Maastricht University (UM) NL-High Potential Scholarship

Are you a brilliant, ambitious Pakistani student hoping to pursue a Master's degree in Europe? The Maastricht University (UM) NL-High Potential Scholarship provides an excellent opportunity to make that desire into a reality. This extremely competitive, fully-funded fellowship is intended for outstanding non-EU/EEA students, including those from Pakistan, who want to pursue a full-time Master's degree at one of the Netherlands' most international universities.

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a distinguished grant designed to recruit top-performing international students to UM. It combines the UM High Potential Scholarship (supported by the Maastricht University Scholarship Fund) and the NL Scholarship (sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in collaboration with Dutch universities and applied science institutions). Every academic year, around 21-24 full scholarships are offered. This scholarship is more than just financial aid; it is an investment in your ability to become a future leader and contribute to a globalized society.

Programs Offered

The NL-High Potential Scholarship at Maastricht University is available to students admitted to several Master's programs across many faculties. While a comprehensive list of qualified programs is normally accessible on the official UM scholarship webpage, programs from the following faculties are typically included:

Faculty of Arts and Social Science
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Science
Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, School of Business and Economics.
Faculty of Science and Engineering

It is critical to consult the official Maastricht University website for an accurate list of participating Master's programs for your selected academic year.

Benefits

The Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship is a comprehensive package that ensures financial restrictions do not jeopardize your academic goals. For Pakistani pupils, this implies:

Tuition Fee Waiver: Your Master's program tuition expenses will be covered in full.
Living expenses: A significant monthly stipend of around €15,925 for a 13-month program (1-year Master's) and €30,625 for a 25-month program (2-year Master's). The UM International Services Desk pays these monies directly to students to cover basic needs like as lodging, groceries, travel, and personal items.
Health and Liability Insurance: This type of insurance normally costs roughly €700.
Visa Application payments: Your application payments for a Dutch entrance visa and a residence permit will be reimbursed or covered directly.
Pre-Academic Training: The costs of necessary pre-academic training classes meant to help you adjust to the Dutch academic environment are also covered.
Mandatory Accommodation: As part of the scholarship, students will be assigned a room. Accepting the scholarship entails accepting the designated room. If you refuse the lodging, your scholarship will be canceled.

Eligibility Criteria

Pakistani applicants must meet tough requirements in order to be accepted for this highly sought-after scholarship. It's critical to check these carefully before applying.

Nationality: You must be Pakistani (or a citizen of any country other than the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or Suriname) and meet all requirements for getting a Dutch entry visa and residence permit. You cannot have dual nationality in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
Academic Admission: You must have applied and been accepted into a participating full-time Master's program at Maastricht University for the next academic year. You must also meet the entrance standards of your preferred UM Master's program.
Academic Excellence: You must have great academic results from your previous education. This is often demonstrated by your most recent grade transcript, which displays a GPA of 7.5 or better. This usually correlates into being in the top 5% of your graduating class.
Prior Study in the Netherlands: You must not have previously completed a degree-seeking higher education program in the Netherlands. However, students who have undergone exchange programmes in the Netherlands are allowed to apply.
Age Limit: You must be under 35 years old on September 1st of the academic year for which you are applying.
Application Limit: You can only apply for one scholarship. Ensure that all documents fulfill the standards before to submission, as additions or substitutions are often not authorized after the application has been submitted.

How to Apply

To apply for the Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarship:

Apply for Master's Admission: First, apply to your chosen Master's program at UM via Studielink and get a UM student ID.
Receive Conditional Offer: Ensure you receive a conditional offer of admission to your program.
Complete Scholarship Form: Log into your UM account with your student ID and fill out the dedicated scholarship application form.
Prepare & Upload Documents: Submit your CV (max 2 pages), a motivation letter (using UM template), proof of academic excellence (transcript with GPA 7.5/10 or equivalent, plus grading system explanation), a personal statement of financial needs, and a reference letter from a professor or employer (with contact details).
Submit: Submit all documents through the UM portal by the deadline (typically February 1st for the upcoming academic year).

Pakistani applicants: Note that admission and scholarship deadlines may differ. The scholarship application period usually reopens in October. Always check the official UM website for exact and current deadlines.

FAQs

1. How tough is it to get this scholarship?

This scholarship is really competitive. Only about 2% of applicants get selected each year, so you need to have a solid profile and good grades.

2. Can I apply if I’m in my last year of my Bachelor's?

Yes, you can apply. Just keep in mind that you'll need to show a conditional offer for a Master's program, and you'll probably need to provide your final degree and transcript that show your GPA before the scholarship is confirmed.

3. Do I need to take an English language test like IELTS or TOEFL?

Yes, you usually need to prove you’re proficient in English to get into Master's programs at Maastricht University. You'll have to meet their specific English requirements, often shown by your IELTS or TOEFL scores.

4. Can I work part-time in the Netherlands while I have this scholarship?

The scholarship covers your living costs, but you still have to follow the work rules for international students in the Netherlands. It's a good idea to check out the rules about work permits for students.

5. What if my university's grading system isn't out of 10?

Maastricht University will want a document that explains how your school's grading works and how your grades fit into a GPA of 7.5 or higher out of 10 (like 75% or 3 out of 4).

6. What happens if I don’t want the accommodation provided?

If you refuse the room given to you, the scholarship will be canceled since it's a required part of the scholarship.

7. When will I hear back about the scholarship decision?

Typically, applicants are informed by the end of March or April. Those who win the scholarship will get more info about pre-academic training and their arrival in Maastricht along with their award letters.

8. Can I appeal if my application is turned down?

The selection process is pretty competitive, and decisions are usually final. It’s best to make sure your application is strong from the start.