Fully Funded Maastricht University UM Global Studies Scholarship 2026 For Passionate Undergraduates in Netherland

Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Maastricht University UM Global Studies Scholarship 2026 For Passionate Undergraduates in Netherland

The Maastricht University Global Studies Scholarship offers a full coverage scholarship (including a tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend) per academic year for a selected number of top-performing bachelor students. This competitive program is designed for international students who wish to study a bachelor’s degree for free in one of the top schools in the Netherlands. For advice on approaching competitive applications, use our guide on How to Apply for Scholarships Successfully.

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The Global Studies program is unique in the Netherlands as it integrates six faculties, each contributing equally to the educational content, helping students understand and develop solutions for complex global issues, crossing disciplinary and geographical boundaries. Developing your leadership potential is key for international programs like this; review the 10 Top Qualities of Scholarship Winners.

The program offers students the opportunity to perform a field study in the global south, develop an intervention for a societal problem presented by an $\text{NGO}$, government agency, firm, or school, and write an interdisciplinary bachelor thesis. If you are preparing to move to the Netherlands, familiarize yourself with practicalities by reading the Best Student Accommodation Tips Moving Abroad.

Program Summary

• Host Country: Netherlands
• Study Abroad: Study in Europe
• Category: Undergraduate Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: Africa, Asia, Latin-America, Caribbean
• Reward: Full Scholarship | $\text{€15,925}$ Stipend/Yr | Travel Costs | Accommodation
• Language Requirement: No $\text{IELTS}$ Required (English skills are assumed)
• Application Deadline: February $\text{1, 2026}$

Scholarship Benefits

The $\text{UM}$ Global Studies Scholarship is a full coverage opportunity designed to eliminate financial barriers for talented students from the Global South.

The scholarship provides:

• Tuition Fee Waiver: Full coverage of the tuition fee for the duration of the bachelor’s program. To understand the full value of this, read How to Win a Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarship.
• Living Stipend: An amount of $\text{€15,925}$ is provided per academic year, equating to $\text{€1,225}$ per month for living expenses, including accommodation. If you require further financial context, consult the Ultimate Guide to Student Loans for International Students.
• Travel and Other Costs: The scholarship includes coverage for travel costs to and from the Netherlands, as well as health insurance and visa costs. For efficiency in your demanding study schedule, try implementing the How this unbelievable interleaving study technique can help lazy students become the best elite students and pass all exams.

Eligibility Requirements for Maastricht University Global Studies Scholarship 2026

To be considered, candidates must meet the following strict requirements:

• Nationality: You hold the nationality of a country in the Global South (Africa, Asia including the Middle-East, Latin-America, and the Caribbean, based on the $\text{OECD}$ definition).
• Dual Nationality: You must not have a dual nationality from a country in the Global North. Before applying, ensure this is the right academic and personal move for you by reading the Best Top 10 Questions to Help You Decide If Studying Abroad Is Right for You.
• Prior Study: You must have never participated in a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands (exchange programs are acceptable).
• Age Limit: You are not older than $\text{35}$ years of age on $\text{1}$ September $\text{2026}$. Your application essay is vital for conveying your personal narrative and commitment; see Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay: A-Z Guide.
• Ambassador Role: You must agree to become an active Global Studies and $\text{UM}$ ambassador during and after your studies. If you have any past academic struggles, here is the Best Way to Explain Low GPA in Personal Statements.
• Application Status: You must have applied for admission to the Global Studies study program at $\text{UM}$ for the $\text{2026-2027}$ academic year.

Required Documents For Maastricht University Scholarship

The Global Studies Bachelor application process requires two main steps: applying for the program and then applying for the scholarship, with several specific documents required. Writing a persuasive motivation letter is key for these steps; learn How to Write a Scholarship Essay that Wins.

Candidates must be ready to submit the following:

• Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae ($\text{CV}$): Must be up-to-date, relevant, include extracurricular engagement, and not exceed two $\text{A}4$ pages.
• Letter of Motivation: Must use the provided template and focus on your motivation for the scholarship.
• Proof of Academic Excellence: Your latest grade transcript must show continuous good to excellent results, demonstrating at least $\text{75\%}$ of the maximum grade ($\text{7.5}$ out of $\text{10}$ at $\text{UM}$).
• Personal Statement of Financial Needs: Explain why you need the scholarship and describe personal circumstances (e.g., financial difficulty, disability, refugee status).
• Reference Letter: You must upload the reference letter (the referee cannot send it directly). The letter must be from a former professor, teacher, counsellor, or employer and must adhere to the provided guidelines. Learn How to Ask for Recommendation Letter for Scholarship to guide your referee.
• Contact Details of One Referee: Include their professional relationship to you, work telephone number (with country code), and work or institutional email address for authenticity checks. General entry requirements, like the Do you require the GRE to study abroad, are not specified, but preparation for the application itself is paramount.

Application Procedure and Selection Process

The application consists of two sequential steps:

1. Apply for the Global Studies Programme: First, you must register for the bachelor program via Studielink.nl. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a student $\text{ID}$ number for $\text{UM}$.
2. Fill out the Scholarship Application Form: Once you have your $\text{UM}$ student $\text{ID}$, you can complete and submit the dedicated Scholarship Application Form, uploading all required documents.

Selection Process

• Initial Check (Step $\text{1}$): The $\text{UM}$ International Services Desk checks application completeness after $\text{1}$ February $\text{2026}$.
• Ranking (Step $\text{3}$): The Global Studies admission office ranks the applications based on selection criteria and proposes a top-$\text{5}$ list.
• Interview (Step $\text{4}$): The Scholarship selection committee invites the top-$\text{5}$ applicants for an online interview, after which a final decision is taken.
• Notification (Step $\text{5}$): All candidates will be informed of their status (selected, waitlisted, or rejected) by the beginning of June $\text{2026}$ at the latest. Selected awardees must attend the mandatory $\text{UM}$ Pre-Academic Training program in the first week of August $\text{2026}$.

Application Deadline: February $\text{1, 2026}$

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the specific stipend amount provided by the scholarship?

The scholarship provides $\text{€15,925}$ per academic year, which is calculated as $\text{€1,225}$ per month for living expenses.

2. Is this scholarship open to both undergraduate and graduate students?

No, the $\text{UM}$ Global Studies Scholarship is specifically for top-performing bachelor students who wish to pursue the Global Studies undergraduate degree program.

3. Which regions are considered the ‘Global South’ for eligibility purposes?

The Global South is defined as countries in Africa, Asia (including the Middle-East), Latin-America, and the Caribbean, based on the $\text{OECD}$ definition.

4. Is it possible to apply if I have dual citizenship with a European country?

No, a key requirement is that you do not have a dual nationality from a country in the Global North.

5. What is the maximum age limit for applicants?

Applicants must be no older than $\text{35}$ years of age on $\text{1}$ September $\text{2026}$.

6. What is the minimum academic requirement for the grade transcript?

Your transcript must show continuous good to excellent results, demonstrating at least $\text{75\%}$ of the maximum grade (e.g., a $\text{7.5}$ out of $\text{10}$ at Maastricht University).

7. What is the two-step application process?

First, apply for the Global Studies program via Studielink to receive a student $\text{ID}$. Second, use that student $\text{ID}$ to complete and submit the separate Scholarship Application Form.

8. Is the $\text{UM}$ Pre-Academic Training mandatory for scholarship awardees?

Yes, the $\text{UM}$ Pre-Academic Training, which takes place in the first week of August $\text{2026}$, is a mandatory component of the scholarship program.

9. Who can write the reference letter, and who submits it?

The referee must be a former professor, teacher, counsellor, lecturer, or employer. You, the applicant, are responsible for uploading the reference letter (it cannot be submitted directly by the referee).

10. When will applicants be notified of the scholarship decision?

The $\text{UM}$ International Services Desk will inform all candidates of their application status (selected, waitlisted, or rejected) in April $\text{2026}$, with a final decision by the beginning of June $\text{2026}$ at the latest.