The University of Amsterdam will award one Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) of EUR 26,125 for the September 2027 start of its MSc Artificial Intelligence programme. The award is open only to students from outside the EU/EEA, which is exactly the group Indian applicants fall into.
The deadline is 15 January. The AMS is not a tuition waiver: the recipient still pays the full tuition fee, and the scholarship money is paid out in monthly instalments.
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship 2027 at a glance
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | University of Amsterdam (UvA), Faculty of Science, MSc Artificial Intelligence |
| Last date to apply | 15 January (scholarship application is part of the master’s application) |
| Official website | uva.nl – Amsterdam Merit Scholarship |
How much is the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship worth?
- EUR 26,125 for the September 2027 start, for the single AMS seat that the Faculty of Science lists for the MSc Artificial Intelligence programme.
- The grant is paid in monthly instalments across the academic year.
- It cannot be used as a partial tuition fee waiver. You must still pay the full tuition fee, although the UvA allows payment in instalments.
- You cannot combine it with another full-coverage scholarship for the same period of study.
Each UvA faculty runs its own AMS round, with its own number of seats, amount and deadline, so always read the scholarship tab of the exact master’s programme you are applying to before you plan around a figure.
Who is eligible for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
- You must not have EU/EEA or Swiss nationality.
- You must not be eligible for Dutch study grants and loans through DUO, and not be eligible for the reduced EEA tuition rate.
- You must submit a complete application to one of the UvA MSc programmes and be (or become) admitted for the first time to a UvA master’s programme.
- You must be able to meet the conditions for a Dutch visa, if a visa applies to you.
- You must have completed your previous academic programme no longer than three years ago.
- You must have enough funds to cover all other costs of living and study.
Academic bar and selection
The Faculty of Science scholarship goes to students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. The UvA expresses that roughly as a GPA of 3.5 on the American 4-point scale, first class honours or upper division in the British system, or 8 or higher on the Dutch 10-point scale.
- Academic records and the standing of the institution where you completed your degree.
- A motivation letter of maximum 500 words explaining why you chose this master’s programme and what the scholarship would change for your career.
- A CV that shows extracurricular activity, international experience, high-level sport or music, or volunteer work.
Selection takes place in March and applicants are told the result in April.
How to apply for the AMS at the UvA
- Prepare your master’s application for the programme on the UvA website and in Studielink.
- On the application form, tick the box that says you want to be considered for a UvA scholarship, and select the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship.
- Upload a single PDF with your scholarship motivation letter under Additional documents, in the scholarship motivation letter section.
- Submit the complete application before 15 January. An AMS request without a timely programme application, or the other way round, is treated as invalid.
The UvA advises applicants who need an early admission decision to apply at least three months before the date they need the decision, because the scholarship deadline and the admission timeline run separately.
Important dates
- 15 January: deadline for the master’s application and the AMS motivation letter together.
- March: the faculty selection round takes place.
- April: AMS applicants are informed whether they were selected.
- September 2027: programme start for the intake the scholarship covers.
What the AMS does not cover
- Tuition: the UvA states plainly that the AMS cannot be used as a tuition waiver, so the fee stays payable.
- Living costs: rent, food, insurance and travel in Amsterdam come out of your own funds or a separate award.
- A second year at the same level, unless your programme’s own AMS arrangement says otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
The deadline is 15 January. The AMS application is submitted with the master’s application, so both parts must be complete before that date.
The Faculty of Science lists EUR 26,125 for the single AMS seat for the September 2027 start of the MSc Artificial Intelligence programme. Other UvA programmes list their own amounts.
No. The UvA says the scholarship cannot be used as a partial tuition fee waiver: the recipient must still pay the full tuition fee and receives the grant in monthly instalments.
Yes, as long as you hold a non-EU/EEA passport, are not eligible for Dutch study finance, meet the visa conditions and are admitted to a UvA master’s programme.
You tick the scholarship box on the master’s application form and upload your motivation letter as a separate PDF under Additional documents. There is no separate AMS portal.
The Faculty of Science expects applicants from the top 10 percent of their class, around a 3.5 GPA on a 4-point scale, first class honours, or 8 or higher on the Dutch 10-point scale.
Official links
- Amsterdam Merit Scholarship page, University of Amsterdam
- UvA master’s scholarships and loans overview
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