Master Mind Scholarship at KU Leuven 2027–2028

The Master Mind Scholarship is a merit-based award funded by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training for outstanding international students who want to study for a master’s degree in Flanders, Belgium. This post documents the KU Leuven route for the 2027–2028 academic year. Applications are open now, and the information below is preliminary — the Flemish Ministry has not yet confirmed the final terms for 2027–2028.

Overview

The Master Mind Scholarship is the Flemish Government’s flagship merit scholarship for master’s students from around the world. It is funded by the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training and administered through the Flemish higher education institutions, which nominate their best applicants. At KU Leuven, three Master Mind Scholarships are available for 2027–2028. The award is for a full master’s programme at KU Leuven — one academic year for a 60 ECTS programme or two academic years for a 120 ECTS programme. A single application also gives automatic consideration for other KU Leuven master’s scholarships: the Inspiring the Outstanding Scholarship, the KU Leuven ASEAN Scholarship, the KU Leuven Scholarship for Africa and the KU Leuven Scholarship for Central and South America, subject to their nationality conditions.

Scholarship Benefits

Incoming students will receive a scholarship of €10,750 to cover the full length of their programme at KU Leuven (2027–2028). The tuition fee is approximately €1,200 per academic year (EEA tariff). The scholarship is paid for one academic year for a 60 ECTS master’s programme and for two academic years for a 120 ECTS master’s programme.

Important: the 2027–2028 information is preliminary and subject to change, pending confirmation by the Flemish Ministry no later than January 2027. The central Study in Flanders page also states that the scholarship is under review and that the grant, selection process and modalities may change for 2027–2028. Check the official KU Leuven page before making any financial plan.

What it does NOT cover: the official KU Leuven page does not list any separate travel, insurance or living-cost allowance beyond the €10,750 grant. Students cannot combine the Master Mind Scholarship with any other scholarship offered by KU Leuven, the Belgian national or regional governments, or the European Commission.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must apply for an eligible master’s programme at KU Leuven. Bridging programmes and distance learning programmes are not eligible for the Master Mind Scholarship in 2027–2028. All nationalities are eligible, according to the KU Leuven page for 2027–2028.

Applicants must demonstrate a high standard of academic performance and potential, with excellent study results reflected in a high Grade Point Average (GPA) on the transcript of records. Previous degree(s) must have been obtained at a higher education institution outside Flanders. International students who completed a credit mobility programme at a Flemish higher education institution are still eligible.

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate a good knowledge of English, regardless of the programme’s minimum score requirement. The language test must be taken before the application deadline on 15 January, although the test results can be added after the deadline. Students who previously completed an English-taught programme in Australia, Canada (the English-speaking provinces), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America are exempt from submitting an English language certificate.

Students who are already enrolled at a Flemish higher education institution are not eligible. The only exception is international students who, at the time of their scholarship application in the spring of 2027, are enrolled on a specific preparatory programme in preparation for starting a master’s programme in September 2027.

Available Fields

All eligible master’s programmes at KU Leuven, as listed on the official KU Leuven scholarships page. Bridging programmes and distance learning programmes are excluded for 2027–2028.

Required Documents

Applicants submit a complete application file for an eligible master’s programme, including the KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form as an annexe, uploaded to the application tool under the document type “Annexe”. The programme application file itself contains the academic documents the programme requires (transcripts and the other documents of a standard master’s application). An English language test must have been taken before the deadline; the results may be submitted after the deadline.

Application Process

1. Submit a complete application file for an eligible master’s programme before 23:59 CET on 15 January 2027, including the KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind Candidacy Form as an annexe.
2. Register the scholarship candidacy via the online registration tool before 23:59 CET on 15 January 2027.
3. Nomination: if nominated as a candidate, the applicant is informed by 10 March 2027 and is then asked to submit a one-minute motivational video for the next stage of the selection process by 16 March 2027.
4. Results: selection results are published at the end of March 2027. Selection takes into account academic performance, academic awards, motivation, relevant experience, demonstrated leadership abilities, a sense of commitment and the top applicant profile.

The same application is automatically considered for the other KU Leuven master’s scholarships listed in the Overview; it is not possible to apply for those scholarships separately.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Applications open	15 October 2026
Application and candidacy registration deadline	15 January 2027, 23:59 CET
Nominees informed	By 10 March 2027
Motivational video from nominees	By 16 March 2027
Selection results	End of March 2027

Applications for the 2027–2028 round are open. The deadline is 15 January 2027, 23:59 CET.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Master Mind Scholarship worth?

Incoming students receive a scholarship of €10,750 to cover the full length of their programme at KU Leuven for 2027–2028. The figure is preliminary and subject to confirmation by the Flemish Ministry no later than January 2027.

Do I apply for the scholarship separately from the master’s programme?

No. You submit a complete application file for an eligible master’s programme, including the Candidacy Form as an annexe, and then register your scholarship candidacy via the online registration tool. Both steps must be completed before 23:59 CET on 15 January 2027.

Which programmes are eligible?

Eligible master’s programmes at KU Leuven, as listed on the official page. Bridging programmes and distance learning programmes are not eligible for 2027–2028.

Can I combine this scholarship with another one?

No. Students cannot combine the Master Mind Scholarship with any other scholarship offered by KU Leuven, the Belgian national or regional governments, or the European Commission.

What happens after I apply?

Nominees are informed by 10 March 2027 and submit a one-minute motivational video by 16 March 2027. Selection results are published at the end of March 2027.

Official source: KU Leuven — The Master Mind Scholarship