The Wageningen University Scholarships 2027 support academically outstanding international students pursuing full-time master’s programmes at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. The Africa Scholarship Programme provides comprehensive funding covering tuition fees, living expenses, international travel, visa costs, and health insurance for selected African students, while the Excellence Programme covers the complete tuition fee for two years. Talented students from low-income developing countries may also receive full or partial support through the Anne van den Ban Fund. These scholarships are awarded by invitation: applicants first submit a complete master’s admission application, receive unconditional admission, and are then assessed automatically by Wageningen University rather than submitting a direct initial scholarship application.
In this article, we have explained everything you need to know about the Wageningen University Scholarships, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The three strongest Wageningen University scholarships covered in this guide are:
- Africa Scholarship Programme
- Excellence Programme
- Anne van den Ban Fund Scholarship
The Africa Scholarship Programme provides the most comprehensive published funding package. The Excellence Programme covers tuition fees only, while Anne van den Ban Fund awards can provide either full or partial financial support depending on the student’s circumstances and available funding.
Related Scholarships in the Netherlands
Wageningen University Scholarships Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s
- Institution: Wageningen University & Research
- Study Destination: Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Courses Offered: Eligible on-campus master’s programmes
- Program Period: 24 months
Wageningen University offers English-taught master’s programmes covering agriculture, food science, biotechnology, environmental science, climate, water, forestry, animal science, economics, data science, nutrition, health, social science, and sustainable development. The Wageningen-funded Excellence, Africa Scholarship, and Anne van den Ban programmes are available only to prospective master’s students beginning in September; they are not intended for students already enrolled at WUR.
Wageningen University Scholarship Application Deadline
Wageningen University has not yet published the dedicated scholarship timetable for students commencing in September 2027. The university currently states that September 2027 master’s applications have not yet opened and allows prospective applicants to register for an application update.
The general deadlines currently displayed for non-EU and non-EFTA students are:
- Application through Studielink: April 15
- Submission of documents through the WUR Osiris portal: May 1
However, these general dates are too late for most Wageningen University scholarship competitions. WUR advises applicants seeking a university scholarship to submit their application considerably earlier. Its current application page instructs scholarship candidates to submit their documents before December 1, although the dedicated 2027 scholarship page has not yet confirmed the final date.
Applicants seeking a Wageningen scholarship for September 2027 should therefore use:
December 1, 2026, as the safe planning deadline
This means completing both the Studielink registration and Osiris document submission before that date. Applicants should verify the deadline when WUR publishes its official 2027–2028 scholarship call.
For comparison, the previous scholarship cycle used the following schedule:
- Complete master’s application deadline: February 1, 2026
- Selected candidates notified: April 1, 2026
- Final scholarship results: May 7, 2026
These dates applied to students commencing in September 2026 and must not be treated as the confirmed schedule for 2027.
Africa Scholarship Programme Deadline
There is no separate initial Africa Scholarship Programme application deadline.
African applicants must submit a complete master’s admission application before the early scholarship consideration deadline. Wageningen University then assesses eligible, unconditionally admitted applicants and invites selected students to continue in the scholarship procedure.
For the previous cycle, applicants had to complete their master’s application by February 1, 2026. Selected candidates were contacted on April 1, and final results were communicated on May 7, 2026. The 2027 timetable may be different.
Excellence Programme Deadline
The Excellence Programme also uses an invitation-based process.
Applicants cannot submit a direct Excellence Scholarship form at the initial stage. They must first complete an eligible Wageningen University master’s application and receive unconditional admission. WUR then identifies the strongest eligible candidates.
The previous complete admission deadline was February 1, 2026. Applicants for 2027 should submit by the earlier deadline announced in the new scholarship call and should plan to complete their application no later than December 1, 2026 unless WUR publishes a different date.
Anne van den Ban Fund Deadline
The Anne van den Ban Fund does not accept direct applications.
Outstanding admitted students from low-income developing countries are identified once each year by Wageningen University and the fund’s selection board. Scholarship offers are normally made during the spring. Applicants who do not receive an offer by June 1 have not been selected for that year.
In the previous admission cycle, applicants had to complete their Wageningen master’s application by February 1, 2026, and scholarship results were communicated to selected candidates on May 7.
Wageningen University Scholarship Coverage
Africa Scholarship Programme
The Africa Scholarship Programme is Wageningen University’s strongest fully funded scholarship for international master’s students.
It provides:
- Full tuition-fee coverage
- Tuition funding for 24 months
- Living allowance for 24 months
- Travel from the recipient’s home country to the Netherlands
- Return travel after completing the programme
- Visa costs
- Health insurance costs
- Funding for an eligible full-time Wageningen master’s programme
Wageningen University does not publish the exact monthly living allowance on the central scholarship page. Applicants should therefore rely on the amount stated in their individual scholarship offer rather than unofficial stipend figures.
The scholarship covers the normal two-year programme period. Extensions caused by academic delay are not automatically included unless the scholarship conditions state otherwise.
The latest published tuition fee for non-EU master’s students is:
€21,900 per academic year for 2026–2027
At the current rate, tuition coverage alone would represent approximately €43,800 over two years. The final tuition fee for students beginning in September 2027 may be higher.
The Africa Scholarship Programme is designed not only to support individual students but also to build professional and academic capacity in African countries. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how their proposed degree will help address challenges or development needs in their home country.
Excellence Programme
The Wageningen University Excellence Programme provides:
- Full tuition-fee waiver
- Tuition coverage for 24 months
- Funding for an eligible full-time master’s programme
- Possible preparation for future PhD study at Wageningen or another university
The award covers tuition fees only. It does not provide a standard allowance for:
- Accommodation
- Food and personal expenses
- International airfare
- Visa or residence-permit costs
- Health or liability insurance
- Family expenses
Recipients must finance these expenses independently or obtain additional sponsorship.
At the current non-EU tuition rate of €21,900 per year, the two-year tuition waiver would be worth approximately €43,800. The actual 2027 value will depend on the tuition fee published for the 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 academic years.
The programme is intended for students with an exceptional academic record who may have the potential to pursue a PhD after completing their master’s degree. Selection is highly competitive and meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee an invitation.
Anne van den Ban Fund Scholarship
The Anne van den Ban Fund provides:
- Full scholarships for selected students
- Partial scholarships for other selected students
- Financial support toward a complete Wageningen master’s programme
- Funding determined according to available resources and the student’s financial circumstances
The fund supports promising students from low-income developing countries who are expected to return home after graduation and contribute to solving important social, environmental, agricultural, or development challenges.
Wageningen University does not publish one standard benefit package for every Anne van den Ban scholar. Depending on the award, support may contribute toward:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Insurance
- Visa costs
- Travel
- Other necessary study expenses
Applicants should not describe every Anne van den Ban award as fully funded because the fund explicitly offers both full and partial scholarships.
The fund considers other available sources of finance, including:
- Other scholarship programmes
- Family support
- Personal income
- Earmarked donations
- Funding from collaborating organisations
This approach allows the fund to support a larger number of students through different combinations of full and partial financing.
The Anne van den Ban Fund also collaborates with several specialised funds, including:
- Future Animal Nutrition Africa Fund
- Gijsbert Oomen Fund
- Paul Speijer Fund
- Van Rumpt Scholarship Fund
These funds may support students from particular countries or students pursuing specific Wageningen programmes such as Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, or Biosystems Engineering.
Eligibility Criteria for Wageningen University Scholarships
Applicants must first satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen Wageningen University master’s programme. Scholarship eligibility is then assessed according to citizenship, academic results, admission status, and the requirements of the particular award.
Africa Scholarship Programme Eligibility
To qualify for the Africa Scholarship Programme, applicants must:
- Be citizens of an African country
- Apply for an eligible Wageningen University master’s programme
- Apply for the September 2027 intake
- Submit a complete admission application before the scholarship deadline
- Receive unconditional admission
- Hold a First Class honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have a GPA equivalent to at least 80%
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance
- Show strong motivation to contribute to capacity building in Africa
- Preferably not already hold a master’s degree
Preference is given to candidates who have not previously completed a master’s degree, although this is stated as a preference rather than an absolute exclusion.
Applicants do not qualify merely by holding African citizenship and meeting the minimum GPA. Wageningen University selects only a limited group of the highest-ranked eligible students for an invitation.
Excellence Programme Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be citizens of a country outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland
- Apply for an eligible Wageningen master’s programme
- Begin the programme in September 2027
- Submit a complete master’s application before the scholarship deadline
- Receive unconditional admission
- Hold a First Class honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Have an academic average equivalent to at least 80%
- Demonstrate exceptional academic ability
- Show potential for advanced research or future PhD study
The programme is open to eligible international students from non-EEA countries rather than being limited to a particular region.
Selection is competitive. An 80% GPA is the minimum scholarship threshold, not a guarantee that an applicant will receive an invitation or award.
Anne van den Ban Fund Eligibility
Applicants should:
- Be citizens of a low-income developing country
- Apply as new prospective Wageningen master’s students
- Receive admission to a full Wageningen MSc programme
- Demonstrate excellent academic ability
- Have a genuine need for financial support
- Show the potential to contribute to development in their home country
- Be willing to return home after completing the degree
- Not already be studying at Wageningen with a one-year scholarship
The fund considers both academic merit and the applicant’s available sources of finance. It is intended for students who would otherwise be unable to finance a Wageningen master’s degree.
Candidates are selected from admitted students based on recommendations from study coordinators, Wageningen alumni working in developing countries, and the fund’s board. Direct requests submitted to the fund are not considered.
Wageningen University Master’s Admission Requirements
Applicants normally need:
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Previous education in a scientific field relevant to the selected master’s programme
- Sufficient academic performance
- Required subject knowledge and technical preparation
- English-language proficiency
- Any programme-specific prerequisite courses
- A complete admission application
Wageningen University evaluates international qualifications using its credential evaluation guidelines. The required grade depends on the country, institution, grading scale, and selected programme. Individual admission boards may set higher standards or request additional evidence.
Applicants completing the final year of their bachelor’s degree can apply using their most recent academic transcript. Wageningen University may issue conditional admission if the applicant is expected to complete the degree before enrolment.
Scholarship candidates must ultimately receive unconditional admission. A conditional offer may need to be converted into an unconditional offer before final scholarship selection.
English-Language Requirements
All regular Wageningen University master’s programmes are taught in English.
Applicants who do not qualify for an exemption must submit one of the accepted English-language tests. The general requirements are:
- IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.5
- IELTS Speaking: Minimum score of 6.0
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 90
- TOEFL Speaking: Minimum score of 22
IELTS Online, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL Home Edition, and TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted under the current requirements.
Applicants may qualify for an exemption when they have completed their entire on-campus bachelor’s or master’s degree in English in one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States
Online programmes and qualifying degrees completed as part of certain double-degree arrangements do not receive the automatic exemption.
Other exemptions may apply to applicants who completed:
- A degree at a Dutch research university
- An English-taught degree at a Dutch university of applied sciences with acceptable proof
- At least 24 ECTS of English-taught courses at Wageningen University
Applicants can review our guide to scholarships without IELTS, but Wageningen University makes the final decision on whether previous education satisfies the language requirement.
How to Apply for Wageningen University Scholarships?
The Excellence Programme, Africa Scholarship Programme, and Anne van den Ban Fund use invitation-based selection. Applicants must concentrate first on submitting an excellent and complete master’s admission application.
How to Apply for the Africa Scholarship Programme?
(1) Review the Wageningen University master’s programmes and select a degree that matches your bachelor’s education, professional interests, and development goals.
Check:
- Academic admission requirements
- Required previous subjects
- English-language requirements
- Programme structure
- Specialisations
- September intake availability
- Career and research opportunities
The Africa Scholarship Programme is available only for eligible master’s programmes beginning in September.
(2) Prepare your application documents before the scholarship deadline.
Because admission assessment can take six to eight weeks, applicants should not wait until the final day. Early submission also provides time to replace a rejected or incomplete document.
(3) Register for the selected programme through Studielink.
Wageningen University allows applicants to select a maximum of two programmes for each intake. Enter your personal information and previous education accurately. Final-year bachelor’s students should include their current degree as previous education.
(4) Wait for the email containing your Wageningen student number and Osiris login information.
This email is normally sent within one day after the Studielink registration.
(5) Upload the complete application through the Wageningen University Osiris portal.
Upload your degree documents, transcripts, English-language evidence, CV, and other required materials.
Applicants can use our guide on preparing an academic CV for scholarship. Wageningen requires a CV or personal history written in English and limited to two pages.
(6) Submit the complete application before the early scholarship deadline.
For September 2027 scholarship consideration, applicants should plan to submit all Osiris documents by December 1, 2026 unless the new scholarship call specifies a different date.
The ordinary April and May admission deadlines should not be used by applicants seeking the Africa Scholarship Programme.
(7) Wait for Wageningen University’s admission decision.
The Admissions Office first checks the uploaded documents. The application is then forwarded to the admission board for the selected programme. A decision is normally issued within six to eight weeks after a complete application is submitted.
(8) No separate initial Africa Scholarship Programme application is required.
Wageningen University automatically assesses eligible African students who:
- Applied before the scholarship deadline
- Received unconditional admission
- Hold the required academic results
- Meet the citizenship and other scholarship conditions
Selected applicants receive an email invitation explaining the next stage.
(9) Complete any additional selection steps requested by Wageningen University.
Invited candidates may be asked to provide additional information, confirm availability, or participate in the scholarship selection process.
Applicants should monitor the email address used in Studielink and Osiris, including spam and junk folders.
(10) Accept the scholarship and admission offer by the stated deadline.
Successful candidates receive instructions about:
- Scholarship acceptance
- Tuition payment or waiver
- Visa and residence permit
- Health insurance
- Travel arrangements
- Living allowance
- Arrival and enrolment
How to Apply for the Excellence Programme?
(1) Choose an eligible full-time Wageningen master’s programme beginning in September 2027.
The programme should closely match your bachelor’s degree, previous subjects, research experience, and future academic plans.
(2) Submit the programme application through Studielink.
Applicants can select up to two Wageningen programmes per intake.
(3) Upload the complete application through Osiris.
Your academic record is particularly important because the Excellence Programme targets applicants with First Class honours and an academic average of at least 80%.
Where relevant, include evidence of:
- Bachelor’s thesis
- Research projects
- Academic publications
- Conference presentations
- Laboratory experience
- Academic prizes
- Research internships
- Relevant professional experience
These materials should be incorporated into your two-page academic CV when the admission portal does not provide a separate upload category.
(4) Submit all required documents before the scholarship consideration deadline.
Use December 1, 2026 as the safe planning deadline until the dedicated 2027 Excellence Programme page is published.
(5) Receive unconditional admission.
Only unconditionally admitted applicants can receive the scholarship. Final-year students initially given conditional admission must provide the required final degree documents according to WUR’s instructions.
(6) No separate initial Excellence Scholarship form is required.
Wageningen University’s selection committee assesses eligible admitted applicants and invites the strongest candidates to participate in the scholarship selection.
(7) Follow the instructions contained in the invitation email.
The previous selection process included an invitation stage followed by final scholarship or waiting-list decisions. Applicants who were not contacted by the notification date were no longer under consideration.
How to Apply for the Anne van den Ban Fund Scholarship?
(1) Apply for a complete, full-time Wageningen master’s programme.
The fund does not finance individual short courses and does not accept applications from students who are already enrolled with a one-year scholarship.
(2) Complete the Studielink and Osiris admission process before the early scholarship deadline.
Applicants should submit a strong academic application demonstrating both merit and the relevance of their proposed degree to challenges in their home country.
(3) Receive admission to the selected Wageningen master’s programme.
The Anne van den Ban Fund selects only from accepted new students. A direct application sent to the fund does not replace the WUR admission application.
(4) Do not send an unsolicited scholarship application to the fund.
The selection board does not consider individual direct applications. Wageningen University, study coordinators, alumni, and the fund identify suitable admitted candidates.
(5) Wait for a scholarship offer during the spring.
Selected applicants are generally contacted around May. Applicants who do not receive an offer by June 1 have not been selected.
(6) Provide financial information if requested.
Because the fund considers family support, personal income, other scholarships, and collaborating funds, selected candidates may be asked to explain their financial circumstances or other available sources of support.
Documents Required for Wageningen University Scholarships
Applicants should prepare:
- Completed Studielink registration
- Completed Wageningen University Osiris application
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Most recent transcript for final-year applicants
- Complete academic transcripts
- Certified English translation of documents issued in another language
- IELTS, TOEFL, or acceptable English-language evidence
- Curriculum vitae or personal history
- Optional personal statement regarding previous education
- Programme-specific documents
- Evidence of relevant subjects or prerequisite courses
- Additional documents requested by the Admissions Office
Wageningen requires the CV to be:
- Written in English
- No more than two pages
- Focused on the applicant’s education, experience, and relevant achievements
There is no mandatory central Wageningen CV template.
Bachelor’s Degree and Transcripts
Applicants who have graduated must upload:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate in the original language
- Certified English translation when the original is not in English or Dutch
- Complete and current academic transcripts
- Official institutional stamp or identifying information
Final-year students can initially submit their latest transcript. Admission may be granted conditionally until the final degree is completed.
English-Language Evidence
Applicants should upload:
- IELTS Academic result
- TOEFL iBT result
- Acceptable exemption evidence
- Medium-of-instruction statement where a specific exemption permits it
A general Medium of Instruction letter from any country does not automatically create an exemption. Applicants must meet one of Wageningen University’s stated exemption categories.
Curriculum Vitae
The academic CV should include:
- Education
- Bachelor’s thesis
- Relevant coursework
- Research projects
- Laboratory or field experience
- Publications
- Conference participation
- Academic awards
- Employment
- Internships
- Volunteering and leadership
- Technical and language skills
Applicants can consult our guide on how to write an academic CV for scholarship.
Personal Statement
A personal statement is optional in the general Wageningen application.
It may be useful when:
- The relevance of the bachelor’s degree is not immediately clear
- The applicant wants to explain their preparation for a particular specialisation
- The transcript does not fully demonstrate relevant knowledge
- The applicant needs to clarify an unusual academic background
Applicants can use our guide on writing a statement of purpose for scholarship to structure this document, but it should directly address Wageningen University’s programme and admission criteria.
Scholarship-Specific Documents
The Excellence Programme, Africa Scholarship Programme, and Anne van den Ban Fund do not publish a separate initial scholarship document checklist because applicants are first selected through the admission application.
Invited candidates should be prepared to provide additional documents such as:
- Updated academic results
- Financial information
- Confirmation of citizenship
- Confirmation of scholarship availability
- Motivation related to development impact
- Additional information requested by the selection committee
Applicants should submit only documents requested in the official invitation and should not send unnecessary files directly to the scholarship fund.
Website
For more information about the Wageningen University Scholarships, please visit the official pages:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Wageningen University Scholarships fully funded?
The Africa Scholarship Programme is fully funded. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel, visa costs, and health insurance for two years.
The Excellence Programme covers full tuition but does not provide a living allowance. Anne van den Ban Fund awards may be full or partial depending on the recipient’s circumstances and available funding.
Can students from every country apply?
The eligibility depends on the scholarship.
The Excellence Programme is open to eligible applicants from countries outside the EEA and Switzerland. The Africa Scholarship Programme is restricted to citizens of African countries. The Anne van den Ban Fund supports students from low-income developing countries.
Is the scholarship available for bachelor’s students?
No. The main Wageningen University Excellence, Africa Scholarship, and Anne van den Ban scholarship programmes are for prospective master’s students.
International bachelor’s applicants should review external funding opportunities and any separate awards listed for undergraduate study.
Is the scholarship available for PhD study?
These three scholarship programmes do not fund regular Wageningen PhD study.
Wageningen PhD candidates normally apply for funded vacancies or obtain external funding. The university also offers specialised routes such as the WGS Sandwich PhD Programme, which provides a living grant for part of the doctoral period.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
Not at the initial stage.
Applicants first submit a master’s admission application. Wageningen University then assesses eligible admitted students and invites selected candidates to continue in the scholarship process.
The Anne van den Ban Fund does not accept direct individual applications.
What GPA is required?
The Africa Scholarship Programme and Excellence Programme require a GPA equivalent to at least 80%, together with a First Class honours bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Because selection is competitive, successful candidates may have academic records stronger than the minimum requirement.
Does the Excellence Programme provide a monthly stipend?
No. It provides a tuition-fee waiver for the 24-month master’s programme.
Recipients must finance accommodation, food, insurance, visa expenses, travel, and other living costs independently.
How much is the Wageningen University tuition fee?
The published non-EU master’s tuition fee for 2026–2027 is €21,900 per year.
The final tuition fee for 2027–2028 has not yet been published and may be higher.
Is IELTS compulsory?
Not always.
Applicants can qualify for an exemption through certain previous education. Otherwise, the standard requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in Speaking, or TOEFL iBT 90 with at least 22 in Speaking.
Can I apply while completing my bachelor’s degree?
Yes. Final-year bachelor’s students can apply using their latest academic transcript.
Wageningen University may grant conditional admission, but scholarship candidates must satisfy the final degree and unconditional-admission requirements before the award is confirmed.
When will Wageningen University Scholarships 2027 open?
Wageningen University states that applications for September 2027 have not yet opened.
Prospective students can register for an update through the official master’s application page. Scholarship applicants should prepare their documents during 2026 and plan to submit by December 1, 2026 unless the official 2027 call announces another deadline.
