University English requirements

Does the NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) require IELTS?

Not directly. The NL Scholarship, the €5,000 award once called the Holland Scholarship, lists four criteria and none is an English test. One of them is that you meet the specific requirements of the Dutch institution you apply to, so the IELTS or other English score comes from that university's programme page, not from Nuffic.
  • Guide updated · 31 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS
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Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026

The four application criteria

Study in NL (nuffic) lists these criteria. The award is € 5,000 in the first year and is not a full-tuition scholarship.

CriterionWhat it means for English
Non-EEA nationalityNo English rule
Full-time bachelor's or master's at a participating institutionProgramme taught in the language the university states
Meet the institution's specific requirementsThis is where the IELTS, TOEFL or other score is set
No degree from a Dutch institutionNo English rule

Where to find the English score

Because the English rule is the university's, read the entry requirements on the programme page of the institution you choose. Closing dates and fields of study also differ by institution, and the page tells you to check them on the institution's website.

Participating research universities for 2026 to 2027 include Eindhoven, Maastricht, Radboud, Groningen, Twente, Utrecht, VU Amsterdam and Wageningen, plus a longer list of universities of applied sciences. The list changes every year.

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Common mistakes

Searching for an 'NL Scholarship IELTS score' will not find one, because Nuffic does not set it. Do not assume one university's score applies to another; check each programme you apply to, and meet its English deadline as well as the scholarship deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Holland Scholarship the same as the NL Scholarship?+

The Study in NL address for the Holland Scholarship now leads to the NL Scholarship page, which describes a €5,000 first-year award for non-EEA students.

What IELTS score do I need for the NL Scholarship?+

The scholarship sets none. You must meet the specific requirements of your chosen institution.

Does the NL Scholarship cover full tuition?+

No. It is €5,000 in the first year and the page says it is not a full-tuition scholarship.

Can I apply if I already have a Dutch degree?+

No. One criterion is that you do not have a degree from an education institution in the Netherlands.

Keep reading

Related

Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

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