Why scholarships matter for media students
Studying media in Europe opens doors to international media hubs, creative internships, and cross-border collaborations. Scholarships reduce financial barriers and let you focus on projects, labs, and building a portfolio that stands out across borders.
Key funding types include institutional scholarships (from universities), national or regional scholarships (government-funded), and European programmes that support exchanges and mobility.
Top funding routes to search first
- Erasmus+ and European mobility grants: Erasmus+ supports study exchanges and can exempt you from paying tuition fees at the host institution while offering mobility grants to help with living costs. These opportunities are widely used by undergraduate and exchange students across Europe. citeturn0search2
- University and departmental scholarships: Many institutions — particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands — list merit-based and need-based scholarships for international bachelor students; search program pages and central scholarship databases for up-to-date offers. citeturn0search6turn0search1
- Regional and government scholarships: Some regions (for example, Flanders) offer scholarships to international students at the master’s level — check national portals for undergraduate options and upcoming calls. citeturn0search18
- Field-specific and industry scholarships: Journalism and media organisations, foundations and professional bodies sometimes offer grants and awards for students pursuing media, journalism, or broadcast engineering. Dedicated lists and portals collect these opportunities. citeturn0search11turn0news48
- External scholarship databases: Use European Commission tools and scholarship aggregators to find programmes and country-specific funding options. These search tools are the most efficient way to compare deadlines and eligibility. citeturn0search12
Scholarship search checklist — what to look for
- Level & eligibility: Confirm the scholarship is open to undergraduate applicants if you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree; many high-profile scholarships focus on masters. (Tip: filter portal results by “Bachelor”.)
- Coverage: Does it cover tuition, living costs, travel, or only a stipend? Full funding is rare — a combination of partial awards often makes study affordable.
- Nationality rules: Some scholarships prioritise students from specific countries or regions — check the fine print early.
- Application timing: Deadlines vary widely. Start searches at least 9–12 months before your intended intake to meet scholarship and visa timelines.
- Required documents: Common requirements: motivation letter, portfolio (for media students), references, transcript translations, and proof of English proficiency.
Examples of scholarship sources (where to start)
Below are practical places to begin your scholarship search:
- Erasmus+ (European mobility and exchange grants): official Erasmus+ pages explain mobility grants and fee exemptions for exchange students. citeturn0search2turn0search5
- University scholarship pages & portals: portals like Bachelorsportal and university financial aid pages list country-specific undergraduate scholarships, including programmes in Belgium. citeturn0search6turn0search1
- European Commission scholarship finder: a central starting point to locate EU funding schemes and national bursaries. citeturn0search12
- Regional calls (e.g., Flanders / Belgium): for students considering Belgium, research regional scholarship calls and institutional offers — these change year to year so check official pages. citeturn0search18turn0search10
- Industry foundations and associations: journalism foundations and technical societies sometimes run scholarships for media and broadcast students — search by field and check professional bodies’ news pages. citeturn0search11turn0news48
How to craft an application that stands out (media-specific tips)
Media scholarships reward creativity and evidence of hands-on potential. Use your application to show both creative skill and international perspective:
- Build a compact portfolio: Include short video projects, articles, podcasts, or social media campaigns (host them on YouTube, SoundCloud, or a personal site).
- Write a narrative-driven motivation letter: Tell a story about a project or idea you want to create during your studies — be specific about skills you’ll develop and the impact you hope to make.
- Emphasise international experience: Highlight cross-cultural work, language skills, or participation in international contests or clubs.
- Letters of recommendation: Choose referees who can comment on creative potential and teamwork (editors, media teachers, internship supervisors).
- Showcase digital skills: Demonstrate familiarity with editing tools, CMS, analytics, or basic coding if relevant — practical skills matter in media fields.
Action plan: 6 steps to apply for scholarships
- Map deadlines: Create a spreadsheet of scholarships, eligibility, deadlines and required documents.
- Prepare core documents: CV, transcripts, portfolio links, motivation letter template and referee contacts.
- Tailor each application: Adapt your motivation letter and portfolio to reflect the scholarship’s goals.
- Meet language & legal requirements: Check English language requirements and prepare certified translations if needed.
- Submit early: Aim to send applications at least one week before the deadline.
- Follow up: Keep copies of submissions and confirm receipt when possible.
Realistic expectations & alternatives
Be realistic: some of the most generous programmes focus on masters or specific nationalities. If a full scholarship isn’t available, combine partial funding (tuition waivers + mobility grants), work-study options, student jobs, or crowdfunding for creative projects.
Use scholarship portals as a discovery tool, but always verify eligibility and deadlines on the official provider page.
Quick list: scholarships and resources to check now
- Erasmus+ — study exchanges and mobility grants for students in European programmes. citeturn0search2turn0search5
- European Commission scholarship finder — centralised search for EU-related funding. citeturn0search12
- University scholarship pages & portals (example: Bachelorsportal listings for Belgium). citeturn0search6turn0search1
- Industry & journalism foundations — check field-specific lists and announcements. citeturn0search11turn0news48
Want tailored help? Next steps
If you’d like, our international admissions team can help you map scholarships that specifically match your background and nationality. We also run portfolio workshops for prospective media students to help strengthen applications.
FAQ
- Can I get Erasmus+ funding as a bachelor’s student?
- Yes — Erasmus+ supports student mobility and exchanges for undergraduate students in participating programmes; benefits include fee exemptions and mobility grants. Check your home institution's international office for application steps. citeturn0search2
- Are scholarships available specifically for media or journalism?
- Yes — there are targeted scholarships and grants from journalism foundations, broadcast societies and university departments; availability varies by country and year. Search field-specific lists and professional bodies. citeturn0search11turn0news48
- How early should I apply?
- Start your scholarship search 9–12 months before enrolment to allow time for portfolio preparation, translations, and visa paperwork.