Unlock Your Future: Science@Leuven Scholarship 2026 at KU Leuven

If you are a highly motivated international student interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in science and you aim to study in one of Europe’s top research universities, the Science@Leuven Scholarship 2026 offers a compelling opportunity. Applications will open soon — this scholarship aims to support and reward excellence in scientific research and education, enabling outstanding students to join the Faculty of Science at KU Leuven with financial support, prestige, and a chance to act as an ambassador for science.

Below is a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know — from eligibility, benefits, to how to apply and which programmes are eligible.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Leuven, Belgium (KU Leuven)

• Host: Faculty of Science, KU Leuven

• Study level: Master’s degree

• Target group: International and domestic students (all nationalities)

• Fields / eligible programmes: See section below

• Scholarship coverage:

  • Allowance: € 12,000 per academic year (for up to two years)

  • Tuition fee waiver: Partial waiver for non-EEA students (they pay a reduced tuition fee)

  • Duration: Up to two years (if performance in first year is sufficient)

• Application deadline: 15 February 2026

• Start date: September 2026

  
  

📚 Eligible Study Programmes / Fields

The scholarship is restricted to Master’s programmes offered under the Faculty of Science (or in cooperation) at KU Leuven. The current list (for 2026-2027) includes:

• Master of Astronomy & Astrophysics (Leuven)

• Master of Biology (Leuven)

• Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry & Biotechnology (Leuven)

• Master of Chemistry (Leuven)

• Master of Geography (Leuven et al) — but only if you are enrolled at KU Leuven as home institution

• Master of Geology (Leuven et al) — similarly only for those already at KU Leuven

• Master of Mathematics (Leuven)

• Master of Physics (Leuven)

• Master of Statistics & Data Science (Leuven)

• Master of Sustainable Development (Leuven et al)

If your programme is not in that list, you are unfortunately not eligible for this particular scholarship.

🎁 Scholarship Benefits

• Financial allowance: € 12,000 per year to help cover living costs, accommodation, maybe insurance, etc.

• Tuition fee waiver (partial):

  • Non-EEA students receive a partial waiver; they are required to pay a fixed (reduced) tuition fee (for 2025-2026: € 1,651.10)

  • EEA students do not receive additional waiver beyond what is standard; the allowance is the main benefit

• Continuation to second year: The scholarship can be renewed for the second year if you perform well (i.e. meet required academic standards)

• Prestige / networking: Being a Science@Leuven scholar often gives you visibility, connection to alumni, and the status of ambassador for the scholarship programme.

• No tuition completely covered: This is not a full scholarship in the sense of zero cost — the student still bears some tuition (for non-EEA), or part of costs for EEA students.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, you must satisfy all of the following conditions:

1. Admission requirements: You must satisfy the admission criteria of the Master’s programme you are applying to at KU Leuven.

2. Academic excellence: You should have excellent prior academic performance — the equivalent to “Distinction” at KU Leuven or better.

3. No prior affiliation with KU Leuven: You must not have previously studied or worked at KU Leuven.

4. No prior Master’s or PhD: You must not already hold a Master’s degree or PhD.

5. Bachelor’s degree from non-Belgian university: Your degree must come from a foreign (non-Belgian) university that qualifies you for the intended master’s programme.

6. Willingness to act as ambassador: You must agree to represent / promote the programme / scholarship as ambassador.

7. English proficiency: A strong command of English is required. The typical benchmarks are:

   • TOEFL iBT: minimum 94 total (with sub-score minima)

   • IELTS: minimum 7 overall (with sub-minima)

If any of these are not satisfied, your application may be disqualified.

📝 Application Procedure

1. Apply for your chosen Master’s programme via the KU Leuven application portal (KU Leuven application tool).

2. Submit required admission documents for that programme (transcripts, degree, etc.).

3. After submitting your programme application, you will receive a confirmation email.

4. Apply for the Science@Leuven Scholarship by uploading that confirmation email through the scholarship registration tool within KU Leuven’s system.

5. Complete registration for the scholarship once you receive confirmation.

You don’t need to wait until you are accepted into the Master’s programme to apply for the scholarship — but your scholarship application will only be considered if your programme application is successful.

🗂️ Documents Required

You must submit (via KU Leuven application tool):

• Standard admission documents (degree certificate, transcripts, proof of meeting prerequisites).

• Transcript of Records: list of courses with credits (ECTS) and grades (with explanation if grading scale differs).

• A short description (½ to 1 page) of the most relevant courses from your prior studies that prepare you for the Master’s programme, describing content, textbooks used, credits.

• Two letters of reference from internationally renowned professors.

• A letter of motivation for both the programme and the scholarship.

• Registration forms:

  • Study programme application form (for your chosen Master)

  • Scholarship registration form (for Science@Leuven)

⚠️ Important: You must include the confirmation email (or proof) of your submitted Master’s programme application when applying for the scholarship. If you don’t, your scholarship application may be invalid.

🔍 Selection & Evaluation Process

1. Programme admission stage: Only students admitted to eligible Master’s programmes will proceed.

2. Preselection: Applicants with a complete file and meeting the requirements are shortlisted per programme; the respective Programme Director ranks the applicants.

3. Central ranking: The Selection Committee combines these rankings, assesses academic results, motivation, English proficiency, and predicted performance (likelihood to reach “cum laude”) to rank all candidates.

4. Interview round: Approximately 8 top candidates are invited for an online interview. The interview may cover motivation, future plans, extracurriculars, knowledge of the programme, and ambassadorial potential.

5. Final decision: Based on interview and ranking, the Management Board of the Science@Leuven Fund awards the scholarships.

📆 Timeline:

• 15 Feb – end of March: Programme admissions evaluated.

• Beginning April: Eligible candidates considered for scholarship.

• April: Interview invitations & ranking.

• Beginning May: Scholarship offers communicated to successful candidates.

💡 Additional Notes & Tips

• Though advertised as “partial tuition waiver + allowance”, some external sources mistakenly describe it as “fully funded” (covering full fees and living costs) — that is not accurate per the official KU Leuven page.

• The tuition waiver amount / reduced fee for 2026-2027 is not yet finalized; KU Leuven adjusts tuition to inflation.

• Even if you are EEA, applying might still be worthwhile because of the allowance, though you won’t get the tuition waiver benefit.

• Emphasize your research potential, academic distinction, and motivation. The ambassador role means the committee values how well you can represent the scholarship and the programme.

• Prepare well for the interview: be ready to speak about your research interests, goals, and how KU Leuven aligns with them.

🔗 Official Link

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