The KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027–2028 offers an excellent opportunity for academically outstanding international students to pursue eligible Master’s programmes in Belgium. Funded by the KU Leuven International Scholarship Fund, this prestigious scholarship aims to support talented students who demonstrate excellent academic performance, strong motivation, and the potential to make a meaningful contribution to their chosen fields.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, successful applicants will receive a full tuition-fee waiver and a financial allowance of €13,200 per academic year for a maximum of two academic years. Recipients must pay an annual administrative fee of approximately €140.
Students of all nationalities can apply, provided they meet the scholarship’s academic, programme, and eligibility requirements. However, the scholarship is highly competitive because only one award is available for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Applications opened on 15 October 2026 and closed on 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET. Interested candidates must submit a complete application for an eligible Master’s programme and complete the required scholarship registration before the deadline.
KU Leuven Scholarship 2027–2028: Overview
- Host Country: Belgium
- Host University: KU Leuven
- Scholarship Name: Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship
- Degree Level: Master’s
- Opportunity Type: Fully Funded Scholarship
- Eligible Nationalities: All nationalities
- Application Deadline: 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET
Degree Level
The KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship is available for eligible postgraduate programmes, including:
- Master’s degree programmes
- Advanced Master’s degree programmes, where eligible
- Full-time Master’s study at KU Leuven
The scholarship covers one academic year for a 60 ECTS Master’s programme and two academic years for a 120 ECTS Master’s programme.
Available Subjects
KU Leuven offers Master’s programmes across a wide range of academic disciplines, including:
- Arts and Humanities
- Business and Economics
- Law and Social Sciences
- Political Science and International Relations
- Psychology and Education
- Engineering and Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Architecture
- Agricultural and Food Sciences
- Philosophy and Theology
Note: Applicants must check KU Leuven’s official list of eligible Master’s programmes for the 2027–2028 academic year before applying.
Benefits of the KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027
Successful applicants receive substantial financial and academic support, including:
- Full tuition-fee waiver for the eligible programme.
- €13,200 financial allowance per academic year.
- One academic year of support for 60 ECTS Master’s programmes.
- Two academic years of support for 120 ECTS Master’s programmes.
- Access to KU Leuven’s academic and research facilities.
- Opportunities to develop international academic and professional connections.
Recipients must pay an annual administrative fee of approximately €140. Personal expenses not covered by the scholarship may also apply.
Eligibility Criteria for the KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027
Applicants for the KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027–2028 must meet the following requirements:
- Be eligible to apply regardless of nationality.
- Apply for an eligible Master’s programme at KU Leuven.
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance and potential.
- Hold the required previous degree or qualification.
- Have obtained their previous degree or degrees from a higher education institution outside Flanders.
- Meet the applicable English-language requirements.
- Submit a complete programme application before the deadline.
- Complete the required scholarship candidacy registration.
- Meet all additional admission and scholarship conditions.
International students who have completed a credit-mobility programme at a Flemish higher education institution may still be eligible if they meet the other requirements.
Students already enrolled at a Flemish higher education institution are generally ineligible, with a limited exception for certain international students enrolled in a designated preparatory programme in spring 2027 for Master’s studies beginning in September 2027.
Applicants should also note that the scholarship cannot be combined with another full scholarship offered by KU Leuven, Belgian national or regional governments, or the European Commission.
Academic Requirements
Academic excellence is a key selection criterion for the Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship.
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
- Have a strong GPA reflected in their academic transcripts.
- Meet the academic admission requirements of their chosen programme.
- Show strong motivation and the potential to succeed in their studies.
KU Leuven does not specify one universal minimum GPA for every programme. Academic requirements vary by programme, and selection may also consider academic awards, relevant experience, leadership abilities, commitment, and the overall quality of the applicant’s profile.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate a good command of English, regardless of the minimum score required by their selected programme.
Accepted English-language evidence includes:
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum overall score of 94.
- IELTS Academic: Minimum overall score of 7.0.
- Cambridge English: Proficiency level C2.
Applicants who have previously completed an English-taught programme in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States may qualify for an exemption from submitting an English-language certificate.
Important: The language test must be taken before the scholarship application deadline of 15 January 2027. KU Leuven permits test results to be added after the deadline, subject to its instructions. Applicants should also check the specific language requirements of their chosen Master’s programme.
Required Documents for KU Leuven Scholarship 2027
Applicants should prepare the documents required for their selected Master’s programme and scholarship candidacy. These may include:
- Academic transcripts and records.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate or equivalent qualification.
- Curriculum vitae (CV), if required.
- Motivation letter or statement of purpose, if required.
- English-language test results, where applicable.
- Passport or identification details, if requested.
- KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form.
- Any additional documents required by the selected programme.
Note: Document requirements may vary by programme. The KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form must be included as an annex in the programme application. Upload it under the document type “Annexe” in the application tool.
Application Process for KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027
Follow these steps to apply for the scholarship:
Step 1: Choose an eligible Master’s programme
Visit the official KU Leuven website and review the eligible Master’s programmes for the 2027–2028 academic year.
Step 2: Prepare your admission application
Check the programme’s admission requirements and prepare all necessary academic documents and supporting materials.
Step 3: Complete the scholarship candidacy form
Download and complete the KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form. Include it as an annex in your Master’s application and upload it under the document type “Annexe”.
Step 4: Submit your Master’s application
Submit a complete application for your selected eligible Master’s programme before 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Step 5: Register your scholarship candidacy
Complete the separate online scholarship candidacy registration process before the same deadline.
Step 6: Prepare for the selection stage
Applicants who are nominated will be informed by 10 March 2027. Nominated candidates will then be asked to submit a one-minute motivational video by 16 March 2027.
Step 7: Await the final decision
The final selection results are expected at the end of March 2027.
KU Leuven also considers eligible applicants for certain other Master’s scholarships through the same application procedure, subject to the applicable conditions.
KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027 Deadline
The application deadline is 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Applicants must complete both the Master’s programme application and the scholarship candidacy registration before the deadline. Since only one Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship is available, candidates should prepare carefully and ensure their applications are complete.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship 2027–2028?
It is a competitive scholarship offered by KU Leuven in Belgium to academically outstanding international students pursuing eligible Master’s programmes.
2. Is the KU Leuven Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship provides a full tuition-fee waiver and an allowance of €13,200 per academic year for one or two academic years, depending on the programme. Recipients must pay an annual administrative fee of approximately €140.
3. Who can apply for this scholarship?
Students of all nationalities may apply if they meet the academic, programme, language, and other eligibility requirements.
4. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 15 January 2027 at 23:59 CET.
5. How many scholarships are available?
Only one Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship is available for the 2027–2028 academic year.
6. What degree level is supported?
The scholarship supports eligible Master’s programmes, including eligible Advanced Master’s programmes.
7. What English-language test scores are required?
The stated minimum scores are TOEFL iBT 94, IELTS Academic 7.0, or Cambridge English Proficiency level C2, subject to the applicable requirements and exemptions.
8. Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
KU Leuven does not specify one universal minimum GPA for every programme. Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic performance and meet their selected programme’s admission requirements.
9. Can students already enrolled at a Flemish university apply?
Generally, no. A limited exception applies to certain international students enrolled in a designated preparatory programme in spring 2027 for Master’s studies starting in September 2027.
10. How do I apply for the scholarship?
Applicants must submit a complete application for an eligible Master’s programme, include the KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form as an annex, and register their scholarship candidacy online before the deadline.
