Graduate School of Humanities

Eligibility requirements and selection criteria AES scholarship

Last update: 15 December 2016

Eligibility requirements
Candidates wishing to study at the Graduate School of Humanities (GSH) of the University of Amsterdam
(UvA) in September 2017 can apply for an Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship (AES) if they meet the
following requirements:

Hold a non-EU/EEA passport and not be eligible for support under Studiefinanciering, the Dutch
system of study loans (for more information, consult the DUO website). The scholarship office
should be notified as soon as possible of any change in nationality, type of residence permit, and/or
possible studiefinanciering support throughout the academic year.
Have completed an application for a selective research (2 year programme) or dual Masters
programme* (duration 1,5 years) in the Humanities at the University of Amsterdam. It is not
necessary that the candidate has already received the outcome of the MA application when
applying for a scholarship.
Be new to the UvA. An AES will not be awarded to candidates who are applying for a second MA
programme at the UvA.
Be able to comply with Dutch visa regulsations as indicated by the Dutch Immigration Service.
Be enrolled at the UvA as a full-time student for the entire academic year and the programme for
which the scholarship has been awarded. Scholarship continuation is not guaranteed when a
candidate changes his or her Masters programme.
Have not been granted another scholarship in addition to AES for the same period of study as the
AES. Please notify the UvA if you have been awarded and have accepted another scholarship.

* Dual programmes that include interviews in their selection process do not take part in the AES.

Selection criteria AES

Eligible candidates are selected for a scholarship on the basis of their academic excellence and promise in
the proposed field, as evidenced by:

the candidates academic records (transcripts/diploma(s)). Students from any discipline belonging
to the top 10% of graduates from their class can apply. Minimum GPA: 3,7 (USA), First class honours
(UK), Cum Laude (Dutch system);
the academic quality of the educational institute where the undergraduate (and graduate)
programme has been obtained;
a letter of recommendation in English by a dean, teacher or academic supervisor;
the quality of the letter of motivation (maximum 500 words) in which the candidate explains the
reasons for choosing the specific Masters programme (broader context, relevance for future
career);
a description of extra-curricular activities such as participation in student committees, international
experience, sports or music at a high level or volunteer work;
proof of English proficiency: a. TOEFL (internet-based) - overall score of 92 ( minimum score of 20
for each component); b. IELTS (academic) - overall score of 6.5 (minimum score of 6.5 for each
component); c. Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) - grade B; d. Cambridge Certificate
for Proficiency in English (CPE) - grade B (or C if test taken after Jan. 2015);
Information for academic year 2017-2018
 Exempted are students who have completed a BA in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada (not Quebec),
Australia or New Zealand or a BA in English Language and Culture at a Dutch university.
the quality of the application as a whole (completeness, accuracy, consistency).

Expectations of AES recipients

It is expected that AES recipients will:

participate in activities with AES sponsors;

join extracurricular activities and become part of a select community, including the AES alumni
network;
form a strong international network during their period of study, which will be stimulated by an
interesting tailor-made extracurricular programme.

Their special relationship with the UvA will continue to be fostered once they have graduated. The UvAs
Alumni Office is actively involved in setting up international alumni chapters, and AES alumni are ideal
candidates to play an active role in these. In so doing, they will maintain a special link with the UvA and
pave the way for new AES students.

AES scholarships may be terminated if the recipient unreasonably refuses to participate in such activities.

Conditions for continuation of the AES

AES recipients must maintain good academic standing. The scholarship will only be continued after the first
year if the AES student has completed all courses of the first year on time and with a grade point average
of 8.0.

It is expected that AES recipients will:

participate in activities with AES sponsors

join extracurricular activities and become part of a select community, including the AES alumni
network
form a strong international network during their period of study, which will be stimulated by an
interesting tailor-made extracurricular programme.

Deadline scholarship application

Please upload your scholarship application onto your Personal Service Page before 1 February.

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Information for academic year 2017-2018