Studying abroad can be expensive, but fully funded scholarships give international students the opportunity to earn degrees at leading universities without paying the full cost of tuition and living expenses themselves. Many major scholarship programmes cover tuition fees and also provide financial support for accommodation, living costs, airfare, health insurance and other study-related expenses.
For the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 academic years, international students can explore fully funded opportunities across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Hungary, Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and other destinations.
Some scholarships are available for undergraduate students, while others focus on master’s degrees, PhD programmes, research or professional development. Several are open to students from almost every country, while others have specific nationality or regional eligibility requirements.
In this guide, we have compiled 20 major fully funded scholarships for international students, including government scholarships, university scholarships and international programmes. Always check the official scholarship provider before applying because eligibility requirements, deadlines and available study programmes can change each year.
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Key Highlights
Important: Fully funded does not necessarily mean that every possible personal expense is covered. Scholarship benefits vary by programme. Students should carefully read the official funding conditions before accepting an award.
Data Source
This article is based primarily on official scholarship providers, government education agencies, universities and international scholarship organisations.
For example, the official Chevening programme describes its scholarships as fully funded and open to outstanding emerging leaders from around the world for one-year master’s degrees in the UK.
The Erasmus+ programme confirms that Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters welcome students from around the world and that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked students. These scholarships can contribute towards participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.
The current South Korean government scholarship system has also published the 2027 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees, demonstrating that new international scholarship calls continue to open for future academic years.
Detail Description
A fully funded scholarship can dramatically reduce the financial barriers associated with studying abroad.
However, international students should understand that every scholarship operates differently.
Some scholarships cover:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Accommodation
- Airfare
- Health insurance
- Visa-related expenses
- Research expenses
- Language training
- Books or study materials
Other programmes may cover the major costs but require students to pay certain personal or incidental expenses themselves.
When comparing scholarships, students should therefore look beyond the words “fully funded” and examine the actual benefits provided.
Complete List of 20 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
1. Chevening Scholarship — United Kingdom
The Chevening Scholarship is one of the world’s best-known government-funded scholarships for international students.
It enables outstanding emerging leaders from eligible countries and territories to pursue a one-year master’s degree at a UK university.
Chevening officially describes the award as fully funded. Its benefits include university tuition, return travel, an arrival allowance, visa application costs, a departure allowance and a monthly living stipend.
Scholarship Details
For the current 2027/2028 cycle, applications are open until 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Apply for: Chevening Scholarship in the UK 2027/2028 (Fully Funded)
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Europe
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is one of the strongest fully funded master’s opportunities available to international students.
Students study at multiple universities, often across different European countries. The programmes are jointly delivered by international university consortia.
The official Erasmus+ website confirms that students from all over the world can apply and that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked students. Scholarships can cover participation costs and contribute towards travel, visa expenses and living costs.
Scholarship Details
The newest programmes selected in 2026 are expected to begin opening student applications during autumn 2026.
3. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships — United Kingdom
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship provides postgraduate opportunities in the United Kingdom for talented students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
The programme is funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and is intended for candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
Scholarship Details
For the 2027/2028 academic year, applications opened on 8 September 2026 and close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
4. MEXT Scholarship — Japan
The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship provides international students with opportunities to study in Japan.
MEXT offers different categories, including undergraduate study, research students, master’s and doctoral pathways, teacher training and other specialised programmes.
Official Japanese government information confirms that MEXT provides tuition exemption, monthly scholarship payments and round-trip airfare under the applicable scholarship categories.
Scholarship Details
Applicants should check the Japanese embassy in their country as well as the official Study in Japan website for the applicable recruitment schedule.
Apply for: MEXT Scholarship 2026/27 in Japan (Fully Funded)
5. Global Korea Scholarship — South Korea
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is funded by the South Korean government and supports international students who want to study at Korean universities.
It includes undergraduate and graduate routes, with applications handled through embassy and university tracks depending on the programme.
The official Korean government scholarship portal has published the 2027 GKS Undergraduate application guidelines, including information on deadlines, required documents and participating universities.
Scholarship Details
Apply for: Top Scholarships for Moroccan Students to Study Abroad
6. Türkiye Scholarships — Türkiye
Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded scholarship programme offering opportunities to international students at associate, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels.
The programme is particularly comprehensive because it combines financial support with university and department placement.
Official information lists tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, health insurance, a Turkish language course and flight support among the scholarship benefits.
Scholarship Details
Applications are normally submitted through the official Türkiye Scholarships application system free of charge.
7. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship is Hungary’s major international scholarship programme.
It provides opportunities for bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s and doctoral study.
The programme provides tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, accommodation support and medical insurance.
Scholarship Details
Because eligibility depends on the sending-partner arrangement, students should check whether their country participates in the current call.
8. Chinese Government Scholarship — China
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) provides international students with opportunities to pursue higher education in China.
Depending on the specific category, scholarships may be available for undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and research programmes.
Scholarship Details
Students should identify the correct CSC category and application route because different scholarship channels can have different deadlines.
Apply for: Chinese Government Scholarship 2027 Fully Funded CSC Scholarship in China
9. DAAD EPOS Scholarships — Germany
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarship supports qualified graduates from eligible developing and newly industrialised countries.
The programme focuses on postgraduate study in Germany and requires applicants to meet the specific academic and professional requirements of eligible courses.
The official DAAD database states that EPOS scholarships can provide monthly payments, insurance and travel allowances. Funding duration depends on the selected study programme.
Scholarship Details
DAAD is not one single scholarship. Applicants should search the official DAAD database for eligible EPOS programmes and their individual deadlines.
10. Gates Cambridge Scholarship — United Kingdom
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the most prestigious postgraduate scholarships in the United Kingdom.
It supports outstanding international students who want to pursue eligible postgraduate degrees at the University of Cambridge.
The scholarship is highly competitive and focuses on academic excellence, intellectual ability, leadership potential and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Scholarship Details
Applicants must first apply for an eligible course at Cambridge and meet the relevant application deadlines.
11. Clarendon Scholarship — University of Oxford
The Clarendon Fund provides fully funded graduate scholarships at the University of Oxford.
It is open to students from around the world and across academic disciplines.
Oxford states that Clarendon scholarships cover course fees in full and provide a living-expense grant. There are no nationality restrictions, and eligible candidates are automatically considered when they apply by the relevant graduate-course funding deadline.
Scholarship Details
Oxford currently states that Clarendon offers more than 200 new fully funded scholarships each year.
12. Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford
The Rhodes Scholarship supports outstanding international students who want to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
It is highly competitive and considers academic excellence alongside leadership, character and commitment to service.
Scholarship Details
Applicants should check the official Rhodes constituency information because application routes and eligibility vary by country or region.
13. Knight-Hennessy Scholars — Stanford University
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme provides graduate funding at Stanford University for outstanding students from around the world.
The programme is open to students pursuing eligible graduate degrees at Stanford and combines financial support with leadership development.
Scholarship Details
Applicants must apply separately to Stanford’s graduate degree programme and the Knight-Hennessy Scholars programme.
14. KAUST Fellowship — Saudi Arabia
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) provides funded graduate opportunities for international students in science, technology, engineering and related fields.
KAUST states that more than 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation assistance.
Scholarship Details
KAUST is especially attractive to students interested in STEM and research-intensive graduate programmes.
Apply for: KAUST Scholarships 2027 in Saudi Arabia (Fully Funded)
15. Australia Awards Scholarships — Australia
Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term Australian Government awards for citizens of participating developing countries.
The scholarship can cover full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, living expenses, health cover and other benefits.
The Australian Government confirms that Nigeria and several other African countries are participating countries, although eligibility and priority fields are country-specific.
Scholarship Details
For the 2027 intake, the general Africa application period ran from 1 February to 30 April 2026. Future applicants should monitor the official country-specific schedule.
16. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — Canada
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship at the University of Toronto is one of Canada’s major fully funded undergraduate scholarships for international students.
It covers tuition, books, incidental fees and full residence support for four years. The University of Toronto selects approximately 37 scholars annually.
Scholarship Details
For students entering in September 2027, the current University of Toronto schedule lists 9 October 2026 for school nominations, 16 October 2026 for the university admission application and 6 November 2026 for the scholarship application.
17. Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship
The Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship provides international students with opportunities to study at selected institutions in Brunei.
The programme has historically supported undergraduate and postgraduate study and provides comprehensive financial assistance for eligible international students.
Scholarship Details
The annual call should always be checked carefully because eligible countries, universities, programmes and deadlines can change.
18. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships — Switzerland
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships support international researchers and postgraduate students.
They are particularly relevant for research, doctoral and postdoctoral applicants rather than students seeking a general undergraduate scholarship.
Scholarship Details
Applicants should check the Swiss Government’s country-specific scholarship information because eligibility and available scholarship categories vary by nationality.
Apply for: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/28 (Fully Funded)
19. Romania Government Scholarship — Romania
The Romanian Government offers scholarships to international students through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The programme can provide opportunities for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study for eligible international applicants.
Scholarship Details
Applicants should check the annual call because eligible countries, fields and application conditions can vary.
20. Islamic Development Bank Scholarship Programmes
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) operates scholarship programmes supporting talented students and researchers from eligible member countries and communities.
Depending on the programme, opportunities can cover undergraduate, master’s, PhD and research study.
Scholarship Details
One example is the Türkiye Scholarships–IsDB Joint Scholarship, which has offered scholarships at associate, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels and included tuition, accommodation support, health insurance, a Turkish language course, monthly stipend and round-trip airfare.
Comparison of 20 Fully Funded Scholarships
Who Should Apply?
These scholarships cover several academic levels.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students should investigate:
- MEXT
- GKS
- Türkiye Scholarships
- Stipendium Hungaricum
- Chinese Government Scholarship
- Lester B. Pearson
- Brunei Government Scholarship
- Selected IsDB programmes
Master’s Students
Master’s applicants can consider:
- Chevening
- Erasmus Mundus
- Commonwealth
- MEXT
- GKS
- Türkiye Scholarships
- Stipendium Hungaricum
- DAAD EPOS
- Clarendon
- KAUST
- Australia Awards
- Brunei Government Scholarship
PhD Students and Researchers
Doctoral students and researchers can investigate:
- MEXT
- GKS
- DAAD
- Commonwealth
- Gates Cambridge
- Clarendon
- Rhodes
- KAUST
- Swiss Government Excellence
- Chinese Government Scholarship
- IsDB programmes
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility varies from one scholarship to another.
International students should generally be prepared to meet some combination of the following requirements:
- Citizenship of an eligible country
- Required academic qualification
- Strong academic performance
- Admission to an eligible programme
- Language proficiency where required
- Work experience where required
- Leadership experience
- Research experience for doctoral programmes
- Community involvement
- Strong personal statement
- Recommendation letters
- Valid passport
- Research proposal where applicable
Do not assume that meeting the eligibility requirements for one scholarship means you qualify for another.
For example, Chevening has specific eligibility and work-experience requirements, while DAAD EPOS requires at least two years of professional experience for eligible applicants.
Documents International Students Should Prepare
Students should start preparing their documents before applications open.
Common documents include:
- International passport
- Academic certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter
- Personal statement
- Recommendation letters
- Research proposal where applicable
- Language test results where required
- Proof of work experience where required
- University admission documents
- Portfolio where required
- Medical documents where required
- Proof of nationality where required
Some universities and governments may require certified or translated documents.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Step 1: Identify Your Academic Level
Determine whether you are applying for:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
- PhD
- Research
- Professional study
Step 2: Choose Suitable Scholarships
Create a list based on:
- Your nationality
- Academic level
- Field of study
- Academic performance
- Work experience
- Career goals
Step 3: Check the Official Requirements
Read the official scholarship guidelines carefully.
Check:
- Eligible countries
- Age limits
- Academic requirements
- Language requirements
- Work experience
- Eligible programmes
- Required documents
Step 4: Check the Deadline
Scholarship deadlines are not permanent.
Some programmes have annual deadlines, while others have several application rounds.
For example, the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship application window runs from 8 September to 20 October 2026, while the current Chevening cycle closes on 6 October 2026.
Step 5: Prepare Your Application
Prepare your:
- CV
- Personal statement
- Motivation letter
- Academic documents
- Recommendation letters
- Passport
- Research proposal where applicable
Step 6: Submit Through the Correct Platform
Some scholarships require direct applications.
Others require applications through:
- Universities
- Embassies
- Government agencies
- National nomination bodies
- Scholarship consortia
Step 7: Monitor Your Application
After submitting your application, regularly check:
- Scholarship portal
- University portal
- Embassy announcements
You may be asked for additional documents or an interview.
Important Tips for Winning a Fully Funded Scholarship
1. Start Early
Do not wait until the final week.
Some documents can take weeks to obtain, especially recommendation letters, transcripts, language certificates and university admission documents.
2. Apply for Multiple Scholarships
Do not depend on one scholarship.
Identify several programmes for which you genuinely meet the requirements.
3. Write a Strong Personal Statement
Your statement should clearly explain:
- Your academic background
- Your achievements
- Your career goals
- Why you selected the programme
- Why you selected the destination
- Your leadership experience
- The problems you want to solve
- How your education will create future impact
4. Choose the Right Scholarship
Do not apply simply because a scholarship is famous.
A scholarship that matches your academic background and career goals can be a better opportunity than a prestigious programme for which your profile is poorly suited.
5. Check the Funding Package
Read exactly what the scholarship pays for.
Check whether it includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Food/living expenses
- Airfare
- Health insurance
- Visa costs
- Books
- Research costs
6. Avoid Scholarship Scams
Be careful with anyone promising:
- Guaranteed scholarship
- Guaranteed admission
- Guaranteed visa
- Guaranteed job
Always verify scholarship information through the official university, government or scholarship organisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can international students get fully funded scholarships?
Yes. Governments, universities and international organisations offer fully funded scholarships to eligible international students.
2. Which fully funded scholarship is the best?
There is no single best scholarship.
The right programme depends on your academic level, nationality, field of study, career goals and eligibility.
3. Can undergraduate students get fully funded scholarships?
Yes. MEXT, GKS, Türkiye Scholarships, Stipendium Hungaricum, Chinese Government Scholarship, Lester B. Pearson and other programmes provide undergraduate opportunities.
4. Can I get a fully funded master’s scholarship?
Yes. Master’s applicants have access to major programmes such as Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth, MEXT, GKS, DAAD, Türkiye Scholarships and Stipendium Hungaricum.
5. Can PhD students get fully funded scholarships?
Yes. PhD applicants can investigate MEXT, GKS, DAAD, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, Clarendon, KAUST, Commonwealth and other research-focused scholarships.
6. Do fully funded scholarships cover airfare?
Many major government scholarships do provide airfare, but this is not universal. Applicants should check the exact award conditions.
For example, MEXT provides round-trip airfare under applicable conditions, while Chevening includes economy travel to and from the UK.
7. Do I need IELTS for every fully funded scholarship?
No.
Language requirements differ between scholarship providers and universities.
Some programmes may require IELTS, TOEFL or another recognised test, while others may accept alternative evidence.
8. Can I apply for several scholarships at the same time?
Generally, yes, provided you meet the requirements of each programme and follow its rules concerning simultaneous applications or other scholarships.
9. Are fully funded scholarships difficult to win?
Many are highly competitive.
The strongest applicants usually combine good academic performance with a clear study plan, strong application documents, relevant experience and a convincing explanation of their future goals.
10. When should I start applying?
Start several months before the deadline.
This gives you time to prepare documents, research universities, take language tests, obtain recommendations and improve your personal statement.
11. Are these scholarships available every year?
Many are recurring annual programmes, but the number of awards, eligible countries, fields, deadlines and funding conditions can change.
Always check the latest official call.
12. Can international students apply without an admission letter?
It depends on the scholarship.
Some scholarships require admission or a university application first, while others incorporate admission into the scholarship process.
For example, Türkiye Scholarships can include university and department placement, while Clarendon candidates are automatically considered through the Oxford graduate application process.
Final Thoughts
Fully funded scholarships can make studying abroad possible for students who would otherwise struggle with international tuition fees and living expenses.
The opportunities listed in this guide cover a wide range of destinations and academic levels, from MEXT in Japan and GKS in South Korea to Chevening in the UK, Erasmus Mundus in Europe, Türkiye Scholarships, Stipendium Hungaricum, DAAD in Germany, KAUST in Saudi Arabia, Australia Awards and the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship in Canada.
Undergraduate students should focus on scholarships that accept bachelor’s applicants, while master’s students can explore programmes such as Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth, DAAD and MEXT. PhD students and researchers should also investigate Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, Clarendon, KAUST, Swiss Government Excellence and research-focused programmes.
The most important step is to start early.
Prepare your academic documents, CV, personal statement, recommendation letters and passport before the application deadline. Research the scholarship carefully and make sure your academic and career goals match the programme.
Finally, never rely entirely on an old scholarship article. Deadlines and requirements change every year. Always verify the latest information directly with the official scholarship provider before submitting your application.
Apply for: Top 20 Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students
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