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The Netherlands: The HSP Huygens Scholarship Programme for International Students

Introduction
The HSP Huygens programme is open to students from all countries of the world. 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. Study can include research and/or practical training.

The programme is also open to PhD students from Croatia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.
The Dutch Minister for Education, Culture and Science has made four million euros available for international students coming to the Netherlands under the HSP Huygens programme.

There is no fixed number of available scholarships, but the actual number is determined by the total cost of the variable components of the scholarships.
The minister has reserved part of the total budget for students following programmes in Dutch studies. Dutch studies candidates must meet the same criteria as all other candidates. Applications for the 2006-2007 academic year must be received by Nuffic by 1 March 2006 at the latest.

Important changes (International students)

• If you are already a graduate, you must have graduated less than two years ago
• Your study in the Netherlands should be in the final phase of your bachelor's studies or during your master's studies

Requirements for eligibility
If you want to take part in the HSP Huygens programme, you must meet the following requirements.

1. 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.
2. You have been admitted to the Dutch programme on the basis of prior education outside the Netherlands
3. The Dutch programme should be on the CROHO list (see Frequently asked questions, nr. 8)
4. You must have obtained excellent results in your previous studies and be in the top 10% of students in your programme.
5. Your studies in the Netherlands must constitute a deepening and broadening of your previous studies in your home country.
6. You must be proficient in the language of instruction of your chosen programme.
7. If you want to do research or practical training, it must form part of your studies, i.e. you must earn study credits for it.
8. Your study in the Netherlands should be in the final phase of your bachelor’s studies or during your master’s studies, and must be used primarily to earn a degree.
9. If you are already a graduate, you must have graduated less than two years ago.

Scholarship outline
Scholarships are awarded for a period of no less than six months and no more than 24 months. They include the following components:

• a monthly allowance of €900 euros (this includes a standard contribution towards healthcare insurance)
• visa fees (standard contribution)
• the full cost of tuition fees
• a one-off payment towards international travel costs (standard contribution based on country of origin)

Application procedure

Before you can apply for a scholarship, you must first obtain a HSP Huygens application number. You can get an application number in the following way.

• First of all, you have to apply for admission to a study programme
• When you apply for admission to a study programme in the Netherlands, you should indicate that you wish to apply for a HSP Huygens scholarship.
• If the Dutch institution agrees with your candidacy for a HSP Huygens scholarship, they will send an approval notice to Nuffic. The approval notice is a standardized form used by the institution to provide Nuffic with some details about you and your proposed programme of study. 
• Once we have processed these details, Nuffic will send you a HSP Huygens application number by e-mail.

You can submit an application to Nuffic as soon as you have received a HSP Huygens application number. The application dossier must include the following documents.

• A printed HSP Huygens application form (including checklist), completed in full, signed, and showing the application number provided by Nuffic. 
• Your curriculum vitae. 
• Copies of relevant diplomas, certificates and transcripts. 
• A reasoned account of your motivation for wanting to study in the Netherlands (about one side of an A4-sized sheet), including the following points: 
  - why you have chosen to study this programme in the Netherlands;
  - what value the programme would add to your previous education;
  - what the Dutch programme would mean for your future career.
• Two letters of reference, at least one of which should be from your home country (or the country where you are currently studying). 
• For English-taught programmes, you will need a TOEFL certificate showing a score of at least 213 (computer-based) or an IELTS certificate showing a score of at least 6.5. For Dutch-taught programmes, you will need a certificate showing your proficiency in Dutch as a second language (NT2).
• A copy of your passport or European identity card. If you require an ‘authorization for temporary stay’ (MVV), your passport must be valid for at least one month beyond the end date of your study programme.
• PhD applicants from Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey or Croatia must also include a letter from the Dutch institution explaining the purpose of the research.  

N.B.: Students wishing to follow a professional programme in the fine arts or performing arts should not include a portfolio or samples of their work (e.g. photos or a CD) as these will not be assessed.

Please click here for the HSP Huygens application form (Excel)

Once you have compiled your application dossier, send it to:

HSP Huygens
Dept. for International Academic Relations
Nuffic
PO Box 29777
2502 LT THE HAGUE
The Netherlands

Do not include original documents in your dossier, but make single-sided copies of relevant documents on plain A4-sized paper. All documents must be in either English or Dutch. Documents in any other language must be accompanied by an official translation.

Closing date
Applications for the 2006-2007 academic year must be received by Nuffic by 1 March 2006 at the latest. Important: the 2006-2007 academic year starts on 1 September 2006. All scholarships awarded will start from that date, and not earlier. A later scholarship start date is possible, however.

Selection procedure
Once we have received your complete application, we will send you confirmation of receipt by post. The applications will be assessed by a selection committee who select the successful candidates. The committee is appointed by the Minister for Education, Culture and Science, and its secretariat is provided by Nuffic. The committee does not assess applications merely in terms of their quality, but it also looks at the degree to which the Dutch programme complements the applicant’s previous education. The results of the selection process will be published on the internet no later than 1 May 2006. However, you will of course receive a letter by post with your official scholarship award letter or rejection letter. If you are selected, your host institution will make arrangements for your accommodation, healthcare insurance and certain immigration procedures (MVV application). Nuffic does not pay the scholarship directly to students. You will receive your scholarship from your host institution at the start of the academic year.

If you have any questions, please send them by e-mail to: hsphuygens@nuffic.nl  

Reference: http://www.nuffic.nl/huygens/