Netherlands Study & Scholarship Application Timeline – 2026 Intake

January 2026 (Final Program & University Selection)

At the start of 2026, students should finalize their choice of Dutch universities and degree programs. This includes shortlisting institutions such as TU Delft, University of Amsterdam, Utrecht University, Leiden University, Maastricht University, University of Twente, and others. Students should carefully review entry requirements, English language scores (IELTS/TOEFL), tuition fees, and scholarship eligibility for non-EU students. This is also the time to identify suitable scholarships such as Erasmus Mundus, NL Scholarship, Orange Tulip Scholarship, and university-specific excellence scholarships.

January – February 2026 (Erasmus Mundus Deadlines)

Most Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJM) programs close their applications between early January and mid-February 2026. Since this is one of the most popular fully funded scholarships for Nepali students, applicants must ensure all documents, academic transcripts, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, and IELTS are ready well in advance. Many Erasmus Mundus programs do not require prior university admission, making early preparation essential.

February – March 2026 (University Applications & Major Scholarships)

Between February and March, most Dutch universities accept applications for Master’s and Bachelor’s programs for the September 2026 intake. During this period, students should submit applications through Studielink, the central application portal of the Netherlands, along with university-specific application systems. At the same time, NL Scholarship (formerly Holland Scholarship) and many Orange Tulip Scholarships close during this window. Some university excellence scholarships (such as Utrecht Excellence and Leiden Excellence) also have deadlines around this period.

March – April 2026 (University Excellence Scholarship Deadlines)

March and April are crucial months for merit-based university scholarships. Institutions such as TU Delft, Maastricht University, University of Twente, and Leiden University finalize scholarship applications during this time. Many of these scholarships require students to already hold a conditional or unconditional admission offer, so timely university applications are extremely important. Shortlisted candidates may also be contacted for additional documents or interviews.

April – May 2026 (Admission & Scholarship Results)

By April or May 2026, most students receive their admission decisions from Dutch universities. Scholarship results especially for university excellence awards and NL Scholarship are also released during this period. Once offers are received, students must accept the admission, confirm participation, and meet any remaining conditions such as final transcripts or degree certificates.

May – June 2026 (Visa (MVV) & Residence Permit Process)

After accepting the offer, universities in the Netherlands usually apply for the student visa (MVV) and residence permit on behalf of the student. Students must submit financial proof, passport copies, medical information, and accommodation details. Scholarship holders usually have simplified financial requirements. Because visa processing can take several weeks, completing this step early is strongly recommended.

June – July 2026 (Accommodation & Pre-Departure Preparation)

During this period, students should finalize student housing, either through university housing offices or private providers. Flight bookings, insurance arrangements, and document verification should also be completed. Many universities offer pre-departure webinars and orientation sessions, which are helpful for international students coming from Nepal.

August – September 2026 (Arrival & Enrollment in the Netherlands)

Most students arrive in the Netherlands between mid-August and early September 2026. Upon arrival, students complete municipal registration, biometric residence permit collection, bank account setup, and attend orientation programs. Academic classes generally begin in early or mid-September.