The University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, known as AMS, is one of the most respected funding routes for international students who want to study a Master’s degree in the Netherlands. It is offered by the University of Amsterdam to outstanding non-EU and non-EEA students who show strong academic performance. The scholarship amount depends on the faculty and program, ranging from around 2,000 euros to full tuition coverage plus a living cost allowance in some faculties, such as Law and Business Administration.
Since deadlines and exact award amounts differ by faculty, this guide gives you the general structure so you can move quickly once you pick your program.
| Scholarship Summary | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Netherlands |
| Institution | University of Amsterdam |
| Disciplines | All (varies by faculty) |
| Category | Master’s Degree |
| Scholarship Type | Merit-based |
| Eligible Countries | All (non-EU/EEA nationals) |
| Application Status | Open for automatic consideration |
| Applicant Type | International students |
| Deadline | Varies by faculty (mid-January to early February 2026, with some tracks closing as early as November 2026) |
Eligibility for Application: Who Can Apply for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
To qualify for the University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship 2026-27, you must meet these basic conditions:
You must hold a non-EU or non-EEA passport and not qualify for Dutch student finance support (Studiefinanciering). You must be applying to a UvA Master’s program for the first time, since students who already hold a UvA Master’s degree are not eligible. You must be able to meet Dutch visa requirements set by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. You must be enrolled as a full-time student for the 2026-27 academic year. Some faculties also require that you completed your previous degree no more than three years before applying.
Criteria for Application: How UvA Selects Merit Scholarship Winners
Selection for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is competitive and based on merit, not financial need. The main factors reviewed by the selection committee include your academic record, usually measured against a GPA equivalent to 8.0 on the Dutch scale, a first-class honours degree in the UK system, or a 4.0 GPA in the US system. Your letter of motivation also matters heavily, since it should explain why you chose the specific Master’s program and why you deserve the scholarship. The overall strength and consistency of your full application file is also weighed carefully.
Because only a small number of scholarships are awarded per faculty, some programs report acceptance rates below 2 percent for this specific scholarship, so a polished application matters.
Eligible Programs Under the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
The AMS scholarship is spread across multiple faculties and graduate schools at UvA, including Child Development and Education, Communication Science, Economics and Business, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Psychology, Science, and Social Sciences. Each faculty runs its own version of the scholarship with its own deadline and selection process, so you should check the specific faculty page for your intended Master’s program before applying.
Required Documents Checklist for UvA Merit Scholarship
Prepare these documents ahead of time so you are not rushing close to the deadline:
Completed Master’s program application through the UvA admissions portal. Academic transcripts covering all years of your previous degree. Letter of motivation, generally capped at 500 words, explaining your program choice and scholarship fit. Proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS or TOEFL scores. Copy of your passport. Recommendation letter, where required by your faculty. Financial statement, if requested by your faculty. Bachelor’s degree certificate or proof of expected graduation.
Benefits of the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
Depending on your faculty, the scholarship can cover part or all of your tuition fee, and in some cases includes an additional living allowance. For example, the Amsterdam Law School has confirmed a scholarship amount of 25,900 euros for the 2026-27 academic year, while the Economics and Business faculty has offered full tuition plus a 5,000 euro allowance for select Business Administration tracks. Other faculties offer amounts between 2,000 and 25,000 euros. Beyond funding, recipients gain access to UvA’s academic mentorship, research facilities, and a strong international alumni network.
Scholarship Application Formatting Tips
Keep your documents clean and easy to review. Use a standard font, clear section headers, and PDF format for all uploads unless another format is specified. Name your files clearly, for example “Lastname_MotivationLetter_UvA.pdf,” so the admissions team can identify them quickly.
Step-by-Step Application Process for UvA Merit Scholarship 2026-27
- First, choose your Master’s program and confirm which faculty is offering the scholarship.
- Second, submit your complete Master’s program application through the UvA admissions portal, including all required documents and valid language test scores.
- Third, once you receive your UvA student number, complete the separate Amsterdam Merit Scholarship application form linked on your faculty’s page.
- Fourth, upload your academic records, letter of motivation, and any other requested documents.
- Fifth, submit before your faculty’s deadline, since incomplete applications are not considered.
- Sixth, wait for the selection committee’s decision, which is typically announced in March or April.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship Deadline: VARIES
There is no single deadline for the entire university. Deadlines differ by faculty and graduate school. Many faculties, including Law, Science, and Social Sciences, close around 15 January 2026, though some report a final date closer to early February. Select Business Administration tracks with a February 2027 intake close as early as 1 November 2026. Always confirm the exact date on your specific faculty page, since late applications are not accepted under any circumstance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for AMS
Many strong applicants lose their chance due to avoidable errors. Submitting the Master’s program application after the scholarship deadline is one of the most common mistakes, since the scholarship form only becomes available once you have a student number. Writing a motivation letter that repeats your CV instead of explaining program fit is another frequent issue. Missing the word limit on the motivation letter, uploading incomplete transcripts, and forgetting to tick the scholarship consideration box on the program application form also cost candidates their spot.
Tips for Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay
Open with a specific reason you chose this exact Master’s program at UvA, not a general statement about studying abroad. Connect your past academic or work experience directly to the program content. Explain clearly what the scholarship would allow you to achieve that you could not achieve without it. Keep your tone confident and specific, and stay within the 500-word limit, since exceeding it can disqualify your application.
Tips for Strong Reference Letters
Choose a recommender who taught or supervised you directly and can speak to specific academic strengths, not just general praise. Give your recommender your CV, transcript, and a short summary of the program you are applying to, so the letter can reference specific skills relevant to your Master’s choice. Request the letter at least three weeks before the deadline to avoid last-minute pressure.
Building a Scholarship-Friendly CV or Resume
Your CV should highlight academic achievements, research or thesis work, relevant work experience, and any leadership or volunteer roles. Keep it to one or two pages, use clear section headings, and quantify achievements where possible, such as GPA, class rank, or publication count. Avoid generic descriptions and focus on results tied to the field you are applying for.
Post-Application Phase: What to Do After Successful Submission
Once you submit, save copies of everything you uploaded and note your reference number. Check your email regularly, including your spam folder, since UvA communicates decisions and any missing document requests by email. If selected, you will typically be notified in March or April and asked to confirm acceptance of the scholarship conditions in writing before funds are released.
Visa Route for UvA Merit Scholarship Recipients
Once you are admitted and awarded the scholarship, UvA’s international office generally supports non-EU students with the residence permit and entry visa process through the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). You should confirm you meet all IND requirements early, since visa approval is one of the eligibility conditions for keeping the scholarship.
Work After Study Options in the Netherlands
Non-EU graduates of Dutch universities, including UvA, can apply for the Netherlands’ orientation year residence permit, which allows one year to search for a job or start a business after graduation without needing a separate work permit sponsor during that period.
Possible Job Opportunities After Graduating from UvA
UvA Master’s graduates commonly move into roles in international business, research, policy analysis, law, data science, and consulting, particularly in Amsterdam’s strong finance, tech, and legal sectors. The university’s location in a major European business hub gives graduates direct access to multinational employers and EU institutions.
Alternatives if You Don’t Win the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
If you are not selected, check UvA’s other financial aid page for additional funding options at the university. You can also explore the Holland Scholarship, country-specific government scholarships, and faculty-specific bursaries. Applying to more than one funding source at once increases your overall chances of studying in the Netherlands without full self-funding.
Conclusion
The University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship 2026-27 remains one of the strongest merit-based funding routes for non-EU Master’s students who want to study in the Netherlands. Because deadlines and amounts differ across faculties, the smartest move is to lock in your target program early, prepare every document on this checklist in advance, and submit both your Master’s application and scholarship form well before your faculty’s cutoff date. Start your application today through the official UvA portal linked above, and give yourself the strongest possible shot at securing this award.
