Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES)
The Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES) is the University of Amsterdam's flagship merit award for international Master's students — €25,000 (around LKR 8.6 million) covering full tuition fees plus a contribution to living costs. It's awarded to roughly 25 outstanding non-EEA students across the university each year, with nominations made by individual Master's programmes. Selection is highly competitive and based on academic excellence, with successful candidates typically ranking in the top 5% of their undergraduate cohort. The Netherlands offers a strong post-study work environment (1-year 'orientation year' visa) and Amsterdam is a major European tech, consulting, and policy hub — making AES a high-value award for ambitious Sri Lankan first-class graduates.
University of Amsterdam
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
€25,000 (LKR 8.6M, Tuition + Living)
Duration
1-Year Master's (or first year of 2-yr)
Awards
~25 per Year (Global)
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Apply to UvA Master's by 1 February
You must apply to a 1-year or 2-year English-taught Master's at the University of Amsterdam for September 2026 entry by 1 February. Most programmes nominate AES candidates from their own admitted-applicant pool — applying earlier improves your chance of being on the nomination shortlist.
Top 5% of Undergraduate Cohort
AES is awarded to applicants in the top 5% of their undergraduate cohort. For Sri Lankan applicants this typically means a first-class honours degree with the highest GPA in your year (or close to it), preferably with published research, thesis distinction, or significant academic prizes.
Non-EEA Citizen
AES is reserved for non-EEA (non-European Economic Area) citizens — including Sri Lankan citizens. EEA / Swiss students have separate Dutch government / EU funding pathways. The award is open to applicants of any nationality outside the EEA who meet the academic threshold.
English Proficiency
Meet UvA's standard English requirement — typically IELTS 6.5+ overall (with at least 6.0 in each component) or TOEFL iBT 92+. Some programmes require 7.0+. Sri Lankan applicants with English-medium undergraduate degrees usually qualify via MOI waiver.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to UvA Master's by 1 February
Submit your Master's application via UvA's Studielink portal and the programme-specific application form. Include all transcripts (with English translation), undergraduate ranking certificate, motivation letter, two academic references, English test result (or waiver), and CV.
Programme nominates you for AES
Within the same Master's application, indicate you wish to be considered for AES. The Master's programme's admissions committee reviews all eligible applicants and nominates the top 1-2 candidates for the central UvA AES selection committee.
Central selection committee review
The central UvA AES committee reviews all nominations and selects roughly 25 awardees across the entire university. Outcomes are typically released in April-May. Some shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit a short additional motivation letter.
Acceptance + Dutch visa
Awardees receive a separate AES award letter naming the €25,000 value. The scholarship is disbursed in monthly stipend instalments after enrolment. You then apply for the Dutch student residence permit (MVV) with UvA as sponsor.
Why University of Amsterdam?
The University of Amsterdam is consistently ranked in the global top 100 (QS #58 in 2026) and is the Netherlands' largest research university. UvA has particular strength in Social Sciences, Humanities, Economics, Computer Science (Informatics), and Business. The post-Master's Dutch 'orientation year' visa gives a full year to find graduate employment in the Netherlands.
#58
QS World Ranking 2026
€25,000
Full AES Award Value
1 yr
Post-Study Orientation Visa
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