platforms such as Kamernet and HousingAnywhere as backup options.
• Register with the Municipality (BRP): Within days of arriving in the Netherlands, register with the local municipality to receive your BSN (BurgerServiceNummer), which you'll need for banking, health insurance, and most formal transactions.
• Get Dutch health insurance if required: If you take on paid work in the Netherlands (including certain student assistantships), Dutch law generally requires a Dutch health insurance policy. International student health insurance options are also available — check with UvA's international office for guidance specific to your situation.
• Open a Dutch bank account: If your award involves direct stipend payments, you'll typically need a Dutch bank account (or a recognised alternative such as Bunq, N26, or Wise) to receive funds smoothly.
• Understand your award's renewal conditions, if any: Some Bachelor's-level AMS awards are renewable across multiple years subject to maintaining a minimum percentage of required academic credits. Read your award letter carefully to understand exactly what you need to do to keep the scholarship active.
• Connect with UvA's international student community: UvA hosts a large international student body and active alumni network — valuable for both your studies and your career development during and after your time in Amsterdam.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship