🎯 These Scholarships Are “Hidden”
Many top students focus only on big names like Fulbright or Chevening, but there are dozens of less-promoted programs funded by governments, institutions, or regional alliances that are:
- Fully funded
- Have low applicant volume
- Don’t require high IELTS/GPA
- Often open to students from developing countries
🔍 Top Hidden Scholarships (Unique + Rare Details)
🎓 1. Türkiye Burslari (Turkey Government Scholarship)
Covers: Tuition + Flight + Accommodation + Monthly Stipend + Health
Levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
Why it’s unique:
- No IELTS required (just an interview)
- Turkish language course included (1 year free)
- Great for students from Asia, Africa, Balkans, Middle East
🌍 Open to: 160+ countries
🗓 Deadline: Jan–Feb annually
🔗 Website: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
🎓 Hungarian Government Scholarship (Stipendium Hungaricum)
Covers: Full tuition + Monthly stipend + Accommodation + Insurance
Levels: Bachelor’s to Doctorate
Hidden gems:
- Courses in English (no Hungarian needed)
- Often overlooked by non-European applicants
- Includes medicine, engineering, arts
🗓 Deadline: Jan each year
🔗 Website: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu
🎓 DAAD EPOS Scholarships (Germany)
For: Professionals from developing countries
Covers: Tuition, €934–€1,200/month stipend, travel, insurance
Programs: Development, engineering, public policy, water mgmt
Why hidden?
- Only available for specific development-related degrees
- Great for mid-career professionals (2 years experience)
🗓 Deadline: Course-specific, usually Sept–Oct
🔗 Website: https://www.daad.de/epos
🎓 VLIR-UOS (Belgium Scholarships)
Covers: Tuition, allowance, flights, insurance
For: Master’s programs in development, environment, policy
Why it’s hidden?
- Only for students from 31 developing countries
- Strong focus on Africa and Asia
🗓 Deadline: Varies by university (usually Feb–Mar)
🔗 Website: https://www.vliruos.be
🎓 Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
Covers: Full tuition, round-trip airfare, monthly allowance
For: Development-related master’s degrees
Hidden factor:
- Must work in a development role after graduation
- Open only to citizens of low-income/developing countries
🗓 Deadline: Feb–May
🔗 Website: https://www.worldbank.org/scholarships
🎓 IsDB Scholarship Program (Islamic Development Bank)
Covers: Tuition, living allowance, medical, travel
For: Students from 57 OIC countries + Muslim minorities
Unique feature:
- Undergraduate to PhD + postdoctoral research
- Has a “return and serve your country” policy
- Also funds vocational training and technical programs
🔗 Website: https://www.isdb.org/scholarships
🎓 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (UK)
Fully funded: Tuition, airfare, stipend
Target: Students from low-income Commonwealth nations
Hidden edge:
- Shared between UK universities and UK Gov
- Can apply to multiple universities in one go
- Focused on development-linked fields
🗓 Deadline: Dec–Jan
🔗 Website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
🎓 Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
Covers: Tuition + living costs (50% grant, 50% loan model)
Focus: High-achieving students from select countries (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Syria, Kenya, etc.)
Rare benefit:
- Not just limited to Islamic universities
- Can study anywhere globally, including Ivy League
🗓 Deadline: March
🔗 Website: https://www.akdn.org
🎓 Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)
For: Master’s and PhD students
Covers: Monthly stipend (€1,181), travel, health insurance
Why it’s hidden:
- Focuses on science, law, economics, engineering
- Must apply through the university, not individually
🗓 Deadline: Jan
🔗 Website: https://www.campusfrance.org
🎓 Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Covers: Full tuition, accommodation, stipend
Why it’s low-competition:
- Massive quota for each country
- Offered through Chinese embassies or specific universities
- Over 200+ universities participate, many in English
🗓 Deadline: March–April
🔗 Website: https://www.campuschina.org
🧠 Bonus Tips for Hidden Scholarships
- Use Embassy Websites: Most hidden scholarships are posted there before anywhere else.
- Apply Early: Some scholarships close 10–12 months before the intake.
- Track by Region: Search “[Country] government scholarship for international students.”
