Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students 2027–2028

Studying abroad can open doors to better academic opportunities, international networks, and new career paths. However, tuition fees, accommodation, travel, health insurance, and everyday living costs can make an international degree difficult to afford.

The good news is that there are fully funded scholarships for international students that can cover some or most of these costs.

For the 2027–2028 academic year, students can find scholarship opportunities across Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and other destinations. Some are funded by governments, while others are offered by universities or international organizations.

This guide highlights major fully funded scholarships 2027 opportunities and explains what they cover, who may be eligible, and where to verify the latest application information.

If you are looking for more opportunities, explore the Scholarships section on World Scholarship Finder.

Important: Scholarship deadlines, funding amounts, eligible countries, and admission requirements can change. Always verify the latest information on the official scholarship provider’s website before applying.

What Are Fully Funded Scholarships?

A fully funded scholarship is an award designed to cover major costs associated with an eligible study program.

Unlike a partial scholarship, which may only reduce tuition or provide a fixed contribution, a fully funded award can combine several forms of financial support.

Depending on the program, funding may include:

• Tuition fees
• Monthly living stipend
• Accommodation or housing allowance
• Health insurance
• Airfare or travel support
• Visa-related expenses
• Research or study allowances
• Language training
• Relocation or settlement support

However, “fully funded” does not necessarily mean every expense is paid.

Each scholarship has its own terms. Some cover tuition and living costs but do not pay every travel expense. Others provide a monthly stipend that students use for accommodation, food, transportation, and other costs.

For this reason, applicants should always read the official scholarship guidelines before assuming that an award covers a particular expense.

What Do Fully Funded Scholarships Cover?

Tuition Fees

Some scholarships pay the full tuition fee charged by the university. Others provide a tuition waiver or pay tuition directly to the institution.

For example, the Chevening Scholarship covers tuition fees for eligible scholars, while Oxford’s Clarendon Fund provides funding covering eligible course fees for successful graduate scholars.

Monthly Stipend

Many international scholarships provide a recurring allowance to help students pay for accommodation, food, transportation, and other living expenses.

These are often described as scholarships with stipend.

The amount can differ according to the country, study program, academic level, and scholarship rules.

Accommodation

Some programs arrange accommodation, while others provide a housing or living allowance.

Applicants should check whether accommodation is guaranteed, subsidized, or expected to be paid from the scholarship’s monthly stipend.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is another common scholarship benefit.

Australia Awards, for example, includes Overseas Student Health Cover for eligible scholarship recipients.

Travel and Airfare

Government-funded scholarships may provide international airfare or travel allowances.

Chevening, for example, includes economy travel to and from the scholar’s country of residence under its scholarship conditions.

Research Funding

Research-related support is particularly relevant to master’s and PhD applicants.

Some scholarships or university funding packages may provide research allowances, fieldwork support, conference funding, or other academic expenses.

Visa-Related Support

Some programs also contribute toward visa or entry-clearance costs.

However, applicants should always check the official funding terms because visa support varies between scholarships.

The key point is simple: do not assume that every fully funded scholarship covers every expense.

Best Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students 2027–2028

The following programs are among the major international scholarship opportunities to research for the 2027–2028 academic year.

Scholarship	Host Country/Region	Study Level	Funding	Deadline
Chevening Scholarships	UK	Master’s	Tuition, stipend, travel and other allowances	6 October 2026
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	Europe & partner countries	Master’s	Full scholarships may cover participation costs and contribute toward travel, visa and living costs	Usually program-specific
MEXT Scholarship	Japan	Undergraduate, Master’s/PhD and other categories	Tuition exemption, stipend and travel under applicable routes	Country-specific
Global Korea Scholarship	South Korea	Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD	Tuition, airfare, language training and allowances	Track-specific
DAAD EPOS	Germany	Postgraduate	Monthly payments, insurance and travel allowance; benefits vary by program	Course-specific
Clarendon Fund	UK	Master’s/DPhil	Course fees plus living-expense grant	Course-specific
Australia Awards	Australia	Undergraduate/Postgraduate	Tuition, airfare, living support, insurance and other benefits	Country-specific
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	USA	Graduate study/research	Country-specific grant package	Country-specific

Chevening Scholarships — UK

The UK Government’s Chevening Scholarship is one of the best-known international scholarship programs for eligible students pursuing a one-year taught master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

For the 2027–2028 intake, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and close at 11:00 UTC on 6 October 2026. Chevening’s official timeline also lists interviews for March–April 2027, results from mid-June 2027, and the start of studies in September/October 2027.

Chevening funding includes tuition fees, travel, certain allowances, visa-related support, and a monthly living allowance, subject to the scholarship’s terms.

Students should check the official Chevening application timeline before applying.

Students in Ghana can also consult the Chevening Ghana page for country-specific information.

Suitable for: Eligible international students seeking a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Europe

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programs delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions.

Students may study at several universities in different countries during the program.

The European Commission states that full scholarships are available to the best-ranked students worldwide. Depending on the program and scholarship, funding can cover participation costs and contribute toward travel, visa expenses, and living costs.

Most applications are submitted directly to the institution or consortium running the selected program.

The official Erasmus+ guidance says that students should generally apply between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year, although each master’s program sets its own deadline.

Students can search the official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters information for participating programs.

Suitable for: Students seeking international master’s programs involving multiple universities and countries.

For more opportunities, visit World Scholarship Finder’s Master’s and Postgraduate Scholarships category.

MEXT Scholarship — Japan

The Japanese Government’s MEXT Scholarship provides several routes for international students, including undergraduate students and graduate-level research students.

The official Study in Japan website explains that application procedures can differ according to the scholarship category and whether students apply through an embassy recommendation or university recommendation.

Benefits can include tuition exemption, a monthly scholarship allowance, and round-trip travel expenses under the applicable scholarship category.

Students should check the official MEXT Scholarship information and the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country for the latest application schedule.

Suitable for: International students interested in undergraduate or graduate study in Japan.

Students searching specifically for bachelor’s opportunities can also explore World Scholarship Finder’s Undergraduate Scholarships category.

Global Korea Scholarship — South Korea

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) supports international students who want to study at participating universities in South Korea.

The program includes undergraduate and graduate opportunities.

Depending on the scholarship category, benefits can include tuition support, airfare, Korean-language training, and allowances.

Applicants should follow the official GKS announcement and the instructions provided by the relevant Korean embassy or participating university.

Visit the official Study in Korea scholarship information for current information.

Suitable for: International students interested in bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral study in South Korea.

DAAD EPOS — Germany

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses program, commonly known as EPOS, supports qualified students from developing countries studying selected development-related postgraduate programs at participating German universities.

Funding can include monthly payments, insurance and a travel allowance, although benefits depend on the specific program and applicant circumstances.

DAAD publishes participating programs and deadlines through its official scholarship database.

Students should consult the official DAAD EPOS information before applying.

Suitable for: Eligible applicants from developing countries seeking selected postgraduate programs in Germany.

Clarendon Fund — University of Oxford

The University of Oxford’s Clarendon Fund provides fully funded graduate scholarships to eligible master’s and DPhil applicants.

The scholarship covers course fees and provides a grant for living expenses.

There are no nationality restrictions, and eligible applicants are automatically considered when they apply for their Oxford course by the relevant funding deadline.

The deadline depends on the Oxford course. Applicants should check their individual course page as well as the official Clarendon Fund information.

World Scholarship Finder also provides a dedicated guide to the Oxford Clarendon Scholarships 2027.

Suitable for: International students applying for eligible master’s and DPhil programs at Oxford.

Australia Awards Scholarships — Australia

Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term scholarships administered by the Australian Government for citizens of participating countries.

Benefits generally include tuition fees, return airfare, an establishment allowance, a contribution to living expenses, health insurance, and other support, subject to the scholarship’s conditions.

Application periods and eligibility vary by participating country.

Students should consult the official Australia Awards Scholarships information and their country’s specific page before applying.

Suitable for: Citizens of participating developing countries who meet their country’s eligibility and study requirements.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program — USA

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program supports international graduate students, young professionals, and artists who want to study or conduct research in the United States.

The program operates in more than 160 countries, but eligibility requirements and application deadlines vary by country.

Applications are generally administered by Fulbright Commissions, foundations, or U.S. Embassies.

Applicants should use the official Fulbright Foreign Student Program website to find information for their country.

Suitable for: Eligible international graduate students, professionals, and artists seeking study or research opportunities in the United States.

For additional U.S. opportunities, explore World Scholarship Finder’s Study in the USA resources.

Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships

Finding fully funded undergraduate scholarships can be more challenging than finding funded master’s and PhD opportunities, but international bachelor’s students still have several options to investigate.

MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship

MEXT has an undergraduate scholarship category for international students.

Applicants should follow the requirements and application process published by the relevant Japanese embassy or consulate.

Global Korea Scholarship Undergraduate

GKS includes an undergraduate route for international students.

The application route can differ between embassy-track and university-track applicants, so students should carefully follow the relevant official instructions.

Türkiye Scholarships

Türkiye Scholarships offers programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.

Applicants should review the official eligibility requirements because academic, age, nationality, and program conditions vary according to study level.

Students looking for more bachelor’s opportunities can browse Undergraduate Scholarships on World Scholarship Finder.

Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships

There are many fully funded master’s scholarships available to international students.

Major programs to research include:

• Chevening Scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
• DAAD programs
• MEXT
• Global Korea Scholarship
• Türkiye Scholarships
• Oxford Clarendon
• Fulbright opportunities

Erasmus Mundus can be particularly attractive to students who want an international master’s involving multiple universities and countries.

Chevening is another major option for eligible students seeking a one-year taught master’s degree in the UK.

Students can find additional opportunities in the Master’s and Postgraduate Scholarships section of World Scholarship Finder.

Fully Funded PhD Scholarships

International students can find fully funded PhD scholarships through government scholarship programs, university fellowships, research grants, and funded doctoral positions.

Opportunities to investigate include:

• MEXT graduate/research routes
• Global Korea Scholarship graduate programs
• DAAD postgraduate and research opportunities
• Oxford Clarendon DPhil scholarships
• Fulbright opportunities
• University-funded doctoral positions

Oxford Clarendon, for example, provides funding for eligible DPhil applicants that includes course fees and a living-expense grant.

For more doctoral funding opportunities, visit World Scholarship Finder’s PhD Scholarships section.

Fully Funded Scholarships by Country

UK

The UK offers several major scholarship opportunities for international students.

Chevening supports eligible one-year taught master’s students, while Oxford Clarendon supports eligible graduate students.

Students can also explore additional UK scholarship opportunities and university-specific funding.

USA

Fulbright is a major government-supported route for international graduate students.

U.S. universities also offer their own scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.

Doctoral applicants should investigate university funding packages as well as external scholarships.

Explore more Study in the USA opportunities on World Scholarship Finder.

Canada

Canada has fewer single nationwide scholarships that fully fund every international student at every study level.

Students should investigate:

• University-specific graduate scholarships
• Research assistantships
• Teaching assistantships
• Doctoral funding packages
• External scholarships
• Government-funded opportunities for eligible nationalities

Always check whether a scholarship covers tuition only or includes living expenses.

Australia

Australia Awards is one of the major government-funded opportunities for international students from participating countries.

Students should check the official Australia Awards website and their country’s individual eligibility requirements.

You can also explore additional study opportunities in Australia and other destinations.

Germany

Germany is an important destination for international scholarship seekers, particularly at postgraduate level.

DAAD offers a wide range of scholarship programs, including EPOS for selected development-related postgraduate courses.

Students should use the DAAD scholarship database to identify programs that match their academic profile.

France

France offers scholarships such as the France Excellence Eiffel program for master’s and doctoral students.

However, applicants should distinguish between fully funded scholarships and scholarships that provide a substantial stipend but do not cover every cost.

The official Campus France information should be checked for current Eiffel funding rules.

Japan

MEXT is the major Japanese Government scholarship to investigate for international students seeking undergraduate or graduate study.

Application routes may involve Japanese embassies or eligible universities depending on the scholarship category.

South Korea

The Global Korea Scholarship provides undergraduate and graduate routes and can include tuition, airfare, language training, and allowances.

Applicants should follow the latest instructions from Study in Korea and the relevant embassy or university.

Türkiye

Türkiye Scholarships provides opportunities from bachelor’s through PhD level.

The program publishes its application calendar and eligibility requirements through its official website.

Netherlands

The Netherlands offers several scholarships for international students, but applicants should carefully distinguish fully funded awards from partial tuition scholarships.

For master’s and PhD applicants, university-specific scholarships, research funding, and paid doctoral positions can also be important sources of funding.

Students can explore additional European opportunities through World Scholarship Finder’s Study in Europe section.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility differs significantly between scholarship programs.

Common requirements may include:

• Citizenship of an eligible country
• A relevant academic qualification
• Strong academic performance
• Admission or intended admission to an eligible university
• English or another language qualification where required
• Relevant professional experience for some programs
• A suitable field of study
• Age requirements for some government scholarships
• Research experience or a research proposal for some doctoral programs

Do not assume that meeting the requirements for one scholarship makes you eligible for another.

Always check the official eligibility criteria for the specific scholarship and academic year.

Documents Usually Required

Most international scholarship applications require some combination of:

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• CV or résumé
• Motivation letter or personal statement
• Recommendation letters
• Passport or national identification document
• Proof of English proficiency where required
• Research proposal where applicable
• University admission documents where required
• Proof of professional experience where applicable
• Portfolio for selected creative programs

Requirements vary, so use the official application checklist as your final reference.

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships

1. Identify scholarships that match your profile

Start with your:

• Study level
• Nationality
• Academic background
• Subject
• Preferred country
• Intended intake

Do not apply simply because a scholarship is advertised as “fully funded.”

2. Read the official eligibility requirements

Check every requirement before investing significant time in an application.

Pay particular attention to:

• Nationality
• Age
• Academic qualifications
• Work experience
• Language requirements
• Eligible universities
• Eligible courses
• Application route

3. Check the deadline

Scholarship deadlines may be:

• Country-specific
• University-specific
• Course-specific
• Embassy-specific
• Different from the university admission deadline

For example, Erasmus Mundus programs generally set their own application deadlines, while Fulbright deadlines vary by country.

4. Prepare your documents early

Request transcripts, recommendation letters, certificates, language-test results, and passport documents well before the deadline.

5. Write a specific motivation letter

Explain why you want the program, how your background connects to it, and what you hope to accomplish.

Avoid sending the same generic statement to every scholarship.

6. Apply through the correct channel

Some scholarships use online portals.

Others require applications through an embassy, university, national organization, or scholarship commission.

Always follow the application route stated by the official provider.

7. Review everything before submitting

Check names, dates, document formats, references, signatures, translations, and required uploads.

Then submit before the deadline.

For more opportunities to research, visit the World Scholarship Finder scholarships directory.

How to Find Legitimate Scholarships

The safest way to verify a scholarship is to locate the organization responsible for administering it.

Look first at:

• Government education websites
• Official embassy websites
• Official university websites
• Official scholarship-provider websites
• Recognized international education organizations

World Scholarship Finder can help students discover opportunities, but applicants should always verify final requirements, funding, and deadlines through the official provider.

Be cautious if a website:

• Promises guaranteed selection
• Requests payment simply to access a scholarship
• Does not identify the actual scholarship provider
• Uses an unofficial email address for a government program
• Gives a deadline that cannot be found on an official source
• Claims every student is eligible

A scholarship directory should be a starting point for research, not a substitute for reading the official scholarship announcement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing deadlines

A strong application cannot be considered if it arrives after the deadline.

Applying without checking eligibility

Read the nationality, academic, age, subject, and study-level requirements first.

Using generic motivation letters

A scholarship committee needs to understand why you are applying for that specific program.

Ignoring application instructions

Failure to follow document formats, recommendation procedures, or submission routes can make an otherwise strong application incomplete.

Paying unofficial agents

Be cautious about anyone claiming they can guarantee a scholarship in exchange for money.

A legitimate consultant may provide educational services, but no private agent can guarantee that a scholarship provider will select you.

Submitting incomplete documents

Use a checklist before submitting.

Missing transcripts, references, certificates, or required forms can prevent an application from being considered.

Relying on old scholarship information

A scholarship’s funding, deadline, eligible countries, and application process can change from one year to the next.

Always check the current official call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fully funded scholarships for international students in 2027–2028?

Major programs to research include Chevening, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, MEXT, Global Korea Scholarship, DAAD programs, Oxford Clarendon, Australia Awards, Fulbright, and Türkiye Scholarships.

Eligibility and funding vary, so applicants should compare each program against their own academic profile and intended study level.

Are fully funded scholarships really free?

A fully funded scholarship can cover major education and living costs, but the exact benefits depend on the program.

Some expenses may remain the student’s responsibility.

Always read the official funding terms.

Can undergraduate students get fully funded scholarships?

Yes.

Examples include MEXT undergraduate scholarships, Global Korea Scholarship undergraduate opportunities, Türkiye Scholarships, and selected university or government awards.

Students can find more opportunities in the Undergraduate Scholarships section.

Are there fully funded master’s scholarships?

Yes.

There are many fully funded master’s scholarships, including Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, selected DAAD programs, MEXT, GKS, Türkiye Scholarships, Oxford Clarendon, and Fulbright opportunities.

Are there fully funded PhD scholarships?

Yes.

International students can find fully funded PhD scholarships through government programs, university scholarships, research grants, and doctoral employment positions.

MEXT, GKS, DAAD opportunities, Fulbright, and Oxford Clarendon are examples to investigate.

Do fully funded scholarships cover living expenses?

Many provide a living stipend or allowance, but the amount and payment structure vary.

Some programs provide accommodation instead of, or in addition to, a living allowance.

Do I need IELTS for fully funded scholarships?

Not always.

English-language requirements vary by scholarship and university.

Some programs accept alternative evidence or apply different rules depending on the applicant’s previous education.

Always check the specific university and scholarship requirements.

When should I start applying for 2027–2028 scholarships?

Start as early as possible.

Some 2027 opportunities have deadlines during 2026, while others open later in 2026 or during 2027.

Preparing documents several months ahead gives you more time to obtain references, write applications, and meet university admission requirements.

Conclusion

Fully funded scholarships can make studying abroad much more affordable for international students.

For the 2027–2028 academic year, students should investigate opportunities such as Chevening in the UK, Erasmus Mundus in Europe, MEXT in Japan, Global Korea Scholarship in South Korea, DAAD programs in Germany, Australia Awards, Fulbright, Oxford Clarendon, and Türkiye Scholarships.

The most important step is to verify every detail through the official scholarship provider.

Deadlines, eligible countries, funding packages, university requirements, and application procedures can change.

Start preparing your transcripts, CV, recommendation letters, motivation statement, passport, language-test documents, and research proposal where applicable.

Students can also regularly check the World Scholarship Finder Scholarships section for newly published opportunities.

For bachelor’s applicants, browse Undergraduate Scholarships. Master’s applicants can explore Master’s and Postgraduate Scholarships, while doctoral candidates can visit PhD Scholarships.

You can also browse Study Abroad Scholarships and explore opportunities by destination, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the USA.

Most importantly, do not wait until the final week.

Some of the largest scholarships abroad 2027 have application processes that begin many months before studies start.

With early preparation, careful research, and attention to eligibility and deadlines, international students can identify legitimate international scholarships 2027 opportunities and submit stronger applications for study abroad.