Call for Applications: 2026/27 Science@Leuven Scholarships for talented international students to study in Belgium

Closing Date: 15 February 2026

Call for Applications: 2026/27 Science@Leuven Scholarships for talented international students to study in Belgium

The Faculty of Science and its alumni association Science@Leuven are proud to announce the Science@Leuven Scholarships!

Programmes for which a Science@Leuven Scholarship is possible

Motivated and talented international students interested in participating in an international master programme of the Faculty of Science of the KU Leuven are invited to apply for a scholarship.

For the following masters you can apply for the Science@Leuven Scholarships :

• Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
• Master of Biology
• Master of Chemistry
• Master of Geography
• Interuniversity Master of Geology (only students applying for the specialisation Geodynamics and Georesources or Surface processes and Paleoenvironments can apply for the scholarship.  Students applying for the other specialisations (enrollment at Ghent University) will not be considered for the scholarship.)
• Master of Mathematics
• Master of Physics
• Master of Statiscs and Data Science
• Master of Sustainable Development (ICP)

Students applying for the QASS-programme of the Master of Statistics are excluded from the Science@Leuven Scholarship, as this programme requires a master diploma, which is not allowed for the Science@Leuven Scholarship.

Do not apply for the Scholarship if you are interested in another Master Programme.  Your application will not be considered. 

Amount of Scholarship

The amount of the scholarship can be up to 12.000 Euro for 1 year. The Board of the Science@Leuven Fund will decide exactly how much a scholarship will be. If a student is awarded the full scholarship of 12.000 Euro, it is still advisable to bring extra money.  Here you can find an overview of living costs in Belgium. 

Most master programmes of the Faculty of Science are two-year programmes. The scholarship for the second master year will only be continued on the condition that the student had outstanding results the first master year.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet and prove the following requirements:

• the applicant has not studied or worked at the University of Leuven before,
• the applicant cannot be a student from KU Leuven 
• the applicant has a bachelor degree from a non-Belgian university that gives them access to the master programme they are applying for,
• the applicant has not yet acquired a master degree or a PhD, when starting the programme,
• the applicant can prove excellent study results during their former training.  The applicant is expected to obtain at least Distinction during their studies at the KU Leuven,
• the applicant can prove a very strong knowledge of English ( TOEFL (minimum score 94 internet-based with at least 19 for reading, 18 for Listening, 19 for speaking and 21 for writing) or IELTS (minimum score 7 overall, whilst at least 6,5 for reading, 6 for listening, 6 for speaking and 6 for writing) or Advanced or Proficiency Cambridge Certificates (minimum score of 185, with at least 176 for reading and 169 for listening, speaking and writing)),
• the applicant shows strong motivation to follow a master programme at the Faculty of Science of the KU Leuven,
• the applicant submits two reference letters from internationally renowned professors, 
• the applicant is willing to act as ambassador for the programme and the KU Leuven.

Application Procedure

1. Apply for the master programme of your choice through the application tool of the KU Leuven. Please read the application instructions carefully. 
2. upload the following information via the KU Leuven admissions tool:
   • a complete list of course titles for which you have obtained a credit (Transcript of Records). Indicate the course size (in ECTS-credits) and the result you obtained, preferably according to the ECTS-scale; if a different scale is used, please provide a summary explanation on the meaning of the scores;
   • provide a short (about one half to one page) description for the courses from your previous/current programme that you deem most relevant as a preparation for the master programme that you are considering. Describe the courses according to the standard guidelines for an ECTS-study guide (example).
   • two reference letters of internationally renowned professors, these letters should be uploaded in the admissions application tool, or referees can send them to Miss Bieke Dutoit by mail.  Name of the candidate and Science@Leuven Scholarship should be mentioned in the subject line;
   • a letter of motivation for the master programme you are applying for.
3. Once you have completed and submitted your application for the master’s programme, you will receive a mail that you succesfully submitted the application. 
4. Apply for the Science@Leuven Scholarship via this link and add the application confirmation mail.
5. your registration is complete once you have received an email confirming that you have been registered for the Science@Leuven Scholarship.

Click Here To Apply

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