Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES) is a new prestigious scholarship program for non-EU/EEA students.
In 2014, the Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES) will be launched, targeting exceptionally talented Master’s students from outside Europe.
The AES is a full scholarship of € 25,000 covering tuition and living expenses for one academic year, with the possibility of extension for a second year for two-year Master’s programs. Scholarship recipients will join extracurricular activities and become part of a selective community.
Study Subject:
Scholarship is provided to learn any of the courses offered by University of Amsterdam.
Eligibility:
Candidates wishing to apply for an AES scholarship must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for the lower tuition fee based on a current resident permit or EU passport nor for support under the Dutch system of study grants and loans (Studiefinanciering; for more information please refer to www.DUO.nl). The scholarship office should be notified as soon as possible of any change in nationality, type of residence permit, and/or possible Studiefinanciering support throughout the academic year.
- Be (provisionally) admitted to an English-taught MA program at the Graduate School of Humanities. Please check our general entry requirements.
- Be (provisionally) admitted to a Master’s program at the University of Amsterdam for the first time. AES will not be awarded to candidates who are admitted for a second Master’s program at the University of Amsterdam.
- Be able to comply with Dutch visa regulations as indicated by the IND (Dutch Immigration Service).
- Be enrolled at the UvA as a full-time student for the academic year and the program for which the scholarship is awarded. Scholarship continuation is not guaranteed when a candidate changes his or her Master’s program.
- The candidate may not receive another scholarship for the same period of study as the AES. Please notify the scholarships office when another scholarship has been awarded and accepted.
Selection Criteria:
Eligible candidates are selected for a scholarship on the basis of their academic excellence and promise in the proposed field as evidenced by:
- the candidate’s academic records. Students from any discipline belonging to the top 10% of graduates from their class can apply;
- the academic quality of the educational institute where the undergraduate (or graduate) program has been obtained;
- a letter of recommendation by a dean, teacher or academic supervisor;
- the quality of the letter of motivation (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate explains the reasons for choosing the specific Master’s program (broader context, relevance for future career);
- a description of extracurricular activities such as participation in student commissions, international experience, sports or music at a high level or volunteer work;
- proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL): TOEFL (internet-based) – overall score of 100 (with a minimum score of 22 in each of the different components), IELTS (academic) – overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components);
- the quality of the application as a whole (completeness, accuracy, consistency).
How to apply?
On the online application form for the Master’s programs, all non-EU/EEA students have the option Application Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship. Assemble the required documents (see below) and upload them as one document called Application Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship + your first and last name before 1 February 2014. Incomplete files will not be taken into consideration.
A selection committee of the Graduate School will decide whether you will be pre-selected for an AES scholarship. Candidates who are awarded an AES scholarship will be contacted in April 2014.
Application documents:
To apply for an AES scholarship we require the following five documents:
- Note that you might need to upload some of the same documents for your Master’s application as well.
- proof that you belong to the 10% of graduates from your class. Please let your dean fill in the form that we will provide.
- a letter of recommendation by a dean, teacher or academic supervisor;
- an AES letter of motivation (maximum 500 words) addressed to the director of the Graduate School of Humanities, in which you explain the reasons for choosing the specific MA program in the Humanities (broader context, relevance for future career);
- a description of extracurricular activities such as participation in student commissions, international experience, sports or music at a high level or volunteer work;
- proof of English proficiency: TOEFL (internet-based test) – overall score of 100 (with a minimum score of 22 in each of the different components) or IELTS (academic test) – overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components).
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 1 February 2014. The application process for the 2014-2015 academic year will open in November 2013. Candidates who are awarded an AES scholarship will be contacted in April 2014.
For further information: Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship
