Finding a fully-funded scholarship is the fastest way to study abroad without debt. In 2026 dozens of governments, universities and foundations are still offering generous awards to international students. We curated the 15 most reliable programs, grouped by region.

Europe

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)

Coverage: Full tuition + ~€1,400/month stipend + travel. Who: Students worldwide. Deadline: Typically Jan–Feb. Official: Erasmus+ Students.

2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Coverage: Monthly stipend + insurance + travel. Many programs. Explore Study in Germany for tuition-free public universities.

3. Eiffel Excellence (France)

For master’s and PhDs at French universities. See more on our France page.

4. Swedish Institute Scholarships

Full-tuition coverage for master’s in Sweden. Browse Sweden.

5. Chevening (UK)

One-year master’s at any UK university, fully funded.

North America

6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

Non-US citizens pursuing master’s or PhDs at US universities. See Study in the USA.

7. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

CAD $50,000/year for doctoral students in Canada.

Asia-Pacific

8. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Full tuition + monthly stipend. Undergraduate, master’s and PhD tracks. See Japan.

9. Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP / GKS)

Tuition + stipend + Korean language training. Browse South Korea.

10. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Full tuition + accommodation + stipend at top Chinese universities. See China.

11. Australia Awards

For students from developing countries. Australia.

Middle East & Africa

12. Turkiye Burslari

Fully-funded, covers tuition, accommodation, stipend and Turkish language course.

13. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

For academically-talented African students — partners with top universities worldwide.

Universal

14. Rotary Peace Fellowships

Master’s in peace and conflict studies at one of 7 Rotary Peace Centers.

15. University-specific merit awards

Many universities run their own generous international scholarships. Browse the Scholarship Providers directory or the Public Universities list to find them.

How to apply successfully

1. Start 10–12 months early. Most fully-funded programs have a single annual intake.
2. Target 2–3 scholarships. Rejection rates are high — apply to multiple programs.
3. Nail the personal statement. Show specific goals, not generic ambition.
4. Get strong references. Ask early; provide a brief of your goals to help your referee write a compelling letter.
5. Proof everything. Typos in the application are an instant rejection for many committees.

Next step: Browse our country guides for institution-specific scholarships, or ask us a question. Good luck with your applications!

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