Securing a fully funded scholarship can be life-changing for international students who dream of studying abroad but face financial limitations. In 2025, a wide range of scholarship programs are available globally—covering tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and even health insurance. These scholarships are offered by governments, universities, and international organizations to attract top talent and promote global education.
Whether you want to pursue undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral studies, this post explores the best fully funded scholarships for international students in 2025, how to apply, eligibility requirements, and key application links.
🎓 1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Level: Master’s
Host: UK Government
Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel costs, visa fees, and more
Chevening is one of the UK’s most prestigious fully funded scholarships for future leaders and change-makers. It covers all costs for a one-year master’s degree at any UK university.
- Eligibility: Undergraduate degree, 2+ years of work experience, English language proficiency
- Deadline: Typically in November
- Application Link: https://www.chevening.org/apply/
🎓 2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU)
Level: Master’s
Host: European Commission
Coverage: Tuition, travel, living allowance, insurance
Erasmus Mundus offers joint master’s programs at multiple universities across Europe. Students experience multicultural education while enjoying full financial support.
🎓 3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
Level: Master’s & PhD
Host: U.S. Department of State
Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living stipend, insurance
The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious U.S. government scholarships for international students. It supports graduate study or research at U.S. universities.
🎓 4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Level: Master’s & PhD
Host: German Academic Exchange Service
Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, travel, health insurance
DAAD scholarships fund international students in a wide range of academic fields at German universities.
🎓 5. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Level: Master’s & PhD
Host: UK Government (FCDO)
Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living allowance, thesis grant
This scholarship targets students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries, allowing them to pursue higher education in the UK.
🎓 6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Level: Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral
Host: Swiss Confederation
Coverage: Tuition, living stipend, housing allowance, airfare
The Swiss government funds postgraduate education and research in any discipline for international students at public universities in Switzerland.
🎓 7. MEXT Scholarships (Japan)
Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Host: Japanese Government
Coverage: Tuition, living stipend, round-trip airfare
MEXT supports outstanding students to study in Japan at various academic levels through fully funded scholarships.
🎓 8. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Level: PhD
Host: Government of Canada
Coverage: CAD 50,000/year for 3 years
This highly competitive scholarship supports world-class doctoral students in Canada across health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
🎓 9. Australia Awards Scholarships
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Host: Australian Government
Coverage: Tuition, travel, establishment allowance, living expenses, health coverage
This long-term scholarship supports students from developing countries to study at Australian universities.
🎓 10. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
Level: Master’s & PhD
Host: University of Cambridge
Coverage: Full tuition, travel, living allowance
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship supports exceptional international students at Cambridge University.
Key Takeaways
✅ Fully funded scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, travel, and more
✅ Top destinations include the UK, USA, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Australia
✅ Application deadlines vary—early preparation is crucial
✅ Academic excellence, leadership, and strong personal statements are key to selection
✅ Always apply through official websites or embassy portals
FAQs
Q1: Are fully funded scholarships really free?
Yes. They typically cover all major expenses including tuition, accommodation, living costs, and sometimes even airfare.
Q2: Can I apply to more than one scholarship?
Absolutely. Applying to multiple scholarships increases your chances of getting funded.
Q3: Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Many scholarships require proof of English proficiency unless your previous degree was in English.
Q4: Can undergraduate students apply?
Yes, many scholarships like MEXT and Australia Awards offer undergraduate funding.
Conclusion
Studying abroad doesn’t have to be a financial burden. With the right planning, international students can take advantage of generous fully funded scholarships in 2025. Begin your search early, follow each application guideline carefully, and believe in your potential. These opportunities are not only about education but also about global exposure and lifelong networks.
Disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only and may be subject to change based on host institutions’ updates. For more information on policies, please refer to our Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, and Terms of Use.
