If you’re aiming to study in Europe at a top research-intensive university with a strong global reputation, the KU Leuven Master Mind Scholarship is one of the standout options in Belgium. The scholarship is part of the Flemish Government’s Master Mind Scholarships, designed to attract excellent international students to Master’s programmes taught in Flanders and Brussels.
KU Leuven participates in this scheme and, if selected, you’ll receive a substantial annual grant plus a tuition-fee waiver for your Master’s studies.
Author: Dr Niaz Chowdhury (LinkedIn)
Designation: Lecturer (Computer Science)
Affiliation: Ulster University, Birmingham, UK
Quick facts (at a glance)
- Host country: Belgium
- Region: Flanders / Brussels
- Host institution: KU Leuven
- Study level: Master’s
- Funding body: Flemish Ministry of Education and Training (via the Master Mind Scholarships scheme)
- Funding: ~€10,000 per academic year + tuition fee waiver
- Duration: typically 1–2 years (depending on your Master’s programme)
What does the scholarship cover?
At KU Leuven, the Master Mind Scholarship includes:
- A grant of €10,000 per academic year
- A waiver of tuition fees per academic year
You may see a slightly different figure (e.g., €10,020) on the broader “Study in Flanders” pages for the Master Mind scheme, so treat the grant as around €10,000 per year, with the KU Leuven page being the most KU Leuven-specific reference.
Eligibility criteria (who can apply?)
While details can vary slightly by programme, the Master Mind scheme generally expects applicants to:
- Apply as an international student (non-Belgian applicants)
- Have a previous degree obtained outside Flanders
- Be academically strong (the scheme targets outstanding students)
- Not combine the award with other Flemish Government scholarships or Erasmus Mundus scholarships
- Nationality note: the Master Mind scheme states that Russian nationals are excluded (see the scheme’s eligibility page for the policy note).
English language requirements
English requirements are programme-specific at KU Leuven (so always check your chosen Master’s entry requirements directly). The “Study in Flanders” scheme page focuses more on overall scholarship eligibility than specific IELTS/TOEFL scores.
Required documents (typical list)
Most KU Leuven Master’s applications will ask for a combination of:
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Passport/ID
- CV
- Motivation letter / statement of purpose
- Proof of English (if required by your programme)
- Any programme-specific items (e.g., references, GRE/GMAT where applicable)
KU Leuven also requires applicants to include a specific Master Mind/Scholarships candidacy annexe form as part of the application process for this cycle.
Application deadline for KU Leuven (2026/27 cycle)
For KU Leuven’s Master Mind-linked scholarship route, KU Leuven lists:
- Applications open: 15 October 2025
- Deadline: 15 January 2026 (23:59 CET)
Important: the wider Master Mind scheme pages note that the call for 2026–2027 opens in February 2026, which is one reason universities often run an earlier internal deadline for nomination/selection.
How to apply (step-by-step)
A practical way to approach the KU Leuven Master Mind Scholarship route is:
- Visit this page first – KU Leuven Master Mind Scholarship
- Choose an eligible KU Leuven Master’s programme and check entry requirements.
- Prepare your application documents (transcripts, CV, motivation letter, etc.).
- Complete your KU Leuven online application for the Master’s programme.
- Include the KU Leuven Scholarships & Master Mind candidacy annexe form in your application file (as instructed by KU Leuven).
- Submit everything before 15 January 2026 (23:59 CET).
- Follow any additional KU Leuven instructions related to scholarship registration/nomination (the annexe form references a KU Leuven registration step).
Tips to improve your chances
Because this scholarship is competitive, your application should make it easy for reviewers to see:
- Clear academic strength (grades + relevant modules + class rank/awards if available)
- Strong alignment with the programme (why KU Leuven, why this course, why now)
- Evidence you can contribute (projects, research, leadership, community impact)
