Country-Wise Guide to Fully Funded Scholarships in 2025

Studying abroad is a life-changing experience, but one of the main concerns for international students is the cost. Tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, travel, and insurance can add up quickly. Thankfully, many countries offer fully funded scholarships for international students, allowing them to pursue higher education without the burden of financial stress. These scholarships are typically offered by governments, universities, or international organizations and cover tuition, living expenses, airfare, and sometimes additional costs like health insurance and research grants.

This country-wise guide to fully funded scholarships in 2025 highlights some of the best opportunities around the world for students looking to study abroad without paying out of pocket.

1. United States

The U.S. is a top destination for international students and offers numerous fully funded scholarships.

Notable Scholarships:

Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Covers tuition, living expenses, airfare, and health insurance.
- Available in over 160 countries.
- Open to students pursuing a Master’s or PhD.
Humphrey Fellowship Program
- For professionals with leadership potential.
- Covers all expenses for one year of non-degree graduate-level study.
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (at select U.S. universities)
- Supports African students with full funding, leadership development, and mentorship.

2. United Kingdom

The UK attracts thousands of international students annually, offering generous scholarships.

Top Scholarships:

Chevening Scholarships
- Funded by the UK government.
- Covers tuition, living expenses, airfare, and visa costs for one-year Master’s degrees.
Commonwealth Scholarships
- For students from low and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
- Covers full tuition, airfare, and living stipend for Master’s and PhDs.
Gates Cambridge Scholarships
- Covers full cost of study at the University of Cambridge.
- Open to outstanding international applicants for postgraduate study.

3. Canada

Canada is known for its high-quality education and generous funding for international students.

Major Scholarships:

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- For PhD students.
- Valued at CAD $50,000 per year for three years.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
- For undergraduate students.
- Covers tuition, books, incidental fees, and full residence support.
IDRC Research Awards
- For students from developing countries.
- Provides full funding for Master's and PhD research.

4. Germany

Germany is one of the most budget-friendly countries for international students, and many public universities charge little or no tuition fees.

Top Opportunities:

DAAD Scholarships (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
- Covers tuition, monthly living allowance, travel, and insurance.
- Open to Master's and PhD students from developing countries.
Deutschlandstipendium
- Provides monthly support to high-achieving students.
- Funded jointly by the government and private sponsors.

5. Australia

Australia offers fully funded scholarships that support education, research, and development.

Leading Scholarships:

Australia Awards Scholarships
- Funded by the Australian Government.
- Covers tuition, living allowance, return airfare, health insurance, and other costs.
- For students from Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
Research Training Program (RTP)
- For domestic and international postgraduate students.
- Covers tuition, a stipend, and health cover.

6. New Zealand

New Zealand is an increasingly popular destination, offering high-quality education and full scholarships.

Best Options:

New Zealand Government Scholarships
- Available for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
- Covers tuition, travel, living costs, and establishment allowance.
University of Auckland International Student Scholarships
- Fully funded scholarships for high-performing students.

7. Japan

Japan is committed to attracting international students through generous scholarship programs.

Key Scholarships:

MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship
- Offered by the Japanese government.
- Covers tuition, a monthly allowance, and round-trip airfare.
- Available for undergraduate, Master's, and PhD students.
ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
- For students from ADB developing member countries.
- Offers full tuition, living expenses, travel, and research support.

8. South Korea

South Korea is known for its innovation-driven education system and attractive scholarships.

Notable Programs:

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
- Fully funded for undergraduate and graduate students.
- Includes tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, settlement allowance, and Korean language training.
KAIST and POSTECH Scholarships
- Leading science and tech universities offer full scholarships for international students.

9. China

China is investing heavily in education and international collaboration.

Key Scholarships:

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
- Covers tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, and insurance.
- Offered at many top universities in China.
Belt and Road Initiative Scholarships
- Aimed at students from partner countries.
- Fully funded for degree programs in economics, technology, and international relations.

10. Netherlands

The Netherlands provides competitive scholarships to international students with academic excellence.

Important Scholarships:

Orange Tulip Scholarship
- For students from certain countries including Indonesia, India, and Vietnam.
- Funded by Dutch universities and companies.
Holland Scholarship
- Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education.
- One-time grant of €5,000, sometimes supplemented by full funding from institutions.

11. Sweden

Sweden offers tuition-free education for EU/EEA students and scholarships for non-EU students.