Maastricht University UM global studies scholarship

Bachelor, Scholarship

Netherlands

October 15, 2025

Scholarship

Urgent

Application deadline closed.

Date Posted

October 15, 2025
Location:

Netherlands
Expiration date

February 1, 2026
Funding Type

Fully Funded
Level

Bachelor
Medium of Instruction

English

Job Description

Apply for the UM Global Studies Scholarship: full tuition waiver + monthly stipend, comprehensive benefits, eligibility criteria, application & selection procedure—start your Global Studies journey at Maastricht University in 2026-2027.

Introduction of UM Global Studies Scholarship

Are you passionate about exploring global issues, crossing disciplinary boundaries, and finding impactful solutions? The UM Global Studies Scholarship offers a golden opportunity for outstanding bachelor’s students from eligible countries to join the Global Studies programme at Maastricht University with full financial support. This page guides you through what the scholarship offers, who qualifies, how to apply, and how to make your application stand out.

About UM Global Studies Scholarship

Program Overview: The Global Studies bachelor’s degree equips students to understand and address complex global challenges. Six faculties at Maastricht University contribute equally to the curriculum, enabling interdisciplinary learning. Students may undertake local or international field studies, collaborate with NGOs, governments or firms to solve societal problems, and write an interdisciplinary bachelor thesis.
Scholarship Offering: One full‐coverage scholarship (tuition waiver + monthly stipend) per academic year is awarded to selected top-performing bachelor students, who are (conditionally) admitted to the Global Studies programme and demonstrate strong personal development potential.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the UM Global Studies Scholarship, applicants must satisfy all of the following:

Hold the nationality of a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) as defined by the OECD.
Meet the requirements for an entry visa and residence permit for the Netherlands by the deadlines.
Not hold dual nationality with a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any non-ODA country.
Have applied for admission to the Global Studies bachelor’s programme for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Meet the specific admission requirements for the Global Studies programme (academic transcripts, prerequisites, etc.).
Not already possess a completed higher education degree equivalent to a bachelor’s.
Be no older than 35 years on 1 September 2026.
Be willing to serve as an active Global Studies and UM ambassador during and after studies. This includes sharing experiences in at least one information session for students or stakeholders.
Submit the application once; all required documents must be included; after submission, no additions or replacements of documents are accepted.

Scholarship Amount & Benefits

The scholarship covers 36 months, the full duration of the bachelor’s programme in Global Studies. For the academic year 2026-2027, it includes:

Benefit	Provided / Arranged by UM
Living expenses	€15,925 per academic year (approx. €1,225/month)
Health & liability insurance	At cost
Visa application costs	At cost
Tuition fees	Fully covered
Pre-Academic Training	Fully covered
International Student Ambassador Programme (ISAP)	At cost for the first block only
Accommodation	Mandatory scholarship accommodation allocated; cannot refuse without losing the scholarship; no dependents accommodated; preferences may be considered (religious beliefs etc.)

Breakdown of living expenses (approximate, subject to change):

Housing: €600/month
Groceries & hygiene: €160
Telephone: €60
Travel: €100
Books & study materials: €90
Clothing, hobbies, social life: €125
Miscellaneous: €90

Note: Airfare / travel to Netherlands is not included. Must be arranged by the student separately.

Application Procedure

Follow these steps to apply:

Apply for the Global Studies bachelor’s programme via Studies link and get a UM student ID. You must fulfill all admission requirements (except possibly legal residence) before the scholarship deadline.
Scholarship Application Form: Once you have your UM student ID, log in with your UM account and complete the scholarship application form.
Prepare and upload all required documents in .doc, .docx, or PDF formats. These documents include:
- Curriculum Vitae (max two A4 pages) with education, any job experience, extracurricular activities, awards.
- Letter of Motivation (using provided template).
- Proof of academic excellence (latest transcripts showing strong grades; UM’s benchmark example: ≥ 75% of maximum grade).
- Personal Statement of Financial Need (detail your financial background, any hardship, family/dependency responsibilities, refugee/disability status etc.).
- Reference letter (from former teacher, lecturer, employer—not a family member). Must follow UM guidelines; dated after 1 February 2025.
- Contact details of the referee: their position, institutional affiliation, work email/phone.
Submit your application by the deadline (1 February 2026, 23:59 CET). All materials must be properly completed as you will only be able to submit once.

Selection Process

After the deadline, the UM International Services Desk checks applications for completeness.
Completed applications are forwarded to the Global Studies admissions office.
Applications are ranked based on UM selection criteria (Academic excellence, leadership/potential, motivation etc.). Top-5 applicants are proposed to the Scholarship Selection Committee.
Top-5 are invited for an online interview.
Selected candidates are notified by April 2026.
Awardees sign and return the scholarship award letter; also prepare for the Pre-Academic Training, happening first week of August 2026.

Tips for a Strong Application

Maintain excellent grades and proof of academic consistency.
Highlight extracurricular engagement: volunteer work, leadership, projects etc.
Write a compelling motivation letter: link your past experiences, future goals, and how Global Studies fits into that.
Clearly articulate financial need if relevant, with honesty and detail.
Choose a referee who knows you well and can speak about your achievements & character.
Proofread all documents; follow guidelines exactly (dates, formats, referees).

How to Apply

Apply for admission to the UM Global Studies Scholarships via Studies link.nl.
If, Once you receive your UM student ID, access the UM Brightlands Scholarships Application Form.
Upload all required documents like: (PDF or-doc/.docx).
Submit before 1 February 2026

Apply Now