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TU Delft Van Effen Scholarship 2027: Apply by 1 December

Two years at one of Europe's best-known technical universities. Your tuition paid. A monthly contribution towards your living costs. That is what the TU Delft Van Effen scholarship 2027 offers, but only about 16 students will receive it, and applications close on 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.

That leaves you less than a month, and the most common way to lose out has nothing to do with your grades: your whole file must be complete by that date. This guide shows you who qualifies, what the award pays for and how to use the time you have left.

Start here: see the key facts and the official application link on our TU Delft Van Effen Scholarship 2027 page.

What is the TU Delft Van Effen scholarship?

The full name is the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship. Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands awards it to excellent international students starting a regular two-year MSc programme.

There are about 16 scholarships, with two for each faculty. That makes your choice of programme part of your strategy, because you will be selected through a faculty committee.

When is the TU Delft scholarship deadline?

The scholarship deadline is 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET. TU Delft says that if you miss it, your scholarship application will not be reviewed. Successful applicants are told by email by the end of March 2027.

Do not be misled by a later date. Some MSc programmes accept students with a non-Dutch bachelor's degree until as late as 1 April 2027. That date does not help you here: to be considered for the scholarship, your complete MSc application must go in by 1 December.

What does the scholarship cover?

• Tuition: your tuition fees for the two-year MSc.
• Living costs: a fixed monthly contribution, set out in your scholarship contract.
• Second year: continued support depends on your results. You need at least 48 of the 60 ECTS credits by the end of your first year.

Some things stay your responsibility. TU Delft's FAQ says flights and accommodation are not covered, and it estimates about €1,500 in settling-in costs for students arriving from abroad. You also cannot hold other full or partial scholarship funding at the same time as this award.

Because TU Delft's pages have given different totals, we do not quote one here. Check the current amount on the official page, which you can reach from our listing, before you plan your budget.

Who can apply?

You should be:

• An international applicant, conditionally admitted to a regular two-year TU Delft MSc. International joint programmes are not included.
• An excellent student. As a guide, TU Delft points to the top 10% of graduates in your previous programme, but you do not need to submit proof of your ranking.

You cannot apply if you:

• Are a TU Delft bachelor's student.
• Are an international applicant with a bachelor's degree from a Dutch university.
• Have already started your studies at TU Delft.

Students from Cameroon and across Africa can apply if they meet these conditions, as no African country is excluded in the rules we read. Not sure where you stand? Try our eligibility checker.

What documents do you need?

Everything goes in together, with your MSc application:

• Your complete MSc application, including your motivation letter
• The Scholarship Application Form for 2027–2029
• One reference letter (if you have two references, combine them into one PDF)
• Your English language certificate, unless you are exempt

This is the part that catches people out. After you submit, you cannot add more documents, and reference letters are not accepted after the scholarship deadline. Any test results your programme requires must also be uploaded by then.

How to apply: your plan for the next four weeks

This week: choose your programme and secure your reference

Read the admission requirements for your chosen MSc, and check that your degree and grades fit. If you are not admissible, you cannot receive the scholarship. Then ask your referee now. Give them the deadline, your CV and a short note about your goals, so they can write something specific.

Week two: settle your English test

Check whether you are exempt or need a test such as IELTS or TOEFL. If you need one, look at results dates as well as test dates, because your certificate must be uploaded before the deadline. If you cannot get a result in time, it is better to know now.

Week three: write the application that only you could write

Explain why this programme, why Delft and what you will do with the degree. Point to real projects, results and problems you have worked on. "I am passionate about engineering" tells a committee nothing. "I measured water loss in my town's supply network and want to learn how to model it" gives them a reason to remember you.

The words must be your own. At Merit Leaders we review and coach students on their drafts, but we never write essays for you.

Week four: check everything and submit early

Read the full file once more, check that every document opens, and aim to submit several days before 1 December. Portals can slow down near a deadline, and your time zone may differ from CET. Keep a copy of everything you send.

Frequently asked questions

Is the TU Delft Van Effen scholarship fully funded?

It pays tuition and a monthly contribution to living costs, and TU Delft describes it as a full scholarship. However, flights and accommodation are not covered, so plan for those costs yourself.

Do I need proof that I am in the top 10%?

No. The top 10% is a guide to the level expected, and TU Delft does not require proof of your ranking.

How many reference letters do I need?

One. If you have two references, TU Delft asks you to combine them into a single PDF. Check the requirements in your application portal before you submit, because one TU Delft page describes this differently.

Can I apply for other scholarships too?

Yes, and you should have a plan B. You just cannot hold this award alongside other full or partial scholarship funding. If your background is in social science, the Mundus MAPP scholarship closes on the same date. You can also browse all our open scholarships.

Beware of scams

Nobody can guarantee you this award. If someone offers you a "guaranteed" place in return for money, walk away. Reach TU Delft through the official link on our listing, and only trust pages on tudelft.nl.

Don't let the deadline decide for you

If your grades are strong and you meet the rules, the small number of places is no reason to stay out. It is a reason to start today. While you prepare, you can also build your technical skills with our free engineering courses with free certificates.

Ready to apply? Open our TU Delft Van Effen Scholarship 2027 page for the key facts and the official link. If you would like a second pair of eyes on your documents before you submit, book a consultation with Merit Leaders.