The Flemish Ministry of Education awards scholarships to outstanding students for Master programmes in Flanders and Brussels. The Master Mind programme aims to promote Flemish higher education as a top study destination for international talent. The scholarship includes a grant of € 9600 + a tuition fee waiver per academic year. It is estimated that a total of 30 international students spread across the various universities in Flanders can benefit from the Master Mind Scholarships. Students cannot apply directly. Applications need to be submitted by the University of Antwerp. 

The submission deadline was 1 March 2023. The 2023-2024 call has now closed. The details of the next round will be published in December 2023 and the submission deadline will be 1 February 2024.  

UAntwerp Master programmes that qualify for Master Mind scholarships

General eligibility criteria

The applicant applies to study a Master degree programme at the University of Antwerp.

The applicant should have a high standard of academic performance and/or potential. This means: 

  • The student has a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 out of 4.0. You  can use the GPA calculator here
  • The student has a good knowledge of the English language, proven by one of the following situations:
    • an overall band score of minimum 7.0 on the IELTS test;
    • a minimum total score of 94 on a TOEFL test;
    • a C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference;
    • a similar result in another official language test recognised by the University of Antwerp;
    • or an exemption provided by the Master programme's Selection Committee during the screening process.

Additionally, the University of Antwerp will consider the following aspects when evaluating candidates:

  1. Academic performance
  2. Motivation for the programme and the university
  3. Attitude and maturity
  4. Relevant work experience 
  • The student has to be accepted by the University of Antwerp to be able to receive the scholarship. Even if the university's final decision is taken after awarding the scholarship to the student, this precondition applies.
  • All nationalities can apply, except for Russian citizens this year (see reasons here). The previous degree obtained should be from a higher education institution located outside Flanders.
  • Students who are already enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution cannot apply. The only exception is made for international students who, at the moment of their application in the spring of 2023, are already enrolled in a preparatory programme in order to start a Master programme in September 2023.
  • Students who enrol for the following programmes for the academic year 2023-2024 are not eligible for a Master Mind scholarship:
    • preparatory programmes
    • bridging programmes
    • distance learning programmes
  • Student mobility during the Master programme is allowed. However, at least half of the credits of the Master programme must be obtained at the University of Antwerp.

Modalities

  • The duration of mobility is one academic year for a Master programme of 60 ECTS credits and two academic years for a Master programme of 120 ECTS credits.
  • The incoming student is awarded a maximum scholarship of €9600 per academic year.
  • The applicant needs to pay a reduced tuition fee to the University of Antwerp. The amount for the academic year 2023-2024 is €128.80. This amount may increase slightly from year to year. In case of two-year Master programme (120 ECTS credits), the exact applicable rate for 2024-2025 will be communicated to the Master Mind beneficiaries before 1 September 2024.
  • There are a number of scholarships reserved for students from certain countries: Japan (3), Mexico (3), Palestine (2) and USA (5). These countries are priority countries for the Flemish government.
  • Students cannot combine this scholarship with another scholarship from the Flemish Government or an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
  • Upon completion of the mobility all students are expected to submit an essay for which a format is provided and to fill in a short questionnaire about their mobility.
  • A maximum of 20 applications are shortlisted by the University of Antwerp. The final selections for all universities are made by an external selection board.