University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) 2026 | Eligibility & How to Apply

The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) is a prestigious merit-based award offered by the University of Twente in the Netherlands, specifically designed for outstanding international students from outside the European Union and European Economic Area. Valued at between €3,000 and €22,000 for one year of study, this scholarship provides meaningful financial relief for non-EU students taking on the significant cost of postgraduate education in Europe. For high-achieving graduates who rank among the top 5 to 10 percent of their graduating class, this is one of the most accessible and well-structured scholarships available in the Netherlands.

This scholarship is for students who have been admitted to, or are applying for, a qualifying Master’s degree programme at the University of Twente starting in September 2026. It is open exclusively to non-EU and non-EEA nationals who do not qualify for a Dutch study loan and who are not current or former University of Twente students. If you are an academically exceptional graduate from outside Europe with a clear ambition to study at a world-class technical university, the UTS is worth every effort.

This post covers everything you need to know about the University of Twente Scholarship, including eligibility requirements, eligible countries, benefits, required documents, how to apply across two rounds, key dates, and practical tips to give your application the best possible chance of success.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To qualify for the University of Twente Scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Citizenship: You must be a national of a country outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA). Dutch nationals and current or former University of Twente students are not eligible.
• Admission: You must have been provisionally or fully admitted to a qualifying University of Twente Master’s programme starting in September 2026. You must have a UT student number before applying for the scholarship.
• Academic Excellence: You must be among the top 5 to 10 percent of your graduating class at your home university. This is a core requirement. The scholarship is competitive and is designed for truly exceptional students.
• Tuition Fee Category: You must be paying the institutional tuition fee, which applies to non-EU/EEA students. If you hold a Dutch residence permit that makes you eligible for the statutory tuition fee, you are not eligible for the UTS, even as a non-EU national.
• Dutch Study Loan: You must not be eligible for a Dutch study loan. If you qualify for one, you cannot receive the UTS.
• Language Requirements: You must meet the University of Twente English language requirements: Academic IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking), or TOEFL iBT 90 overall (with a minimum of 20 in speaking).
• Visa Compliance: You must be able to comply with Dutch entry visa requirements if applicable to your nationality.
• Previous UTS Recipients: You cannot receive the UTS if you have already graduated from a University of Twente undergraduate or graduate programme.
• Pre-Master Students: The UTS is not available for students enrolled in the pre-Master programme, and pre-Master UTS students cannot apply for the UTS when transitioning to a full Master’s programme.
• ITC Faculty Students: The UTS is not available for Master’s programmes at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC).
• Financial Awareness: Applicants are strongly advised to calculate the total cost of studying and living in the Netherlands before applying. This is a partial scholarship and does not cover all costs. You must be able to cover the remaining costs independently.

Eligible Countries

This scholarship is open to students from all countries outside the EU and EEA. Students from the following regions are eligible:

Africa: All countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Angola, and all other African nations.

Asia: All countries, including India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and all other Asian nations.

Americas: All countries outside the EEA, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, and all other nations in North, Central, and South America.

Europe (Non-EEA): Countries including Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and other European nations that are not part of the EEA.

Middle East: All countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Oceania and Other Regions: All countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Pacific Island nations.

Note: EU and EEA nationals are explicitly excluded from this scholarship. This includes nationals of all EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

Eligible Fields of Study

This scholarship is available for qualifying Master’s degree programmes at the University of Twente. However, it is not open to all programmes.

Excluded programmes:

• All Master’s programmes at the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) are not eligible.
• The pre-Master programme is not eligible.

For all other Master’s programmes at the University of Twente, applicants should check the official UTS page for the current list of qualifying programmes, as this list may be updated each academic cycle. 

The University of Twente offers Master’s programmes across fields including engineering, technology, business, public administration, computer science, applied mathematics, and more. Visit the official scholarship page to confirm whether your specific programme qualifies.

Benefits

The University of Twente Scholarship provides the following:

• Scholarship Award: Between €3,000 and €22,000 for one academic year. The exact amount depends on the programme and your application outcome.
• Flexibility of Use: The scholarship is paid directly to the student. You decide how to spend the funds. No costs such as tuition fees are paid on your behalf by the university. You manage the money yourself.
• Two-Year Programme Extension: If you are enrolled in a two-year Master’s programme, you may receive an additional award of equal value for the second year, provided you meet the continuation requirements by the end of the third quartile of your first year.
• Continuation Requirements for Year Two: You must have obtained an average grade of at least 7 out of 10 and have completed at least 50 percent of your European Credits by the end of the third quartile of your first year.
• Kipaji Scholarship (Additional Award): UTS recipients applying for programmes starting in September 2026 may also be eligible for the Kipaji Scholarship. You must apply for the UTS first and indicate your interest in the Kipaji Scholarship in your application motivation. Additional eligibility requirements apply.
• Tuition Fees: Not paid on your behalf. The scholarship is a financial contribution toward study-related costs.
• Living Allowance: Not separately provided. The award amount is intended to help cover study-related costs including living expenses.

Required Documents

Prepare the following before applying for the UTS:

1. Valid passport or proof of nationality
2. University of Twente student number (obtained after applying for your Master’s programme)
3. (Provisional) admission letter from the University of Twente for a qualifying Master’s programme starting September 2026
4. Academic transcripts showing your grades and class ranking
5. Proof of graduation class ranking (demonstrating you are in the top 5 to 10 percent of your class)
6. English language test results: Academic IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90, with minimum speaking scores as specified
7. Application motivation statement (required, and should include your interest in the Kipaji Scholarship if applicable)

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to complete a successful UTS application:

Step 1: Research qualifying Master’s programmes at the University of Twente. Before anything else, identify which programmes are eligible for the UTS. Remember that ITC faculty programmes and the pre-Master programme are excluded.

Step 2: Apply for your chosen Master’s programme at the University of Twente. You must apply for your degree programme first, separately from the scholarship application. These are two distinct processes.

Step 3: Receive your admission letter and student number. Once you have applied for your Master’s programme, wait for your provisional or full admission letter. This may take up to 8 weeks. You cannot apply for the scholarship without your student number.

Step 4: Confirm your eligibility for the UTS. Check that you are a non-EU/EEA national, you are in the top 5 to 10 percent of your graduating class, you are not eligible for a Dutch study loan, and you are not a current or former UT student.

Step 5: Calculate your total cost of study and living in the Netherlands. The UTS is a partial scholarship. Use the University of Twente’s cost estimator to understand what remaining costs you will need to cover. Only apply if you can confidently fund the difference.

Step 6: Decide which application round to apply in. Round 1 opens on 15 October 2025 and closes on 1 February 2026 at 16:00 CET. Round 2 opens on 1 February 2026 and closes on 1 May 2026 at 16:00 CET. If your Round 1 application is rejected, you cannot reapply in Round 2.

Step 7: Open the UTS application form on the official University of Twente scholarship portal. The application form becomes available from 15 October 2025 for Round 1. Log in using your student number to access the form.

Step 8: Complete your application motivation. Write a strong, honest, and specific motivation statement that explains why you deserve the scholarship, how it will support your studies, and why you are among the top students in your cohort. If you are interested in the Kipaji Scholarship, include this in your motivation.

Step 9: Attach all required supporting documents. Upload your transcripts, language test results, admission letter, and any other required materials before submitting.

Step 10: Submit your application before your chosen round deadline. Double-check all information and attachments before clicking submit. You can only receive one UTS award, and rejected Round 1 applicants cannot apply again in Round 2.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

There are two application rounds for the UTS:

Round 1 deadline: 1 February 2026 at 16:00 CET (Central European Time)

Round 2 deadline: 1 May 2026 at 16:00 CET (Central European Time)

Important: If your Round 1 application is rejected, you are not permitted to apply in Round 2. You may only receive one UTS award in total.

Applications submitted after these deadlines will NOT be accepted.

Selection Criteria

The University of Twente evaluates UTS applicants on the following:

• Academic Excellence: You must be in the top 5 to 10 percent of your graduating class. This is the most fundamental criterion. Your transcript and class ranking will be carefully reviewed.
• Self-Knowledge and Honesty: The scholarship explicitly states that self-knowledge is essential. Applying if you do not genuinely meet the top 5 to 10 percent benchmark is strongly discouraged. Be honest in your assessment of where you stand academically.
• Quality of Application Motivation: Your written motivation is a key part of the selection. The committee looks for clarity of purpose, genuine commitment to your field, and a compelling reason why you deserve this particular award.
• Programme Fit: Applicants must be enrolled in a qualifying programme. The strength of your fit with your chosen Master’s programme may also be considered.
• Financial Need and Awareness: While this is primarily a merit-based scholarship, the university expects applicants to have realistically assessed their financial situation. Candidates who cannot fund the remaining study costs after the scholarship are actively discouraged from applying.
• Kipaji Scholarship Candidates: If you are interested in the additional Kipaji Scholarship, your motivation statement and additional eligibility criteria will be assessed separately alongside the UTS.

Important Tips

1. Apply for your Master’s programme as early as possible. You cannot apply for the UTS without a student number, and getting your admission letter can take up to 8 weeks. Delays in your programme application will eat into your scholarship application time.
2. Apply in Round 1 if you can. Round 1 gives you the advantage of earlier consideration. If rejected in Round 1, you lose the opportunity to try again in Round 2. There is no second chance.
3. Be genuinely honest about your class ranking. The scholarship is for the top 5 to 10 percent of graduates. If you are borderline, assess your standing carefully before applying. A weak application takes a spot from a more competitive candidate and wastes your own time and energy.
4. Calculate your remaining costs before applying. Use the University of Twente cost of living estimator and compare it against the maximum scholarship amount. If the gap is too large for you to cover, reconsider before applying.
5. Write a specific and personal motivation statement. Generic statements do not stand out. Explain exactly why you chose the University of Twente, what you will study, how the scholarship will help you, and what you plan to do with your degree.
6. Mention the Kipaji Scholarship in your motivation if you are eligible. This is an additional award available for September 2026 entrants. Expressing interest in your UTS application motivation is part of the eligibility process for it.
7. Prepare your English language test results early. You need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90, with specific speaking subscores. Book your test well in advance to ensure you have results ready before the Round 1 deadline.
8. Keep your contact email active and check it regularly. UTS notifications and results are sent via email. Missing a communication from the International Office could cause you to miss a critical deadline or next step.
9. Contact the International Office if you have questions. The official contact for UTS enquiries is internationaloffice-scholarship@utwente.nl. Do not guess on unclear eligibility points. Ask directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

Apply and find full details at the official University of Twente Scholarship page:

https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/scholarship-finder/university-of-twente-scholarship/

For direct enquiries, contact the International Office at: internationaloffice-scholarship@utwente.nl

All information in this post is based on publicly available details from the University of Twente.

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