Radboud University Scholarships for International Students — Complete Guide
If you aim to study a Master’s degree in the Netherlands and you’re from outside the EU/EEA, the Radboud Scholarship Programme offers a compelling way to reduce your costs and support your academic ambitions. Below is a detailed overview of what the scholarship offers, who is eligible, and how to apply.
What Is the Radboud Scholarship Programme?
The Radboud Scholarship Programme is a competitive, merit-based financial aid scheme specially designed for non-EU/EEA students who intend to enroll in an English-taught Master’s programme at Radboud University in Nijmegen. Its aim is to attract highly motivated and academically excellent candidates by offering a partial reduction in tuition and covering some essential administrative and living costs.
This scholarship is not available for Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes or joint/double degree programmes.
DEADLINE: 31 JANUARY 2026What Does the Scholarship Cover?
As a recipient, you receive several benefits:
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Reduced Tuition Fee: Your tuition gets reduced to a fixed amount (e.g. € 2,695 per year instead of the full international rate).
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Administrative Costs Covered: The scholarship also covers visa costs, residence permit, health insurance, and liability insurance for your stay in the Netherlands.
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Duration: The scholarship is valid for the nominal duration of your Master’s programme (usually 1 or 2 years, depending on the programme).
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Continuation Condition for Two-Year Programmes: If your Master’s is two years long, to receive the scholarship in the second year you must successfully pass all courses in the first year.
It’s important to note that costs of living, accommodation, travel, books, and day-to-day expenses are not included in the scholarship.
Number of Awards & Faculties
Each academic year, the university offers a limited number of Radboud scholarships—about 33 slots across multiple faculties. These scholarships are distributed among:
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Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies
Because the numbers are limited, competition is strong.
Who Is Eligible?
To be considered for this scholarship, you must satisfy the following criteria:
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You hold a non-EU / non-EEA passport.
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You are not eligible for the lower EU/EEA tuition rate by any other means.
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You must have (or be about to obtain) your Bachelor’s degree from a university outside the Netherlands, and you should not hold a Dutch degree or have conducted prior full Dutch education (exchange programmes may be exempted under certain conditions).
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You must meet the English language proficiency requirements of the intended Master’s programme.
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You must have received formal admission to the English-taught Master’s programme, starting in September of the relevant year.
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You must be able to satisfy Dutch visa and residence permit regulations.
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You have to enroll as a full-time student for the Master’s programme for which the scholarship is awarded.
Meeting all eligibility criteria does not guarantee you the scholarship—it is selective and depends on the strength of your overall application.
How to Apply
To apply for the Radboud Scholarship, follow these steps:
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Apply for admission to your chosen English-taught Master’s programme via Radboud University’s OSIRIS application system.
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During your admission application, indicate your desire to apply for the Radboud Scholarship.
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You will be required to upload additional documents, typically:
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Two reference letters
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A curriculum vitae (CV)
(If you've already submitted them for the master’s programme application, you may reuse the same documents.)
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Ensure that your admission + scholarship application is completed by the deadline, which is 31 January (23:59 CEST) in the relevant year.
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After the deadline, completed applications are reviewed. You will be informed about the decision several months later (often by mid-April).
Because the admission and scholarship processes run in parallel, being admitted to the Master’s programme does not automatically grant the scholarship — the two selections are separate.
Application Tips & Strategies
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Start early: Ensure all transcripts, English test scores, recommendation letters, and CV are prepared well before the deadline.
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Strong academic record: Your grades, relevant coursework, and prior achievements matter a lot.
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Compelling motivation: Use your application essays or personal statement to show passion, clarity of purpose, and alignment with the programme.
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Quality references: Choose recommenders who know your academic strengths and can write substantively.
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Track your progress: Especially in a two-year programme, make sure you clear all first-year requirements to retain your scholarship.
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Check visa rules early: Some visa procedures take time; ensure you meet the requirements and deadlines for residence permits.
Additional Scholarships & Combinations
Apart from the Radboud Scholarship, Radboud University also offers other scholarship opportunities, such as the NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship). That particular scholarship is intended for non-EEA students and is designed to be combined with the Radboud Scholarship in many cases. Recipients of both may receive both benefits. However, some scholarship types are not combinable with Radboud scholarships, particularly where program rules or funding mandates prohibit stacking.
Why the Radboud Scholarship Is Valuable
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It significantly cuts tuition costs, making studying in the Netherlands more financially viable.
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It alleviates key administrative burdens (visa, insurance, permit) so you can focus more on your studies.
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It opens doors to studying at a reputable European university with strong research, international exposure, and potential for future academic or professional networks.
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Because many applicants are similarly qualified, receiving the scholarship is also a mark of distinction on your CV.
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