Applications are open for Masters scholarships in Netherlands under HSP Huygens Programme. The prestigious HSP Huygens Programme is open to excellent students from all countries of the world (Pakistani students are eligible to apply). It is aimed at talented students who want to come to the Netherlands in the final phase of their bachelor’s studies or during their master’s studies.

Requirements for eligibility

If you want to take part in the HSP Huygens Programme, you must meet the following requirements:

• You are an excellent student: you have obtained excellent results in all your previous studies and you are in the top 10% of students in your study or research programme.
• You must have already attended a programme of education (e.g. high school or above) in a country outside the Netherlands.
• The Dutch study programme should be registered in CROHO, the Central Register of Higher Education Programmes. You can find this information in the Dutch nomination letter.
• You should be in the final phase of your bachelor’s studies, or studying towards a master’s degree in the Netherlands, and your study must be used primarily to earn a degree at the Dutch institution.
• At the start of the academic year (1 September) in which you study in the Netherlands, you must be no older than 35 years of age.
• Scholarships are only awarded for studies lasting at least 6 months, but no longer than 24 months.
• Your studies or research in the Netherlands must constitute a deepening and broadening of your previous studies.
• If you are already a graduate, you must have graduated less than two years ago.
• If you want to do research or practical training, it is possible, but it must form part of your studies (a programme on the CROHO list), i.e. you must earn study credits for it.
• Scholarships are only awarded for an MPhil programme if this programme leads to the award of a Dutch master’s degree.

Application procedure

• When you apply for admission to a programme in the Netherlands, you should indicate that your study performance is excellent and that you wish to be nominated for the prestigious HSP Huygens Programme by the Dutch institution you would like to study at.
• If the Dutch institution does not agree with your candidacy for a HSP Huygens Programme, they will not provide you with a HSP Huygens nomination letter. This means that you cannot apply for a HSP Huygens scholarship.
• If you are successful inreceiving the official HSP Huygens nomination letter 2009, you can start preparing your application dossier. To prepare the application dossier and complete the application form, see the instructions given on the nuffic website.
• You can download the list of HSP contact persons atvarious Dutch institutions here. (20 kb, Excel file)
• Applications for the 2009-2010 academic year must be sent to Nuffic before 1 February 2009 at the latest.

Selection Procedure

There are no selection interviews. All aspects of your application dossier are considered when your application is assessed. The committee considers the following aspects:

• Your study history and pace.
• Your diplomas and grades.
• Your nomination letter.
• Your reference letters.
• The strength of your written motivation setting out why you have chosen to study this programme in the Netherlands and the value it can add to your prior education.
• The importance of the Dutch programme for your future career.
• How well the proposed studies match your previous education.
• Extracurricular activities.

You will be informed about the decision of the selection committee as soon as possible after 1 May 2009.

If you are selected your host institution will be, in most cases, of service by making arrangements for any practical matters, such as your accommodation, your healthcare insurance and applying for a residence permit.

Payment of the scholarship

Nuffic will not pay the scholarship directly to students. You will receive the scholarship from your host institution at the start of the academic year. After making appropriate deductions for tuition fees and (where applicable) for health insurance premiums, immigration service fees and accommodation costs, your host institution will pay the scholarship to you in monthly payments

 Deadline: 01-02-2009

Link: http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/scholarships/worldwide/hsp-huygens-programme