Full Program Details
Sixteen students will walk into a TU Delft master's programme next September with their tuition paid and a contribution to their living costs. Two of the places go to each faculty, and you compete for one the same way you apply for the degree: one form, one reference letter and a complete MSc application, all in by 1 December 2026.
The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship is for international students admitted to a regular two-year MSc at Delft.
The scholarship pays full tuition for the first year at the rate that applies to your nationality, plus a contribution toward living expenses, with second-year funding renewed if you pass at least 48 of 60 credits.
Details at a glance:
- Host: Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands
- Level: two-year regular MSc programmes (not International Joint Education Programmes)
- Awards: 2 per faculty, 16 full scholarships for regular MSc programmes
- Deadline: 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET, and late applications are not reviewed
- Notification: by email by the end of March 2027
- Start: 2027 MSc intake
What It Covers
- Full tuition for the first year, at the statutory or institutional rate for your nationality
- A contribution toward living expenses (TU Delft's page does not state the amount)
- Second-year funding if you complete at least 48 of the 60 credits in year one
You may not hold other scholarship funding at the same time, and the award does not cover study extensions beyond two years.
Who Can Apply
- Excellent international applicants who are admitted, or conditionally admitted, to a regular two-year TU Delft MSc programme.
- Your earlier studies should be relevant, and you should rank roughly in the top 10 percent of your graduating class.
- You need a complete MSc application in before the deadline, so check your programme's admission requirements first.
- The page lists no nationality limit beyond being an international applicant, so students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India and the US can apply.
- The award depends on meeting every admission criterion, including English language requirements.
How to Apply
- Choose your regular MSc programme at TU Delft and read its admission requirements.
- Complete your MSc application on the TU Delft application system.
- Upload the Scholarship Application Form.
- Upload one reference letter. TU Delft does not accept reference letters after the scholarship deadline, so ask your referee now.
- Upload your English language certificate, unless you are exempt.
- Submit everything before 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET.
Selection Timeline
- 1 December 2026: scholarship and MSc application deadline
- End of March 2027: successful applicants are emailed
- After year one: renewal check of 48 out of 60 credits
What you upload
- Your complete TU Delft MSc application, submitted by 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET
- The Justus & Louise van Effen scholarship application form
- One reference letter (two references can be combined into one PDF)
- An English language certificate, unless you are exempt
TU Delft gives being in the top 10% of graduates as an indication of the academic level it expects, but you do not need to prove your ranking. Applications that miss the deadline are not reviewed.
Rules once you win it
- Keep your grades up. You must complete at least 48 of 60 ECTS credits in your first year to keep the funding for year two.
- No double funding. You cannot hold any other full or partial scholarship at the same time.
- Focus on study. TU Delft advises against part-time work.
- Two years maximum. Funding stops after two years and only while you stay enrolled.
Frequently asked questions
How many van Effen scholarships are there?
TU Delft lists 16 full scholarships for regular MSc programmes.
When will I know?
Successful applicants are told by email by the end of March 2027.
Can I study part-time or in a joint programme?
No. It is only for regular, full-time two-year MSc programmes, not International Joint Education Programmes.
Is the van Effen scholarship open to Nigerian students?
Yes. It is open to international applicants admitted to a regular two-year TU Delft MSc who rank among the strongest graduates.
GizPulse Verdict
Who this is for: Top-of-class graduates in engineering, applied sciences, architecture, technology policy and related fields who want a Dutch master's with tuition covered.
Who should pause: Applicants outside the top tenth of their class, anyone planning to stack another scholarship on top, and anyone aiming for a joint programme, which is excluded.
One tip to stand out: Do not leave the reference letter to the last week. It is a hard requirement and cannot arrive late. Brief your referee with your ranking, your best project and why Delft, so the letter backs the same story as your application.
For more European routes, see the Erasmus Mundus DEAI Scholarship, the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship and our Full Ride Scholarships for International Students list.
Read the full rules and apply through the official TU Delft scholarships page.
