Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship
Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Scholarship Overview — What Is the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship?

The Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship (UES) is a highly selective merit-based award for outstanding international students from outside the EU/EEA who wish to pursue a Master's (or, in a few cases, a Bachelor's) degree at Utrecht University. Funded by the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Fund — established by Utrecht University and supported by contributions from its alumni — the scholarship is designed to attract the world's brightest academic talent to one of Europe's most distinguished research universities.

Utrecht University (UU) was founded in 1636, making it one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in continental Europe. Its alumni and academic staff include numerous Nobel laureates and winners of major international science prizes. Today, UU consistently ranks among the top 100 universities globally and the top five in the Netherlands, with particular strength in the life sciences, social sciences, geosciences, law, and humanities. Every year, approximately 1,500 international students join its English-taught Master's programmes, creating a genuinely diverse and internationally-oriented academic environment in the heart of the city of Utrecht.

What makes the UES distinct among Dutch university scholarships is its two-tier award structure. Unlike a fixed-value grant, the scholarship can be awarded either as a tuition-only award or as tuition plus a living-cost allowance tied to the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) minimum income requirement for a student residence permit. This means two students on the same scholarship scheme in a given year may receive meaningfully different total amounts depending on which tier they are offered — something worth understanding clearly before you apply.

The UES is also notable for its OSIRIS-based application process: rather than submitting to a separate scholarship portal, your scholarship application is embedded within the same OSIRIS system you use for your Master's admission, linking the two processes tightly. Your scholarship application is automatically deleted if your Master's application is not submitted first — making the order of operations one of the most practically important things to get right.

What Does the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Cover?

The UES is not a fixed lump-sum grant — it is structured around your actual tuition fee at Utrecht University, with the option of an additional living-cost component. Understanding exactly what is and is not covered helps you plan your finances realistically before applying:

Understanding the Two Funding Tiers — Which One Will You Get?

One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of the UES is that it is not a single fixed scholarship — the selection committee awards it at one of two levels, and the difference is significant. Here is how to think about each tier:

You cannot explicitly request a specific tier — the selection committee determines which tier you receive based on the strength of your application relative to others in your Graduate School's pool. The practical implication is that if you are awarded the UES but at Tier 1, you should have a plan for covering your living costs, whether through personal savings, part-time work, or supplementary funding sources.

Who Can Apply — Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

1. Nationality and Student Finance Status

The UES is designed for students who hold a non-EU/EEA passport and who are not eligible for support under the Dutch study grant and loan system (DUO). In practice this means: if you hold an EU member state passport, an EEA country passport (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), or if you qualify for Dutch student finance despite holding a non-EU passport (for example, through specific work or family status in the Netherlands), you are outside the target group.

Unlike some other Dutch scholarships, the UES does not explicitly reference Swiss or Surinamese passports separately — the criterion is EU/EEA passport specifically, combined with DUO ineligibility. If you are unsure whether you qualify as a DUO-eligible student, it is worth contacting UU's International Office for clarification before investing in your application.

2. Academic Excellence — Top 10% of Graduating Class

This is the UES's defining academic requirement, and it is stricter and more nuanced than a simple GPA threshold. Utrecht University does not set a universal minimum GPA figure — instead, it requires that you belong to the top 10% of your graduating class and that you prove this with an official document from your institution. A high GPA transcript alone, without accompanying rank information, is generally not sufficient.

The institution considers a range of evidence: your class ranking certificate, a grade distribution summary showing your position within the cohort, a signed and stamped statement from your registrar, or a reference letter from a professor that explicitly confirms your standing. See the dedicated section below for full guidance on what evidence works and what doesn't.

3. Prior Education Outside the Netherlands

You must have completed your secondary school education and/or your bachelor's degree outside the Netherlands. Note that this criterion uses "and/or" — meaning that if one of those qualifications was completed in the Netherlands but the other was not, you may still technically meet this requirement. However, UU's intent is clearly to target students who are new to the Dutch education system, so if you have a substantial prior Dutch education history, it is worth seeking clarification.

4. Programme Participation and Start Date

• Not all programmes participate. The UES is only available for specific international Master's programmes explicitly listed as UES-eligible. You must check the "Tuition Fees and Financial Support" section of your specific target programme's page on uu.nl to confirm UES eligibility.
• September start only. Students starting their programme in February (where applicable) are explicitly not eligible for the UES. The scholarship is tied to the September intake each academic year.
• Full-time only. Part-time, distance learning, or online variants of programmes do not qualify, even if the on-campus version of the same programme does.

5. Dutch Visa and Residence Permit Compliance

You must be able to meet the conditions required to obtain a Dutch entry visa and residence permit for study. Utrecht University acts as a recognised sponsor (Sponsor) for the IND visa process for accepted international students, which simplifies the process significantly — but you remain responsible for meeting the underlying legal requirements.

6. One Scholarship Application Only

You may submit only one UES application even if you have applied to multiple UES-eligible Master's programmes at Utrecht University. Carefully decide which programme to link your scholarship application to before submitting, as you cannot transfer or duplicate it.

Who Is NOT Eligible for the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship?

• EU/EEA passport holders (regardless of where they grew up or completed their education)
• Students eligible for Dutch DUO study grants or loans, even if they hold a non-EU passport
• Applicants who have completed both secondary school and bachelor's degree inside the Netherlands
• Applicants to non-participating Master's programmes, online/distance programmes, part-time programmes, or PhD programmes
• Students who cannot provide official documentary proof of belonging to the top 10% of their graduating class
• Students starting their programme in February rather than September
• Students who submit their UES scholarship application before their Master's programme application (UES application will be automatically deleted)

The Top 10% Requirement — What Evidence Does Utrecht University Accept?

This is the question international applicants ask most frequently, and it deserves a clear, detailed answer because it is also the most common point of confusion. The UES does not have a single accepted document type — instead, Utrecht University specifies a general requirement (proof of top-10% standing from your institution) and accepts several forms of evidence that satisfy it:

Eligible Programmes — Which Utrecht University Degrees Can I Apply To?

The UES covers selected international Master's programmes across Utrecht University's six main Graduate Schools, plus a small number of Bachelor's programmes. Because not every programme within each school participates — and the participating list can shift between intake years — always verify on your specific programme's official page before applying. The Graduate Schools historically covered by the UES include:

Check Your Eligibility & Track Your UES Documents

Use the interactive tools below to instantly check whether you appear eligible for the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship, build your document checklist, explore key statistics, and compare alternative scholarships — all without leaving this page.

How to Apply for the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship — Step-by-Step Guide

The UES application is tightly integrated with the Utrecht University admissions process through the OSIRIS system. The most critical thing to understand upfront: your scholarship application will be automatically deleted if you have not first submitted your Master's programme application. The steps below must be followed in order:

1. Confirm your programme is UES-eligible — before anything else
   Go to your target programme's page on uu.nl, navigate to the "Tuition Fees and Financial Support" section, and check whether the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship is listed. If it is not mentioned, your programme does not participate and applying for the UES will not be possible for that programme.
2. Check your programme's specific application deadline
   Not all Utrecht Master's programmes have the same application deadline. Navigate to the "When to Apply" section of your target programme's page. In some cases, the programme deadline is as early as December — earlier than the general UES scholarship deadline of 1 February. Submitting a late programme application will make you ineligible for the scholarship even if your scholarship application is submitted on time.
3. Create your OSIRIS Online Application account
   If you do not already have an account, register at the OSIRIS Online Application portal using your email address. OSIRIS is Utrecht University's integrated system for both admissions and scholarships — you manage everything in one place.
4. Submit your Master's programme application via OSIRIS
   Complete and submit your application for your chosen UES-eligible Master's programme, ensuring all required documents (transcripts, language certificates, motivation letter, CV, references) are uploaded before the programme's own deadline. The act of submitting this application is what unlocks the scholarship application in your dashboard.
5. Open your UES scholarship application from 1 November
   From 1 November onward, log back into your OSIRIS account dashboard. You will see a UES application listed as a related process linked to your Master's programme application. Click "view/edit" to open the scholarship form. Note: if you have applied to multiple programmes, you will see multiple UES applications — but you may only submit one.
6. Upload your proof of top-10% class standing
   This is the only document specifically requested by the UES application form. Upload the strongest available evidence of your top-10% standing — a class ranking certificate, an official registrar statement, or a GPA transcript with grade distribution. See the Proving Top 10% section above for full guidance on what is and is not accepted.
7. Answer the scholarship questions
   The UES form includes specific questions about your academic background, motivation, and plans. Answer these carefully and specifically — treat them with the same level of attention you gave your Master's motivation letter.
8. Submit before 1 February at 23:59 CET
   The scholarship deadline is firm. Crucially: if you submit your scholarship application between 27 January and 1 February, Utrecht University explicitly warns that incomplete or incorrect information cannot be updated or corrected after that point. Submit as early as possible so you have time to review and fix any issues before the final window closes.
9. Wait for your combined admission and scholarship result
   Utrecht University aims to publish scholarship results by mid-April. You cannot be informed of a scholarship decision before you have received your conditional or unconditional admission offer — both communications typically arrive around the same time in spring. Scholarship decisions are communicated as awarded (with tier), not awarded, or on a waiting list.
10. Accept your offer and confirm enrolment
    If awarded the UES, respond to Utrecht University within the specified acceptance deadline. Confirm your enrolment in the programme, apply for your Dutch visa and residence permit (Utrecht's International Student Desk provides guidance), arrange accommodation (Utrecht has a student housing market — start early), and register for your Dutch bank account and BSN number upon arrival.

How to Write a Winning UES Motivation Letter

The quality and relevance of your motivation letter is one of the three explicit selection criteria alongside academic excellence and application quality. Unlike some other Dutch scholarships, the UES motivation letter is the same document as your Master's programme motivation letter — there is no separate scholarship-specific essay. This means your motivation letter must serve double duty: convincing the admissions committee you are the right fit for the programme, while simultaneously demonstrating the academic calibre and professional trajectory that would make you a compelling UES candidate.

How the UES Selection Process Works

Understanding how the committee actually evaluates applications helps you prioritise what matters most in preparing yours. The selection process at Utrecht University involves three key stages:

• Stage 1 — Completeness and eligibility check: Utrecht University first reviews all submitted applications for completeness and basic eligibility — ensuring you hold a non-EU/EEA passport, your proof of top-10% standing is included, your Master's application was submitted first, and your target programme participates in the UES. Applications that fail at this stage are filtered before any academic evaluation begins.
• Stage 2 — Academic and motivational review: Eligible applications are evaluated against the three published criteria: (a) academic quality and promise in the proposed field, evidenced by proof of top-10% standing, grades, test scores, writing samples, and reference letters; (b) quality and relevance of the motivation letter (academic content, intercultural and communication skills, personal motivation); (c) quality of the Master's programme application itself (completeness, accuracy, consistency). These are weighted together, not ranked hierarchically — a mediocre motivation letter can undercut an excellent academic record.
• Stage 3 — Final selection and tier assignment: The selection committee determines both who receives a UES and which tier — tuition only, or tuition plus living allowance — each recipient is awarded. Results are communicated by mid-April, with some candidates potentially placed on a waiting list that is resolved as the intake deadline approaches.

A practically important point: because selection is organised by Graduate School rather than institution-wide, you are primarily competing against other applicants to programmes within your own Graduate School. A Graduate School with fewer international applications in a given year may statistically offer better odds — though competition intensity varies significantly and is not publicly disclosed in detail.

Tips for Winning the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

• Verify programme participation and check the programme deadline first — before anything else. These two steps can be done in five minutes on uu.nl and prevent the two most common and most avoidable mistakes.
• Contact your registrar for ranking documentation early. Obtaining an official top-10% confirmation document can take weeks at some institutions — start this process as soon as you decide to apply, not after you've started your programme application.
• Submit your Master's application as early as possible. You cannot access the UES form until your programme application is submitted. Submitting early also gives you maximum time to review your scholarship form before the 27 January no-correction window begins.
• Treat the scholarship questions with the same weight as your motivation letter. The scholarship form is not an administrative formality — it is part of the selection evaluation. Write your answers with care, specificity, and concrete examples.
• Choose your reference letters strategically. Although only one document (top-10% proof) is formally required by the UES form, your Master's application reference letters feed into the academic excellence criterion. Choose referees who can speak to your research potential and cohort standing, not just your general character.
• Be honest about your tier expectations. The selection committee decides the tier — you cannot request one. If you receive a Tier 1 (tuition only) offer, having a realistic living-cost plan already in place means you can accept confidently rather than scrambling. Research part-time work rights in the Netherlands for student visa holders in advance.
• Understand Utrecht's research culture and reference it specifically. Utrecht is research-intensive and highly interdisciplinary — the UES aims to attract future researchers, not just technically skilled graduates. If you have any research experience, frame it prominently and show how it aligns with Utrecht's specific research strengths in your chosen Graduate School.

After Receiving the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship — What Happens Next?

Receiving the UES is the start of an important series of practical steps that all need to happen in the right order before your programme begins in September:

• Accept your admission and scholarship offer by the stated deadline: Utrecht University will specify a response window. Missing it risks losing both your place and your scholarship.
• Apply for your Dutch visa and residence permit (MVV + VVR), if required: Utrecht University's International Student Desk guides scholarship recipients through the IND application process. UU acts as your recognised sponsor. Your scholarship award letter will be a key supporting document for the IND application. Start this process as soon as possible after accepting, as processing times can be several weeks.
• Arrange accommodation in Utrecht: Unlike the Maastricht High Potential Scholarship, the UES does not include mandatory allocated housing — you need to find your own accommodation. Utrecht has a competitive student housing market, so start searching through SSH Utrecht (the main student housing provider), private platforms, and Utrecht University's housing information portal as soon as you have your admission letter. Starting early is strongly advised.
• Register with the Municipality of Utrecht (BRP): Within five days of arriving in the Netherlands, register at the local municipality to receive your BSN (BurgerServiceNummer), which you need for banking, insurance, and most official processes.
• Open a Dutch bank account: Your scholarship stipend (if Tier 2) is paid to a Dutch or compatible bank account. Options include traditional Dutch banks (ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO) and internationally accessible alternatives like Bunq, N26, or Wise.
• Arrange Dutch health insurance: Health insurance is compulsory in the Netherlands. You will need to purchase a Dutch health insurance policy (zorgverzekering) or a specific international student plan. Budget for approximately €100–€150 per month.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress for year-two renewal: For two-year Master's programmes, your year-two scholarship renewal depends on Utrecht University's assessment of your academic progress. Engage actively with your programme from day one and seek academic support early if needed — the renewal is not automatic.
• Engage with Utrecht's international student community: Utrecht University has a strong international student support network, including international student associations, career services, and alumni mentoring. Building these connections early both enriches your experience and helps your professional development after graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship