Holland Government Scholarship 2026 - Study in Netherlands

The Holland Scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and offers significant financial support to talented international students from outside the European Economic Area — including Nigeria — to pursue Bachelor or Master degree programmes at Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. About the Holland Scholarship The Netherlands, commonly known as Holland, is home to some of Europe finest and most internationally respected universities. Dutch universities are ranked among the best in the world for research, innovation, and teaching quality. The Holland Scholarship was established to attract talented international students to the Netherlands and strengthen educational and cultural ties between the Netherlands and developing countries including Nigeria. The scholarship is offered through a consortium of Dutch universities and universities of applied sciences. Scholarship Value The Holland Scholarship provides a one-time financial award of EUR 5,000 (approximately N5,000,000 to N8,000,000 depending on the exchange rate) for the first year of your study in the Netherlands. While the scholarship does not cover all your study costs it provides a significant financial contribution towards your tuition fees, which at Dutch universities typically range from EUR 8,000 to EUR 20,000 per year for international students. Many Nigerian students combine the Holland Scholarship with other funding sources to finance their complete studies. Top Dutch Universities The Netherlands is home to several world-class universities where Holland Scholarship recipients study. These include Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) which is one of the world top engineering universities and particularly strong in aerospace engineering, civil engineering, architecture, and computer science. Wageningen University is the world leading university for agriculture, food science, and environmental studies. The University of Amsterdam and VU Amsterdam offer excellent programmes in business, law, social sciences, and humanities. Erasmus University Rotterdam is world-renowned for its business school and economics programmes. Utrecht University and Leiden University — the oldest university in the Netherlands — offer outstanding programmes in medicine, law, sciences, and humanities. Available Study Programmes The Holland Scholarship can be used for virtually any Bachelor or Master degree programme offered at participating Dutch institutions. Particularly popular programmes among Nigerian students include Agricultural Sciences, Food Technology, Water Management and Hydraulic Engineering, Business Administration and MBA, International Relations and Development Studies, Public Health and Epidemiology, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Renewable Energy and Sustainability, Architecture and Urban Planning, and Economics and Finance. Life in the Netherlands The Netherlands is a highly developed, tolerant, and welcoming country with a large international student community. English is widely spoken across the country making it easy for Nigerian students to adapt. Dutch universities have strong student support services for international students including orientation programmes, student counsellors, and international student networks. The Netherlands also offers excellent post-study work opportunities with a special orientation year visa that allows international graduates to stay in the Netherlands for up to one year after graduation to find employment. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the Holland Scholarship you must be a Nigerian citizen and must not have studied in the Netherlands before. You must be applying for a Bachelor or Master programme at a participating Dutch university. You must have been offered admission or be applying for admission to an eligible programme. You must not be an EU/EEA citizen. Each university sets its own specific eligibility criteria and minimum academic requirements. How to Apply Applications for the Holland Scholarship are made directly through the Dutch university where you wish to study. You must first apply for admission to your chosen programme and then apply for the Holland Scholarship as part of your admission process. Visit the official Holland Scholarship website at studyinholland.nl/scholarships/holland-scholarship for the full list of participating universities and their specific application requirements and deadlines. Application Deadline Most participating universities have deadlines between February and May 2026 for programmes starting in September 2026. Check your specific university deadline carefully as each institution has its own timeline. Visit micrise.com.ng daily for more international scholarships and study abroad opportunities for Nigerians.