Maastricht University UM NL Social Justice Scholarship 2027 Netherlands [Fully Funded Master]
Maastricht University UM NL Social Justice Scholarship 2027 in the Netherlands is officially open and this is one of the rare full scholarships in Europe dedicated to human rights, rule of law, and social justice. If you have a law background, activism, or proven work in human rights and you are from a non-EU country including Pakistan, this is for you.
This scholarship is offered by Maastricht University (UM) in Maastricht, Netherlands for the full-time Master programme Globalisation and Law (13 months). It is a full scholarship covering tuition at cost, living allowance €20,150 (€1,550 per month for 13 months), health and liability insurance €700, visa costs at cost, pre-academic training costs, and mandatory housing until July 2028. Air tickets are not included. Only 1 full award is given per year - highly competitive, but worth trying.
1. Scholarship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Maastricht University, Netherlands |
| Scholarship | UM NL Social Justice Scholarship (part of UM NL-High Potential Scholarship family) |
| Program | Full-time Master - Globalisation and Law (LLM) |
| Duration | 13 months (September 2027 - July 2028 housing) |
| Number of Awards | 1 Full Scholarship (approx 2% success rate - highly competitive) |
| Coverage | Tuition + €20,150 living + €700 insurance + visa + pre-academic training + housing |
| Eligibility | Non-EU/EEA only, no dual EU nationality, age ≤35 on 1 Sep 2027, GPA 7.5/10 |
| Applications Open | 1 October 2026 |
| Master Deadline | 10 December 2026 via Studielink |
| Scholarship Deadline | 1 February 2027 at 23:59 CET |
| Start Date | September 2027, Pre-academic training first week of August 2027 (mandatory) |
Maastricht University is known for its Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system, UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Peace, and core values of diversity, inclusivity, and Global Engagement Policy 2024-2030 focusing on strengthening rule of law.
2. What Does It Cover? Full Benefits Breakdown
This is not a partial waiver. UM Social Justice is a full cost scholarship, arranged and paid by UM International Services Desk.
| Item | Amount | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Living expenses | €20,150 (13 months = €1,550/month) | Paid to student by UM International Services Desk |
| Health & liability insurance | €700 | Arranged and paid by UM |
| Visa application costs | At cost | Arranged and paid by UM |
| Tuition fees | At cost (approx €23,000+ for non-EU) | Arranged and paid by UM |
| Pre-Academic Training costs | At cost | Arranged and paid by UM |
| ISAP (International Student Ambassador Programme) | First block only at cost | Arranged and paid by UM |
Living expenses breakdown of €20,150:
- Housing: €960/month
- Groceries and personal hygiene: €160
- Telephone: €60
- Travel: €100
- Books and study materials: €90
- Clothing, hobbies, going out: €125
- Miscellaneous: €55
3. Why Globalisation and Law at Maastricht?
Globalisation and Law is a 1-year LLM examining how globalisation affects legal systems, human rights, trade, corporate accountability. Specializations include Human Rights, Corporate and Commercial Law, International Trade.
Why Maastricht is special:
- Problem-Based Learning - small groups, case studies, not just lectures
- UNESCO Chair on Human Rights and Peace based at UM
- Close to Brussels, The Hague (ICJ, ICC) - field trips and internships
- International classroom - 55% international students
- English taught, in Netherlands - easy travel in EU
4. Eligibility - Age 35, GPA 7.5/10, Non-EU, Proven Human Rights Record
Eligibility is strict. All must be met:
- Nationality: Hold nationality outside EU/EEA, Switzerland or Surinam. Need entry visa and residence permit for Netherlands. If you have residence permit for another Schengen country valid until at least 2 Sep 2027, you can apply from there, otherwise apply from home country via MVV visa. No dual nationality from EU/EEA or Switzerland.
- Master admission: Applied for full-time Master Globalisation and Law for 2027-2028 and submitted full file before 10 Dec 2026 via Studielink.
- Proven contribution to rule of law / human rights: Must show intra- and extracurricular initiatives and projects - e.g., NGO work, advocacy, moot courts, research, campaigns, volunteering. This is core.
- Specific admission requirements of master programme met.
- Preference to candidates without Master degree yet - if you already have LLM, lower chance.
- Age: Not older than 35 years on 1 September 2027
- GPA: 7.5 out of 10 or higher. Equivalent to 75% out of 100% or 3 out of 4 GPA. Must provide official document showing GPA and document explaining grade system. Only cumulative bachelor GPA counts.
- One scholarship only: You can only apply once and for one UM scholarship. Choose wisely - cannot apply for both Social Justice and NL-High Potential for different programme.
5. Good News for Pakistan & Human Rights Activists
Pakistani students are eligible as non-EU. In fact, UM encourages candidates from Global South committed to human rights. If you worked with HRCP, AGHS, legal aid, refugee support, women's rights, climate justice, your profile fits.
What counts as proven record?
- Internship at law firm handling human rights cases
- Volunteering with NGO on rule of law
- Research paper on human rights
- Moot court competition on international law
- Campaign organizing, advocacy, community legal education
Document everything with certificates.
6. Important Dates - Master 10 Dec 2026, Scholarship 1 Feb 2027
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 1 October 2026 |
| Apply for Master Globalisation and Law via Studielink + submit full file | 10 December 2026 |
| Scholarship Application via UM account | 1 February 2027 23:59 CET |
| All registration requirements must be met (except residence, tuition, diploma hard copy) | 1 February 2027 |
| Faculty selects top 3, sends to International Services Desk | March 2027 |
| Interviews + Action Plan preparation | End of March 2027 |
| Final decisions - selected/waitlisted/rejected | April 2027, by beginning of May 2027 final |
| Pre-Academic Training (mandatory) | First week of August 2027 |
| Master Starts | September 2027 |
Crucial: Master application deadline is earlier than scholarship deadline. If you miss 10 Dec 2026 for master, you cannot apply for scholarship on 1 Feb 2027. So start now.
7. Required Documents
Upload in .doc, .docx or PDF only, once - cannot add later. Prepare before submitting.
- CV: Max 2 A4 pages, up-to-date education and job experience, mention awards/prizes
- Letter of motivation: Use UM template (on official site). Focus on what you already did to improve human rights - not just why you want to study
- Proof of academic excellence:
- University transcript or official document showing latest GPA 7.5/10+
- Document explaining your grade system
- Personal statement of financial needs: Explain why you benefit - financial difficulty, sole parent/caretaking responsibilities, medical condition, disability, refugee status etc.
- Reference letter: Dated no earlier than Feb 2026, from professor, lecturer, or employer (not family). Must follow UM reference guidelines. Upload yourself, referee cannot upload. Institutional email required, personal Gmail rejected.
- Contact details of one referee: Work telephone with country code, work/institutional email, relationship to you
8. How to Apply Step by Step via Studielink
Step 1: Master Application
- Go to Studielink.nl - create account, apply for Maastricht University - Globalisation and Law full-time master 2027-2028
- After Studielink, you will receive student ID number for UM via email
- Submit application file in full via UM portal - transcripts, English proficiency (check programme page), etc. before 10 Dec 2026
- If programme requires handling fee, pay yourself before 10 Dec 2026 - UM International Services Desk does NOT cover handling fee
Step 2: Scholarship Application
- Log in with your UM account (need student number from Step 1)
- Fill application form via link on official scholarship page - only via form
- Upload all documents listed above
- Submit before 1 Feb 2027 23:59 CET
9. Selection Process & Interview with Action Plan
- Step 1: UM International Services Desk checks completeness after 1 Feb 2027
- Step 2: Complete applications sent to UM Law Faculty in Feb 2027
- Step 3: Faculty selects and ranks top 3 applicants, sends to International Services Desk in March 2027
- Step 4: International Services Desk invites selected candidates for online interview end of March 2027. You must prepare action plan detailing how study at UM will help you contribute to strengthening human rights and/or rule of law in your home country and/or elsewhere.
- Step 5: After interviews, inform all candidates April 2027 - selected, waitlisted or rejected by beginning May 2027
- Step 6: Sign and return award letter to accept
Interview is key - they want future human rights leaders, not just grades.
10. How to Win - Proven Record in Human Rights
- Show impact, not participation: Don't just say "volunteered at NGO". Say "Drafted 3 legal aid petitions for 12 bonded laborers, leading to release in District Court"
- Motivation letter template: Use UM template, focus 70% on what you already did for human rights, 30% on why UM Globalisation and Law will amplify your impact
- Action Plan for interview: Have concrete plan - e.g., "After LLM, return to Pakistan to establish legal aid clinic for climate refugees in Sindh, using knowledge of international environmental law"
- GPA proof: Get official document with stamp, not screenshot of result
- Reference: Choose professor who knows your human rights work, not just highest designation. Give them UM reference guidelines early.
- Financial needs statement: Be honest, specific - e.g., sole earner, can't afford €23k tuition, etc. Not generic "I need financial help"
11. FAQs
A: Yes, Pakistan is non-EU/EEA, fully eligible. Age ≤35, GPA 7.5/10.
A: Social Justice is part of NL-High Potential family but specifically only for Globalisation and Law and focused on human rights. Same benefits, but you can only apply for one UM scholarship.
A: You can, but preference given to those without Master degree.
A: No, air tickets not included. You pay.
A: Not eligible. You must NOT have dual EU/EEA/Swiss nationality.
A: Master programme has its own English requirement - check Globalisation and Law page. Scholarship itself does not add extra English test but you must meet master admission.
12. Final Words
Maastricht University UM NL Social Justice Scholarship 2027 is small (1 award) but life-changing - full tuition, €20,150 living, visa, insurance, housing. If you have 7.5 GPA, under 35, non-EU, and real record in human rights, you should apply. Deadline for master is 10 December 2026 - earlier than scholarship deadline 1 Feb 2027, so don't wait.
Start collecting GPA proof, reference letter following UM guidelines, and write motivation using UM template focusing on your human rights contributions.
Verify latest on official Maastricht University site as amounts subject to change for 2027-28.
Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Maastricht University. Details verified from official UM site as of Oct 2026. Images AI-generated, copyright free for illustration.
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