Top 10 scholarships in the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland
Ten scholarships in the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland: Leiden, TU Delft, Twente, Radboud, Antwerp, ETH Zurich, EPFL, Swiss Government, Geneva IHEID and Basel.
The Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland are home to some of Europe’s most international universities, with many degrees taught entirely in English. Their scholarships range from full funding at ETH Zurich and TU Delft to tuition reductions elsewhere.
These ten scholarships were checked on the official university and government pages.
The list at a glance
| # | Programme | Where | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) | Switzerland | November 30, 2026 |
| 2 | TU Delft Justus and Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship | Netherlands | December 1, 2026 |
| 3 | Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS) | Netherlands | December 1, 2026 |
| 4 | EPFL Excellence Fellowships | Switzerland | December 15, 2026 |
| 5 | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Switzerland | Not announced yet |
| 6 | Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) Master’s and PhD Scholarships | Switzerland | January 14, 2027 |
| 7 | University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) | Netherlands | April 1, 2027 |
| 8 | Radboud Scholarship Programme | Netherlands | January 31, 2027 |
| 9 | University of Antwerp Master Mind Scholarship | Belgium | February 1, 2027 |
| 10 | University of Basel Excellence Fellowships for Master’s Study in Chemistry | Switzerland | Not announced yet |
1. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
ETH Zurich scholarship covering living and study costs (CHF 13,500 per semester from autumn 2027) plus a tuition fee waiver for the full Master’s.
- Who can apply: Top-performing bachelor’s graduates (about top 10%) applying for an ETH Master’s, with a thesis pre-proposal and professor references.
- Deadline: Application window 1 to 30 November 2026 (11:59 CET) for a Master’s start in autumn 2027.
- Funding: Fully funded
2. TU Delft Justus and Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship
16 full scholarships (2 per faculty) covering full tuition plus a contribution to living expenses; the second year requires 48 of 60 ECTS in year one.
- Who can apply: Excellent international applicants (top 10% of class) admitted to a two-year regular TU Delft MSc; needs a reference letter and English certificate.
- Deadline: Deadline is 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET (application form labelled 2027 to 2029). Notification by the end of March 2027.
- Funding: Fully funded
3. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Tuition fee contribution of 10,000, 15,000, 17,500, 18,500 or 19,000 EUR for the whole master’s programme; a significant personal contribution is still needed.
- Who can apply: Non-EEA students (no nationality limit for LLM Advanced Studies and the MSc International Relations and Diplomacy) starting a full-time Leiden master’s in September, roughly in the top 10% of their class.
- Deadline: The page lists 1 December 2026 as the deadline for September entry. Applicants are notified by email by the end of March.
- Funding: Partly funded
4. EPFL Excellence Fellowships
EPFL fellowship worth CHF 10,000 per semester with guaranteed housing for Master’s students.
- Who can apply: Students with outstanding academic results and strong extracurricular activity, from EPFL or other universities.
- Deadline: Apply via IS-Academia in the first admission window by 15 December (31 January for EPFL bachelor’s students continuing to a consecutive Master’s).
- Funding: Partly funded
5. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Swiss federal scholarships for foreign early career researchers to do PhD or doctoral research at a Swiss university or research institute. They pay CHF 2,450 a month, plus health insurance and a return flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA holders, but do not cover tuition or semester fees.
- Who can apply: Researchers from 183 eligible countries with a master’s degree completed by 31 July 2027, born after 31 December 1991, and backed by a supervisor in Switzerland.
- Deadline: Applications for 2027/28 opened on 20 August 2026. Deadlines differ by country of origin and are listed on the official page; awards are announced by the end of May.
- Funding: Partly funded
6. Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) Master’s and PhD Scholarships
Master’s: full or partial scholarships up to CHF 20,000 for two years and tuition reductions. PhD: a standard four-year package with CHF 20,000 per year (CHF 2,000 per month) and reduced tuition.
- Who can apply: Master’s and PhD applicants of any nationality; awarded on academic excellence, financial need and available funds.
- Deadline: The application deadline for all MA and PhD programmes is Thursday, 14 January 2027 (referee letters by 22 January 2027); Master’s financial aid can only be requested in this round.
- Funding: Partly funded
7. University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)
Award of 3,000 to 22,000 EUR for the first year of a master’s, with a possible matching second-year award for strong first-year results.
- Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA students admitted to a qualifying UT master’s starting September 2027, in the top 5 to 10 percent of their class, with IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL iBT 90).
- Deadline: The form opened 15 October 2026 at 09:00 CET and closes 1 April 2027 at 16:00 CET for programmes starting September 2027. Results in the first week of May 2027.
- Funding: Partly funded
8. Radboud Scholarship Programme
Up to 26 scholarships for 2027/2028 that reduce tuition to about 2,771 EUR and cover visa, residence permit, health and liability insurance (living costs not covered).
- Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA passport holders with a bachelor’s from outside the Netherlands, fully admitted to an eligible English-taught master’s starting 1 September 2027.
- Deadline: Submit the OSIRIS application by 31 January 2027, 23:59 CET and complete it by 14 February 2027, 23:59 CET. Decisions expected before mid-April 2027.
- Funding: Partly funded
9. University of Antwerp Master Mind Scholarship
One-time grant of 5,375 EUR, and non-EEA students pay only the standard tuition fee (1,181.40 EUR for 60 credits in 2026 to 2027), for one of 15 listed master’s programmes.
- Who can apply: All nationalities except Russian citizens; previous degree from outside Flanders, admission to the programme and strong academic record required.
- Deadline: Application deadline is 1 February 2027; applications must include a motivation text.
- Funding: Partly funded
10. University of Basel Excellence Fellowships for Master’s Study in Chemistry
CHF 25,000 paid in three installments toward the Master’s programme; winners are also considered for the Alfred Werner Master’s Student Scholarship of CHF 30,000.
- Who can apply: International candidates applying for MSc studies in Chemistry at Basel; the sole criterion is excellence.
- Deadline: The call is open from 1 January to 15 February each year; the page gives no year.
- Funding: Partly funded
How we ranked them
This is an editorial selection, not a formula. We looked at how much each award pays (full funding ranks above fee reductions), how open it is to international applicants, and whether the official page is clear and current. Every detail was checked on the official page on October 30, 2026. No university or funder paid to be included.
Also in Switzerland: the University of Basel Biozentrum MSc Physics of Life Scholarship.
Frequently asked questions
Which are fully funded?
On their official pages, ETH Zurich ESOP and the TU Delft Justus and Louise van Effen Scholarship describe full funding. Most others are partial.
Are Swiss scholarships open to all nationalities?
Many are, but the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are for researchers from listed countries. Check each listing.
Before you apply
Read how to write a scholarship motivation letter, check which English test you need in IELTS vs TOEFL vs Duolingo, and see every upcoming date in the scholarship deadline calendar.