Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships

The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES) is the University of Amsterdam's top award for master's applicants from outside the EU/EEA, covering tuition and living costs for students in the top segment of their graduating class. Faculties nominate and select, so the award runs through the admission process of the specific master's programme rather than through a separate central competition.

The university also administers other scholarships and country-specific awards, and its scholarships portal is the reliable index of what a given programme's applicants can hold.

The University of Amsterdam's own award for outstanding master's applicants from outside Europe — small in number and genuinely selective.

• Nationality outside the European Economic Area.
• An application for an eligible master's programme at the University of Amsterdam. Not every programme participates.
• An excellent academic record — the scheme is explicitly for the top of the applicant pool, not for good candidates generally.
• Full-time study, starting in the coming academic year.
• Selected by the graduate school running the programme.

The number of awards is small and the standard is high. It is worth applying if your record is genuinely outstanding, and worth having a funded alternative if it is merely strong.

One of the more substantial institutional awards in the Netherlands, covering both fees and a contribution to living costs.

• Tuition fees for the master's programme.
• A contribution towards living costs at the rate the university publishes.
• Awarded for the duration of the programme, subject to satisfactory progress.
• Recognition as an excellence scholar within the graduate school.

Even with the living contribution, Amsterdam housing is expensive and difficult to find. Budget and search for accommodation early regardless of the award.

Assessed largely from the admission application, with a short additional submission.

• A complete master's application to the University of Amsterdam.
• Transcripts and degree certificates.
• A motivation letter for the scholarship, distinct from the programme motivation.
• Two academic references, in most graduate schools.
• A curriculum vitae, and English proficiency evidence.

The scholarship motivation letter is a separate document with a different purpose from the programme one. Reusing the same text is the most common weakness in these applications.

Through the university, with a deadline that is normally earlier than the programme deadline.

• Apply for the master's programme, meeting the earlier scholarship deadline rather than the general one.
• Indicate that you are applying for the Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship.
• Graduate school nomination from among admitted applicants.
• Central selection and notification.

Dates move every cycle, so treat the University of Amsterdam's scholarship page for your programme as the authority on them rather than any second-hand summary — including this one. We will confirm the current timeline with you before you commit to a plan built around it.