Key Dates at a Glance
Jan 15
Numerus Fixus
Hard deadline. No exceptions.
Nov 1
NL Scholarship Opens
Applications begin at participating universities.
Feb-Apr
NL Scholarship Closes
Varies by university. Some close Feb 1.
Jan-Apr
Non-EU Admissions
Most programmes for September intake.
May 1
EU Admissions
Typical deadline. No visa needed.
3-8 wks
Visa Processing
Apply immediately after admission.
Visual Timeline: September 2027 Start
Horizontal month-by-month view showing key milestones. Scroll to see the full timeline.
Deadlines by Category
NL Scholarship 2026-27 Timeline
Nov 1Applications open at participating universities
Feb 1Many universities close NL Scholarship applications
Mar 1Additional universities close
Apr 1Latest NL Scholarship deadlines
Mar-MayScholarship decisions communicated by email
You must apply for your programme first (or simultaneously) before the NL Scholarship. Each university sets its own deadline.
University-Specific Scholarship Deadlines
TU Delft Justus & Louise
Dec 1
Full tuition + EUR 14k living
Amsterdam Excellence (UvA)
Jan 15
Up to EUR 25,000/year
Groningen Eric Bleumink
Jan 15
Fully funded. Faculty-nominated.
Utrecht Excellence
Feb 1
Full tuition + EUR 12k living
Leiden Excellence (LExS)
Feb 1
EUR 10k-Full tuition waiver
Erasmus University (various)
Dec-Apr
Check each school individually
Non-EU Visa Timeline
Step 1
Get admission offerAim for March/April at latest for September start
Step 2
University submits MVV applicationOn your behalf to the IND. Processing: 3-8 weeks
Step 3
Collect visa from Dutch embassyIn your home country. May require an appointment.
Treat the real deadline as 2-3 months before the official one. Students who wait until June to get admitted often miss the September start entirely due to visa processing delays.