Last updated on January 8, 2026
Studying abroad for a master’s or PhD degree can be expensive. However, several fully funded international scholarships are officially offered by governments and global institutions to support graduate students. This guide lists only verified and well-established scholarship programs that international graduates can apply for worldwide.
This article focuses on master’s and PhD scholarships, explains what they cover, and helps applicants understand who should apply and what is required.
If you think education is expensive, try estimating the cost of ignorance.
Quick Glance
- Cover tuition, living costs, health insurance, and sometimes travel.
- Open to strong academic performers with clear research or career goals.
- Require documents like transcripts, recommendation letters, and a statement of purpose.
- Highly competitive — apply early and follow instructions carefully.
Table of Contents
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is intended for:
- Final-year undergraduate students planning postgraduate studies
- Graduates applying for Master’s or PhD programs abroad
- Students from developing and middle-income countries
- Applicants looking for fully funded, government-backed scholarships
What “Fully Funded” Means
Most fully funded international scholarships typically cover:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Travel costs (round-trip airfare)
- Health insurance
Some programs may not cover family expenses or visa application fees. Always check official details before applying.
Verified Fully Funded International Scholarships
Below are globally recognised and officially funded scholarship programs. Each program listed here has an official website and recurring application cycles.
Joint Japan–World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
- Funded by: World Bank and Government of Japan
- Level: Master’s
- Eligible countries: Developing countries
- Fields: Development-related fields (economics, health, education, public policy)
- Covers: Tuition, monthly allowance, airfare, health insurance
- Deadline window: Usually March–May
- Apply on: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/scholarships/jj-wbgsp
This program supports students committed to development work in their home countries.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships (Europe)
- Funded by: European Union (Erasmus+)
- Level: Master’s
- Eligible countries: All nationalities
- Fields: Multiple disciplines depending on the program
- Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, travel and installation costs
- Deadline window: October–January
- Apply on: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters
Students study in two or more European countries under a joint degree program.
Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Funded by: UK Government
- Level: Master’s
- Eligible countries: Chevening-eligible countries worldwide
- Fields: All fields offered by UK universities
- Covers: Tuition, living allowance, airfare
- Deadline window: August–November
- Apply on: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/
Chevening focuses on applicants with leadership potential and career clarity.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program (United States)
- Funded by: U.S. Department of State
- Level: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible countries: Varies by country
- Fields: Most academic disciplines
- Covers: Tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance
- Deadline window: Varies by country
- Apply on: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-student-program
Applications are usually handled through local Fulbright offices.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Funded by: DAAD
- Level: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible countries: International students
- Fields: Development, engineering, sciences, social sciences
- Covers: Monthly stipend, travel allowance, insurance
- Deadline window: August–October (varies by program)
- Apply on: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/
Many public universities in Germany charge low or no tuition fees.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Funded by: Swiss Government
- Level: Master’s (limited), PhD, Postdoctoral
- Eligible countries: Selected countries worldwide
- Fields: Research-based disciplines
- Covers: Living allowance, tuition support, insurance
- Deadline window: September–December
- Apply on: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
Best suited for students with strong academic or research backgrounds.
Commonwealth Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Funded by: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
- Level: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible countries: Commonwealth countries
- Fields: Development-focused disciplines
- Covers: Tuition, living allowance, airfare
- Deadline window: October–December
- Apply on: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/
Designed for students who intend to contribute to development in their home countries.
MEXT Scholarships (Japan)
- Funded by: Government of Japan
- Level: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible countries: International students
- Fields: Most academic disciplines
- Covers: Tuition, stipend, travel, language training
- Deadline window: April–June
- Apply on: https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/education/highered/title02/detail02/sdetail02/1373897.htm
Applications are submitted through Japanese embassies or partner universities.
Türkiye Burslari Scholarships (Turkey)
- Funded by: Government of Turkey
- Level: Master’s and PhD
- Eligible countries: International students
- Fields: Multiple disciplines
- Covers: Tuition, accommodation, stipend, health insurance
- Deadline window: January–February
- Apply on: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
Includes free university placement and Turkish language training.
Common Eligibility Requirements
Most international graduate scholarships require:
- A completed bachelor’s degree (for master’s)
- Strong academic background
- Relevant field of study
- English or local language proficiency (where required)
- Work or research experience (for some programs)
Education without application is just entertainment.
Documents Commonly Required
Applicants are usually asked to submit:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Statement of purpose or study plan
- Recommendation letters
- Passport copy
- Language test scores (if applicable)
Incomplete applications are a common reason for rejection.
Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected
- Missing documents
- Applying after the deadline
- Not meeting eligibility criteria
- Weak or generic statements
- Applying to unrelated fields
Careful preparation significantly improves success rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are international scholarships very competitive?
Yes. Fully funded scholarships receive thousands of applications each year. Meeting eligibility and submitting a strong application is essential.
Can graduates apply without work experience?
Some programs allow fresh graduates, while others prefer professional or research experience. Always check program requirements.
Is there an age limit for scholarships?
Most programs do not have strict age limits, but some may prefer early-career applicants.
Can students apply to multiple scholarships?
Yes. Applying to multiple scholarships is recommended as long as eligibility criteria are met.
Transparency Note
Smart Africa Guide does not offer scholarships directly. All information shared here is based on official scholarship providers and public guidelines. Applicants should always verify details on the official scholarship websites before applying.
Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.
