Top 10 Prestigious Fully Funded Global Scholarships for the Best International Students

If you are a bright, talented, or motivated international student, the best scholarships are for your taking. lists the ten most prestigious international scholarship programs out there for the brightest international students from around the world.  If you are from a developing country, also see Top 15 scholarships for developing country students.

Government-funded International Scholarships »

Fulbright Scholarships (USA)
The Fulbright Scholarship Program is the flagship international exchange scholarship program between the U.S. Government and 155 countries. Each year, approximately 1,800 Fulbright scholarships are awarded to excellent foreign students who wish to pursue a Masters or PhD Degree in the United States.  The Fulbright Scholarship Program provides full funding for the duration of the study which includes tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.

See also Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program which provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world.

Chevening Scholarships (UK)
The Chevening Scholarships is the flagship global scholarship program of the British Government. Every year, it provides scholarships to around 1000 outstanding students from over 130 countries who wish to pursue postgraduate study in the UK.  Chevening Scholarships are full scholarships which cover tuition fees, monthly stipend and various one-off allowances as well as international travel to and from UK.

See also Scotland’s Saltire Scholarships which are for citizens of Canada, China (including Hong Kong), India, Japan, Pakistan and USA who wish to study full-time Masters degrees fully delivered in Scottish universities, in the areas of science, technology, creative industries, healthcare and medical sciences, and renewable and clean energy.

Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia)
Australia Awards Scholarships, formerly known as Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), provide opportunities for people from developing countries, particularly those countries located in the Indo-Pacific region, to undertake full time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme aims to attract the best foreign students for master’s and PhD degree programs at participating French Universities.  Eiffel scholarship-holders receive a monthly allowance; it does not cover tuition fees. In addition, the scholarship covers various other expenses including return trip, health insurance and cultural activities.

University-funded International Scholarships »

Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are one of the most prestigious international scholarships which are open to all international students from all over the world.  The scholarships are full-cost awards for graduate study and research in any subject available at the University of Cambridge.  The scholarship covers the university fees, maintenance allowances, airfare, etc. About 100 new Gates Scholars are awarded annually.

Clarendon Scholarships at University of Oxford (UK)
The Clarendon Scholarship Fund is a prestigious graduate scholarship scheme offering around 140 new scholarships every year to eligible graduate applicants (including international students) at the University of Oxford. Clarendon Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and potential across all degree-bearing subjects at graduate level at the University of Oxford.  The scholarships cover tuition and college fees in full and a generous grant for living expenses.

See also Rhodes Scholarships and Rhodes Global Scholarships which are postgraduate awards that support exceptional international students from selected countries at the University of Oxford.

Knight-Hennesy Scholars Program at Stanford University (USA)
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University cultivates a diverse, multidisciplinary community of emerging leaders from around the world and guides them to collaborate, innovate, and communicate as they prepare to address the complex challenges facing society.  The scholarships are towards full-time Masters and PhD degrees in any subject offered at Stanford. Knight-Hennessy Scholars receive a fellowship applied directly to cover tuition and associated fees, a stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel grant.

Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University (China)
Designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders, Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st Century.  The program will give the world’s best and brightest students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and professional networks through a one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University.  The scholarship covers tuition and fees, room and board, travel to and from Beijing at the beginning and end of the academic year, an in-country study tour, required course books and supplies, Lenovo laptop and smartphone, health insurance, and a modest personal stipend.

 

See the list of International University Scholarships offered by Top Universities

Institute-funded International Scholarships »

Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants (Various Countries)
The Rotary Foundation offers scholarship funding through the Rotary Foundation Global Grant scholarships. The scholarship funds graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. The minimum budget for a global grant scholarship is $30,000.

Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships (Various Countries)
The  Joint Japan World Bank  Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) sponsors students from developing countries to pursue graduate studies leading to a master’s degree from preferred universities around the world. Scholars are expected to return home to contribute to the development of their country. The scholarship covers travel costs, tuition, and monthly allowance.

Fully Funded Government Scholarships for International Students

As part of their commitment to international development cooperation and to promote internationalization of their education systems, governments of developed countries such as USA, UK, Australia, Japan, and many countries in Europe award government-funded scholarships to outstanding international students from around the world.

United States Government Scholarships »

Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Program are full scholarships for international students from 155 countries around the world who wants to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in the US.  The scholarships can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies.  The grant covers tuition fee, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.  Approximately 1,800 scholarships are awarded annually.

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional enrichment in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world. The fellowship provides tuition fees, allowance, accident and health insurance, travel expenses, etc.   Approximately 200 Fellowships are awarded annually.

UK & British Commonwealth Government Scholarships »

British Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, are awarded to outstanding scholars from Chevening-eligible countries around the world. Awards are typically for a one-year Master’s degree. Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, a living allowance at a set rate (for one individual), an economy class return airfare to the UK, and additional grants to cover essential expenditure.  Around 1500 scholarships globally are being offered.

UK Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries
The Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who wants to pursue Master’s and PhD study in the UK. Each scholarship provides airfare to and from United Kingdom, tuition and examination fees, personal maintaining allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), initial arrival allowance, among others. International students get approximately 300 of these scholarships as an award each year.

European Government Scholarships »

The Netherlands

Orange Knowledge Programme
The Orange Knowledge Programme aims to advance the development of the capacity, knowledge and quality of both individuals as well as organizations both in the field of higher and vocational education and in other fields related to the priority themes in the programme countries. Scholarships are available for a selection of short courses (duration 2 weeks to 12 months) and master’s programmes (duration 12 – 24 months).  A OKP scholarship is intended to supplement the salary that you should continue to receive during the study period in the Netherlands. The allowance is a contribution towards your costs of living such as tuition fees, visa, travel, insurance etc. If applicable, the scholarship holder is expected to cover the difference between the actual costs and the OKP scholarship amount.

Holland Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students
The Holland Scholarship, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, is meant for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to do their bachelor’s or master’s at one of the Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences  in Holland.  The scholarship amounts to €5,000.

Belgium

Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships for International Students
The Government of Flanders launches a new scholarship program, Master Mind Scholarships that aims to promote the internationalization of the Flemish Higher Education.  It awards up to 45 scholarships to outstanding Master students from all countries. The incoming student get a scholarship of maximum €8,000 per academic year as an award. The Flemish Host Institution can ask the applicant for a tuition fee of maximum €109 per year.

VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program
VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from 31 developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue an English Taught Training or Master’s Programme related to development at Universities in Belgium. The scholarships cover tuition fee, accommodation, allowance, travel costs,  and other program related costs.

Germany

DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships for a range of postgraduate courses with special relevance to developing countries at German Universities. International students and young professionals from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Central and South America and Central and Eastern Europe specially target these scholarships. DAAD scholarship supports selected programmes with a variety of full or partial scholarships.

Switzerland

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide graduates from around 180 countries with the opportunity to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral research in any academic field  at one of the public funded university or recognized institution in Switzerland.  The scholarship covers a monthly allowance, tuition fees, health insurance, lodging allowance, etc.

Sweden

Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
The Swedish Institute provides scholarships in Sweden to highly-qualified international students from developing countries who wants to pursue full-time Masters studies at Swedish Universities.  The scholarship covers tuition fee, living expenses, some travel grant, and insurance. Swedish Government offers about 335 scholarships.

Denmark

Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students
A number of scholarships are being offered each year by the Danish Ministry of Education to fund highly qualified and motivated international students from outside the EU/EEA who wish to pursue full degree higher education programme at participating Danish Universities. The scholarship can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards covering your living costs.

Italy

Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
The Italian Government awards scholarships for studying in Italy both to foreign citizens and Italian citizens resident abroad. The scholarships are towards University degree courses, Advanced vocational training, art and music courses, Masters Degree courses, PhD Courses, etc.  It is only possible to apply for three, six, or nine month scholarships.

France

Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of French developed the Eiffel scholarship programs as a tool to allow French higher education institutions to attract the best foreign students for master’s and PhD degree programs. Eiffel scholarship-holders receive a monthly allowance and other expenses such as return trip, health insurance and cultural activities. It does not cover tuition fees.

Australia and New Zealand Government Scholarships »

Australian Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships, formerly known as Australia Development Scholarships (ADS) are scholarships for international students from selected countries in Asia, Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East who wants to study at Australian Universities. The scholarships are towards vocational education and training courses, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and PhD degrees at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions. The scholarship benefits generally include full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance, contribution to living expenses (CLE), Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC),  etc.

Australia International Postgraduate Research Scholarships
The IPRS program enables international students to undertake a postgraduate research qualification in Australia and gain experience with leading Australian researchers.  The scholarships are available for a period of two years for a Masters by research degree or three years for a Doctorate by research degree.  The scholarship covers tuition fees and health cover costs. International students get Around 330 scholarships annually.

New Zealand International Tertiary Scholarships
The New Zealand International Scholarships offers the opportunity for international students from selected developing countries in the Pacific Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the Commonwealth to study in New Zealand to gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in specific subject areas that will assist in the development of their home country.  The scholarships include tuition fees, travel costs, living allowance, and insurance.

Asia Government Scholarships »

Japan

Japanese Government Scholarships
The Japanese Government offers scholarships in Japan to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate and research students under the Japanese Government Scholarship Program.  The scholarships cover allowance, travelling costs, and school fees.

Taiwan

Taiwan Higher Education Scholarship Program
TaiwanICDF’s International Higher Education Scholarship Program aims to assist partner developing countries to achieve sustainable development through education. The TaiwanICDF provides scholarships for higher education and has developed undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. programs in cooperation with renowned partner universities in Taiwan. The TaiwanICDF provides each scholarship recipient with a full scholarship, including return airfare, housing, tuition and credit fees, insurance, textbook costs and a monthly allowance.

Turkey

Turkey Graduate Scholarships for International Students
Türkiye Graduate Scholarship Programme is intended for successful international students from all over the world who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in Turkey.  The scholarship includes monthly stipend, full tuition fee, free 1-year Turkish language course, free state-run dormitory accommodation, round-trip air ticket and health insurance.

Singapore

Singapore International Graduate Award

International students with excellent academic undergraduate and/or master’s results, and strong interest in doing research leading to a doctorate (PhD) in Science and Engineering get Singapore International Graduate Award at a Singapore University. The award provides financial support for up to 4 years of PhD studies including full tuition fees, monthly stipend, settlement allowance, and airfare grant.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
Established in 2009 by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme aims to attract outstanding students in the world to pursue their PhD degree programmes in Hong Kong’s institutions.  The Fellowship provides a monthly stipend and a conference and research-related travel allowance per year for a maximum period of three years.