The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship 2027–28 supports selected international master’s students in the Netherlands. Pakistani applicants should plan around two separate deadlines: complete their participating master’s application before 10 December 2026, then submit the scholarship form by 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET.
The official university page lists the 2027–28 scholarship application window from 1 October 2026. It also warns that the scholarship portal will be unavailable during an upgrade from 22 to 26 October. Complete the degree application early enough to obtain a student ID.
Quick Overview
- Host institution: Maastricht University, Netherlands
- Degree level: Participating full-time master’s programs
- Awards: 18 NL-High Potential scholarships
- Master’s application deadline: Before 10 December 2026
- Scholarship deadline: 1 February 2027, 23:59 CET; 2 February, 03:59 Pakistan time
- Duration: 13 or 25 months, according to the program
About the Program
This award combines the university’s High Potential funding with the NL Scholarship. It is competitive and restricted to the master’s courses identified on the official scholarship page. Admission to Maastricht alone does not establish scholarship eligibility.
Begin with the participating-program list rather than assuming every faculty or master’s course is included. Compare the course’s subject requirements with your Pakistani transcript, grading scale and prior degree. The scholarship application follows the degree application, so preparing only the funding form is not sufficient.
Financial Benefits
The published living allowance is €20,150 for a 13-month course or €38,750 for a 25-month course, equivalent to €1,550 per month over the funded period. The award also covers the applicable tuition fee, specified insurance, visa costs and pre-academic training.
Airfare is not covered. A master’s application handling fee, when required, must be paid by the applicant. Do not treat the allowance as spending money after receiving a separate free apartment: accommodation is part of the living-cost planning.
The university provides a mandatory allocated room for the first funded period, with the published arrangement ending on 16 July 2028. Students on a two-year program arrange accommodation for their second year. The stated room arrangement does not accommodate partners, children or pets.
Program Structure
Applicants first register for a participating master’s program through Studielink and follow Maastricht’s admissions process. The resulting student ID is needed for the scholarship application.
The scholarship supports the relevant full-time program rather than an independent research placement. Scholars must follow their course requirements and participate in the university’s stated ambassador activities. Compare the academic curriculum and duration before deciding which allowance applies.
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold nationality outside the EU/EEA, Switzerland and Suriname, and do not hold a disqualifying second nationality.
- Be no older than 35 on 1 September 2027.
- Meet the participating master’s admission conditions and demonstrate at least 7.5/10, 75%, or 3.0/4.0 using the university’s stated grading requirements.
- Have not previously completed a degree-seeking higher-education program in the Netherlands; an exchange period is treated differently.
Pakistani nationality can satisfy the nationality rule, but it does not waive the academic, age or course requirements. The university gives preference to applicants who have not previously obtained a master’s degree. Supply your institution’s grading explanation where the scholarship form requests it.
Required Documents
- A CV of no more than two A4 pages.
- A motivation letter using the required university template.
- Academic achievement evidence and the corresponding grading-system explanation.
- A statement of financial circumstances.
- The required reference and referee contact details, using an institutional email address.
The published reference instructions require a sufficiently recent letter, dated no earlier than February 2026. Follow the current form’s upload instructions carefully: submitted scholarship files cannot simply be replaced afterward. Keep copies of the exact versions you send.
How to Apply for the Maastricht NL-High Potential Scholarship?
Choose a participating master’s, register through Studielink and complete the Maastricht application before 10 December 2026, including any required handling fee. Record the student ID and check that the university has the required admission materials.
Use the official NL-High Potential page to open the scholarship form. Prepare the templates, upload the documents, review every response and submit before 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET. For applicants in Pakistan, that closing time is 03:59 on 2 February; submitting on the European calendar date is safer.
Keep the confirmation and check your email for university correspondence. An admission offer and a scholarship award are separate decisions. If a qualification or grade conversion is unclear, ask Maastricht before submitting rather than choosing an unsupported equivalent.
VIEW THE OFFICIAL MAASTRICHT SCHOLARSHIP
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Pakistani student apply?
Yes, subject to the nationality, age, academic and participating-course requirements. Pakistani citizenship alone does not guarantee selection.
Is 1 February the master’s admission deadline?
No. The scholarship page requires the participating master’s application before 10 December 2026. The scholarship form has the separate February deadline.
Does the scholarship pay for the flight to the Netherlands?
The published package does not cover airfare. Include travel and any required application handling fee in your own budget.
Official sources: Official NL-High Potential scholarship, Maastricht scholarship guide
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