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The University of Amsterdam (UvA) aims to attract the world’s brightest students to its international classrooms. Outstanding students from outside the EU/EEA can apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS). For the academic year 2025-2026, one scholarship will be available. The amount is yet to be announced.
  • Deadline

    If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, you need to have submitted your complete LLM application (including all required documents) before 1 January. The deadline for submitting the intake form for the scholarship and all scholarship related documents is 15 January.

  • Requirements

    Candidates wishing to apply for an AMS scholarship must meet the following requirements:

    • Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (Studiefinanciering; for more information please refer to DUO.nl). The scholarship office should be notified as soon as possible throughout the academic year of any change in nationality, type of residence permit, and/or possible support via Studiefinanciering.
    • Apply to a Master's programme at the UvA for the first time. AMS will not be awarded to candidates who have already obtained a Master's degree at the UvA. 
    • Be able to comply with Dutch visa regulations as indicated by the Dutch Immigration Service (IND).
    • Enrol at the UvA as a full-time student for the academic year. This scholarship can only be awarded to applicants of:
      • International and European Law
      • European Private Law
      • Law & Finance
      • International Criminal Law

    Please note that you do not need to have received your admission decision at the time of the scholarship application deadline. However, the AMS will only be awarded to a student who will complete their enrolment by 1 September.

  • Selection criteria

    Eligible candidates are selected for a scholarship on the basis of their academic merit. The following criteria will be considered:

    • Minimum GPA*, comparable to:
      • 4.0 (USA);
      • First class honours (UK);
      • 8,0 (Dutch EC-system, 10-point scale).
        * If you obtained a non-legal bachelor that gives admission to the LLM programme of your choice, we only include the law courses in the calculation of your GPA
    • The quality of the letter of motivation (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate explains the reasons for choosing the specific Master’s programme and the relevance of obtaining this scholarship;
    • Talent for academic research will be proven by means of two letters of recommendation from a dean, professor or academic (thesis) supervisor;
    • Your CV;
    • The overall quality of your application.
  • How to apply?
    1. Submit your complete LLM application before 1 January.
    2. Submit the complete scholarship application form below before 15 January.
    3. Upload the following required documents in your scholarship application form:
    • Academic records: transcripts of all years of your degree (and diploma if you have already finished your degree), including your GPA (see Selection criteria);
    • Two letters of recommendation by a dean, professor or academic (thesis)  supervisor;
    • CV;
    • Letter of motivation (maximum 500 words) in which you explain the reasons for choosing the specific Master’s programme (broader context, relevance for future career) and the importance of receiving the scholarship;
    • Proof of English proficiency (as uploaded in your LLM application).

    Please note that incomplete scholarship applications will not be considered.

    If you wish to apply for both the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship and the Mr Julia Henriëtte Jaarsma-Adolfs Fund Scholarship, you will be able to indicate this in the scholarship application form.

    You will be informed about the decision of the Selection Committee of the Amsterdam Law School by the end of March.

    Scholarship application form

Questions

Specific questions may be sent to the Admissions Office of the Amsterdam Law School using one of the buttons below.