The Maastricht University High Potential Scholarship is a merit award for students from outside the EU/EEA who want to do a Master's degree at Maastricht University (UM) in the Netherlands. If you hold a Pakistani passport, you fall inside the target group, because Pakistan is outside the EU/EEA. That is the easy part. The hard part is that the scholarship is highly competitive and is aimed at people with genuinely excellent academic records, so it is worth understanding exactly how it works before you build your plans around it. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing as well.
This guide is for Pakistani graduates who already have strong grades and a clear reason to study at Maastricht in particular. If your transcript is average, or you are applying to the Netherlands mainly because a friend went there, you will probably find better odds elsewhere.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Maastricht University |
| Funding | Listed as full or partial; confirm the exact amount on the official site |
| Level | Master's |
| Fields | All Master's programs offered at Maastricht University |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Deadline | Varies by cycle; confirm on the official site |
| Official site | Maastricht University scholarships for Master's students |
A scholarship tied to your Master's admission
The single most useful thing to understand about this award is that it sits on top of your university application. You do not apply for the scholarship on its own. You first apply for a Master's program at UM, you get a student ID number, and only then do you fill in the scholarship form. Eligibility also requires that you are admitted to a Master's program at Maastricht University.
For Pakistani students this changes the timeline. Many people treat scholarship hunting and university admission as two separate projects and leave the admission part for later. With this scholarship, a late program application can mean you miss the scholarship window entirely, because you will not have the student ID you need to apply.
UM uses a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) educational model. Read how it works on your program page before you apply. If that style appeals to you, say so in your motivation letter and explain why. If it does not, think carefully before committing to it.
What the funding can cover, and why "full or partial" matters
According to the information available, the scholarship can include:
- a tuition fee waiver
- a monthly living stipend
- health and liability insurance coverage
- visa application fee coverage
- pre-academic training costs
That list looks generous, and it is. But the funding is described as full or partial, and the general description says it covers a significant portion of tuition and living expenses rather than all of it. The exact coverage should be confirmed on the official website before you count on any figure. No stipend amount is published in the information we have, so do not assume a number.
The practical advice here is simple. Plan your finances as if you might receive partial support. Work out how you would cover any gap in tuition or living costs, and have that answer ready before you accept an offer. If you need to show family funds later, our guide on bank statements and proof of funds for Pakistani students explains how families usually prepare this.
One more condition affects people who are collecting several awards: you must not hold any other full scholarship at the same time. If you are also in the running for another fully funded program, be honest about it and decide early which one you would take.
Eligibility for Pakistani applicants
The requirements are short, but each one is strict in practice:
- You must hold citizenship from a country outside the EU/EEA. Pakistani citizens meet this.
- You must meet the admission requirements of the specific Master's program you choose.
- You must have excellent academic results in your previous studies.
- You must not be receiving another full scholarship at the same time.
- You must be admitted to a Master's program at Maastricht University.
Notice that "excellent academic results" is not defined by a fixed CGPA cut-off in the information available. Requirements can also differ by faculty, so check the rules for your chosen program instead of relying on a general figure you heard from someone else. If you hold dual nationality that includes an EU or EEA country, read the nationality rules very carefully, because the award is meant for non-EU/EEA citizens.
If you are already studying at UM, the scholarship is generally intended for prospective students applying for a Master's program, so it is probably not the right route for you. Check with the university if your situation is unusual.
Paperwork to prepare from Pakistan
The document list is short:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Letters of recommendation
Short list, but each item takes time in Pakistan. Transcripts need to be in English; if any part of yours is in Urdu or another language, get an official translation. Recommendation letters depend on teachers who are often slow to respond, so ask them weeks ahead and give them a clear note about the program and the scholarship. For English proficiency, check which tests and scores your chosen program accepts, because the program's admission rules decide this. Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers how to prepare transcripts, CVs and reference letters in a format foreign committees expect.
The application sequence from start to result
- Apply for admission to your chosen Master's program at Maastricht University through Studielink.
- Receive your student ID number once your application is successfully submitted.
- Complete the scholarship application form on the official website.
- Submit all required supporting documents before the deadline.
- Wait for the selection committee to review applications and announce results.
Step 2 is where many applicants get stuck. The student ID does not arrive instantly, and you cannot move to the scholarship form without it. Start the Studielink application as early as the program allows.
Timing when the deadline is not fixed
The opening date and the deadline both vary from cycle to cycle, and the information we have does not give fixed dates. Confirm the current cycle and deadline on the official Maastricht University scholarship portal before you plan anything else.
Work backwards from that date. Your Master's application has to go in first, then you wait for your student ID, then you complete the scholarship form and upload documents. If you also need translations, an English test and recommendation letters, your real starting point is several months before the scholarship deadline, not a few weeks. Submitting early also protects you from last-minute technical problems with the portal.
Where applicants usually go wrong
The most common mistake is a generic motivation letter. A letter that could be sent to any Dutch university with the name swapped will not stand out in a highly competitive pool. Tailor it to the scholarship criteria: academic excellence and your potential to contribute to the university's international community. Recipients are expected to take part in academic life and engage with the international student body, so give concrete examples of how you have done that kind of thing before.
The second mistake is treating "full or partial" as "full". Students accept admission, then discover the award does not cover everything, and scramble for funds during the visa stage. Read the offer carefully and plan for a shortfall.
The third is ignoring faculty-specific rules. Requirements may vary between faculties, and the program's own admission conditions come before the scholarship. Read your program page closely, not just the scholarship page.
Finally, keep the bigger picture in mind. A scholarship offer does not guarantee a visa, and a weak financial file or a vague study plan can still cause problems later. Our article on common student visa rejection reasons for Pakistani students is useful reading once you reach that point. You can also compare this award with other options in our guide to all Netherlands scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the Maastricht High Potential Scholarship?
Yes. The scholarship is open to talented students from outside the EU/EEA, and Pakistan is outside the EU/EEA. You still need to be admitted to a Master's program at UM and meet its admission requirements.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
It is listed as full or partial. It can include a tuition fee waiver, a monthly stipend, insurance, visa fee coverage and pre-academic training costs, but the exact coverage should be confirmed on the official website.
Do I need to apply for the Master's program first?
Yes. You apply for admission through Studielink, receive a student ID number, and then complete the scholarship application form.
Which subjects are eligible?
All Master's programs offered at Maastricht University are eligible. Faculty requirements may vary, so check the rules for your specific program.
Can I hold this scholarship alongside another award?
Not if the other award is a full scholarship. You must not be a recipient of any other full scholarship at the same time.
I am already a UM student. Can I apply?
The scholarship is generally intended for prospective students applying for a Master's program, so current students should check directly with the university before applying.
Check the current cycle on the official Maastricht University website and keep the full scholarship page handy while you prepare.