Fully Funded Master Mind Scholarship 2026 at KU Leuven in Belgium (Deadline: 15 January, 2026)

The Master Mind Scholarship is offered by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training in collaboration with KU Leuven (and other Flemish higher-education institutions). It aims to attract outstanding international students (outside Flanders) to pursue full-time Master’s degree programs in the Flanders region (Belgium).

At KU Leuven, qualifying students apply for eligible Master’s programs and also indicate their candidacy for this scholarship. KU Leuven nominates a limited number of candidates to the Flemish government, which makes the final awards.

Master Mind Scholarship Summary

Host Country	Belgium
Host University	KU Leuven
Funded By	Flemish Ministry of Education and Training
Ranking	#60 in QS World University Rankings 2026
Eligible Nationalities	All except Russians
Degree Level	Master’s
Number of Scholarships	Thirty out of which ten are reserved
Scholarship Duration	1 to 2 Years
Deadline	15 January 2026

Benefits of the Master Mind Scholarship

• Full tuition-fee waiver for the Master’s program at KU Leuven. Only the small annual administrative/enrolment fee remains.
• A scholarship allowance of approximately €10,000 per academic year to help cover living expenses, insurance, accommodation, etc.
• Duration:
  • For a 60 ECTS Master’s program: 1 academic year.
  • For a 120 ECTS Master’s program: up to 2 academic years of benefit. Thus, overall, it is a robust scholarship in terms of cost-coverage (tuition + living support) for high-achieving international students.

Eligibility Requirements for the Master Mind Scholarship in Belgium

Must apply for and be admitted to an eligible full-time Master’s program at KU Leuven (or another Flemish institution if participating). Programs such as preparatory/bridging programs and distance learning are typically not eligible.

Previous higher education degree(s) must have been obtained outside Flanders (Belgium). International students who have only done a credit mobility in Flanders may still be eligible.

All nationalities are eligible except Russian citizens.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency. Accepted tests include.

• TOEFL (online) minimum overall score 94
• IELTS minimum overall score 7
• Cambridge CPE minimum level C2

High academic performance and potential: Applicants must demonstrate excellence (strong GPA or equivalent, awards, leadership, etc.).

The applicant should not already be enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution at the time of application (with limited exceptions).

Disqualifying Conditions

These are conditions under which you would not be eligible:

• If you are already enrolled in a Flemish higher education institution (except for the specified exception of a preparatory program) at the time of applying.
• If your previous degree was obtained in Flanders. (i.e., your last diploma is from a Flemish institution)
• If you are applying for a program that is not eligible (for example, a preparatory program, bridging, distance-learning), or if your Master’s program is not on the eligible list.
• If you are combining this scholarship with another scholarship funded by the Flemish government or with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship. You cannot hold those simultaneously.

Selection Procedure of the Master Mind Scholarship at KU Leuven

1. You apply for admission to the eligible Master’s program by the deadline (see next section).
2. You fill out the “KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form” (or similar) and indicate you wish to be considered for the Master Mind scholarship.
3. After the deadline, the Master’s programs at KU Leuven nominate eligible applicants to the central KU Leuven Scholarships Unit.
4. KU Leuven nominates up to about 20 candidates for the Flemish government’s Master Mind scholarship.
5. These nominated students then fill in (or the institution does on their behalf) the Flemish government’s online application system (Mobility-Online) for the scholarship.
6. The Flemish government’s selection committee makes the final award decisions (approx. end May / early June).
7. Selected scholarship recipients are announced, and then they enroll in KU Leuven and begin their program.

Selection criteria that are emphasised include:

• Outstanding academic record
• Motivation and potential for impact
• Leadership, extracurricular contribution, global mindset
• Fit of the study program and career ambition

How to Apply for the Master Mind Scholarship

1. Choose your Master’s program at KU Leuven that is eligible for the Master Mind scholarship (check the official eligible-programs list). For example, see the list for 2025-26.
2. Submit your application for admission to that program before the deadline (for example, 15 January). At the same time, upload the “KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form” as an annex.
3. Register your scholarship candidacy via KU Leuven’s online tool before the same deadline (e.g., 15 January 23:59 CET).
4. Wait for KU Leuven’s nomination decision. If nominated, you will receive further instructions (e.g., submit a motivational video) and fill out the Flemish government’s online scholarship application.
5. Final award decisions by the Flemish government; if selected, you confirm your enrolment and receive the scholarship.
6. Arrive and start your program at KU Leuven.