University of Groningen Eric Bleumink Scholarship
The Eric Bleumink Scholarship is the University of Groningen's flagship full scholarship for outstanding Master's students from developing countries — and Sri Lanka qualifies as an eligible country. It covers full tuition plus international travel, books, and living costs for the full duration of a two-year (or one-year) Master's, making it one of the most genuinely complete funding packages on this list. The University of Groningen is a top-100 global research university in the northern Netherlands, strong across the sciences, economics, law, and the humanities, with many fully English-taught Master's. Selection is highly competitive — only a small number of awards are made each year across the whole university — so it suits Sri Lankan first-class graduates with an exceptional record. The Dutch post-study 'orientation year' visa adds strong graduate-career value.
The round for September 2026 entry closed on 1 December 2025. The award runs on an annual cycle tied to admission, so expect a comparable deadline in early December for the following year. This is an early deadline that falls well before the intake. Confirm the current date with University of Groningen before planning around it.
University of Groningen
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Full Tuition + Travel + Living
Duration
Full Master's (1-2 years)
Awards
Very Few per Year
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Groningen — 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
Full Tuition + Travel + Living Costs. 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 a Groningen Master's
You must apply to an eligible English-taught Master's at the University of Groningen for September 2026 entry. Sri Lankan applicants need a first-class or equivalent outstanding undergraduate record — this is a top-tier, highly competitive award.
From an Eligible Developing Country
The scholarship targets talented students from developing countries, and Sri Lanka is on the eligible list. The award is designed to enable students who could not otherwise afford a Dutch Master's, so financial need is part of the assessment alongside academic excellence.
Exceptional Academic Record
Because only a handful of awards are made university-wide, you need a genuinely outstanding record — top grades, relevant experience, and strong references. Published research or a thesis distinction strengthens your case considerably.
English Proficiency
Programmes are taught in English; you'll typically need IELTS 6.5+ (some 7.0). Sri Lankan applicants with an English-medium undergraduate degree usually qualify via MOI waiver where Groningen accepts it.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to the Master's by the early deadline
Submit your Groningen Master's application well before the December scholarship deadline, with transcripts (certified translation), degree certificate, motivation letter, references, CV, and proof of English.
Submit the Eric Bleumink application
Complete the separate scholarship application, including the financial-need and motivation sections, by the 1 December deadline. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
University selection
A central university committee assesses academic excellence and need, shortlists, and selects the awardees. Outcomes are usually communicated in spring.
Acceptance and Dutch visa
Awardees receive a full-funding letter. Accept, enrol, and apply for the Dutch student residence permit (MVV) with Groningen as sponsor. Funds are disbursed across the programme.
Why University of Groningen?
The University of Groningen is a top-100 global research university (founded 1614) with a vibrant student city in the northern Netherlands and a broad catalogue of English-taught Master's. With a full Eric Bleumink package plus the Dutch orientation-year visa, it offers an exceptional Sri Lankan first-class graduate a fully funded route into European research and graduate employment.
Full
Tuition + Living + Travel
Top 100
Global Research University
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)
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University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
University of Amsterdam (UvA)
Amandus H. Lundqvist Scholarship Programme (ALSP)
Eindhoven University of Technology