Science@Leuven Scholarship Application 2027: Eligibility, Benefits, Documents and How to Apply

A Science@Leuven Scholarship application gives excellent international students a chance at 12,000 euros a year for a science Master’s at KU Leuven in Belgium. The award comes from the Science@Leuven Fund of the Faculty of Science, and students from outside the EEA also get a partial tuition fee waiver. This guide explains who can apply, what the award pays, the two-step application and the 15 February 2027 deadline. The key facts are also on our Science@Leuven Scholarship 2027 listing.

We checked every detail on 28 October 2026 against the official KU Leuven scholarship page for 2027-2028. Where KU Leuven does not give a detail, we say so.

Science@Leuven Scholarship at a glance

University	KU Leuven, Faculty of Science, Leuven, Belgium
Level	Master’s programmes starting in 2027-2028
Who can apply	All nationalities except Belgian
Award	12,000 euros per academic year for up to two years
Fee waiver	Partial tuition fee waiver for non-EEA students
Applications open	1 October 2026
Deadline	15 February 2027 (time not stated)
Results	Beginning of May 2027

What the scholarship pays

• Allowance. 12,000 euros per academic year.
• Second year. The award runs for a maximum of two consecutive years; you receive the second year if you perform well in the first year of your Master’s.
• Fee waiver for non-EEA students. With the waiver, non-EEA scholarship holders paid a fee of 3,252.72 euros in 2026-2027, whatever their programme. The 2027-2028 amount had not been decided when we checked.
• EEA students receive the allowance but no extra fee waiver.

The number of scholarships changes every year depending on the funds available, and KU Leuven calls them highly competitive. One named scholarship is reserved for the Master of Geography, but it is only awarded if an applicant meets the expected level. KU Leuven does not say whether the allowance is paid monthly or in one sum.

Eligible Master’s programmes

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biology
• Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Geography (only with KU Leuven as home institution)
• Geology (only with KU Leuven as home institution)
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Statistics and Data Science
• Sustainable Development

Who can apply

• students of any nationality except Belgian;
• students with excellent results, comparable to at least Distinction at KU Leuven (preferably more);
• holders of a Bachelor’s degree from a non-Belgian university that gives access to the chosen Master’s;
• students who have not studied or worked at KU Leuven before and do not already hold a Master’s or PhD; and
• students willing to act as an ambassador for their programme.

English must be very good: TOEFL iBT 94 with at least 19 for reading, 18 for listening, 19 for speaking and 21 for writing (or 4.5 overall on the new TOEFL scale, with 4, 4, 3.5 and 4.5), or IELTS 7.0 with at least 6.5 for reading and 6 for listening, speaking and writing. If you are choosing a test, see IELTS vs TOEFL.

Documents you need

• the standard documents for admission to your Master’s programme;
• a transcript of records listing every course with its ECTS credits and result, plus an explanation of your grading scale if it is not ECTS;
• a description of half a page to one page of your most relevant courses, with content, textbooks and credits;
• two letters of reference from internationally renowned professors; and
• a letter of motivation for the programme.

All of these are uploaded in the KU Leuven application tool with your Master’s application. Our motivation letter template and our tips on getting strong recommendation letters will help.

Science@Leuven Scholarship application steps

1. Apply for your Master’s in the KU Leuven application tool, following the application instructions. Each application costs a non-refundable 120 euros.
2. Upload the required documents listed above.
3. Wait for the confirmation email that your Master’s application was submitted.
4. Register for the scholarship on the Science@Leuven form with your name, email, programme and guest account ID, and attach the confirmation email as a PDF.
5. Check for a second email confirming that you are registered. Your registration is complete only when you receive it.

You do not need to wait for admission before registering. However, your application will not be considered if it is clear you will not be admitted to the Master’s.

Timeline and selection

When	What happens
1 October 2026	Applications open
15 February 2027	Scholarship deadline
15 February to end of March 2027	Programme admissions committee evaluates your Master’s application
Beginning of April 2027	Applicants admitted by then are checked against the scholarship rules
April 2027	Selection Committee ranks students and holds online interviews
Beginning of May 2027	The Fund’s Board awards the scholarships and notifies applicants

The Programme Director first ranks applicants, mainly on academic results; motivation and knowledge of the programme can also count. The Selection Committee then ranks everyone on academic results, English and motivation. Its main criterion is how likely you are to graduate at least cum laude. About eight students are invited to an online interview, which may cover your motivation, future plans, extracurricular activities and why you chose KU Leuven and the programme.

Tips for a strong application

• Apply early. Your Master’s application must be complete and admitted by the beginning of April 2027.
• Make the course description count. Pick the courses that best prepare you for the Master’s and name the textbooks.
• Show you know the programme. Motivation and knowledge of the programme are part of the ranking and the interview.
• Think like an ambassador. The committee looks at how you would represent the Science@Leuven Fund.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Stopping after the Master’s application. The scholarship needs a separate registration on the Science@Leuven form, with your application confirmation email attached as a PDF.
• Choosing the wrong Geography or Geology route. These two programmes only qualify if KU Leuven is your home institution.
• Missing the eligibility rules. A Bachelor’s from a Belgian university, earlier study or work at KU Leuven, or an existing Master’s degree all rule you out.
• Weak English subscores. A good overall score is not enough if one section is below the minimum.
• Generic reference letters. KU Leuven asks for two letters from internationally renowned professors, so give your referees enough time and details about the programme.

Comparing options? See the Erasmus Mundus DEAI Scholarship, partly in Belgium, the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship and the EPFL Excellence Fellowships.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Science@Leuven Scholarship?

12,000 euros per academic year for up to two years. Non-EEA students also receive a partial tuition fee waiver.

When is the deadline for 2027-2028?

15 February 2027. KU Leuven does not state a time, so submit a few days early.

Can students from Pakistan, India or Nigeria apply?

Yes. The scholarship is open to all nationalities except Belgian, if you meet the academic and English requirements.

Do I need admission before I apply?

No. You can register once you have applied for the Master’s, but only admitted students are considered.

What English score is required?

TOEFL iBT 94 or IELTS 7.0, with minimum subscores for each section.

Can I apply if I already have a Master’s degree?

No. Applicants must not have obtained a Master’s degree or a PhD.

Is there an interview?

Yes. Around eight shortlisted candidates are interviewed online in April 2027.

When are results announced?

At the beginning of May 2027.

Where to apply

Read the official Science@Leuven Scholarship 2027-2028 page, the scholarship timepath and the KU Leuven application instructions before you apply. Our Science@Leuven Scholarship listing keeps the key facts in one place.