Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2025
Education is the key to a brighter future, but for many students, the cost of pursuing higher education abroad is a significant barrier. Fully funded scholarships provide a lifeline for talented students worldwide, covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and more.
For 2025, several prestigious programs are offering comprehensive scholarships designed to empower the next generation of global leaders. Below, we detail the top 10 fully funded scholarships available to international students in 2025.
Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright Program, one of the most well-known global scholarship initiatives, provides opportunities for students, young professionals, and artists to study or conduct research in the United States.
- Eligibility: Open to students from over 160 countries. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to returning to their home country to implement their learning.
- Coverage: Tuition fees, airfare, health insurance, and a monthly living stipend.
- Field of Study: All academic disciplines, excluding medical degrees requiring patient care.
- Application Process: Applications are managed by Fulbright commissions or U.S. embassies in participating countries. Candidates must submit academic transcripts, essays, recommendation letters, and attend interviews.
- Unique Benefits: The program emphasizes cultural exchange, providing opportunities for participants to share their culture while learning about the U.S.
- Deadline: Country-specific; typically between March and October.
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
The UK’s Chevening Scholarships are prestigious awards aimed at developing global leaders. Administered by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), this scholarship covers postgraduate study in the UK.
- Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential, a strong academic background, and a clear vision for their future. They must commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after the scholarship.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, monthly stipend, travel costs, visa fees, and a travel grant to attend Chevening events.
- Field of Study: Any field, but candidates must apply to three eligible UK universities and receive at least one unconditional offer.
- Application Process: An online application, with emphasis on personal essays highlighting leadership experience and future goals.
- Networking Opportunities: Scholars join a vast alumni network of global influencers, benefiting from exclusive events and career support.
- Deadline: Early November 2024.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU)
Erasmus Mundus is a European Union-funded program offering scholarships for highly competitive joint master’s degrees across multiple European universities.
- Eligibility: Open to students worldwide with an excellent academic record. Applicants must be proficient in English or the language of instruction.
- Coverage: Tuition fees, travel costs, installation allowance, and a monthly subsistence allowance.
- Field of Study: Offers programs in diverse fields such as engineering, environmental science, law, and cultural studies.
- Application Process: Candidates apply directly to Erasmus Mundus programs, which often require a bachelor’s degree, CV, motivation letter, and recommendation letters.
- Multinational Exposure: Students study in at least two different countries, gaining a unique multicultural perspective.
- Deadline: Varies by program, generally between October and January.
4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of fully funded scholarships to international students for postgraduate degrees in Germany.
- Eligibility: Targeted at students from developing countries. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, relevant work experience, and meet German or English language requirements.
- Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend (€934 for master’s students; €1,200 for PhD students), travel allowance, health insurance, and study grants.
- Field of Study: Focused on development-related fields such as public policy, engineering, environmental studies, and health.
- Application Process: Applications are made through German universities offering DAAD-supported programs. Academic transcripts, motivation letters, and references are essential.
- Language Training: Scholarships often include German language courses before the start of the program.
- Deadline: Varies; typically between August and December.
5. Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia)
Funded by the Australian Government, this scholarship aims to promote knowledge exchange and build lasting connections between Australia and partner countries.
- Eligibility: Citizens of eligible countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Candidates must demonstrate academic merit and a commitment to their home country’s development.
- Coverage: Full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, living expenses, and health coverage.
- Field of Study: Programs that address development priorities, such as agriculture, health, and engineering.
- Application Process: Online application with country-specific requirements. Some programs require a development impact plan outlining how the degree will benefit the applicant’s home country.
- Alumni Impact: Graduates join a global network influencing public policy and development.
- Deadline: Usually between February and May.
6. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
This prestigious scholarship, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is for outstanding students from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge.
- Eligibility: Open to all non-UK citizens with academic excellence and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, maintenance allowance (£18,744 annually), airfare, visa costs, and family allowance.
- Field of Study: All subjects offered at Cambridge, except undergraduate programs.
- Application Process: Candidates apply simultaneously for admission to Cambridge and the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Leadership Development: Scholars benefit from mentorship, seminars, and networking opportunities.
- Deadline: Early December 2024.
7. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
This program targets students from developing countries who aim to pursue postgraduate studies related to development.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be from World Bank member countries, have relevant work experience, and show a commitment to home-country development.
- Coverage: Tuition fees, travel expenses, living stipend, and health insurance.
- Field of Study: Development-related fields, including economics, public health, and agriculture.
- Application Process: A two-phase selection process involving academic review and interviews.
- Partnerships: Collaborates with renowned universities worldwide.
- Deadline: Late February 2025.
8. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
This scholarship supports international students to pursue research or postgraduate studies in Switzerland.
- Eligibility: Open to graduates from all fields who meet Swiss university requirements. Applicants must have an academic supervisor in Switzerland.
- Coverage: Monthly stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance, airfare, and housing allowance.
- Field of Study: Research programs and postgraduate degrees in all fields.
- Application Process: Requires a detailed research proposal and recommendation letters.
- Research Excellence: Aimed at fostering international collaboration and innovation.
- Deadline: September to December 2024.
9. New Zealand Government Scholarships
These scholarships focus on empowering students from developing countries to study in New Zealand.
- Eligibility: Open to students from eligible countries. Applicants must demonstrate academic merit and leadership potential.
- Coverage: Tuition fees, living allowance, travel costs, health insurance, and research costs.
- Field of Study: Focuses on development-related disciplines like environmental studies, agriculture, and health sciences.
- Application Process: Online application requiring essays and references.
- Work Opportunities: Scholars are encouraged to work part-time during their studies.
- Deadline: February 2025.
10. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada)
This Canadian government initiative supports international doctoral students in achieving academic and research excellence.
- Eligibility: Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution, have strong academic records, and a commitment to research.
- Coverage: $50,000 annually for three years.
- Field of Study: Sciences, engineering, health, and social sciences.
- Application Process: Nominations are submitted by Canadian universities. Candidates must provide research proposals and academic references.
- Research Prestige: Scholars contribute to Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
- Deadline: November 2024.
These scholarships not only alleviate financial burdens but also open doors to world-class education and networking opportunities. By leveraging these programs, international students can achieve their academic dreams and make meaningful contributions to global society.
