University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
Beyond its small, elite Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) — the Netherlands' largest and one of its highest-ranked universities — offers faculty-administered merit scholarships that provide partial tuition reductions to talented non-EU/EEA Master's students. Awards and amounts vary by faculty (Economics & Business, Humanities, Social & Behavioural Sciences, Science, Law), and are typically decided on academic merit alongside admission or via a short additional application. This is a more accessible route than the AES for strong-but-not-top-of-cohort Sri Lankan applicants who still want some funding toward UvA's tuition. UvA is globally ranked and strong across the social sciences, economics, humanities, and data science, in a vibrant, English-friendly city. Because each faculty runs its own scheme, confirm the specific merit-scholarship name, value, and deadline for your programme before applying.
For September 2027 entry — faculty merit-scholarship deadlines vary, typically December 2026 – March 2027, after a Master's application
University of Amsterdam (UvA)
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Partial Tuition Reduction
Duration
Master's Programme
Administered By
Individual Faculties
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Amsterdam (UvA) — 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
Partial tuition reduction (faculty merit awards). 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
Non-EU/EEA Applicant
Primarily for non-EU/EEA international students paying the institutional tuition rate. Sri Lankan citizens are eligible. Exact eligibility differs by faculty scheme.
Admission to a UvA Master's
You must apply for, and meet the requirements of, an eligible UvA Master's programme. The merit scholarship is tied to that faculty and programme.
Academic Merit
Selection is merit-based. A strong upper-second or first-class Bachelor's in a relevant discipline from a recognised Sri Lankan university is competitive; the AES targets only the very top, while these faculty awards have a slightly broader reach.
English Proficiency
Typically IELTS 6.5 (some programmes 7.0) or TOEFL equivalent. Sri Lankan applicants with an English-medium Bachelor's may qualify via an MOI waiver where UvA accepts it.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to a UvA Master's
Submit your Master's application with transcripts, degree certificate, motivation, CV, references, and English evidence by the programme deadline.
Apply for the faculty merit scholarship
Check your faculty's scholarship page and complete any required scholarship application or indicate interest. Some awards are assessed automatically from admission; others need a short form.
Merit assessment
The faculty assesses academic merit and confirms the reduction. Outcomes are released in line with each faculty's cycle.
Accept and apply for the Dutch permit
Accept your place and award, then apply for the Dutch student residence permit (MVV) with UvA as sponsor, showing your offer, scholarship letter, and proof of funds.
Why University of Amsterdam?
UvA is the Netherlands' largest and one of its top-ranked universities, globally strong in social sciences, economics, humanities, communication, and data science, in one of Europe's most international cities. Faculty merit scholarships plus the Dutch one-year orientation visa make UvA a high-value, English-friendly destination for Sri Lankan graduates.
Top 100
Global Ranking
1632
Founded
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.
Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES)
University of Amsterdam
Amandus H. Lundqvist Scholarship Programme (ALSP)
Eindhoven University of Technology
Erasmus University Rotterdam Excellence Scholarship
Erasmus University Rotterdam