The Maastricht University UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for international students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies in the Netherlands with full financial support. The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides €20,150 per academic year for living expenses, along with health and liability insurance, visa costs, pre-academic training, and accommodation support. The Global Studies programme is interdisciplinary and brings together expertise from six Maastricht University faculties to help students understand and address complex global challenges.

UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027 – Key Details

• Host Country: Netherlands
• University: Maastricht University
• Study Destination: Europe
• Study Level: Undergraduate | Bachelor’s
• Degree Programme: Bachelor’s in Global Studies
• Eligible Applicants: Students from eligible OECD ODA-recipient countries
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Living Allowance: €20,150 per academic year
• Tuition Fees: Fully covered
• Accommodation: Scholarship-supported accommodation
• Health & Liability Insurance: Covered
• Visa Costs: Covered
• Pre-Academic Training: Covered
• Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
• Programme Start: September 2027

About the UM Global Studies Scholarship

The UM NL Global Studies Scholarship is designed for incoming Bachelor’s students with strong academic potential, financial need, and personal development potential who have been conditionally or fully admitted to Maastricht University’s Global Studies Bachelor’s programme.

The Global Studies programme is distinctive because six Maastricht University faculties contribute equally to its interdisciplinary curriculum. Students explore global challenges from different disciplinary and geographical perspectives and learn how global processes influence local communities and how local developments can affect the wider world.

Students can also participate in field studies, develop solutions to societal problems presented by organizations such as NGOs, governments, agencies, firms, or schools, and complete an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s thesis.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027 must meet the following requirements:

• Be a national of an OECD ODA-eligible country, excluding Suriname.
• Meet the requirements for obtaining a Dutch entry visa and residence permit.
• Not hold dual nationality with an EU/EEA country, Switzerland, or Suriname.
• Apply for the Global Studies Bachelor’s programme for the 2027–2028 academic year.
• Submit a complete Global Studies admission application and meet all admission requirements by December 10, 2026.
• Not already hold a higher-education degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.
• Be 35 years old or younger on September 1, 2027.
• Agree to become an active Global Studies and Maastricht University ambassador during and after the programme.
• Submit only one scholarship application with all required documents.

Scholarship Benefits

The Maastricht University Global Studies Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for the three-year Bachelor’s programme.

Full Tuition Fee Coverage

The scholarship covers the applicable tuition fees for the academic years of the programme.

€20,150 Annual Living Allowance

Selected students receive €20,150 per academic year, equivalent to approximately €1,550 per month, to support living expenses. The amount is intended to cover expenses such as housing, groceries, transportation, books, study materials, and personal expenses.

Accommodation Support

Accommodation is included as part of the scholarship package. A room is allocated to scholarship recipients until July 16, 2028. Students are responsible for arranging their own accommodation for the second and third years.

Health and Liability Insurance

The scholarship covers the cost of health and liability insurance through Maastricht University’s International Services Desk.

Visa Costs

Eligible visa application costs are covered and arranged through the university’s International Services Desk.

Pre-Academic Training

The scholarship includes a mandatory two-week Pre-Academic Training programme, scheduled for the first week of August 2027.

International Student Ambassador Programme

The scholarship also covers the applicable cost of participation in the International Student Ambassador Programme for the first block.

Important: International airfare is not included in the scholarship and must be paid by the student.

Global Studies Bachelor’s Programme

The Bachelor’s in Global Studies at Maastricht University focuses on complex global issues and combines perspectives from multiple academic disciplines.

Students explore topics such as:

• Climate change
• Migration
• Global inequality
• Social justice
• Political and economic challenges
• Global development
• Local and international transformations

The programme uses an interdisciplinary approach and allows students to examine global problems from both geographical and disciplinary perspectives.

Practical Learning Opportunities

Students can gain practical experience through:

• Local or international field studies
• Projects addressing real-world societal problems
• Collaboration with NGOs, government organizations, agencies, firms, or schools
• Interdisciplinary research
• A final Bachelor’s thesis

Scholarship Duration

The UM Global Studies Scholarship is available for 36 months, corresponding to the three-year duration of the Global Studies Bachelor’s programme.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required for both the Global Studies admission application and scholarship application.

Scholarship applicants may need:

• Updated CV of no more than two A4 pages
• Motivation letter using the required scholarship template
• Academic transcript or proof of academic excellence
• Personal statement explaining financial need
• Reference letter
• Contact details of one referee
• Other documents required for the Global Studies admission process

The scholarship reference must come from an appropriate referee, such as a former teacher, professor, principal, college counsellor, lecturer, or employer. Family members cannot serve as referees.

English Language Requirements

The scholarship itself should not be treated as having a blanket “No IELTS Required” policy. Applicants must meet the English-language requirements applicable to the Global Studies Bachelor’s programme and their previous educational background.

Therefore, students should check Maastricht University’s current programme-specific English requirements before applying.

How to Apply for the UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027

Follow these steps to apply:

Step 1: Apply for Global Studies

First, apply for the Bachelor’s in Global Studies at Maastricht University through Studielink.

You must submit your complete admission application and meet the relevant admission requirements by December 10, 2026 to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Step 2: Receive Your Maastricht University Student ID

After submitting your Studielink application, you will receive a Maastricht University student number. You need this number to access and complete the scholarship application.

Step 3: Complete the Scholarship Application

Log in using your Maastricht University account and complete the UM Global Studies Scholarship application form.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Prepare and upload your CV, motivation letter, academic results, financial-needs statement, reference letter, and referee information.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Submit the scholarship application before the February 1, 2027 deadline at 23:59 CET. The scholarship application can only be submitted once, so applicants should ensure that all information and documents are correct before submission.

Selection Process

Maastricht University follows a multi-stage selection process.

1. The International Services Desk checks applications for completeness after the scholarship deadline.
2. Eligible applications are forwarded to the Global Studies admission office.
3. Applications are assessed and ranked according to the scholarship selection criteria.
4. A shortlist of top candidates is presented to the scholarship selection committee.
5. Shortlisted applicants are invited for an online interview.
6. Applicants are informed of their status during the following months.
7. Selected students receive their scholarship award information and must accept the award formally.

Application Deadline

The application period for the UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027 runs from October 1, 2026, until February 1, 2027, at 23:59 CET.

However, applicants must complete their Global Studies admission application by December 10, 2026 to remain eligible for the scholarship.

Important Dates

• Scholarship applications open: October 1, 2026
• Global Studies admission deadline for scholarship applicants: December 10, 2026
• Scholarship application deadline: February 1, 2027
• Programme start: September 2027
• Pre-Academic Training: August 2027

Who Should Apply?

The UM Global Studies Scholarship may be suitable for students who:

• Come from an eligible OECD ODA-recipient country.
• Have strong academic performance.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Are interested in global challenges and international affairs.
• Want to study an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s degree.
• Are interested in social, political, environmental, economic, and global development issues.
• Have strong personal development potential.
• Are prepared to represent Maastricht University and Global Studies as ambassadors.

Apply Now

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027?

The UM Global Studies Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship offered by Maastricht University for eligible international students admitted to the Bachelor’s programme in Global Studies.

2. Is the Maastricht University Global Studies Scholarship fully funded?

Yes. The scholarship provides comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, a living allowance, insurance, visa costs, pre-academic training, and accommodation support.

3. How much is the UM Global Studies Scholarship stipend?

The scholarship provides €20,150 per academic year for living expenses, equivalent to approximately €1,550 per month.

4. Does the scholarship cover tuition fees?

Yes. Applicable tuition fees are covered through the scholarship for the duration of the programme.

5. Does the scholarship include accommodation?

Yes. Accommodation is included in the scholarship package, with a room allocated until July 16, 2028. Students must arrange their own accommodation afterward.

6. Does the scholarship cover airfare?

No. International airfare is not included in the scholarship and must be paid by the student.

7. Who can apply for the UM Global Studies Scholarship?

The scholarship is available to eligible applicants from OECD ODA-recipient countries, excluding Suriname, who meet the nationality, admission, age, and other eligibility requirements.

8. What is the age limit for the scholarship?

Applicants must be 35 years old or younger on September 1, 2027.

9. Can students who already have a Bachelor’s degree apply?

No. Applicants who already hold a higher-education degree equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for this scholarship.

10. What is the application deadline?

The scholarship deadline is February 1, 2027, at 23:59 CET. However, applicants must submit their complete Global Studies admission application by December 10, 2026.

11. Do I need IELTS for the UM Global Studies Scholarship?

There is no separate scholarship-wide IELTS rule that guarantees an exemption. Applicants should check the current English-language requirements for the Global Studies Bachelor’s programme based on their educational background.

12. How long does the scholarship last?

The scholarship covers 36 months, corresponding to the three-year Global Studies Bachelor’s programme.

13. What documents are required for the scholarship?

Applicants generally need a CV, motivation letter, academic transcript, financial-needs statement, reference letter, and referee details, in addition to the documents required for admission to Global Studies.

14. Can I apply for more than one scholarship application?

No. Applicants can submit the UM Global Studies Scholarship application only once, so all documents and information should be checked carefully before submission.

15. When does the Global Studies Bachelor’s programme start?

The Bachelor’s programme starts in September 2027 for the 2027–2028 academic year.