Program Overview
Maastricht University in the Netherlands offers two fully funded Master's scholarships for outstanding international students, covering tuition fees and a monthly living allowance of €1,550. The university admission file must be completed by December 10, 2026, while the scholarship application deadline is February 1, 2027.
Benefits & Financial Coverage & Eligibility & Admission Criteria
1. Brief Introduction
Maastricht University in the Netherlands has opened applications for the UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship 2027/2028, designed for academically outstanding international students seeking to pursue a Master's degree.
The scholarship combines postgraduate education with applied research and industry-based thesis projects at the Brightlands innovation campuses, providing comprehensive financial support throughout the study period.
2. Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host Country | Netherlands |
| University | Maastricht University |
| Scholarship Name | UM NL Brightlands Talent Scholarship |
| Degree Level | Master's |
| Number of Scholarships | Only 2 scholarships |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Eligible Nationalities | Eligible students from outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname |
| Language of Instruction | According to the selected Master's program |
| Applications Open | October 1, 2026 |
| University Admission Completion Deadline | December 10, 2026 |
| Scholarship Deadline | February 1, 2027, at 23:59 Netherlands time |
| Scholarship Duration | 13 or 25 months, depending on the program |
| Study Commencement | September 2027 |
3. Scholarship Funding and Benefits
| Benefit | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Full tuition waiver |
| Monthly Living Allowance | €1,550 |
| Total Living Allowance – One-Year Programs | €20,150 over 13 months |
| Total Living Allowance – Two-Year Programs | €38,750 over 25 months |
| Health and Liability Insurance | Covered |
| Visa Application Fees | Covered |
| Pre-Academic Training | Funded |
| International Student Ambassador Program | First phase covered |
| Research Internship | Master's thesis project linked to a Brightlands company |
Important Notes: Scholarship recipients are assigned mandatory accommodation until July 16, 2028. Accommodation costs are paid from the monthly living allowance rather than provided as an additional free benefit.
Students enrolled in two-year programs are responsible for arranging their own accommodation for the second year.
International airfare and the accommodation cleaning fee of approximately €75 are not covered.
4. Available Fields of Study
The 2027/2028 scholarship covers five eligible Master's programs across two Brightlands innovation campuses.
| Research Campus | Eligible Master's Program |
|---|---|
| Chemelot Campus | Biobased Materials |
| Maastricht Health Campus | Systems Biology and Bioinformatics |
| Maastricht Health Campus | Biomedical Sciences |
| Maastricht Health Campus | Research Master in Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience – Neuropsychology |
| Maastricht Health Campus | Imaging Engineering |
Official List of Eligible Programs:
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/file/overzicht-programmas-umnlbts-2027-2028pdf
Applicants must select one of these eligible programs and meet its specific academic and English-language requirements.
5. Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be from outside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and Suriname |
| Academic Qualification | Relevant Bachelor's degree for the selected Master's program |
| Minimum GPA | 7.5 out of 10 or equivalent |
| Age Limit | Must not be older than 35 on September 1, 2027 |
| University Admission | Must complete an eligible Master's admission application by December 10, 2026 |
| Previous Studies in the Netherlands | Must not have previously participated in a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands |
| English Proficiency | According to the selected Master's program |
| Visa Requirements | Must meet Dutch entry and residence requirements |
Additional Requirements:
- Preference is given to applicants who have not previously obtained a Master's degree.
- Recipients must participate in a research internship and complete their Master's thesis in collaboration with a Brightlands company.
- Students must participate in at least one activity as an ambassador for Maastricht University and the relevant Brightlands campus.
- Applicants holding a residence permit from another Schengen country must ensure that it remains valid until at least September 2, 2027, to apply under that route. Otherwise, they must follow the university's applicable visa procedure.
6. Required Documents
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Updated, maximum two pages |
| Motivation Letter | Must use the university's official template |
| Academic Transcript | Demonstrating a GPA of at least 7.5/10 or equivalent |
| Grading System Explanation | Official document explaining the grading scale used by the previous institution |
| Statement of Financial Need | Brief explanation of the applicant's financial circumstances and need for support |
| Recommendation Letter | From a professor, lecturer, or employer, dated February 2026 or later |
| Referee Details | Institutional email address, work telephone number, and professional position |
| University Admission Documents | Degree certificate, transcript, language evidence, and any additional documents required by the selected program |
Important: Applicants cannot modify or replace documents after submitting the scholarship application. Recommendation letters must comply with the university's official guidelines.
7. How to Apply
Applications are completed in two stages.
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Master's Program
Select one of the five eligible programs and verify that you meet its academic and English-language requirements.
Step 2: Apply for University Admission
Register through Studielink, then complete all admission requirements through Maastricht University's application portal by December 10, 2026.
Step 3: Obtain Your Student ID
After registering, you will receive a Maastricht University student identification number, which is required for the scholarship application.
Step 4: Submit the Scholarship Application
Sign in using your university account, complete the Brightlands Talent Scholarship application form, and upload all required documents before February 1, 2027.
Step 5: Application Evaluation and Results
The university reviews scholarship applications during February 2027. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to online interviews.
Applicants are informed of selection, waiting-list, or rejection decisions by early May 2027.
Important: Only one scholarship application is permitted, and submitted documents cannot be changed afterward.
8. Official Scholarship and Application Links
Official Scholarship Announcement:
University Admission Application:
Direct Scholarship Application Portal:
https://corsa-forms.mumc.maastrichtuniversity.nl/user/login?destination=/form/ssc-scholarships
The scholarship application form requires applicants to sign in with their Maastricht University account.
Official Eligible Programs List:
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/file/overzicht-programmas-umnlbts-2027-2028pdf
Scholarship Enquiries:
scholarships@maastrichtuniversity.nl
9. Fursaty Education Application Support Services
🎓 How Can Fursaty Help You Apply?
Fursaty Education provides independent application support for students interested in the Maastricht University Brightlands Talent Scholarship, including:
- Assessing academic eligibility and helping select an appropriate Master's program.
- Reviewing university admission and English-language requirements.
- Preparing an academic CV and motivation letter.
- Reviewing required documents and recommendation letters.
- Guiding students through the university admission and scholarship application procedures.
📩 Do you meet the scholarship requirements and need help preparing your application?
Contact the Fursaty team via WhatsApp to learn more about our application support services.
+967772757717
Fursaty operates independently of Maastricht University and the scholarship provider. Admission and scholarship funding cannot be guaranteed.
