Best Countries for Scholarships for International Students

The best countries for scholarships for international students are the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Korea, but each offers a different kind of funding.

Fully funded scholarships for international students, such as Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, and the Global Korea Scholarship, are the most competitive, while partial university awards and low-tuition public universities make the biggest difference for most students.

Most fully funded options: Europe, through Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, Eiffel, and Government of Ireland scholarships.
Most university merit awards: UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Lowest cost without a scholarship: Public universities in Germany and France.
Next major deadlines: Eiffel closes on 6th January 2027, and most Erasmus Mundus programmes close between October 2026 and January 2027.
Figures checked: 5th November 2026.

What’s Changed

Chevening: Applications for 2027-28 closed on 6th October 2026, so the next round is for 2028 entry.
France: From 2026-27, most new non-EU students at public universities pay €3,941 a year for a master’s, which makes fee exemptions and scholarships worth more than before.

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Which Countries Are Best for Scholarships for International Students?

The best country depends on your study level, academic profile, subject, budget, and timeline. Use this table to match your priority to the destinations worth shortlisting.

If Your Priority Is	Destinations to Consider	Why
The widest choice of university scholarships	UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand	Many universities offer merit awards and partial tuition reductions
Fully funded government scholarships	UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Korea, New Zealand	National awards can cover tuition, living costs, and flights, but competition is high
Lower tuition	Germany, France	Public universities charge little or no tuition
A shorter, cheaper master’s	UK, Ireland	One-year courses cut a full year of living costs
Research or PhD funding	Germany, Canada, Australia, France, New Zealand	Funded positions, assistantships, and supervisor-linked grants
Fee discounts closer to home in Asia or the Gulf	UAE, Malaysia	Many institutions offer merit reductions and early payment discounts
Studying in more than one European country	Erasmus Mundus programmes across Europe	Fully funded joint master’s with no nationality restriction

Many students rule themselves out too early, so it’s worth checking the most common scholarship myths before deciding a scholarship isn’t for you.

Which Fully Funded Scholarships Can International Students Apply For?

Fully funded scholarships for international students usually cover tuition and a living allowance, and some add flights and insurance. They’re the most competitive awards available, and several are open only to certain nationalities.

Scholarship	Destination	What It Covers	Who Can Apply and When
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	Two or more European countries	No tuition, plus €1,400 a month for the full programme	Any nationality; apply to each programme, usually October to January
Chevening Scholarships	UK	Tuition, a monthly allowance, return flights, and the visa fee for a one-year master’s	Eligible countries; at least 2,800 hours of work experience; you must return home for two years; usually opens in August and closes in early October
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships	Ireland	A €10,000 stipend and a full tuition fee waiver for one year	Non-EU/EEA students with an offer from an Irish institution; 60 awards; the last round closed in March
DAAD Scholarships	Germany	A monthly stipend, plus insurance and travel support on many programmes	Varies by programme; some, such as EPOS, need two years’ work experience and suit developing-country applicants
France Excellence Eiffel	France	A monthly allowance of around €1,200 for a master’s, plus travel and insurance; not tuition	Your French university applies for you; institutions submit by 6th January 2027
Global Korea Scholarship	Korea	Tuition, about KRW 1 million a month, flights, insurance, and a year of Korean language training	Graduate applicants under 40 with strong grades; apply through a Korean embassy or university
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships	New Zealand	Tuition, living costs, and travel	Citizens of eligible developing countries only

*Values and deadlines checked on 5th November 2026. Always confirm the current round on the official scholarship page before you apply.

Australia Awards follow a similar model to Manaaki, but are open only to citizens of eligible Indo-Pacific and African countries. If your nationality isn’t eligible for a national award, Erasmus Mundus and university scholarships are usually your strongest options.

Where Will You Find the Most University Scholarships?

The UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand give you more universities to compare, which usually means more funding opportunities overall. Common types include:

International merit awards: Fixed amounts or percentage reductions based on your grades.
Course and faculty scholarships: Awards tied to a subject, department, or priority area.
Postgraduate discounts: Reductions for alumni, early payment, or early acceptance.

These awards are rarely fully funded, but they’re far easier to win than national scholarships, and many are applied automatically when you receive an offer.

Best for: Students who want to compare many universities and improve their chances of partial or merit-based funding.
What to watch for: More options doesn’t mean easier funding, as these destinations are popular and the best awards are competitive.

Is a Low-Tuition Country Better Than a Scholarship?

Sometimes. A partial scholarship at a £30,000 course can still leave you paying more than you would at a public university in Germany or France with no scholarship at all.

Germany: Most public universities charge no tuition, though you’ll pay a semester fee and must show €11,904 a year for living costs in a blocked account. See the full cost of studying in Germany.
France: Public universities now charge most new non-EU master’s students €3,941 a year, still well below most English-speaking destinations, and some universities offer fee exemptions.

Lower tuition doesn’t mean no expenses, and many German and French master’s last two years, so compare the total cost of studying abroad across the whole course.

Expert View

“Students often ask which country has the most scholarships, but the better question is which ones they’d actually qualify for. A student with a strong research profile is usually better served by funded positions in Germany or Canada than by chasing a national award they’re unlikely to win.” – Rajashree Devi, Counsellor, StudyIn.

Find Scholarships That Match Your Profile

Which Countries Are Best for Master’s Scholarships?

For a master’s, compare course length and total cost alongside the scholarships on offer.

Destination	Why Consider It for a Master’s
UK	One-year courses, Chevening, and a wide range of university awards
Ireland	One-year courses in English and the Government of Ireland scholarship
Germany	Low tuition at public universities and DAAD funding
France	Lower public fees, Eiffel, and business school scholarships
Canada	Funding for thesis-based and research master’s
Australia	Many partial postgraduate scholarships at university level

Which Countries Offer the Best PhD and Research Funding?

Germany, Canada, Australia, France, and New Zealand are strong options for students with a clear research interest. Funding routes include:

Funded positions: Salaried doctoral roles, common in Germany.
Assistantships: Paid research or teaching work alongside your studies.
Government and university grants: Including DAAD research grants and university graduate awards.
Supervisor-linked funding: Places attached to a specific project or grant.

Funding often depends on your research area, supervisor availability, and department budget, so contact potential supervisors early.

Where Can You Get Partial Scholarships or Tuition Discounts?

Not every scholarship needs to be fully funded to be useful. Partial awards, early payment discounts, and merit reductions can still cut thousands from your total cost.

UAE: Many institutions in Dubai offer merit scholarships, tuition reductions, and early payment discounts.
Malaysia: Lower fees and frequent merit awards at private universities and branch campuses in Malaysia.
UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand: Many universities offer partial awards to international students.

Always check how much an award covers, whether it renews each year, and what grades you need to keep it.

Can You Get a Scholarship With Average Grades?

Yes. Not all scholarships are merit-based, and many university awards are open to students with good rather than outstanding grades. You can improve your chances by:

Applying early: Some awards are first come, first served, and early applicants have more to choose from.
Targeting subject and regional awards: These attract fewer applicants than general merit scholarships.
Strengthening the rest of your profile: Work experience, a clear personal statement, and strong references matter, especially for national awards.
Combining funding: A partial scholarship, a lower-cost destination, and education loans and funding options can together close the gap.

How Do You Choose the Right Scholarship Destination?

Before you shortlist, ask yourself:

Am I looking for full funding or partial support?
Is my main concern tuition or the total cost of living?
Am I applying for undergraduate, master’s, or research study?
Does my nationality make me eligible for national awards such as Chevening or Manaaki?
Do I have time to prepare essays, references, and financial documents before the deadlines?
Would a lower-tuition destination save more than a scholarship elsewhere?

Scholarships are only one part of choosing a country to study abroad, so weigh them against post-study work, course strength, and your career goals. If your family is helping to fund your studies, share the total cost and any scholarship terms with them early.

How StudyIn Helps You Find the Right Scholarships

StudyIn has more than 20 years of experience helping international students study abroad across 13 destinations. AI tools can list scholarships, but they can’t check which ones you’re eligible for or how your profile compares with past winners.

Our counsellors help you shortlist destinations and universities, match your profile to scholarships for international students, prepare strong applications, and plan your financial evidence and visa.

Our core service is free throughout the process, so book a free counselling session to build your scholarship plan.

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FAQs

Which country offers the most scholarships for international students?

The UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand generally offer the widest range of university scholarships. Germany and France offer fewer awards but much lower tuition at public universities.

Which countries offer fully funded scholarships for international students?

Fully funded options include Erasmus Mundus across Europe, Chevening in the UK, DAAD in Germany, the Global Korea Scholarship, and Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships. Several are limited to certain nationalities and are highly competitive.

Can I get a fully funded scholarship with average grades?

It’s difficult, as most fully funded awards are highly competitive. Partial university scholarships, subject-specific awards, and early application discounts are more realistic, and many are open to students with good rather than top grades.

Is Germany better than other countries for scholarships?

Germany doesn’t always offer the most scholarships, but most public universities charge no tuition, so you may need less funding. You’ll still need to show €11,904 a year for living costs.

Which country is best for master’s scholarships?

The UK and Ireland suit one-year master’s with national and university awards, Germany and France suit lower-cost study, and Erasmus Mundus funds joint master’s across Europe for any nationality.

Can international students get undergraduate scholarships abroad?

Yes, but undergraduate funding is usually more limited than postgraduate funding. Most undergraduate awards are university merit scholarships or tuition discounts, with the widest choice in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Malaysia, and the UAE.