43 Scholarships for International Students (2027 Guide)

Looking for scholarships for international students? This guide lists 43 well-known programmes across the UK, Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, grouped by region so you can jump straight to the countries you care about. For each one you will see the level of study, what it commonly covers, when applications usually run, and a link to the official site.

Please read this first: funding, eligibility and deadlines change every cycle, and some of these awards are only partial. We compiled this list in October 2026 as a starting point. Always confirm the details on each official site before you apply.

Jump to a region

• United Kingdom (6)
• Europe (13)
• Asia and the Middle East (10)
• Australia and New Zealand (2)
• Canada and the USA (6)
• Global and multi-region programmes (6)

How to use this list

1. Filter by your level. Check whether the programme covers bachelor’s, master’s or PhD study.
2. Check eligibility first. Many awards are limited to certain nationalities, ages or work-experience levels.
3. Note the route. Some awards are applied for through an embassy, a national authority or a nominating university, not directly.
4. Work backwards from the deadline. Tests, transcripts and recommendation letters take weeks, so start early.
5. Shortlist five to eight. Applying to several well-matched programmes is more realistic than chasing one.

United Kingdom

The UK has some of the best-known postgraduate awards, and most are very competitive. Start early and read each programme’s eligibility rules carefully.

Chevening Scholarships

Funded by the UK government and aimed at future leaders, so work experience and leadership examples matter.

• Country or region: UK
• Level: Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, living stipend and travel (UK government)
• Typical timing: Typically opens Aug, closes Oct-Nov
• Official site: chevening.org

Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships

Nominations come through national agencies in eligible Commonwealth countries, so find out who nominates in your country.

• Country or region: UK
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, stipend and travel
• Typical timing: Varies by nominating agency; usually autumn
• Official site: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Highly competitive, and it looks for leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others on top of academic strength.

• Country or region: UK
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Full cost: fees, maintenance and travel
• Typical timing: US round about Oct; international round about Dec
• Official site: gatescambridge.org

Rhodes Scholarship

Selection runs through national or regional constituencies, so your eligibility depends on where you are from.

• Country or region: UK
• Level: Postgraduate (Oxford)
• What it commonly covers: Full cost at Oxford
• Typical timing: Varies by country; typically Aug-Oct
• Official site: rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

Clarendon Scholarships

Most Oxford graduate courses consider you automatically when you apply, so your course application doubles as your scholarship application.

• Country or region: UK
• Level: Graduate (Oxford)
• What it commonly covers: Fees and living grant
• Typical timing: Tied to Oxford course deadlines, mostly Jan
• Official site: ox.ac.uk

Marshall Scholarship

A prestigious route for US citizens who want to study in the UK.

• Country or region: UK
• Level: Postgraduate
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, living costs and travel
• Typical timing: Typically Sept-Oct
• Official site: marshallscholarship.org

Europe

Europe offers a mix of full government awards, partial grants and paid doctoral positions. Many also have English-taught programmes, so you do not always need the local language to start.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

You study in more than one European country, and you apply to each programme directly rather than to one central office.

• Country or region: Europe (multi-country)
• Level: Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, travel and living allowance (varies by programme)
• Typical timing: Per programme, usually Oct-Feb
• Official site: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks

These are paid doctoral positions, so you apply to advertised projects much as you would apply for a job.

• Country or region: Europe (multi-country)
• Level: PhD
• What it commonly covers: Paid employment contract with allowances
• Typical timing: Rolling; set by each project
• Official site: marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu

DAAD Scholarships

Germany’s academic exchange service funds many different programmes, each with its own rules and deadlines.

• Country or region: Germany
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Monthly stipend, insurance and other allowances (varies by programme)
• Typical timing: Varies; many close Aug-Nov
• Official site: daad.de

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Your route depends on your country, usually through the Swiss embassy or a national authority.

• Country or region: Switzerland
• Level: PhD, postdoc, some master’s
• What it commonly covers: Monthly stipend, fee exemption, insurance and housing allowance (varies)
• Typical timing: Typically Sept-Dec via embassy or national authority
• Official site: sbfi.admin.ch

ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (ESOP)

Apply together with your ETH master’s application, and expect strong competition.

• Country or region: Switzerland
• Level: Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Living grant and tuition waiver (varies)
• Typical timing: Typically Dec for autumn entry
• Official site: ethz.ch

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

Leadership and work experience count, and eligibility is limited to listed countries.

• Country or region: Sweden
• Level: Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, living costs and travel (varies)
• Typical timing: Typically autumn to winter
• Official site: si.se

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

French institutions nominate candidates, so you apply through a French university rather than directly.

• Country or region: France
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Monthly allowance, travel and insurance
• Typical timing: Typically Jan; French institutions nominate
• Official site: campusfrance.org

Stipendium Hungaricum

You apply through your own country’s national authority, then choose from Hungarian universities.

• Country or region: Hungary
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, stipend, accommodation and insurance
• Typical timing: Typically Jan
• Official site: stipendiumhungaricum.hu

Holland Scholarship

A smaller one-time grant for non-EEA students at participating Dutch institutions, so plan other funding too.

• Country or region: Netherlands
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
• What it commonly covers: One-time partial grant
• Typical timing: Typically Feb for non-EEA students
• Official site: studyinnl.org

Fundación Carolina Scholarships

Aimed mainly at Latin American applicants, with support that varies by call.

• Country or region: Spain
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Support varies by call
• Typical timing: Typically Q1
• Official site: fundacioncarolina.es

Italian Government (MAECI) Scholarships

Eligible countries and benefits change by call, so read the current announcement closely.

• Country or region: Italy
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Monthly allowance, insurance and fee exemption (varies)
• Typical timing: Typically spring
• Official site: esteri.it

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

Irish institutions nominate candidates, and the award combines a fee waiver with a stipend (confirm the current amount).

• Country or region: Ireland
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Fee waiver plus stipend (confirm the amount)
• Typical timing: Typically Q1
• Official site: hea.ie

Türkiye Burslari

A broad package for applicants from many countries, including a language course.

• Country or region: Türkiye
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, housing, monthly stipend, travel, insurance and language course
• Typical timing: Typically Jan-Feb
• Official site: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr

Asia and the Middle East

Asian governments and universities fund a large number of international students. Several routes run through embassies, so check your local embassy’s notice as well as the main programme page.

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Deadlines depend on whether you apply through an embassy or directly to a university, so check both routes.

• Country or region: China
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend and insurance
• Typical timing: Typically Dec-Apr, set by embassy and university
• Official site: campuschina.org

Schwarzman Scholars

A leadership programme at Tsinghua University in Beijing, with degree and age criteria.

• Country or region: China
• Level: Master’s (Tsinghua)
• What it commonly covers: Full cost
• Typical timing: Typically closes Sept-Oct
• Official site: schwarzmanscholars.org

Yenching Academy Scholarship

An interdisciplinary master’s at Peking University focused on China studies.

• Country or region: China
• Level: Master’s (Peking University)
• What it commonly covers: Full cost
• Typical timing: Typically Dec
• Official site: yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn

MEXT Scholarship

Apply through a Japanese embassy or directly through a university, and the timing differs for each route.

• Country or region: Japan
• Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, monthly allowance and airfare
• Typical timing: Embassy route typically Apr-Jun; university route varies
• Official site: studyinjapan.go.jp

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Includes language training, which helps if you do not speak Korean yet.

• Country or region: South Korea
• Level: Undergraduate, Graduate
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, allowance, airfare and language training
• Typical timing: Typically Feb-Mar for the embassy route
• Official site: studyinkorea.go.kr

MOE Taiwan Scholarship

Partial funding: a monthly stipend and a tuition waiver up to a cap, so budget for the remaining costs.

• Country or region: Taiwan
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Monthly stipend plus tuition waiver up to a cap
• Typical timing: Typically Feb 1-Mar 31
• Official site: studyintaiwan.org

Taiwan ICDF Scholarship

Limited to citizens of partner countries and tied to specific programmes.

• Country or region: Taiwan
• Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, housing, allowance, airfare and insurance
• Typical timing: Varies by programme
• Official site: icdf.org.tw

SINGA (Singapore International Graduate Award)

A PhD award for science and engineering, with two intakes a year.

• Country or region: Singapore
• Level: PhD (science and engineering)
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, stipend, airfare grant and settling-in allowance
• Typical timing: Aug intake closes about Dec 1; Jan intake about Jun 1
• Official site: a-star.edu.sg

KAUST Fellowship

Funding is linked to admission, so your graduate application is also your fellowship application.

• Country or region: Saudi Arabia
• Level: MS, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, stipend and housing (varies)
• Typical timing: Typically Dec-Jan
• Official site: kaust.edu.sa

ICCR Scholarships

Benefits differ by scheme, and applications usually go through Indian missions or ICCR.

• Country or region: India
• Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Varies by scheme
• Typical timing: Typically Q1-Q2
• Official site: iccr.gov.in

Australia and New Zealand

Both countries run government awards aimed at students from eligible countries, usually with deadlines early in the year.

Australia Awards

Open to applicants from eligible countries only, with deadlines set by country.

• Country or region: Australia
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, travel, living costs and insurance
• Typical timing: Typically Feb-Apr, set by country
• Official site: australiaawards.gov.au

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

Aimed at students from eligible developing countries, with an early-year deadline in a typical cycle.

• Country or region: New Zealand
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, living costs and travel
• Typical timing: Typically Feb-Mar
• Official site: nzscholarships.govt.nz

Canada and the USA

Funding here is often tied to a specific university, a nomination or your home country’s Fulbright commission, so the route matters as much as the award.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Canadian universities nominate PhD candidates, so you apply through the university, not directly.

• Country or region: Canada
• Level: PhD
• What it commonly covers: CAD 50,000 per year for up to 3 years
• Typical timing: Nominated by institution; typically autumn
• Official site: vanier.gc.ca

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

Your school must nominate you, so talk to your counselor early.

• Country or region: Canada
• Level: Undergraduate (University of Toronto)
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, books and residence
• Typical timing: Nominated by your school; typically autumn to winter
• Official site: future.utoronto.ca

Mitacs Globalink Research Internship

A funded research internship rather than a full degree scholarship, applied for through partner universities.

• Country or region: Canada
• Level: Undergraduate research
• What it commonly covers: Funded research internship with travel and stipend
• Typical timing: Typically Sept
• Official site: mitacs.ca

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Run by national Fulbright commissions, so the rules and funding depend on your home country.

• Country or region: USA
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Varies by country
• Typical timing: Set by your national Fulbright commission
• Official site: foreign.fulbrightonline.org

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship

For mid-career professionals rather than recent graduates, and routed through Fulbright commissions or US embassies.

• Country or region: USA
• Level: Mid-career professionals
• What it commonly covers: Funded non-degree fellowship year
• Typical timing: Via Fulbright commission or US embassy
• Official site: exchanges.state.gov

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

A leadership-focused graduate scholarship at Stanford with an early-October deadline in a typical cycle.

• Country or region: USA
• Level: Graduate (Stanford)
• What it commonly covers: Full funding
• Typical timing: Typically early Oct
• Official site: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu

Global and multi-region programmes

These programmes are not tied to one country. They are run by foundations, development banks and international organisations, and many are limited to particular nationalities.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

Looks for work experience in peace or development, and covers master’s or certificate study.

• Country or region: Global
• Level: Master’s, certificate
• What it commonly covers: Fully funded
• Typical timing: Typically mid-year
• Official site: rotary.org

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship

Half grant and half loan, so it is not fully free, and only some countries are eligible.

• Country or region: Global
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: 50% grant and 50% loan
• Typical timing: Typically Mar 31
• Official site: akdn.org

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Delivered through partner universities, so applications follow each partner’s process.

• Country or region: Africa (partner universities)
• Level: Undergraduate, Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Full scholarship
• Typical timing: Varies by partner university
• Official site: mastercardfdn.org

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship

For nationals of World Bank member countries, with details set by each participating programme.

• Country or region: Global
• Level: Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, living costs and travel
• Typical timing: Varies by programme
• Official site: worldbank.org

ADB-Japan Scholarship Program

For nationals of ADB member countries studying at participating institutions in the Asia-Pacific region.

• Country or region: Asia-Pacific
• Level: Master’s
• What it commonly covers: Tuition, living costs and travel
• Typical timing: Varies by institution
• Official site: adb.org

IsDB Merit Scholarship Programme

Only citizens of IsDB member countries can apply, and the benefits vary.

• Country or region: Global
• Level: Master’s, PhD
• What it commonly covers: Varies
• Typical timing: Varies
• Official site: isdb.org

Application checklist

• Passport that stays valid for your whole study period
• Transcripts and degree certificates, with translations if required
• Language test result (IELTS, TOEFL or another accepted proof, depending on the programme)
• Personal statement or study plan with specific examples
• Two recommendation letters from people who know your work
• CV with real achievements and, where relevant, work experience
• A calendar with every deadline and nomination date

Frequently asked questions

Are these scholarships fully funded?

Some cover tuition, living costs and travel, but others are partial. For example, the Holland Scholarship is a one-time grant, the Aga Khan award is half grant and half loan, and the MOE Taiwan Scholarship has a tuition waiver cap. Read what each one covers before you plan your budget.

When should I start applying?

Many deadlines fall several months before the course starts, and some programmes open a year ahead. Start preparing documents and language tests as soon as you have a shortlist.

Can I apply to more than one scholarship?

Usually yes, but some programmes do not allow you to hold two awards at once. Check the rules before you accept an offer.

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Last reviewed: October 2026. This article is general information, not advice, and we are not affiliated with the scholarship providers listed.