Introduction
Maastricht University, located in the heart of Europe, has long been renowned for its commitment to fostering international collaboration and academic excellence. Recognizing the importance of attracting outstanding students from around the world, the university offers the NL-High Potential Fully Funded Masters Scholarship, a prestigious and competitive award designed to empower talented individuals to pursue their dream of higher education. In this article, we will say a bit about Maastricht University and explore the NL-High Potential Fully Funded Masters Scholarship, its eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
Fully Funded Masters Scholarship: About Maastricht University
Maastricht University is one of the top-ranking universities in the Netherlands and is known for its innovative, research-driven approach to education. Founded in 1976, it has rapidly grown into a leading institution with a strong international orientation. Maastricht University is characterized by its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system, which encourages students to actively engage in their studies, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Fully Funded Masters Scholarship: The NL-High Potential Scholarship
The NL-High Potential Scholarship is a testament to Maastricht University’s commitment to nurturing global talent. This prestigious scholarship is open to non-European Union/ European Economic Area (EU/EEA) students and is awarded to exceptional individuals who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership potential, and a strong motivation to contribute to society. The scholarship aims to attract the best and brightest minds from around the world, offering them the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at Maastricht University. This Fully Funded Masters scholarship is awarded based on a holistic review of the applicant’s academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, and personal statement. This scholarship covers the following ;
- 2 years Fully funded Masters Scholarship
- The scholarship is worth €30,000 per academic year and covers tuition fees.
- Living Expenses: Recipients receive a monthly stipend for living expenses.
- Health and Liability Insurance: The scholarship includes coverage for health and liability insurance.
- Pre-Arrival Support: Maastricht University provides support for scholarship recipients before their arrival, including assistance with visa and residence permit procedures.
- Note applications open in October 2023
Eligibility Criteria for the Fully Funded Masters Scholarship
To be eligible for the NL-High Potential Scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria;
- You must be from a country outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Surinam.
- You must be able to get a visa and residence permit to study in the Netherlands.
- You must be accepted into a master’s program at Maastricht University.
- You must have good grades, with a minimum GPA of 3.75.
- You must show that you have leadership skills and are committed to making a difference in the world.
- You are not older than 35 years
How to apply for the Fully Funded Masters Scholarship
To apply for the UM NL-High Potential scholarship at the University of Maastricht please follow these steps:
Step 1: Register for a Master Programme
Step 2: Submit Your Application and Obtain a Student ID
Note: To be eligible for the scholarship, you must first apply and receive conditional approval for admission to your chosen Master’s programme at Maastricht University.
Step 3: Check Handling Fees
- If your selected Master’s programme requires a handling fee as part of the admission process, please note that Maastricht University International Services Desk does not cover these fees. You are responsible for paying any required handling fees by February 1, 2024. You can check whether your program requires this fee on your program’s web page under ‘Admission requirements.’
Step 4: Fill Out the Scholarship Application Form
- In October 2023, Maastricht University will open the scholarship application form. You must log in with your account to access and complete this form.
Step 5: Prepare and Upload the Required Documents: Gather the following documents in doc, .docx, or PDF format for your scholarship application ;
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Ensure your CV is up-to-date, concise (not longer than two A4 pages), and includes relevant educational and work experience.
- Letter of Motivation: Use the provided template to write a letter explaining your motivation for the scholarship.
- Proof of Academic Excellence: Provide one of the following documents to demonstrate your academic excellence:
- University transcript showing your grade point average or class ranking for your entire study program.
- A letter signed by the Head of Department or Registrar at your institution confirming that you are one of the top 20 students in your graduating year. Include the contact details of the Head of Department or Registrar.
- Personal Statement of Financial Needs: Describe why you believe you should be awarded the scholarship and provide information about your circumstances, such as financial difficulties, caregiving responsibilities, medical conditions, disabilities, refugee status, etc.
- Reference Letter: Share the scholarship reference letter guidelines with your referee (who must be a (former) professor, lecturer, or employer, not a family member). Ensure the letter is dated and written no earlier than February 2023.
- Contact Details of One Referee: Include your referee’s relationship to you and their work telephone number with the country calling code. Also, provide their work or institutional email address (personal email addresses are not accepted).
Selection Procedure
The selection process involves several steps
- The Maastricht University International Services Desk will verify the completeness of all applications after February 1, 2024.
- Complete applications will be forwarded to the respective Maastricht University Faculties in February 2024.
- Each Faculty will select and rank their top 5% of scholarship applicants and submit these to the UM International Services Desk for a final review in March 2024.
- The UM International Services Desk will confirm the Faculty selections by the end of March 2024.
- In April 2024, all applicants will be informed of their application status: selected, waitlisted, or rejected. Waitlisted applicants may be reevaluated by May 2024.
- Scholarship recipients will receive more information about the UM Pre-Academic Training program, which is a mandatory three-week component of the UM NL Scholarship, taking place in August 2024.
Conclusion
The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship represents not only an investment in the future of talented individuals but also a testament to the university’s commitment to global education and international collaboration. By providing financial support and fostering leadership skills and academic excellence, this scholarship empowers students to reach their full potential and make a meaningful impact on the world. It serves as a shining example of how higher education institutions can play a pivotal role in nurturing global talent and contributing to positive societal change. If you are a highly talented international student from outside the EU who is interested in applying for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship, please visit the university’s website for more information and to apply.
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