Study in Netherlands Without IELTS 2026–2027: Scholarships for Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD Students

No IELTS? You may still be able to study in the Netherlands!

Are you looking for Netherlands scholarships without IELTS 2026–2027? The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most popular study destinations for international students, offering internationally recognised universities, English-taught programmes, and scholarship opportunities for students from different parts of the world.

The good news is that some Dutch universities and programmes may allow international applicants to demonstrate their English proficiency through alternatives to IELTS. Depending on the university and programme, students may be able to use a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate, previous education in English, another recognised English test, or an institutional assessment.

There are also scholarships and funding opportunities available for international students pursuing short courses, Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD programmes in the Netherlands.

In this guide, we explain how to study in the Netherlands without IELTS, scholarship opportunities to explore, eligibility requirements, benefits, application procedures, and important things international students should know before applying.

Netherlands Scholarships Without IELTS 2026–2027: Quick Overview

Why Study in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has become a popular destination for international students because of its strong higher education system and wide range of English-taught programmes.

Students can find programmes in areas such as:

• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Engineering
• Business and Economics
• Finance
• International Relations
• Law
• Environmental Sciences
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Data Science
• Agriculture
• Arts and Humanities

Studying in the Netherlands can also provide students with opportunities to develop international networks and gain experience in a highly international academic environment.

Can You Study in the Netherlands Without IELTS?

Yes, some students may be able to study in the Netherlands without IELTS, but this depends on the university, programme, nationality, previous education, and the institution’s English-language requirements.

Not every Dutch university waives IELTS, so applicants should never assume that they can apply without proof of English proficiency.

Possible alternatives may include:

1. Medium of Instruction Certificate

If your previous education was conducted entirely in English, your university or school may be able to issue a Medium of Instruction certificate confirming this.

Some Dutch institutions may accept such documentation, depending on their admission policy.

2. Previous Education in English

Some institutions may exempt applicants who completed qualifying education in an English-speaking environment or completed a previous degree entirely in English.

3. Alternative English Tests

Some programmes may accept tests such as TOEFL, Cambridge English qualifications, or other recognised alternatives.

4. University-Specific Assessment

In some cases, the institution may have its own way of assessing English proficiency.

Therefore, always check the exact requirements of your selected programme before applying.

Netherlands Scholarships for International Students 2026–2027

International students can explore several types of scholarships and funding opportunities in the Netherlands.

1. NL Scholarship

The NL Scholarship, formerly known as the Holland Scholarship, is one of the best-known scholarship opportunities for international students.

It is intended for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to pursue Bachelor’s or Master’s studies at participating Dutch higher education institutions.

The scholarship provides financial support toward the first year of study.

However, applicants should understand that the NL Scholarship is generally not a fully funded scholarship covering every study and living expense. The exact award and eligibility conditions depend on the participating institution.

2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships

International students interested in Master’s studies can explore Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programmes.

These programmes involve partnerships between universities in different countries and may include Dutch universities.

Competitive Erasmus Mundus scholarships can provide substantial financial support, potentially covering tuition, travel, and living expenses depending on the programme.

Each programme has its own eligibility requirements and application deadline.

3. University-Specific Scholarships

Dutch universities offer their own scholarships for international students.

Depending on the institution, these may include:

• Tuition fee reductions
• Partial scholarships
• Full tuition scholarships
• Living allowances
• Excellence scholarships
• Faculty-specific awards
• Research funding

Some well-known Dutch universities to research include:

• University of Amsterdam
• Delft University of Technology
• Leiden University
• Utrecht University
• Erasmus University Rotterdam
• University of Groningen
• Maastricht University
• Wageningen University & Research
• Radboud University
• Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Scholarship availability differs by university and programme.

4. University Excellence Scholarships

Some Dutch universities offer excellence scholarships to academically outstanding international students.

These awards may be highly competitive and can be based on:

• Academic performance
• Leadership
• Motivation
• Extracurricular achievements
• Research potential
• Programme-specific criteria

Students should carefully review the scholarship requirements because some awards are available only for Master’s programmes.

5. Orange Knowledge Programme

The Orange Knowledge Programme has historically provided opportunities for professionals from selected countries to pursue education and training in the Netherlands.

However, applicants should check the current status of the programme before including it in their scholarship plans, because scholarship programmes can change, close, or be replaced.

6. PhD and Research Funding in the Netherlands

PhD opportunities in the Netherlands can differ significantly from undergraduate and Master’s scholarships.

Many PhD candidates are recruited through university vacancies and research projects. Some positions are structured as employment rather than traditional scholarships.

International students interested in PhD study should therefore search university research vacancies, doctoral positions, faculty funding, and research-project opportunities.

Study in the Netherlands Without IELTS: Degree Options

The opportunities available to international students cover different levels of study.

Short Courses

Short courses and professional programmes may have different admission requirements from full degree programmes.

Some may have flexible English-language requirements, while others may still require recognised English proficiency.

Bachelor’s Degree

International students can apply for Bachelor’s programmes in fields such as business, engineering, technology, sciences, and social sciences.

Applicants usually need a recognised secondary school qualification that meets the university’s admission requirements.

Master’s Degree

The Netherlands offers many Master’s programmes taught in English.

Applicants generally need a relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.

Some scholarships are specifically targeted at high-achieving international Master’s students.

PhD Degree

PhD opportunities are often linked to specific research projects or university vacancies.

Applicants normally need a relevant Master’s degree and a strong academic or research background.

A research proposal, academic CV, publications, or contact with a prospective supervisor may be required depending on the position.

General Eligibility Requirements

Requirements vary considerably between universities and scholarships, but applicants may need:

• Valid passport
• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letters
• Proof of English proficiency or an accepted alternative
• Research proposal for selected PhD programmes
• Portfolio for selected creative programmes
• Proof of financial resources where required
• University admission or application confirmation

Some scholarships may have additional nationality, academic, age, or programme requirements.

Benefits of Netherlands Scholarships

Depending on the scholarship, financial support may include:

• Full or partial tuition fees
• Monthly allowance
• Living expenses
• Travel allowance
• Accommodation support
• Health insurance
• Research funding
• Study materials
• Visa-related support in selected cases

Important: There is no single Netherlands scholarship that provides all of these benefits to every international student. Always check the exact scholarship terms.

How to Apply for Netherlands Scholarships Without IELTS

Step 1: Select your programme

Choose your preferred degree and field of study.

Search for an English-taught programme that matches your academic qualifications.

Step 2: Check the university’s IELTS requirements

This is one of the most important steps.

Do not simply search for “Netherlands without IELTS” and assume that every university accepts an exemption.

Check whether your chosen programme accepts:

• MOI certificate
• Previous English-medium education
• TOEFL
• Cambridge English
• Another recognised test
• University English assessment

Step 3: Search for scholarships

Check both university-specific scholarships and external funding programmes.

Some scholarships require you to apply for admission first, while others allow simultaneous applications.

Step 4: Prepare your documents

Prepare your academic certificates, transcripts, passport, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and English-language documentation.

Step 5: Apply for admission

Submit your application through the university’s official application system.

Step 6: Apply for the scholarship

If the scholarship requires a separate application, complete it before the stated deadline.

Step 7: Monitor your application

Check your email and university application portal regularly for updates, interviews, additional document requests, and admission decisions.

Netherlands Scholarship Deadlines

There is no single deadline for Netherlands scholarships.

Each university and scholarship programme has its own application timeline.

Some programmes may close applications months before the academic year begins, while others may have different deadlines for international applicants.

Therefore, students applying for the 2026–2027 academic year should check the deadline of their chosen university and scholarship individually.

Never wait until the last day to apply.

Do You Need an Agent to Study in the Netherlands?

No. Students can apply directly to Dutch universities and scholarship providers.

Using an agent is not automatically necessary, and applicants should be cautious about anyone who promises a guaranteed scholarship or guaranteed visa in exchange for money.

The safest approach is to use the official university or scholarship application system and verify information before submitting documents or making payments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study in the Netherlands without IELTS?

Possibly. Some universities and programmes accept alternatives to IELTS, but requirements vary. Applicants must check the exact policy of their selected programme.

Can I apply for a Netherlands scholarship without IELTS?

Some scholarship applications may not independently require IELTS, but the university admission process may still require proof of English proficiency.

Therefore, check both the scholarship requirements and the university admission requirements.

Are Netherlands scholarships fully funded?

Some scholarships provide substantial funding, while others cover only part of tuition or living expenses.

Applicants should read the individual scholarship conditions carefully.

Can undergraduate students apply?

Yes. Some scholarships and university funding opportunities are available to Bachelor’s students, although many major international scholarships focus on Master’s-level study.

Can Master’s students study in the Netherlands without IELTS?

Some programmes may accept alternative English-language evidence. The decision is made by the individual institution or programme.

Are there PhD scholarships in the Netherlands?

Yes. International students can find funded PhD and doctoral research opportunities. Many PhD positions are advertised as research or employment positions rather than conventional scholarships.

Can students from Ghana apply?

International students from Ghana can explore Dutch university programmes and scholarships for which Ghanaian applicants are eligible. However, eligibility depends on the individual programme and scholarship.

What is the deadline?

There is no single deadline. Each scholarship and university has its own deadline.

How to Find the Latest Netherlands Scholarships

If you are planning to study in the Netherlands in 2026–2027, start your search early.

Look for:

• Fully funded Netherlands scholarships
• Netherlands scholarships for international students
• Netherlands scholarships without IELTS
• Holland scholarships
• NL Scholarship
• Dutch government scholarships
• University scholarships in the Netherlands
• Netherlands Master’s scholarships
• Netherlands PhD scholarships
• Netherlands Bachelor’s scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus scholarships
• Fully funded scholarships in Europe

Always confirm the latest requirements directly with the university or scholarship provider.

Apply and Get More Information

For the full list of Netherlands scholarships without IELTS, funded opportunities, eligibility information, and application guidance, visit:

👉 Full Guide and Application Link:

https://scholarships365.info/scholarships-in-netherlands-without-ielts

The application deadlines vary by programme, so applicants should check the individual deadline before applying.

Final Thoughts

Studying in the Netherlands can provide international students with access to high-quality education, international experience, and valuable academic and professional networks.

If you do not have IELTS, do not automatically assume that studying in the Netherlands is impossible. Some universities and programmes may accept alternative evidence of English proficiency.

However, the phrase “without IELTS” does not mean “without English requirements.” Each university decides which forms of English-language evidence it accepts.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, students should begin by selecting a suitable programme, checking its language requirements, identifying available scholarships, preparing their documents, and submitting applications before the relevant deadlines.

Start your Netherlands scholarship search today and explore the opportunities available to international students.