For students dreaming of studying abroad without the burden of financial stress, fully funded scholarships are the ultimate gateway. These scholarships don’t just cover tuition—they often include living expenses, airfare, insurance, visa fees, and even research grants. This article explores some of the best global opportunities for students, especially those seeking to pursue undergraduate, master’s, or Ph.D. degrees abroad.
✅ What Does “Fully Funded” Mean.
A fully funded scholarship provides financial coverage for 100% of tuition, and often includes:
- ✈️ Round-trip airfare
- 🏠 Accommodation and living expenses
- 💻 Books and supplies
- 📋 Visa and travel insurance
- 📚 Research and thesis allowances (for grad students)
These scholarships are highly competitive but life-changing.
🌍 Top Fully Funded Scholarships (Global & Country-Specific)
Chevening Scholarships – United Kingdom
- Sponsored by the UK Government
- Covers all tuition fees, flights, visa, accommodation, and a monthly stipend
- Available for one-year Master’s programs at top UK universities
- Open to students from over 160 countries
Bonus: No age limit or field restriction.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program – USA
- Covers full tuition, travel costs, health insurance, and monthly living stipend
- For master’s and Ph.D. programs
- Open to applicants from more than 150 countries
- Includes cultural exchange and leadership development
Tip: Preference given to candidates with leadership potential.
DAAD Scholarships – Germany
- Funded by the German government for international students
- Covers tuition (many German universities are already tuition-free), monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel
- Available for master’s and Ph.D. students in a wide range of disciplines
Highlight: No IELTS required if your previous education was in English.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees – Europe
- Funded by the European Commission
- Offers scholarships for students to study in 2–4 countries across Europe
- Covers full tuition, travel, installation allowance, and monthly stipend
Unique Perk: Multinational experience and dual degrees from EU universities.
Turkey Burslari Scholarship – Turkey
- Fully funded by the Turkish Government
- Covers tuition, accommodation, one-time flight ticket, monthly allowance, health insurance, and language course
- Available for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees
Standout Feature: Includes 1-year Turkish language training even for English-taught programs.
MEXT Scholarship – Japan
- Funded by the Japanese Government
- Covers full tuition, living stipend, airfare, and language training
- For undergraduate, graduate, and research-level studies
Tip: No Japanese language skills are required at the time of application.
CSC Scholarships – China
- Offered by the Chinese Government through the China Scholarship Council
- Full tuition waiver, accommodation, monthly stipend, and medical insurance
- Offered for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs at Chinese universities
Notable Advantage: Wide range of English-taught programs.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Switzerland
- For postgraduate researchers and doctoral students
- Covers tuition, living stipend, housing allowance, and airfare
- Includes mentorship and research support
Ideal For: High-achieving academic researchers.
Commonwealth Scholarships – UK
- For students from Commonwealth countries
- Covers tuition, airfare, and monthly allowance
- Offered for Master’s and Ph.D. programs in UK universities
Focus Areas: Development, sustainability, education, and innovation.
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program – Stanford University, USA
- One of the most prestigious and competitive
- Covers tuition, accommodation, travel, living stipend, and leadership development programs
- For graduate-level degrees across all departments at Stanford
Bonus: Includes funding for summer research and internships.
📌 General Eligibility Criteria
While each scholarship varies, these are the usual requirements:
- A strong academic background (GPA or class rank)
- English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, etc.)
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose or Motivation Letter
- Community service or leadership experience is a plus.
