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The Science@Leuven Scholarship at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Science stands among Europe’s most prestigious academic awards, designed to empower exceptional international students who are passionate about advancing scientific knowledge and research.
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Established through the Science@Leuven Fund, this scholarship recognizes academic excellence, motivation, and leadership potential — enabling top-performing scholars from around the world to pursue their Master’s studies in Belgium.
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Scholarship Overview
The Science@Leuven Scholarship 2026 invites motivated and talented students from all nationalities to apply for a Master’s degree program at the Faculty of Science, KU Leuven. Scholarships are limited and highly competitive, granted only to candidates with outstanding academic records (comparable to “Distinction” or higher) in their prior studies.
Master’s degree programs
This initiative embodies KU Leuven’s mission to cultivate global scientific leaders, fostering a diverse academic community that contributes to world-class research and innovation.
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Type, Coverage, and Duration
| Details | Description |
| Academic Year | 2026–2027 |
| Type | Partial Tuition Fee Waiver + Living Allowance |
| Allowance | €12,000 per academic year (for up to two years) |
| Tuition Fee Waiver | Non-EEA students pay a reduced fee of €1,651.10 (for 2025–2026; 2026–2027 to be announced). EEA students do not receive a fee waiver but benefit from the allowance. |
| Duration | Up to two consecutive academic years (subject to satisfactory first-year performance) |
| Number of Awards | Varies annually depending on available funds |
The award is renewable for the second year if the student maintains strong academic results in the first year of study.
Eligible Master’s Programs
Applicants must apply to one of the following Faculty of Science programs at KU Leuven (Leuven campus):
Master’s degree programs
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- Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Master of Biology
- Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Master of Chemistry
- Master of Geography (only for KU Leuven home institution students)
- Master of Geology (only for KU Leuven home institution students)
- Master of Mathematics
- Master of Physics
- Master of Statistics and Data Science
- Master of Sustainable Development.
Master’s degree programs
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Science@Leuven Scholarship, applicants must:
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- Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a non-Belgian university giving access to one of the eligible Master’s programs.
- Have no prior academic or professional experience at KU Leuven and must not already hold a Master’s or PhD.
- Demonstrate academic excellence (at least Distinction-level or equivalent).
- Show strong motivation and commitment to scientific advancement.
- Possess proficiency in English, demonstrated through one of the following:
- TOEFL iBT minimum score 94, with subscores of 19 (reading), 18 (listening), 19 (speaking), and 21 (writing).
- IELTS Academic overall band 7.0, with at least 6.5 (reading), 6.0 (listening), 6.0 (speaking), and 6.0 (writing).
Master’s degree programs
- Be willing to act as an ambassador for the Science@Leuven community.
Application Process
Applications for the Science@Leuven Scholarship 2026 open on 1 October 2025 and close on 15 February 2026:
Step 1: Apply for Admission to KU Leuven: Submit your application for the eligible Master’s program through the KU Leuven online application tool and upload all required admission documents.
Step 2: Apply for the Scholarship: Once you receive the confirmation email that your Master’s application has been successfully submitted, upload that email as part of your Science@Leuven Scholarship application.
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You must complete both:
- The KU Leuven Master’s Application Form, and
- The Science@Leuven Scholarship Registration Form.
Your application will only be considered if your Master’s admission is likely to be accepted.
Required Documents
Applicants must prepare and upload the following materials:
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- Standard admission documents (as per KU Leuven’s requirements)
- Transcript of Records, listing courses, ECTS credits, and grades
- Course Descriptions (half to one page each) of key subjects relevant to the chosen Master’s program
- Two academic recommendation letters from internationally recognized professors
- Motivation Letter explaining your interest in the chosen Master’s program and your long-term goals
Selection Process
The selection procedure is multi-layered and rigorous:
- Initial Screening: Only students admitted to one of the eligible Master’s programs will be considered.
- Programme Review: The Director of each program ranks candidates based on academic merit, motivation, and suitability.
- Committee Evaluation: The Science@Leuven Fund Committee evaluates shortlisted applicants for academic excellence, English proficiency, and motivation.
- Interviews: Around eight top applicants are invited for an online interview, assessing their goals, academic vision, and ambassador potential.
- Final Selection: The Board of the Science@Leuven Fund finalizes the list of awardees based on academic merit and leadership potential.
Master’s degree programs
Selection Criteria
- Academic Excellence: High academic standing comparable to at least “Distinction” at KU Leuven.
- English Proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS results meeting the required thresholds.
- Motivation Letter: Clear vision and strong justification for program choice.
- Recommendation Letters: Strong endorsements from respected professors.
Application Timeline
Applications for the Science@Leuven Scholarship 2026 will officially open on 1 October 2025, allowing prospective students to begin submitting their applications for eligible Master’s programs at KU Leuven. The application deadline for both the program and the scholarship is 15 February 2026. Once the application period closes, the Admissions Committee will review all submitted files between February and March 2026 to assess eligibility and academic merit.
Master’s degree programs
Shortlisted candidates will then be considered during the scholarship evaluation phase in April 2026, during which the Selection Committee will also conduct online interviews with top applicants. The final results and list of awardees will be announced in early May 2026, giving successful candidates ample time to prepare for their studies in Belgium for the academic year 2026–2027.
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DATE . Oct/7/2025