Science@Leuven Scholarship (KU Leuven, Belgium)

The Science@Leuven Scholarship supports outstanding international students joining English-taught master’s programs at the Faculty of Science of KU Leuven, one of Europe’s oldest and most innovative universities. The award is worth up to EUR 12,000 for the year and always covers tuition, insurance and basic health cover, with renewal possible for the second year on excellent results.

Eligible programs include astronomy and astrophysics, biology, biophysics, chemistry, geography, mathematics, physics and statistics. Selection rewards top-of-class students with strong references and clear motivation. Applications for the September 2027 intake close on February 15, 2027, together with the program application.

• International students with a bachelor's degree from a non-Belgian university that gives access to the chosen programme; you must not already hold a master's or PhD.
• Applying to an eligible international master's programme of the KU Leuven Faculty of Science (for example astronomy, physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, biology, geography or geology; interuniversity options have extra conditions).
• Excellent academic record, comparable to at least a Distinction at KU Leuven.
• English proficiency of at least IELTS 7.0 overall or TOEFL 94.
• No previous study or work at KU Leuven.
• Strong motivation for the Faculty of Science and willingness to act as an ambassador for the programme; awardees sign a contract accepting the conditions.
• The number of scholarships per year is limited (roughly 10 to 15), so competition is stiff.

• Scholarship of up to EUR 12,000 for the academic year, with the exact amount set by the Science@Leuven Fund board.
• Always includes the tuition fee for one year plus insurance and basic Belgian health cover; the remainder contributes to living costs.
• Continued for the second year of two-year programmes if your first-year results are outstanding.
• Study at one of Europe's oldest and highest-ranked universities, founded in 1425, with strong research across the sciences.
• Membership of an alumni-backed scholarship community and an ambassador role that looks strong on a CV.
• Note: even with the full amount, budget some personal funds for books and living extras in Leuven.

• Completed KU Leuven master's application via the university's online application tool, submitted before the scholarship deadline.
• Separate online registration for the Science@Leuven Scholarship, uploading the confirmation that your programme application was submitted.
• Full list of completed courses with ECTS sizes and grades, with an explanation of the grading scale where it is not ECTS.
• Two reference letters from professors, ideally internationally known in the field.
• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 94 minimum).
• Motivation statement for the chosen Faculty of Science programme.
• Your scholarship registration is complete only after you receive the confirmation email.

• Choose an eligible Faculty of Science master's programme and read its admission requirements carefully.
• Submit the KU Leuven programme application first; you can register for the scholarship immediately afterwards without waiting for the admission decision.
• Register on the Science@Leuven scholarship site, upload the submission confirmation and all documents, and make sure both applications are in before February 15, 2027.
• Only complete files meeting every requirement are considered, and the scholarship is only awarded if the programme admits you.
• Results are announced around early May; awardees sign the scholarship contract and confirm enrollment.
• If you are not selected, admission to the programme itself still stands, and other Belgian options such as the Flemish Master Mind scholarship are worth comparing.