Applications for the University of Amsterdam Scholarships 2027 are opening for international students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the Netherlands.
For students applying to the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Economics and Business, two particularly important funding opportunities are the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) and the Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund.
The Talent Fund offers a limited number of full scholarships to exceptionally talented non-EU students who demonstrate financial need, while the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship provides substantial funding to outstanding non-EU applicants.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply if they meet the scholarship and master’s admission requirements.
For the September 2027 intake, the key scholarship deadline for eligible Economics and Business Master’s programmes is 15 January 2027.
University of Amsterdam Scholarships 2027 Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| University | University of Amsterdam (UvA) |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Study Level | Master’s |
| Faculty | Economics and Business |
| Scholarships | Amsterdam Merit Scholarship & Economics and Business Talent Fund |
| Talent Fund | Full scholarship |
| AMS | Tuition fee equivalent + €5,000 allowance |
| Eligible Nationality | Non-EU students |
| Financial Need | Required for Talent Fund |
| Intake | September 2027 |
| Scholarship Deadline | 15 January 2027 |
| Study Language | English for eligible international programmes |
University of Amsterdam Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Amsterdam does not offer a single universal scholarship that covers all international students and all master’s programmes.
Instead, scholarship opportunities vary by faculty and programme.
For applicants interested in economics and business, two important scholarships are available:
- Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
- Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund
Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that every UvA Master’s programme automatically qualifies for the same scholarship.
Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund
The Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund is particularly attractive for international students who have excellent academic records but lack sufficient financial resources to finance their studies in Amsterdam.
It provides a limited number of full scholarships to highly talented students from outside the European Union who demonstrate financial need.
The scholarship is available for eligible one-year master’s programmes offered by UvA Economics and Business.
Selection considers both:
- Academic merit
- Financial need
This distinction is important because excellent grades alone may not be sufficient. Applicants must also demonstrate that they need financial support to undertake their studies.
Is the Economics and Business Talent Fund Fully Funded?
The University of Amsterdam describes the Economics and Business Talent Fund as a full scholarship.
This makes it different from many university scholarships that provide only a partial tuition reduction.
However, candidates should rely on the specific financial conditions stated in their scholarship offer because the university determines scholarship amounts and conditions for each academic year.
The university also warns that scholarship amounts may be updated annually.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that figures from previous cohorts automatically apply to the 2027–2028 academic year.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship 2027
The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, commonly called AMS, is another funding opportunity for outstanding non-EU students.
For eligible Economics and Business Master’s programmes, the scholarship is valued at:
The scholarship covers the tuition fee amount and provides an additional €5,000 allowance for the duration of the one-year programme.
Unlike the Talent Fund, which considers both academic excellence and financial need, the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship places strong emphasis on exceptional academic performance.
Only a limited number of scholarships are awarded.
For example, UvA reports that its Business Administration Master’s awarded 12 Amsterdam Merit Scholarships from approximately 150 applications in the previous academic year.
Therefore, applicants should expect strong competition.
Who Can Apply for University of Amsterdam Scholarships 2027?
The scholarships primarily target outstanding students who hold non-EU nationality.
Applicants must also meet the academic requirements for their chosen University of Amsterdam Master’s programme.
For the Economics and Business Talent Fund, applicants additionally need to demonstrate financial need.
Depending on the scholarship, selection may consider factors including:
- Academic excellence
- Previous university performance
- Class ranking
- Motivation
- Quality of the overall application
- Financial circumstances
- Recommendation letters
- Suitability for the selected master’s programme
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
Can Cameroonians Apply?
Yes.
Eligible students from Cameroon can apply because Cameroon is outside the European Union and European Economic Area.
Cameroonian applicants must meet the academic requirements of their chosen master’s programme and any additional scholarship requirements.
For the Talent Fund, they must also satisfy the financial-need criteria.
Can Nigerians and Ghanaians Apply?
Yes.
Eligible applicants from Nigeria and Ghana can apply for these scholarships.
The opportunities are also available to qualified students from other non-EU countries, including:
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Ethiopia
- Senegal
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- South Africa
- and other eligible African countries.
Applicants from eligible countries outside Africa may also apply.
Eligible University of Amsterdam Master’s Programmes
The Economics and Business scholarships apply to eligible master’s programmes within the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Economics and Business.
Examples of eligible master’s programmes include:
- Economics
- Business Economics
- Business Administration
- Econometrics
- Accountancy and Control
- Finance and related fields
However, scholarship eligibility may differ by programme.
Applicants should first select their intended master’s programme and then confirm which scholarship opportunities are available for that specific programme.
This is especially important at UvA because scholarship schemes are administered at the faculty and programme level rather than through a single, identical university-wide scholarship.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Selection Requirements
The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is designed for academically exceptional students.
For economics and business applicants, supporting documents include a recommendation letter from a dean, teacher or academic supervisor.
Importantly, the recommendation should confirm that the applicant belongs to the top 10% of their class or academic year.
Applicants also submit a scholarship motivation letter of approximately 300 words addressing questions such as:
- Why do you need the scholarship?
- Why do you deserve the scholarship?
- What demonstrates your academic excellence?
- What other relevant achievements or merits do you have?
Applicants should therefore choose a referee who can provide strong evidence of their academic performance.
Documents Required
The exact documents depend on the selected master’s programme and scholarship. Applicants should generally expect to prepare:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or appropriate graduation documentation
- Complete academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter
- Scholarship motivation statement
- Recommendation letter
- Proof of academic performance
- Evidence required to demonstrate financial need for the Talent Fund
- English-language evidence where required
- Identification documents
- Any programme-specific admission documents
Applicants should carefully follow the requirements displayed during the online application process.
Incomplete scholarship applications are not considered.
English Language Requirements
The University of Amsterdam offers the relevant international master’s programmes in English.
International applicants may therefore need to demonstrate English-language proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption.
Accepted tests and minimum scores vary by programme.
Applicants should check the exact requirements for their chosen master’s degree rather than relying on a single university-wide IELTS or TOEFL score.
This is particularly important because admission requirements can differ between economics, econometrics, business administration and other programmes.
How to Apply for University of Amsterdam Scholarships 2027
The application process begins with the applicant’s chosen master’s programme.
Applicants should:
- Select an eligible master’s programme at the University of Amsterdam.
- Check the programme-specific admission requirements.
- Register for the programme via Studielink.
- Complete the required University of Amsterdam online application.
- Upload all required academic documents.
- Complete the relevant scholarship section.
- Upload the required scholarship documents.
- Submit the complete application before the scholarship deadline.
Students applying for scholarship consideration should not wait for the later general admission deadlines.
The scholarship application must be complete by the relevant scholarship deadline.
University of Amsterdam Scholarship Deadline 2027
For eligible Economics and Business Master’s programmes starting in September 2027, the scholarship deadline is:
15 January 2027
This deadline applies to the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and the Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund for the relevant programmes.
The University of Amsterdam indicates that applications for these scholarships generally open at the beginning of October.
For the September 2027 intake, Master’s applications are also scheduled to be available from October 2026.
Scholarship results are generally announced around the end of April.
Important Difference Between the Two Scholarships
Applicants should understand the distinction between these opportunities.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
Designed primarily for outstanding non-EU students based on academic merit.
For eligible economics and business programmes, the scholarship value is equivalent to the tuition fee plus an additional €5,000 allowance for the programme duration.
Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund
Designed for highly talented non-EU students who also demonstrate significant financial need.
The University of Amsterdam describes this award as a full scholarship for eligible one-year Economics and Business Master’s programmes.
Students who face serious financial constraints should therefore pay particular attention to the Talent Fund eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are University of Amsterdam Scholarships 2027 open to Africans?
Yes. Eligible non-EU applicants from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries can apply.
Is there one University of Amsterdam scholarship for each master’s programme?
No. Scholarships at UvA vary considerably by faculty and programme. Applicants must verify the funding available for their specific master’s degree.
Is the Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund fully funded?
The University of Amsterdam describes the Talent Fund as a full scholarship for highly talented non-EU students in financial need who apply to eligible one-year Economics and Business Master’s programmes.
How much is the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship?
For eligible Economics and Business Master’s programmes, the AMS provides an amount equivalent to the tuition fee plus €5,000 for the duration of the programme.
What is the deadline?
The scholarship deadline for the relevant September 2027 Economics and Business Master’s programmes is 15 January 2027.
Do I need excellent grades?
Yes. Both scholarships are competitive and designed for academically strong students. For the Economics and Business Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, the recommendation letter should confirm that the applicant ranks among the top 10% of their class or year.
Final Thoughts
The University of Amsterdam Scholarships 2027 provide significant funding opportunities for talented international students pursuing master’s degrees in the Netherlands.
Within the Faculty of Economics and Business, applicants should pay particular attention to the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and the Amsterdam Economics and Business Talent Fund.
The AMS provides funding equivalent to tuition plus an additional €5,000, while the Talent Fund offers a limited number of full scholarships to exceptionally talented non-EU students who demonstrate financial need.
Students from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other eligible African countries can apply.
For applicants targeting the September 2027 intake and seeking these scholarships, the important deadline is 15 January 2027.
Official Links
University of Amsterdam Economics and Business Scholarships:
Scholarship Information
University of Amsterdam Master’s Application and Admission:
Application and Admission
