Extended Master's degree programmes

If you are enrolled in an extended Master’s degree programme, you may be eligible for the Financial Support Scheme for Students in Extended Master’s Programmes (only available in Dutch). However, there are several conditions you need to take into account. This page explains whether you may be eligible and how to apply.

For international students: This scheme only applies to students who received student finance from the Dutch government (DUO). This includes some international students. See here for more information.

What is an extended Master’s degree programme?

A Master's degree programme may last longer than one year, while DUO assumes a duration of one year. This is caused by the fact that the university has extended the programme, known as an 'extended Master's degree programme'. Please note: in addition, there are regular multi-year master’s programmes that are officially recognized as such by DUO. These are not considered ‘extended master’s programmes. Since in principle you no longer receive any student finance during the 'extended' part of the Master's degree programme, in some cases you may be eligible for financial support from Utrecht University.

Which master's programmes does this apply to at the moment?

  • The Master's programme in Literary Translation or Professional Translation (last available through the academic year 2024–2025).
  • The Master's programme in Communication and Organisation (Communicatie en organisatie). For this programme, an internship allowance is provided through the internship agreement. Check your programme’s webpage for more information. You can only make use of the Financial Support Scheme if you have previously received a supplementary grant from DUO.

What are the conditions?

  • You obtained your Master’s degree within DUO’s diploma period (10 years).
  • During the extended part of your master’s programme, you were no longer eligible for student finance (performance-related grant) from DUO and were in the "loan phase."
  • You did not receive a fifth year of student finance (performance-related grant) from DUO.

You can find the exact conditions in the official regulations.

Read the full regulation (only available in Dutch)

How to apply for financial support

You can submit your application for financial support digitally within four weeks of receiving the notification of graduation. You will be notified by email once an official decision has been made regarding your request. You can read the decision in your Osiris Case. The average processing time is four weeks.

The amount

The amount of financial support generally matches the amount of student finance you received from DUO prior to the extended part of the Master’s degree programme. This amount can be granted for the number of months the programme is extended. You are not entitled to an extension of the Student travel product, neither from Utrecht University nor from DUO.

Once you have received a decision confirming that you are eligible for financial support, the full amount will be paid in a single instalment. This amount does not count as taxable income.