University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) 2026 Netherlands

Author: Hammad Ishaq
Last verified on: September 23, 2025

Overview

The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) is a merit-based scholarship offered by the University of Twente in the Netherlands. It is designed to support excellent international students from non-EU/EEA countries who wish to enroll in Master’s (MSc) programmes at UT beginning in September 2026. The scholarship is meant to help cover study-related costs, not to fully cover tuition or all expenses. (Universiteit Twente)

Benefits / Funding

• The UTS award ranges from €3,000 to €22,000 per academic year for one-year Master’s programmes. (Universiteit Twente)

• For two-year Master’s programmes, students may receive an equal scholarship in the second year, provided they meet certain progress requirements (see below). (Universiteit Twente)

• The scholarship is intended to compensate for study-related costs; recipients may use the funds for living expenses, materials, etc. Tuition fees are not paid on behalf of the student by UTS. (Universiteit Twente)

• The funds do not automatically include visa/immigration fees, health insurance, housing, or travel costs unless otherwise arranged. As of last verification, UT’s official page does not specify that these are covered. (Universiteit Twente)

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must meet all of the following:

• Be a non-EU/EEA citizen. EU/EEA citizens are not eligible. (Universiteit Twente)

• Not be a current student at the University of Twente (UT). Nor can they have graduated from a UT undergraduate or graduate programme. (Universiteit Twente)

• Be admitted (conditionally or fully) to a qualifying Master’s (MSc) programme at UT that begins in September 2026. (Universiteit Twente)

• Meet the English language requirements: overall Academic IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) or TOEFL iBT 90, plus a minimum speaking subscore (e.g. TOEFL speaking 20 or IELTS speaking 6.0) where specified. (Universiteit Twente)

• Not be eligible for the Dutch study loan (studiefinanciering) or statutory tuition fee status. If a non-EU student becomes eligible during studies, UTS may be cancelled. (Universiteit Twente)

• The applicant must have a UT student number (which comes when admitted) and comply with visa entry conditions if applicable. (Universiteit Twente)

Excluded programmes / cases:

• UTS is not available for pre-Master’s programmes. (Universiteit Twente)

• It is also not available for Master’s programmes under the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) at UT. (Universiteit Twente)

Also, academic merit expectations: typically belonging to the top 5-10% of your graduation class. (Universiteit Twente)

Timeline & Deadlines

• UT’s admission for the Master’s programme must align with the schedule (application via Studielink / UT’s master application deadline). (Universiteit Twente)

• Approximately 8 weeks after submission for the UTS scholarship are needed to receive results. (Universiteit Twente)

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

1. Choose a qualifying Master’s programme at University of Twente that starts in September 2026 and check if it is excluded (e.g. ITC excluded, pre-Master excluded). (Universiteit Twente)

2. Submit your application via UT’s Master’s admission process (through Studielink and then via OSIRIS) before the programme’s admission deadlines. Ensure all required admission documents are uploaded. (Universiteit Twente)

3. Await (conditional) admission and receive your UT student number. You need this to apply for UTS. (Universiteit Twente)

4. When UTS application opens (Round 1 or Round 2), fill in the UTS scholarship application form; this is separate from your master’s programme application. (Universiteit Twente)

5. Make sure your application is complete, including required documents (see next section), English test score etc., and submitted before the round’s deadline. (Universiteit Twente)

6. Wait for the decision. If awarded, check for any progress/review requirements especially for two-year programmes. (Universiteit Twente)

Required Documents Checklist

When applying for UTS, you will need:

• Confirmation of (conditional or full) admission from the University of Twente in a qualifying Master’s programme.

• Your UT student number.

• Proof of academic transcripts (Bachelor degree or equivalent) with grading that shows you are among top 5-10% or similar merit.

• English proficiency test score (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent) meeting minimum thresholds.

• Motivation statement / scholarship application motivation (explaining why you deserve UTS, how you will use the funds).

• Any national identification / passport copy.

• Visa/immigration documents or proof you comply with visa requirements, if applicable.

Depending on programme or additional scholarships (e.g. Kipaji, Professor de Winter Scholarship), there may be further documents. (Universiteit Twente)

Selection Criteria & What Reviewers Look For

Reviewers for UTS typically assess:

• Academic excellence: grade point average, honours, class rank (looking for top ~5-10%) in previous studies. (Universiteit Twente)

• Fit of programme: whether the chosen Master’s is relevant, whether you meet prerequisites.

• English proficiency: meeting required test scores.

• Motivation & clarity: the statement of purpose / motivation – why UT, how you will use the scholarship and what you aim to achieve.

• Non-eligibility issues: ensuring you are non-EU/EEA, not a current or former UT student, not eligible for Dutch study loans, etc. If any condition fails, application may be rejected. (Universiteit Twente)

For two-year programmes: performance in first year matters if you want scholarship continuation into second year: obtaining average grade of 7/10 at end of third quartile, and at least 50% of European Credits. (Universiteit Twente)

Practical Tips to Strengthen an Application

• Secure admission early: Since UTS requires a student number, apply for the Master's programme early and ensure all documents are in place.

• Excel academically: Push to be among the top in your class; strong transcript helps. If your grading system differs, include context (percentage, scale).

• Strong English test: Make sure speaking subscore meets or exceeds requirements; sometimes speaking is more tightly scrutinized.

• Clear, tailored motivation statement: Explain financial need clearly, but also how you will contribute to UT and your field. If applying for additional scholarships (e.g. Kipaji), mention interest and eligibility.

• Highlight any relevant honors or leadership: UT has honours programmes (e.g. Research Honours, Design Honours, Change Leaders) which might appeal. If you have prior honours or research, mention that. (Universiteit Twente)

• Check excluded programmes early: For example, ITC, pre-Master programmes are excluded. Avoid wasting time applying for the wrong programme.

• Prepare visa / finance backup: Since UTS doesn’t cover everything, show you have plan for tuition, living, and visa. This demonstrates responsibility.

Official Links & Apply Now

• Official UTS Program Page: University of Twente’s official page for University Twente Scholarship (UTS) (“Scholarship finder: University of Twente Scholarship”) (University of Twente – UTS) (https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/scholarship-finder/university-of-twente-scholarship/) (Universiteit Twente)

• Master’s Application Process Guide: How to apply for a Master's programme (international students) (UT Master’s How to Apply) (https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/how-to-apply/) (Universiteit Twente)

• Professor de Winter Scholarship (additional opportunity for female students who have UTS) (Professor de Winter Scholarship) (https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/scholarship-finder/professor-de-winter-scholarship/) (Universiteit Twente)

Apply now via the UTS application form available on the official UTS page, once admissions and student number are confirmed. (Universiteit Twente)

FAQ

Q1: Can EU/EEA students apply for UTS?
A1: No. UTS is only for non-EU/EEA citizens. EU/EEA students are explicitly excluded. (Universiteit Twente)

Q2: Does UTS cover tuition fees entirely?
A2: No. UTS is not a full scholarship. It does not pay your tuition fees; it gives a financial contribution meant to help with study-related costs. You remain responsible for tuition, visa, insurance, housing, etc. (Universiteit Twente)

Q3: What happens if I start a two-year Master’s programme and get UTS in year one? Do I automatically get year two?
A3: Not automatically. Continuation into the second year depends on meeting certain progress requirements at the end of the third quartile of year one: a minimum average grade (7/10) and at least 50% of European Credits achieved. (Universiteit Twente)

Q4: Can current UT students or UT alumni apply?
A4: No. Current students of UT (or who have graduated from UT) are not eligible. (Universiteit Twente)

Q5: Is there a quota or number of scholarships awarded? How competitive is it?
A5: There is no official number announced on the UT page for 2026 (e.g. “about 50”) in all sources; some third-party sites mention ~ 50, but that is not confirmed on the official UT site. UT does not state a fixed number in the official description (as of last verification). Thus the competition is likely selective. (Universiteit Twente)

Call-to-Action

If you are a motivated student from outside the EU/EEA and qualify for this programme, start your Master’s application with University of Twente now, ensure you can get your admission and student number, and then apply for the UTS before the deadlines (Round 1: 1 February 2026 or Round 2: 1 May 2026) via the official portal.

Go to the UTS official page and apply now (https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/scholarship-finder/university-of-twente-scholarship/) (Universiteit Twente)

Disclaimer: Always double-check dates, detailed eligibility, and application requirements on the University of Twente’s official website, as policies and deadlines may change.