Radboud Scholarship Programme

Radboud University, headquartered in Nijmegen, Netherlands, is a well-known institution dedicated to academic excellence and ground-breaking research. For exceptional and highly motivated non-EEA students, including those from Pakistan, the Radboud Scholarship Programme provides an excellent chance to pursue a high-quality Master's degree in an international environment.

The Radboud Scholarship Programme (RSP) is a highly competitive scholarship that aims to attract exceptional international students to its English-taught Master's degrees. It aspires to create a diverse and intellectually challenging academic community. While it is not a fully-funded scholarship that covers all living expenses, it does provide significant financial assistance by drastically lowering tuition fees and paying necessary costs associated with studying in the Netherlands.

Programs Offered

Some of the faculties and their corresponding English-taught Master's programmes where the scholarship is often applicable include:

• Faculty of Arts: Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies, Linguistics and Communication Sciences, Arts and Culture, etc.
• Faculty of Law: International and European Law.
• Faculty of Medical Sciences: Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Mechanisms of Disease.
• Faculty of Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies: Philosophy, Theology, Religious Studies.
• Faculty of Science: Biology, Chemistry, Computing Science, Mathematics, Medical Biology, Molecular Life Sciences, Physics & Astronomy, Science, etc.
• Faculty of Social Sciences: Artificial Intelligence, Behavioral Science, Cognitive Neuroscience, Social and Cultural Science, Anthropology and Development Studies, Economics, Environmental and Society Studies, Human Geography, Political Science, Psychology, etc.
• Nijmegen School of Management: Business Administration, Information Sciences, Spatial Planning, etc.

It is highly recommended to check the official Radboud University website for the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of eligible Master's programmes.

Benefits

The Radboud Scholarship provides substantial financial and practical support to its winners.

• Tuition Fee Reduction: The scholarship drastically lowers your tuition fees to those of an EEA student. For example, a grant holder in the academic year 2025/2026 would pay around €2,530 rather than the usual €17,000 (numbers are illustrative and subject to change).
• Visa Costs Coverage: The scholarship covers the costs of acquiring a visa for the Netherlands.
• Residence Permit Costs Coverage: Expenses associated with your residence permit in the Netherlands are also covered.
• Insurance Coverage: The scholarship provides health and liability insurance (from Aon Student Insurance) for the duration of your stay in the Netherlands.

Important: The Radboud Scholarship does not cover living expenditures (such as housing, food, and personal expenses). Students are expected to have enough money to meet their expenses. However, you may be able to combine the Radboud Scholarship with the NL Scholarship, which provides an additional payment of €5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Pakistani students interested in the Radboud Scholarship must meet the following criteria to be considered:

• Nationality: You must have a non-EU/non-EEA passport, which includes Pakistani citizens.
• Academic Excellence: You must have great study outcomes from your previous academic degree (Bachelor's). This is evaluated using grades, test results, and any publications. Your prior university's ranking may also be considered.
• Previous Education: You must have received (or will get) a Bachelor's degree outside of the Netherlands. You must not have had any previous education in the Netherlands (exchange programmes are permitted if they are part of a Bachelor's degree obtained outside of the Netherlands).
• Admission to a Master's Program: You must be completely admitted to Radboud University's English-taught Master's programme that begins on September 1st of the academic year for which you are applying for the scholarship.
• English Language Proficiency: You must meet the English language proficiency standards for your desired Master's program. This usually entails submitting scores from examinations such as IELTS (7.0 overall) or TOEFL (e.g., 100 online).
• Visa Compliance: You must be able to meet all requirements for obtaining a visa to the Netherlands.
• Full-time Enrollment: To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a full-time student at Radboud University for the academic year and Master's programme in concern.
• Ambition: Your motivation letter should indicate the quality and relevance of your desire to pursue a Master's degree, as well as promise based on previous accomplishments, performances, work in the relevant field of study, and any life experience or extracurricular activities.
• Reference Letters: The quality of the recommendations in your two reference letters (ideally from academic sources) is critical.

How to Apply

To apply for the Radboud Scholarship, you'll do it through your Master's program application in the OSIRIS system—there's no need for a separate scholarship form.

Here's what you need to do:

• Choose Your Master's Program: Pick the English-taught Master's program you want.
• Apply in OSIRIS: Start your application for the Master's program in the OSIRIS system.
• Show Your Scholarship Interest: Make sure to check the box for the Radboud Scholarship while filling out your OSIRIS application.
• Upload Your Documents:
  • Two academic reference letters
  • A detailed CV
  • A strong motivation letter that talks about both the program and the scholarship
  • HEC-verified academic transcripts and degree certificate
  • Proof of English proficiency (like TOEFL or IELTS)
  • A valid Pakistani passport
• Keep an eye on deadlines:
  • The deadline to submit your application is usually January 31 for a September start.
  • The deadline to complete your application (including paying any fees and making corrections) is generally February 14.
  • Remember, scholarship decisions are made separately from admission, and you'll hear back around mid-April.

FAQs

1. Is the Radboud Scholarship a full scholarship?

No, the Radboud Scholarship is a partial scholarship. It lowers your tuition fees and takes care of costs like visa, residence permit, health insurance, and liability insurance. But, it won’t cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, and personal costs.

2. Can I apply for the Radboud Scholarship if I’ve studied in the Netherlands before?

Usually, no. To apply, you need to have your Bachelor's degree from outside the Netherlands and not have any previous education here (unless it’s from an exchange program tied to your degree from abroad).

3. What are the English language requirements?

You typically need to show your English skills with an IELTS score of 7.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 100. Be aware that some programs may have different requirements, so it’s a good idea to check their specific pages.

4. Do I need to get my documents verified by HEC?

Yes, your academic transcripts and degree certificates need to be confirmed by the HEC (Higher Education Commission) in Pakistan.

5. What is the handling fee for the Master's application, and can I get it back if I get the scholarship?

There is a handling fee for the Master's application. If you’re awarded the Radboud Encouragement Scholarship (which covers full tuition and living costs), this fee will be refunded when you enroll. For the regular Radboud Scholarship, the refund policy can vary, so it’s best to check with the university’s admissions office.

6. Can I work part-time while studying in the Netherlands on a Radboud Scholarship?

If you're a non-EU/EEA student, you can work up to 10 hours a week during the school year and full-time in the summer (June to August). Your employer will need to get a work permit for you.

7. What’s the application deadline for the Radboud Scholarship for the next academic year?

The main application deadline for the Radboud Scholarship (which is part of the Master's admission process) is usually January 31st for programs starting in September. It’s important to check the official Radboud University website for the latest dates.

8. What if I get into a Master’s program but don’t get the scholarship? 

Getting into a Master’s program and being chosen for the scholarship are separate. If you get accepted but not selected for the scholarship, you can still study at Radboud University by paying the full tuition and living costs. You can also look for other funding options like the NL Scholarship or other external scholarships.

9. Where can I find the official application portal?

You can find the official application portal in the OSIRIS Application system on Radboud University’s website under the Application and Admission section for Master's programs.