KU Leuven Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries 2027

Overview

KU Leuven, Belgium’s largest research university and one of Europe’s top 50 institutions, funds Masters scholarships for students from developing countries through several distinct streams. The most prominent are the VLIR-UOS scholarships (Flemish Government, for ICP Masters programmes) and the KU Leuven Scholarships for Excellent Students from Developing Countries. Together they fund around 100 to 130 Africans and other developing-country nationals per cycle. The 2027 cycle deadline is 15 February 2027.

Benefits

• Full tuition fees at KU Leuven for the duration of the Masters (one or two years).
• Monthly living allowance of around EUR 1,210.
• Round-trip economy airfare between home country and Belgium.
• Books, study materials, and conference travel allowance.
• Health insurance.
• Settling-in allowance on arrival.
• Optional Dutch language course before the academic year.

Eligibility

• Citizen of a country on the OECD Development Assistance Committee list of countries (most of Africa qualifies).
• Bachelor’s degree with first-class or strong upper-second honours.
• Holding an offer of admission to a KU Leuven Masters programme for September 2027 entry.
• Aged 35 or younger at the time of application.
• Some professional or research experience relevant to the chosen Masters.
• Commitment to return to your home country and contribute to its development after the Masters.

How to apply

1. Apply for admission to your chosen KU Leuven Masters programme through KU Leuven’s online admissions portal by the programme’s deadline (usually 1 March 2027 for non-EEA applicants).
2. In the admissions form, indicate your interest in the developing-country scholarship.
3. Complete the additional scholarship application materials: financial declaration, motivation letter on development relevance, and a return-to-home plan.
4. Submit by 15 February 2027.
5. Both admission and scholarship decisions are released between April and June 2027 for September 2027 entry.