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.
The round for September 2026 entry closed on 1 February 2026. The award runs on an annual cycle tied to admission, so expect a comparable deadline in early February for the following year. Confirm the current date with University of Amsterdam before planning around it.
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)
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Amsterdam — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
€25,000 (Full Tuition + Living Allowance). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
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
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat NL actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for NL, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
University of Amsterdam (UvA)
Amandus H. Lundqvist Scholarship Programme (ALSP)
Eindhoven University of Technology
Erasmus University Rotterdam Excellence Scholarship
Erasmus University Rotterdam