University of Amsterdam (UvA) - Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (AMS)

The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (AMS) have specifically been designed by the University of Amsterdam to offer talented and hard-working non-EU/EEA students the opportunity to pursue a degree in one of the academic fields covered by the UvA.

The AMS programme is highly selective: only applicants with excellent study results and motivation may receive a scholarship. 

How to apply?

Applications should be submitted to the Admissions Offices of the Graduate Schools. Deadlines for the AMS differ per Faculty or Graduate School. You can find the specific eligibility requirements, selection criteria and application instructions on the Faculty or Graduate School websites.

• Child Development and Education
• Communication
• Economics and Business
• Humanities
• Law
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Science
• Social Sciences

10 reasons to choose UvA

1. Rankings - The UvA scores highly in various world university rankings (Times Higher Education, Shanghai; Centre of Higher Education Development, Leiden). It is ranked among the top 15 universities in Europe and the top 60 worldwide in the QS and THE rankings.

2. Range of study programmes - The UvA offers 15 English-taught Bachelor's programmes and has one of the largest selections of international Master's study programmes of any university in Europe. This includes nearly 200 taught in English and several entirely unique to the UvA.

3. Depth of study programmes -  Students benefit from excellent academic career paths, with multiple options to pursue a study within or across disciplines, from the Bachelor's up to the PhD level and beyond. Teaching and research are closely linked in all Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes at the UvA.

4. International research networks - The UvA is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and of Universitas 21, a leading global network of research-intensive universities. It is also an active partner in many EU-wide initiatives with other universities and research institutions.

5. History - The UvA's open, tolerant and international academic tradition dates back to 1632, when its predecessor the Athenaeum Illustre was founded. With almost 30,000 students, it is now one of the largest comprehensive research universities in Europe.

6. Quality of life - Amsterdam was ranked 12th out of over 200 cities worldwide in Mercer's 2017 ‘Quality of Living Survey’. In the pan-European 'International Student Barometer', 94% of students polled were satisfied with safety, and 91% said Amsterdam was 'the place to be'.

7. Practical support - Some 5,000 international degree and exchange students from over 100 countries are presently enrolled at the UvA. They are actively supported by UvA staff and fellow students during their time in Amsterdam. The UvA helps with practical matters such as opening a bank account, applying for visas and finding accommodation.

8. Career prospects - The presence of numerous Dutch and international businesses (e.g. Philips, ING, Heineken), academic institutions and cultural organisations makes Amsterdam the commercial, social and artistic heart of the Netherlands and a prestigious global business centre.

9. Prime location - Amsterdam is well connected for travel within Europe and has excellent links to the rest of world. The city has long been a cultural and commercial crossroads, and offers students access to the many arts, entertainment and social activities of a capital city. The UvA's faculties are located in or near the centre of the city or in the state-of-the-art Amsterdam Science Park.

10. Personal development - The study programmes at the UvA offer students a high level of autonomy, reflecting the respect for individual opinions and convictions that is characteristic of Dutch society. The result is an interactive teaching style that encourages students to develop self-reliance and independent thought.