The applications for the U21 summer school scholarships are open from 5 February to 5 March 2025, 23:59 CET.

In brief

Fact sheet U21 summer and winter scholarships 2024-2025 (pdf)

Who should apply?

While we prioritise students facing barriers to studying or traveling abroad (such as those with specific learning needs, physical or mental health conditions, or financial constraints) this programme is open to everyone. Students from all disciplines and study stages are encouraged to apply.

Who is involved?

Universitas 21 (U21) is a global network of world-leading universities that share a commitment to collaboration and internationalisation. From members from Belgium to Chile, South Korea to Sweden, U21’s focuses on fostering a more inclusive study abroad community, providing a wide range of exciting summer programmes across the globe.

What does U21 offer?

Through its summer school scholarships, U21 allows you to choose both your study destination and area of focus; whether that’s learning Chinese, exploring programming, studying city architecture, or pursuing business courses.

With 10 scholarships available for summer schools within Europe and 10 for those outside Europe, you have plenty of options. U21 members also provide a variety of virtual summer courses, offering flexibility to participate from anywhere in the world.

Please note that while you will submit your application through the University of Amsterdam, it is your responsibility to apply to the host university next, as well as secure a visa, and arrange housing and travel.

Still undecided? U21 offers additional accessible international programmesExternal link available to all UvA students, giving you more opportunities to develop global skills from the comfort of your own home.

When is U21?

• Applications open: 5 February 2025
• Applications close: 5 March 2025
• U21 summer school: choose your own dates between late May and late August 2025.

Where is U21?

There are 10 scholarships available for European universities, and selected students can choose from the following:

1. KU Leuven (Belgium)
2. University College Dublin (Ireland)
3. Lund University (Sweden)
4. University of Zurich (Switzerland)
5. University of Birmingham (UK)
6. The University of Edinburgh (UK)
7. University of Glasgow (UK)
8. University of Nottingham (UK)

Additionally, 10 scholarships are available for the following U21 universities outside Europe:

1. UC Chile (Chile)
2. Fudan University (China)
3. University of Hong Kong (SAR)
4. Waseda University (Japan)
5. Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico)
6. National University of Singapore (Singapore)
7. Korea University (South Korea)

Once selected for either a European or global U21 scholarship, there are no restrictions on which listed destination you choose within that category.

You can find more information about the U21 universities and their summer school offer on the UvA World Map.

Get informed

• Subscribe to our newsletterExternal link to stay updated on important deadlines and dates for our international short-term programmes.
• Attend the session on ‘Exploring Short-term Learning Opportunities’External link at Study Abroad Fair on 2 November 2024.
• Register for workshops hosted by the Office of International Student Affairs to get helpful tips to overcome the challenges in applying, and how to prepare.

Why choose a U21 summer school?

Are you facing challenges affording an internship, research project, or exchange abroad? Or perhaps you cannot leave home for an extended period due to work or caregiving responsibilities? The U21 summer scholarship offers an affordable opportunity to gain meaningful global exposure in a short timeframe. With 20 scholarships available for summer 2025, U21 allows you to choose from destinations such as China, South Korea, Switzerland, and more, enabling you to select courses and dates that align with your schedule.

At the University of Amsterdam, we are committed to promoting sustainable travel experiences, which is why we allocate our scholarships between European and non-European destinations. For European locations, we encourage students to travel by train, bus, or ferry, thereby minimising their carbon footprint. Our dedication to sustainable travel reflects our belief that educational journeys should be enriching and responsible, allowing students to immerse themselves in their studies while making environmentally conscious decisions.

A significant advantage of the U21 summer school scholarships is that you can often transfer your credits you earn to the UvA, furthering your educational journey. This means you can gain valuable international experience while advancing your degree! However, be sure to consult your study advisor and obtain approval from the Examination Board beforehand.

Funding

There are 10 spots of €1,200 available for universities in Europe, and 10 spots of €1,600 for universities outside Europe. These scholarships can be used to cover (part of) the programme fees at the host institution and, in some cases, may also contribute to accommodation costs.

The scholarship will be disbursed in two instalments: 70% before departure and 30% after departure.

How to apply

Meet the conditions to apply for U21

All applicants must meet the following two conditions:

• You are enrolled as a full-time fee paying student at the University of Amsterdam from the moment of application until the end of the programme.
• You have not participated in an exchange during your higher education and have not been selected for a future exchange.

Request priority for the U21 summer school scholarships

The U21 programme is especially suitable for the following groups of students who face challenges in studying abroad: students with financial constraints, specialised learning needs, and/or physical or mental health conditions. Applicants who provide proof of belonging to one or more of these groups will be given priority in the selection process.

If you're unable to provide the required documentation, we still encourage you to apply, though without priority consideration.

Priority Consideration

You may receive priority consideration based on one or two criteria:

1. Financial Constraints - If you are receiving the "aanvullende beurs" (supplementary grant) from DUOExternal link, submit an official document from DUO showing you receive a grant of more than €0.00. A screenshot from "Mijn DUO" is not valid.
2. Physical or Mental Condition - If you have a physical or mental condition that affects your studies or ability to study abroad, fill out and submit this medical statement (pdf). Please do not include any personal medical information, such as medications or diagnoses.

Priority Categories

• Category 1: Submit both a valid DUO statement and a medical statement.
• Category 2: Submit either a valid DUO statement or a medical statement.
• Category 3: Other students may apply without priority consideration.

Apply in these steps

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Gather Documentation - If applicable, obtain your medical statement and/or DUO letter. If you don’t have these documents, you can proceed to step 2.
2. Email Your Application - Send an email to global@uva.nlExternal link with the subject line: “U21 Application + [Your Name].” Attach your medical statement and/or DUO letter. Please include your chosen U21 institution in the email. If you wish to continue your application without priority, please indicate this in your email.  Once we receive your email and assign you a priority category, we will send you the link to the application form.
3. Complete the Application Form - Fill out the application form, which will require a choice in destination, brief recommendation letter from a peer (to be copied into the form) and a brief motivation statement. You will also need to rank three global challenges related to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Please do not wait until the last minute to prepare your application, as this is the final step.

After application

Selection

20 students are selected through a lottery process, following these steps:

1. We categorise applications into European and global destinations.
2. We determine your priority category (first, second, or third).
3. A lottery is conducted among applicants in priority category 1.
4. If spots remain, a lottery is held for priority category 2, followed by category 3, as needed.

After submitting your application, you will be notified about the results and any potential next steps.

Excluded from selection

You are excluded from selection if one or more of the following applies to you:

• You submitted an incomplete application.
• You are not enrolled as a full-time fee paying student at the University of Amsterdam from the moment of application until the end of the programme.
• You have participated in an exchange during your higher education or have been selected for a future exchange.

Questions?

This programme is coordinated by the Office of International Student Affairs, the central international office of the UvA. Please email global@uva.nlExternal link if you have any questions.

Please read this page and the attached fact sheet beforehand.