Scholarships to study in the Netherlands: Orange Knowledge (ended), NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) and school scholarship

🔄 Cập nhật lần cuối: 08/10/26

The Netherlands has thousands of programs taught in English, active learning methods and a central location in Europe, so it is always an attractive choice for Vietnamese students. However, the picture of scholarships to study in the Netherlands has changed significantly: Orange Knowledge Program has ended, and Holland Scholarship is now called NL Scholarship. This article updates available funding sources and how to take advantage of them.

Orange Knowledge Program: ended

Orange Knowledge Program (OKP) used to be full scholarship Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic, for working people in partner countries to study master's degrees and short-term courses. The program officially launched in November 2017. According to Study in NL site, The Orange Knowledge Program ended in 2024. Therefore, if you still see OKP admission information on unofficial pages, please understand that it is old information.

For working professionals who want to study a fully funded master's degree in Europe, alternative options include Erasmus Mundus (study in many countries, including the Netherlands), government scholarships from other countries or rare full university scholarships. See Erasmus Mundus scholarship.

NL Scholarship (Holland Scholarship) – popular scholarship to study in the Netherlands

According to Study in NL, the NL Scholarship (formerly known as Holland Scholarship) is sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and participating schools:

• Value: 5,000 euros, payable during the first year of study. This is not a full scholarship.
• Target audience: students with nationality outside the European Economic Area (EEA) - Vietnamese students meet this condition; No Dutch qualifications yet.
• Degree level: full-time bachelor's or master's degree at a participating institution, including research universities and universities of applied sciences.
• Time: batch for the 2026–2027 school year opens from November 1, 2025; Deadlines vary by school, usually at the beginning of the year.

Scholarships from Dutch schools

Most Dutch universities have separate scholarships for students from outside the EEA, usually reduced tuition fees, sometimes full tuition waivers with living support for excellent candidates. Some characteristics:

• Many scholarships require early application submission, the scholarship deadline usually falls between December and February.
• Usually based on academic achievement (e.g. top percentile of the class), motivational essay, and suitability for the program.
• Some schools have scholarships for the Asian region or by industry.

When comparing, distinguish between scholarships that only apply for the first year and scholarships that are extended for the entire course if academic results are met. With a 3–4 year bachelor's program, this difference is huge. If you receive many invitations or articles receive multiple scholarships at the same time will help you convert the actual value.

Writing a good motivation letter is key – reference scholarship essay and seasonal scholarship application schedule.

Tuition, fees and part-time work

Students from outside the EEA pay institutional tuition fees, which vary by major and school. Housing costs are a big challenge in cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam – find a house early and be wary of deposit scams, see Experience renting a house and avoid scams.

Students from outside the EU/EEA can usually work limited hours during the academic year or full-time during the summer months, and employers need to apply for a work permit. Regulations are subject to change, please check the Dutch Immigration Service (IND) page.

Frequently asked questions

Will the Orange Knowledge Program reopen?

According to Study in NL, the program has ended in 2024. Please keep an eye on Nuffic and Study in NL's official page if there is a replacement program.

Are Holland Scholarship and NL Scholarship the same thing?

Have. NL Scholarship is the new name of Holland Scholarship, worth 5,000 euros for the first year.

Can I receive the NL Scholarship along with the school scholarship?

Depending on each school's policy; Some schools allow combinations, some don't. Ask directly the international admission office.

Does the Netherlands have full scholarships for undergraduates?

Very rare. Bachelor's degrees mainly have tuition reduction scholarships and NL Scholarships.

Conclusion

Scholarships to study in the Netherlands currently focus on NL Scholarships, school scholarships and European programs such as Erasmus Mundus, after the Orange Knowledge Program ended. Apply early, read each school's conditions carefully and prepare financially for the rest. See more Compare scholarships from other countries, and contact VeDuHoc via hotline/Zalo 090.1800.918 when ready to fly.

📚 Articles on the same topic

Study abroad scholarshipWhat GPA does it take to have a chance to get a scholarship? Correct understanding of scores and records20/02/23 · 6 phút đọcStudy abroad scholarshipScholarships to study in Canada: government, provincial and school scholarships13/08/19 · 6 phút đọcStudy abroad scholarshipSeasonal scholarship application schedule: what month should you do what?04/09/25 · 5 phút đọcStudy abroad scholarshipStudy abroad in Finland: school scholarships, costs and opportunities to stay and work24/01/18 · 6 phút đọcStudy abroad scholarshipScholarships to study in the US: Fulbright, school scholarships and financial aid (Financial Aid)11/06/16 · 5 phút đọcStudy abroad scholarshipStudy abroad in France: Eiffel scholarship, French Government and public school tuition02/08/16 · 6 phút đọc