If you are an international student with top grades and you want to do a Master’s in engineering or technology in the Netherlands, the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships are among the most valuable awards you can aim for. They are given by Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) to a small group of outstanding international applicants to its two-year MSc programmes. The award covers tuition and adds a contribution toward living costs.
This guide explains what the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships cover, who qualifies and how to apply. It also shows how to avoid the mistakes that cost strong candidates their chance.
What Are the Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships?
The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarship, often shortened to JLvE, is a TU Delft scholarship for excellent international students. According to TU Delft’s scholarship page, there are 16 full scholarships across the regular MSc programmes, listed as two per faculty.
You don’t apply for it as a separate programme. You apply for your MSc, and then you upload the scholarship documents as part of that application.
Key Benefits: What the Scholarship Covers
According to TU Delft’s scholarship page, the JLvE provides:
- Full tuition fees for the first year, at the statutory or institutional rate that applies to your nationality.
- A contribution toward living expenses.
- Second-year support that depends on study progress: you need to complete at least 48 of 60 ECTS by the end of the first year.
TU Delft’s page doesn’t give the monthly living-expense figure, so I can’t state an amount. One third-party page describes the package as worth roughly €75,000 for non-EU students over the two years, but I couldn’t confirm that on TU Delft’s own site. Ask TU Delft or read your award letter for the exact numbers.
Conditions that come with the award
- You can’t receive any other partial or full scholarship alongside the JLvE.
- Part-time work is discouraged, because it can affect your studies.
- You must stay enrolled at TU Delft for the scholarship period.
- There are no financial extensions beyond the two-year period.
- The award is conditional on meeting all admission criteria.
Who the Scholarship Is For
Final-year bachelor’s students
You can apply while finishing your bachelor’s, as long as you’re conditionally admitted to the MSc and meet the entry requirements in time.
Bachelor’s graduates
This is the main group. You need a bachelor’s degree relevant to the MSc you want, and results in roughly the top 10% of your graduating class.
Postgraduate applicants
The scholarship supports entry to a two-year regular MSc. It isn’t for PhD study or short courses. If you already hold a master’s, check TU Delft’s rules carefully before you count on it.
Not for Joint Education Programmes
TU Delft says International Joint Education Programmes are excluded.
Detailed Eligibility Criteria
From TU Delft’s scholarship page:
- International applicant: you must be an excellent international applicant who is conditionally admitted to a two-year regular TU Delft MSc programme.
- Relevant prior study: your previous studies must be relevant to the MSc you’re applying for.
- Top 10%: you should rank roughly in the top 10% of your graduating class. Proof of ranking is not required.
- Complete application: you must have submitted a complete MSc application before the deadline.
- Programme type: Joint Education Programmes are excluded.
A third-party page says applicants typically need a cumulative GPA of at least 80% of the scale maximum. TU Delft’s page uses the “top 10%” wording, so treat the 80% figure as unconfirmed.
English: TU Delft’s page says you must upload your English language certificate unless you are exempt. The exact test and score depend on your MSc programme’s admission requirements, so check that page.
What “excellent” means in practice
TU Delft doesn’t publish a grade table. The top 10% guide means you should be ready to show that your results are exceptional within your own university and country, not just “good.”
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Choose your MSc. Make sure it’s a regular two-year TU Delft programme, not a Joint Education Programme.
- Check the admission requirements. The scholarship only works if you’re admitted.
- Complete your MSc application. Do this first, and do it early.
- Download the Scholarship Application Form. TU Delft publishes a form for the intake you’re applying to.
- Upload your scholarship documents. These are the form, a reference letter and your English certificate (if you’re not exempt).
- Submit before the deadline. Late applications are not reviewed.
- Wait for the decision. TU Delft emails award decisions by the end of March 2027.
Tip: Treat the MSc application and the scholarship upload as one project. A strong scholarship form can’t rescue an incomplete admission file.
Required Documents Checklist
According to TU Delft’s page, you need to upload:
- Scholarship Application Form (the version for your intake)
- One reference letter. If you have two, combine them into one PDF.
- English language certificate, unless you are exempt
You also need everything your MSc application requires, such as transcripts, your degree documents and your CV. Check your programme’s admission page for the full list.
A third-party page notes that reference letters submitted after the MSc application is submitted may not count, and none are accepted after the scholarship deadline. Confirm that with TU Delft.
Important Deadlines and Timeline
- Application deadline: 1 December 2026, 23:59 CET. Late applications aren’t reviewed.
- Decisions: emailed by the end of March 2027.
- Study start: the page doesn’t give an exact date here. Check your programme’s start date.
TU Delft has also listed another scholarship with the same 1 December 2026 deadline: an Electrical Engineering (Microelectronics) scholarship, with up to two partial tuition awards, a bachelor’s GPA of at least 80% from an internationally renowned university, and a first-year average of 8.0 needed for the second year. If you’re applying there, read that page too.
A realistic plan
- Now to mid-October: choose your MSc and check admission requirements.
- Mid-October to early November: request transcripts and your reference letter.
- November: finish the MSc application and the scholarship form.
- Last week of November: upload and check everything. Don’t wait for the final night.
- After submitting: watch your email and your application portal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid and Insider Tips
Mistakes
- Missing the 1 December deadline. TU Delft does not review late applications.
- Treating the scholarship as separate from admission. You must submit a complete MSc application first.
- Sending two reference letters in two files. TU Delft asks for one upload. Combine them into one PDF.
- Forgetting the English certificate. Check whether you’re exempt before the last week.
- Applying to a Joint Education Programme. These are excluded.
- Expecting other scholarships on top. You can’t hold another partial or full scholarship alongside the JLvE.
- Ignoring the progress rule. To keep second-year support, you need 48 of 60 ECTS in year one.
Insider tips
- Show your ranking honestly. Proof isn’t required, but your CV and referee should make the “top 10%” claim believable.
- Pick a programme that fits your background. “Relevant prior study” is part of the test.
- Use your referee well. One strong, specific letter beats a generic one.
- Plan your budget. The page doesn’t state the living contribution amount, so work out your Delft costs before you commit.
- Apply to more than one scheme. Competition is strong, so compare options such as the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship, the UNIL Master’s Grants, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship or the Chevening Scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships are there?
TU Delft’s page lists 16 full scholarships, two per faculty, across the regular MSc programmes.
What does the scholarship cover?
Full first-year tuition at the rate that applies to you, plus a contribution toward living expenses. Second-year support depends on completing at least 48 of 60 ECTS in the first year.
How much is the living-expense contribution?
TU Delft’s page doesn’t state an amount. Check your award letter or ask TU Delft.
Can African students apply?
Yes, if you’re an excellent international applicant to a regular two-year TU Delft MSc and you meet the other conditions.
Do I need to be in the top 10%?
TU Delft says you should rank roughly in the top 10% of your graduating class. Proof of ranking isn’t required.
Is there a separate application?
You complete your MSc application, then upload the scholarship form, one reference letter and your English certificate.
When do I find out?
TU Delft emails decisions by the end of March 2027.
Can I work part-time?
It is discouraged, because it may affect your studies.
Can I hold another scholarship?
No. Holders can’t receive any other partial or full scholarship funding alongside the JLvE.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
The Justus & Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships can turn a Delft MSc from a dream into a realistic plan, but only for applicants who prepare early. With a deadline of 1 December 2026, you have time, but not much of it. Do this now:
- Choose your TU Delft MSc and check you meet its admission requirements.
- Request your transcripts and reference letter.
- Download the scholarship form and fill it in carefully.
- Check your English certificate or exemption.
- Submit everything before the deadline.
You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be well prepared and on time.
Apply HERE: TU Delft Scholarships
Author’s note: Amounts, deadlines and eligibility rules can change between intakes. Please confirm everything on TU Delft’s official scholarship page before you apply.