Netherlands, Scholarships

🎓 Erasmus University Rotterdam Scholarships 2026 – Complete Guide for International Students

Gradualin

April 11, 2026
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Are you dreaming of studying at one of Europe’s most respected universities? Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) in the Netherlands offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid options for both incoming international students and current EUR students wishing to study abroad. Whether you are looking to fund a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program, there is likely a funding option at EUR that fits your situation.

This comprehensive guide covers every major scholarship and grant available at Erasmus University Rotterdam for 2026, including eligibility requirements, funding amounts, available programs, and step-by-step application guidance — all in one place.

🎓 Scholarship Overview

Erasmus University Rotterdam was founded in 1913 and is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. Located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, EUR is known for its strengths in economics, business, law, health sciences, social sciences, and humanities. It is home to world-famous schools such as the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and Erasmus MC, one of the largest academic medical centers in Europe.

The university recognizes that studying abroad comes with significant financial pressures — especially for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). To make education more accessible, EUR offers a variety of scholarships, grants, and financial support programs funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, the university itself, and external partner organizations.

Detail	Information
University	Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)
Location	Rotterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Founded	1913
World Ranking	Top 100 globally
Study Levels	Bachelor, Master, PhD
Scholarships For	International Students (incoming) + EUR Students (outgoing)
Official Portal	www.eur.nl

🎓 Key Scholarships & Benefits at a Glance

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers multiple separate scholarship programs. Here is an overview of the most important ones for international students:

🏅 1. Holland Scholarship (Erasmus University)

The Holland Scholarship is jointly funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and Erasmus University Rotterdam. It is one of the most prominent scholarships for non-EEA international students applying to study in the Netherlands.

💰 Funding: €5,000, €10,000, or €15,000 (amount determined by faculty)
🎓 Level: Bachelor or Master (full-time)
🌍 Who it’s for: Students from outside the EEA paying institutional tuition fees
✅ Key Conditions: Must not have previously studied or obtained a diploma in the Netherlands; can only receive this scholarship once; must meet faculty-specific excellence criteria
📌 Note: This is a partial scholarship — you will still need additional funds to cover remaining tuition and living costs

🏅 2. Erasmus Trustfonds Scholarship

The Erasmus Trustfonds Scholarship was established to support research and education at Erasmus University Rotterdam. It is one of the few scholarships available to students from both EEA and non-EEA countries.

💰 Funding: Partial to significant tuition support (varies by faculty and program)
🎓 Level: Master
🌍 Who it’s for: Outstanding Master’s students, including students from EEA countries
✅ Available at: Multiple EUR faculties including Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)

🏅 3. Erasmus Trustfonds & TSH Changemaker Scholarship

This is a combined scholarship offering support to underrepresented Master’s students who are committed to creating inclusive change in society.

💰 Funding: Covers tuition fees + housing + €600/month living allowance + mentorship support
🎓 Level: Master
✅ Focus: Students with a strong social impact and changemaker mindset
🌟 This is one of the most comprehensive non-fully-funded scholarships at EUR, offering both financial and personal development support

🏅 4. NL Scholarship (Netherlands Scholarship)

The NL Scholarship is a national scholarship program for non-EEA students funded by the Dutch government and Erasmus University.

💰 Funding: €5,000 (one-off award)
🎓 Level: Bachelor or Master (full-time)
🌍 Who it’s for: Non-EEA students who have never studied in the Netherlands before
🏆 Selection: Based on academic excellence
📅 Deadline (IHS/EUR): Around May 6, 2026 — check per faculty

🏅 5. Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship

Designed specifically for Bachelor of International Business Administration (IBA) students who demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial potential but face financial constraints.

💰 Funding: Partial financial support to help with tuition
🎓 Level: Bachelor (IBA program only)
✅ Focus: Entrepreneurial ambition and leadership potential

🏅 6. RSM MBA Scholarship (Rotterdam School of Management)

The Rotterdam School of Management offers merit-based MBA scholarships to international applicants for its Full-Time MBA Program.

💰 Funding: Up to 50% of MBA tuition fees
🎓 Level: MBA (Master of Business Administration)
✅ Automatic consideration: No separate scholarship application needed — all MBA applicants are automatically assessed for scholarships
🌍 Open to: International students applying to RSM’s International Full-Time MBA

🏅 7. External Scholarships Available at EUR

Beyond university-funded scholarships, students at Erasmus University Rotterdam can also benefit from several external funding programs, including:

🌏 CSC Scholarship (China Scholarship Council): Fully funded PhD positions for Chinese students
🇲🇽 BECAS MOB Mexico Scholarship: For Mexican students pursuing a Master’s degree abroad
🇨🇴 COLFUTURO: Financial support for Colombian citizens in postgraduate study abroad
🇬🇭 GETFund Ghana: Covers tuition, accommodation, and other costs for Ghanaian students
🌍 Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program: Supports emerging leaders from developing regions pursuing Master’s studies
🌐 Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship: Full funding (tuition + living + travel) for students from developing countries in eligible Master’s programs

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

While each scholarship has its own specific requirements, the most common eligibility conditions across EUR scholarships include:

For International Incoming Students:

Applying for a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at Erasmus University Rotterdam
Being a citizen of a non-EEA country (for most scholarships; some are open to EEA nationals)
Holding a strong academic record — most scholarships require academic excellence
Having never obtained a diploma or been enrolled as a full degree student at a Dutch educational institution (for Holland and NL Scholarships)
Meeting faculty-specific eligibility requirements (varies per program)
Each scholarship can typically only be received once

For EUR Students Going Abroad:

Already enrolled at Erasmus University Rotterdam
Applying to study at a partner institution abroad (exchange or post-graduation)
Meeting program-specific requirements

English Language:

Most Master’s programs require IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent proof of English proficiency
Some programs may accept proof of prior English-medium education
Requirements vary by faculty and program — always check directly with your department

🎓 Who Should Apply (and Who Should Not)

✅ You should apply if:

You are an academically strong student from a non-EEA country (Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle East, etc.)
You are applying for a full-time Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA program at EUR
You are a current EUR student looking to go on exchange or study abroad
You have a background or ambitions in economics, business, law, health, social sciences, or humanities
You are a student with a social impact or changemaker mindset (for the TSH Changemaker Scholarship)

❌ You should NOT apply if:

You are not admitted to or applying for an eligible EUR program
You have previously studied or obtained a degree in the Netherlands (for Holland and NL Scholarships)
You are looking for a fully funded scholarship covering all costs — most EUR scholarships are partial awards and you will need to plan for additional funding

🎓 Available Programs & Faculties

Erasmus University Rotterdam offers scholarships across many of its schools and institutes, including:

📊 Erasmus School of Economics (ESE)
💼 Rotterdam School of Management (RSM)
⚖️ Erasmus School of Law
🏥 Erasmus MC (Medical Centre)
🏙️ IHS – Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies
🌍 International Institute of Social Studies (ISS)
🧠 Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences
📖 Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communications
🏛️ Erasmus School of Philosophy
🏫 Erasmus University College
🏥 Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management

Each faculty may have its own scholarship amounts, criteria, and deadlines. Always check with your specific faculty before applying.

🎓 Required Documents

While documents vary by scholarship, a typical application will require:

✅ Unconditional or conditional admission letter from Erasmus University Rotterdam
✅ Motivation letter (explaining career goals and relevance of chosen program)
✅ Certified copy of Bachelor’s degree certificate and full grade list
✅ Official academic transcripts from all previous institutions
✅ Proof of nationality (valid passport)
✅ Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent — where required)
✅ CV/Resume (for some scholarships)
✅ Reference letter(s) (for some scholarships)

⚠️ Always check the specific requirements for your chosen scholarship on the EUR website, as each program has different documentation requirements.

🎓 Application Process

Step 1 — Apply for Admission First Before applying for any scholarship at EUR, you must first apply for admission to your chosen study program. Most scholarships require a conditional or unconditional admission letter.

Step 2 — Identify Your Scholarship Visit the official EUR Scholarships page and filter by your situation — either “student from abroad” (incoming) or “EUR student going abroad” (outgoing). Check nationality, study level, and faculty requirements.

Step 3 — Review Faculty-Specific Requirements Click on your chosen scholarship and review the detailed criteria specific to your faculty. Some faculties have additional requirements or different award amounts.

Step 4 — Prepare Your Documents Gather all required documents well in advance. Scholarship deadlines can be as early as January for some programs — so start preparing 6 to 12 months ahead of your intended start date.

Step 5 — Submit Your Application Follow the application instructions on the scholarship’s detail page on the EUR website. Most applications are submitted through an online form. The NL Scholarship, for example, requires an online application form along with supporting documents.

Step 6 — Wait for Decision Scholarship decisions are made on a competitive basis. You will be notified by the relevant faculty or scholarship body within the timeframe stated in the scholarship criteria.

🎓 Important Dates

Scholarship	Approximate Deadline
Holland Scholarship	February – May 2026 (varies by faculty)
NL Scholarship (IHS)	Around May 6, 2026
RSM MBA Scholarship	Rolling (with MBA application)
Erasmus Trustfonds Scholarship	Varies by faculty — check EUR website
External Scholarships (CSC, Ford, etc.)	Varies — start searching 6–12 months early

📌 Always verify exact deadlines on the official EUR website as they are updated regularly and differ by faculty.

🎓 Tuition Fees at EUR (2026–2027)

Understanding tuition fees helps you plan your scholarship application strategy:

🇪🇺 EEA students (statutory fee): Approximately €2,694/year for most programs
🌍 Non-EEA students (institutional fee): Approximately €25,800/year for RSM MSc programs
🎓 Second Master’s at EUR for EEA students: Approximately €14,800/year

Because Dutch higher education is subsidized by the government, tuition fees are generally lower than the UK or USA, but international students from outside the EEA still face significantly higher fees. Scholarships like the Holland Scholarship, NL Scholarship, and faculty-specific awards help bridge this gap.

🎓 EUR Emergency Fund

For students who are already enrolled at EUR and encounter unexpected financial hardship — due to conflict, natural disaster, or acute personal circumstances — the EUR Emergency Fund provides small emergency financial assistance.

This is not a scholarship — it is emergency support
It does not cover tuition fees or textbook costs
It is intended for temporary, unforeseen financial difficulties

🎓 Why Study at Erasmus University Rotterdam?

🏆 Top 100 globally — consistently ranked among the world’s best universities
🌍 Highly international — a diverse community of students from over 100 countries
📍 Rotterdam, Netherlands — a vibrant, modern, and student-friendly city
💼 Strong career outcomes — especially in business, economics, law, and health
🗣️ English-taught programs — wide range of fully English-language degrees
🚲 Affordable country — the Netherlands offers a high quality of life with relatively low costs compared to other Western European cities
🤝 Global alumni network — graduates working in top organizations worldwide

🎓 Official Source

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on all scholarships and grants at Erasmus University Rotterdam, always refer to the official EUR website:

🔗 EUR Scholarships Hub: https://www.eur.nl/en/education/practical-matters/scholarships-grants

🔗 Scholarships for Students from Abroad: https://www.eur.nl/en/education/practical-matters/scholarships-grants/students-abroad

🔗 Scholarships for EUR Students Going Abroad: https://www.eur.nl/en/education/practical-matters/scholarships-grants/students-going-abroad

📧 Scholarships Team Contact: scholarships@eur.nl

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Feature	Details
University	Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)
Location	Rotterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱
Scholarships Available	Holland Scholarship, NL Scholarship, Trustfonds, RSM MBA Award, External Funds & more
Study Levels	Bachelor, Master, MBA, PhD
Open To	Non-EEA international students (primarily) + some EEA students
Funding Type	Partial to significant (most are partial scholarships)
Amounts	€5,000 – €15,000+ (varies per scholarship)
IELTS Required	Varies by program — check with faculty
Application	Through EUR online portal + faculty-specific forms
Deadlines	January – May 2026 (varies by faculty)