Pakistanis Can Study in Netherlands With €20,150 Annual Undergraduate Scholarship
Maastricht University of the Netherlands has opened applications for its fully funded UM NL Global Studies Scholarship for the 2027-28 academic year, allowing eligible Pakistani students to pursue an undergraduate degree with major study and living costs covered.
The scholarship is available for the university’s three-year Bachelor’s program in Global Studies. It provides a tuition fee waiver along with €20,150 in living expenses per academic year. Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and will remain open until 1 February 2027 at 11:59 pm CET.
Pakistan is included in the OECD’s current list of countries eligible to receive Official Development Assistance (ODA), making Pakistani nationals eligible to apply, provided they meet the university’s other requirements.
Maastricht University Fully-Funded Scholarship
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | UM NL Global Studies Scholarship |
| University | Maastricht University |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Study Level | Bachelor’s / Undergraduate |
| Degree | Bachelor’s in Global Studies |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Scholarship Type | Full coverage |
| Living Allowance | €20,150 per academic year |
| Monthly Living Budget | €1,550 |
| Tuition Fee | Covered |
| Health & Liability Insurance | Covered |
| Visa Application Costs | Covered |
| Pre-Academic Training | Covered |
| Applications Opened | 1 October 2026 |
| Global Studies Application Deadline for Scholarship Applicants | 10 December 2026 |
| Scholarship Deadline | 1 February 2027, 11:59 pm CET |
| Study Start | September 2027 |
| Maximum Age | 35 years on 1 September 2027 |
| Academic Requirement for Scholarship | At least 75% of the maximum grade |
| Scholarships Available | One full-coverage scholarship per academic year |
| Pakistan Eligible | Yes |
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Maastricht University describes the UM NL Global Studies Scholarship as a full-coverage scholarship. For the 2027-28 academic year, the recipient will receive €20,150 for living expenses. The university calculates this at €1,550 per month.
In addition to living costs, the scholarship covers tuition fees, health and liability insurance, visa application costs, pre-academic training, and the first block of the International Student Ambassador Programme.
Accommodation is Also Provided
Accommodation is an important part of the scholarship package. Maastricht University will allocate a room to the scholarship recipient until 16 July 2028. Accepting this accommodation is mandatory for the scholarship holder.
Students will have to arrange their own accommodation for the second and third years of the bachelor’s degree. The university also states that the scholarship accommodation is not suitable for spouses or partners, children, or pets. Refusing the allocated room results in cancellation of the scholarship.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be nationals of a country eligible to receive Official Development Assistance under the OECD criteria used by Maastricht University. Pakistan appears on the OECD’s current DAC list of ODA recipients.
Candidates must also meet the visa and residence permit requirements for the Netherlands. Applicants cannot hold dual nationality from an EU or EEA country, Switzerland, or Suriname.
They must have applied for admission to Maastricht University’s Bachelor’s in Global Studies for the 2027-28 academic year and must submit a complete admission file meeting the relevant requirements by 10 December 2026. Candidates must also meet the specific admission requirements for the Global Studies program.
Age and Previous Degree Requirements
Applicants must not be older than 35 years on 1 September 2027. The scholarship is intended for students entering undergraduate education.
Applicants who have already completed a higher-education degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
Successful candidates must also agree to act as Global Studies and Maastricht University ambassadors during and after their studies.
This includes sharing their experiences during at least one information session for students or other stakeholders.
Academic Requirement
Strong academic performance is an important part of the selection process. Applicants are required to provide evidence of continuous good to excellent academic results from their previous education.
According to Maastricht University, the latest grade transcript submitted for the scholarship should show at least 75% of the maximum possible grade.
The university gives 3.0 out of 4.0 as an example of a result equivalent to 7.5 out of 10 at Maastricht University.
The university says scholarship applicants are assessed on factors including academic excellence, extracurricular engagement, active citizenship, and financial need.
Global Studies Admission Requirements
Global Studies is a selective bachelor’s program taught in English. Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification generally need a diploma equivalent to the Dutch VWO qualification.
Maastricht University assesses foreign qualifications to determine whether they meet its entry requirements. Applicants may also need to provide evidence of sufficient English-language proficiency depending on their educational background.
The university’s admission process also requires an English essay. The essay must discuss how one of the main challenges covered in Global Studies is reflected in the applicant’s local community and must not exceed 300 words.
Documents Required for Scholarship
Applicants should prepare their documents carefully because Maastricht University allows them to submit the scholarship application only once. After submission, applicants cannot add or replace any documents.
The scholarship application requires an up-to-date CV containing relevant education and work experience. Applicants must also provide a motivation letter using the university’s scholarship template.
Other major requirements include proof of academic excellence, a personal statement explaining financial need, a reference letter, and contact details for one referee.
The financial-needs statement should explain why the applicant needs scholarship support and describe relevant personal or financial circumstances.
Reference Letter Requirements
The reference letter must come from an appropriate academic or professional referee. The university allows references from a current or former professor, teacher, principal, college counsellor, lecturer or employer. Family members cannot serve as referees.
Applicants must upload the reference letter themselves. They must also provide their referee’s relationship to them, work telephone number, and work or institutional email address. Maastricht University may contact the referee to verify the reference.
How to Apply
The application takes place in two main stages. Students must first apply for the Bachelor’s in Global Studies at Maastricht University through Studielink. After submitting the program application, they will receive a Maastricht University student ID number.
Applicants can then complete the online UM NL Global Studies Scholarship application form using their Maastricht University account and upload the required supporting documents.
Students seeking this scholarship must complete their Global Studies admission application by 10 December 2026. Applicants must submit the separate scholarship application by 1 February 2027 at 11:59 pm CET.
Find out more details about the UM NL Global Studies Scholarship 2027 (Undergraduate)
For all education-related updates, visit EduNation, which brings you the latest updates related to all education-related activities and happenings! Stay updated with the latest Scholarships, Admission Deadlines, News & much more!
Follow EduNation on Instagram and Facebook.
The post Pakistanis Can Study in Netherlands With €20,150 Annual Undergraduate Scholarship appeared first on ProPakistani.
