For many international students, pursuing higher education abroad is a dream filled with promise, but also significant financial challenges. Tuition fees, living costs, travel, and study materials can add up quickly. Fortunately, various governments around the world offer fully or partially funded scholarships to attract talented students from different countries. These scholarships not only cover tuition fees but often include living allowances, health insurance, travel costs, and more.
Whether you’re aiming for an undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degree, government-funded scholarships can make your academic journey more affordable and accessible. Here’s a comprehensive list of the most popular and reputable government-funded scholarships available for foreign students in 2025.
1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious scholarship schemes in the world, sponsored by the U.S. government. It offers scholarships to graduate students, young professionals, and artists from around the globe.
Coverage:
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Tuition fees
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Monthly stipend
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Travel expenses
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Health insurance
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Research allowances
Eligibility:
Open to students from over 160 countries. Applicants must have a strong academic background and leadership potential.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding professionals from all over the world to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK.
Coverage:
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Full tuition fees
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Monthly living allowance
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Airfare to and from the UK
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Additional grants for essential expenses
Eligibility:
Applicants must have at least two years of work experience and demonstrate leadership qualities and a strong academic background.
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers fully-funded scholarships to international students for a variety of postgraduate and research programs at German universities.
Coverage:
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Full or partial tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Health insurance
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Travel allowance
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Family allowances (in some cases)
Eligibility:
Open to graduates, doctoral candidates, and postdocs. Proficiency in German or English may be required depending on the program.
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (European Union)
Erasmus Mundus is a prestigious scholarship program funded by the European Union. It supports international students to undertake joint master’s programs in multiple European countries.
Coverage:
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Tuition fees
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Monthly living stipend
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Travel and installation allowance
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Health insurance
Eligibility:
Open to students from both EU and non-EU countries. Selection is highly competitive and based on academic merit.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
5. Australia Awards Scholarships
Sponsored by the Australian Government, these scholarships are intended for students from developing countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific region, to study at participating Australian universities.
Coverage:
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Full tuition fees
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Return air travel
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Establishment allowance
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Living expenses
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Health coverage
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Introductory academic program
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria for their country and commit to returning home for at least two years after the completion of their studies.
6. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (Sweden)
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to highly qualified international students from selected countries to study in Swedish universities.
Coverage:
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Full tuition fee
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Monthly living allowance
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Travel grant
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Insurance coverage
Eligibility:
Must have demonstrated leadership experience, work experience, and be accepted to a Swedish master’s program.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
7. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France)
The Eiffel Scholarship, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, aims to attract the best international students to pursue master’s and doctoral programs in France.
Coverage:
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Monthly allowance
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Travel expenses
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Health insurance
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Cultural activities
Eligibility:
Applicants must be under 25 (for master’s) or under 30 (for PhD) and be nominated by a French higher education institution.
8. New Zealand Government Scholarships
The New Zealand Government offers scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate study to eligible students from developing countries.
Coverage:
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Full tuition
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Living allowance
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Airfare
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Health insurance
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Establishment grant
Eligibility:
Must meet academic and English language requirements. Priority is given to candidates who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to home-country development.
9. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
The China Scholarship Council offers full and partial scholarships to international students to study at Chinese universities.
Coverage:
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Tuition fees
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Accommodation
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Monthly stipend
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Comprehensive medical insurance
Eligibility:
Open to students applying for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. An HSK test (Chinese proficiency) may be required for Chinese-taught courses.
10. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is available for undergraduate, research, and training studies in Japan.
Coverage:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Airfare
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Preparatory Japanese language training
Eligibility:
Applicants must go through the Japanese embassy in their home country. Strong academic records and language ability are essential.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
11. Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
The KGSP, now called the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), offers scholarships to international students to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in South Korea.
Coverage:
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Tuition fees
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Monthly allowance
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Settlement allowance
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Language training
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Airfare
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet academic and health requirements. Preference is given to those with strong academic performance and leadership qualities.
12. Canadian Government Scholarships
Canada offers several government-funded scholarship options such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP).
Coverage:
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Tuition fees (varies)
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Stipend
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Travel and research grants (in some programs)
Eligibility:
Varies by program. Typically for graduate students with outstanding academic performance.
13. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
These scholarships are offered to postgraduate researchers and artists from over 180 countries to pursue studies in Switzerland.
Coverage:
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Monthly stipend
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Tuition fee waivers
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Health insurance
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Travel allowance
Eligibility:
Applicants must be nominated by a Swiss academic supervisor. Research quality and academic excellence are the main criteria.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
14. Netherlands Government Scholarships (Orange Knowledge Program & Holland Scholarship)
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these scholarships aim to support students from developing countries.
Coverage:
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Partial or full tuition
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Living costs
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Travel expenses (in some programs)
Eligibility:
Open to mid-career professionals and students from eligible countries. Programs are offered in English.
15. Turkish Government Scholarships (Türkiye Burslari)
The Turkish government offers fully-funded scholarships for international students at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
Coverage:
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Full tuition
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Monthly stipend
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Free accommodation
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Turkish language course
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Airfare and health insurance
Eligibility:
Must meet academic criteria and pass the scholarship selection process, including interviews.
