Top 10 Fully-Funded Scholarships to Study Abroad

Studying abroad is a very expensive adventure, however, some are lucky enough to get a fully-funded scholarship to study abroad. These study abroad scholarships is a monetary award for students to use towards the expenses of their programme. Such monetary award covers travel cost, credit, books, accommodation and lots more.

Due to the high financial package of these scholarships, there are highly competitive, however, some are under-utilized. These study abroad are of several types such as merit-based, student-specific, destination-specific, program-specific, subject-specific, University-Provided Study Abroad Scholarships/Grants, Organization-Provided Scholarships/Grants, Government-Funded Scholarships/Grants for Study Abroad.

The secret of winning a fully-funded scholarship is by knowing eligibility and availability for the scholarship. Once that is done, you’ll need to write a convincing scholarship application letter.

Most study abroad scholarship essays and applications require personal references; that is, someone you’ve worked with either in a professional or academic setting. Therefore, it is important you choose and contact your referee. The next phase is to apply after gathering all the necessary documents.

In this article, we’ll be sharing with you the top 10 fully-funded scholarships to study abroad for international students. We’ll also share the requirements and benefits of these scholarships to study abroad.

1. Chevening Scholarship

Chevening scholarship is one of the top fully-funded scholarships to study in the UK. The scholarship is provided by the UK government for international students. The scholarship is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, Chevening offers two types of award – Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships – the recipients of which are personally selected by British embassies and high commissions throughout the world.

It is awarded to approximately 1500 individuals every year. It offers full financial support for a master degree at any of the UK universities.

Chevening UK Government Scholarship Eligibility

To be eligible for a Chevening Award you must:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country
• Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your award has ended
• Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry onto a postgraduate programme at a UK university. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK.
• Have at least two years’ work experience (this may be up to five years for fellowship programmes, so please refer to your country page for further details)
• Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices
• Meet the Chevening English language requirement.

2. Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth commission offers around 800 awards for postgraduate study and professional development; over 27500 commonwealth scholars and fellow have been funded by the UK government CSC since 1959. There are several CSC and fellowships tenable at designated UK universities and open to undergraduate, masters and PhD, depending on the commonwealth country.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships Eligibility

To apply for these scholarships, you must:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Be available to start your academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year.
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honours standard, or a second class degree and relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master’s degree). The CSC would not normally fund a second UK Master’s degree. If you are applying for a second UK Master’s degree, you will need to provide justification as to why you wish to undertake this study Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship

3. Chinese Government Scholarship

The Chinese government scholarship is one of the top fully-funded scholarships to study in China. The Chinese government and provincial government in addition to university and industry bigwig as well as its various foundations are one of the greatest scholarship providers in the world for both international students and Chinese citizens.

Benefits of the scholarship include fee waiver, stipend and accommodation.

Chinese Government Scholarship – Chinese University Program Eligibility

4. Fulbright Foreign Scholarship

Fulbright Foreign Scholarship is one of the most sorts after study abroad scholarship. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide. Approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year.

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is administered by binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations or U.S. Embassies. All Foreign Student Program applications are processed by these offices. Program eligibility and selection procedures vary widely by country.

5. Australia Awards Africa

Australia Awards Africa is the cornerstone of the Australian Government’s development assistance program for Africa. It provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards Alumni are expected to contribute to the development of their home countries. A second class graduate can win this scholarship if he or she puts in a good scholarship application.

Australia Awards Africa Eligibility

To be considered for a masters scholarship or short course award, applicants must meet their country’s eligibility requirements. In general, the following requirements apply

• Citizen of an eligible African country
• Minimum academic requirement: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Mid-level to senior-level professional, currently employed in a relevant field
• Meet relevant post-graduate work experience requirements
• Demonstrate a clear vision of how the knowledge gained through the scholarship will be used to improve policy, practice or reform in their home country
• Satisfactory English proficiency to enable full participation in a training course delivered in English
• Satisfy all requirements of the Australian Government for the appropriate student visa (subclass 500).

6. Korean Government Scholarship

The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) is offered to international students who want to pursue Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in Korean Universities. The scholarship is aimed to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea, to develop global leaders and strengthen Korea-friendly networks worldwide.

Korean Government Scholarship Program Eligibility

To be eligible for the Korean Government Scholarship:

Citizenship

• Candidates and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.

Age

• KGSP-G: under 40
• KGSP-U: under 25

Health

• Candidates must be physically and mentally healthy for their studies in Korea.

Degree Requirements

• KGSP-G: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
• KGSP-U: High school diploma

Grades

• The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) must be 80% or higher; or
• The CGPA must be 2.64/ 4.0, 2.80/ 4.3, 2.91/ 4.5, or 3.23/ 5.0 or higher.

7. German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship

This is one of the very popular scholarships offered by the German government, DAAD supports up to 80% of degree programmes of particular interest to students from developing countries. It ranges from bachelor’s, masters and doctorate research. It could be full or partial scholarship.

8. New Zealand Commonwealth and Developing Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The CSFP was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959 and is reviewed by education ministers at their triennial meetings – the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition.

The scholarship provides financial support for tuition, living costs and airfares.

New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a New Zealand Scholarship.

• Be a member of a Commonwealth country
• Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of commencing your scholarship.
• Be able to satisfy Immigration requirements for international student entry to New Zealand or the country in which you will undertake your scholarship (i.e. medical checks, police clearances/character checks, etc.)
• Be academically and linguistically able to obtain an Offer of Place for the proposed programme of study from the tertiary institute where you will undertake your scholarship.
• Not have been previously terminated from a New Zealand Government Scholarship
• Seek a qualification that will contribute to the sustainable development of your home country
• Commit to return to your country for a minimum of 2 years at the end of your scholarship.

9. Mastercard Scholarship

It started in 2012, the program provides financial, social and academic support to scholars. Financial support includes tuition fee, accommodation, books and other scholastic materials. Students can apply to study at selected universities in US, Canada, UK and Africa.

10. Joint Japan World Bank Group Scholarship Program

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is open to women and men from developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts who are applying to a master degree program in a development-related topic.

After earning their degree, developing country scholars commit to return to their home country to use their new skills and contribute to their countries’ social and economic development.

The scholarship covers the cost of completing a master’s degree, return air, travel allowances, tuition and cost of basic medical and accident insurance. The scholarship is for a maximum duration of two years.

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Eligibility 

Details on Eligibility Criteria for each call for applications are provided in that call’s Application Guidelines, and these detailed eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made.

Broadly speaking, Developing Country nationals must:

• Be a national of a World Bank member developing country;
• Not hold dual citizenship of any developed country;
• Be in good health;
• Hold a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years prior to the Application Deadline date;
• Have 3 years or more of recent development-related work experience after earning a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree;
• Be employed in development-related work in a paid full- time position at the time of submitting the scholarship application.  The only exception to this criterion is for developing country nationals from a country that will be on the updated list of Fragile and Conflict States provided to applicants in the Application Guidelines for each call for scholarships.
• On or before the Scholarship Application Deadline date, be admitted unconditionally (except for funding) for the upcoming academic year to at least one of the JJ/WBGSP preferred university master’s programs and located outside of the applicant’s country of citizenship and country of residence listed at the time the call for scholarship applications open.
• Not be an Executive Director, his/her alternate, and/or staff of any type of appointment of the World Bank Group or a close relative of the aforementioned by blood or adoption with the term “close relative” defined as: Mother, Father, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Son, Daughter, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, or Nephew; *Please note: All eligibility criteria are strictly adhered to. No exceptions are made.
• Eligibility criteria WILL NOT change during an open call for applications. However, this information is subject to change between the close of one application process and the opening of the next.