Eligibility criteria
Curious to see if you tick all the boxes for this scholarship? Have a look at all the criteria down below!
Programme requirement
The student applies to take up a master's degree programme at a Flemish higher education institution. This master's degree may consist of one or two academic years, but must meet the threshold of 60 ECTS per academic year.
A list of all English-taught master's programmes in Flanders can be found on the button below.
Academic requirement
The applicant should have a high standard of academic performance and/or potential as proven by a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 out of 4.0. The GPA will be calculated on the last obtained bachelor's or master's degree. The tool used for the calculation of the GPA is Scholaro. Click on the link below to calculate your GPA (see manual 1 How to calculate your American GPA).
English language requirements
These language requirements are for students who will enroll at a university or a university of sciences.
The student has a good knowledge of the English language and can provide proof thereof that is no older than 3 years at the time of application processing by the higher education institution.
The following are accepted:
- An overall minimum band score of 7.0 on the IELTS test or the IELTS Indicator;
- A minimum total score of 94 on a TOEFL test or TOEFL iBT;
- A C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference;
- A similar result in another official language test (recognized by the host institution).
English language requirements for schools of arts
These language requirements are for students who will enroll at a school of arts.
The student has a good knowledge of the English language and can provide proof thereof that is no older than 3 years at the time of application processing by the higher education institution.
The following are accepted:
- An overall band score of minimum 6.5 on the IELTS test or IELTS Indicator;
- A minimum total score of 90 on the TOEFL test or TOEFL iBT
- A B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference;
- Or a similar result in another official English language test (recognized by the host institution).
Requirements for the Flemish host institution
The Flemish host institution performs an academic check of the student’s file. The student has to be accepted by the host institution for a degree programme in order to receive the scholarship. This criterion applies even if the host institution’s decision to accept the student for a degree programme is taken after the selection for the Master Mind Scholarship.
The applicant can be nominated by only one Flemish higher education institution. If the applicant is selected by more than one Flemish higher education institution for the scholarship, the applicant has to choose one Flemish higher education institution under which to file their application.
Previous degrees
The previous degree (which the student has used to enrol for the master programme) cannot have been obtained at a Flemish higher education institution. International students who have previously been enrolled Flemish higher education institution on credit mobility (such as Erasmus+) are still eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship.
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 Spring 2025, are already enrolled in a specific preparatory programme in order to start a master's programme in September 2025.
Additional information
All nationalities can apply, with the exception of Russian nationals (see news item for more information).
Student mobility to partner institutions outside Flanders and Brussels during the master's programme is allowed (such as Erasmus+). However, at least half of the study credits of the master's programme must be obtained at the Flemish host institution.
Students cannot apply for the Master Mind Scholarship for the following programmes:
- Preparatory programmes
- Bridging programmes
- Distance learning