What the funding covers
- Full tuition fees for the first year, plus a contribution towards living expenses.
- Continued funding in the second year if you earn at least 48 ECTS credits in year one.
- About 16 full scholarships across TU Delft's regular MSc programmes, two per faculty.
What you will still pay
| Cost | Who pays |
|---|---|
| First-year tuition | The scholarship |
| Living costs | A contribution from the scholarship, not a full living allowance |
| Second-year tuition and living contribution | The scholarship, if you earn at least 48 ECTS in your first year |
| MSc application fee (€100) | You, refunded if you enrol at TU Delft |
Who can apply
- International applicants who are admitted, or conditionally admitted, to a two-year regular MSc programme at TU Delft.
- Academic excellence: graduating in about the top 10% of your bachelor's cohort is the competitive level.
- You cannot combine the award with another partial or full scholarship.
Which nationalities can apply
Every nationality can apply.
Documents you will need
- Your complete TU Delft MSc application by 1 December 2026, with the €100 fee
- An English certificate. TU Delft's usual MSc level is IELTS Academic 7.0 with no part below 6.5, or TOEFL iBT 100 with 22+ in each part (5 overall and 4.5+ per section on TOEFL tests taken from 20 January 2026); check your programme
- The GRE General Test, for Aerospace Engineering and some other programmes
- The Van Effen scholarship application form
- One reference letter; if you have two, combine them into one PDF
How to apply
- Complete your MSc application at TU Delft, including your English-language certificate.
- Before the deadline, submit the Van Effen scholarship application form and one reference letter.
- The deadline for a start in autumn 2027 is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
- Award decisions are sent at the end of March 2027.
Before you apply: things to know
- Your MSc application must be complete by 1 December, well before TU Delft's normal admission deadlines.
- Competition is intense: far more applicants than awards. Apply for other funding too.
- The living contribution is not designed to replace all income. Plan your budget for Delft's housing market before accepting.
Common questions
Can I hold another scholarship as well?
No. The Van Effen scholarship cannot be combined with any other partial or full scholarship.
What grades make me competitive?
Graduating in about the top 10% of your bachelor's programme.
When will I know?
TU Delft emails scholarship winners by the end of March 2027.
A working timeline
Counting back from the next deadline (Dec 1, 2026). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.
Sep 8, 2026 · NOWResearch the route in depth: confirm eligibility, costs and every required document
Sep 22, 2026 · NOWAsk your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)
Oct 6, 2026 · NOWWrite the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose
Oct 20, 2026 · NOWOrder transcripts and certified translations · book any language test
Nov 3, 2026 · NOWSecond draft: get feedback from someone who reads critically
Nov 17, 2026Finalise every document and complete the online form
Nov 24, 2026Submit, but never on the last day
Dec 1, 2026Deadline