Best Government Scholarships for International Students
Studying abroad can be expensive, but government-funded scholarships can cover most—or sometimes all—of the cost. These awards are usually based on academic achievement, leadership ability, professional experience, research potential, or the applicant’s expected contribution to their home country.
This guide covers the strongest government scholarships available to international students, including their benefits, eligibility requirements, application methods, and important limitations.
Information and amounts were checked on 25 August 2026. Scholarship rules and deadlines can change, so always confirm the current call on the official website.
Quick Comparison
| Scholarship | Destination | Study level | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | United Kingdom | Master’s | Fully funded |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | United States | Master’s, PhD and research | Usually comprehensive; varies by country |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Multiple European countries | Master’s | Fully funded scholarships available |
| MEXT | Japan | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD and training | Fully funded |
| Global Korea Scholarship | South Korea | Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD | Fully funded |
| Türkiye Scholarships | Türkiye | Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | Fully funded |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Mainly Master’s; limited PhD options | Comprehensive |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Fully funded |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | United Kingdom | Master’s | Fully funded |
| Swedish Institute Scholarship | Sweden | Master’s | Fully funded |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD | Tuition plus living support |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Switzerland | Research, PhD and selected arts Master’s | Substantial funding |
| France Excellence Eiffel | France | Master’s and PhD | Stipend and services; not always full tuition |
| Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | New Zealand | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Fully funded |
1. Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the United Kingdom government’s flagship international scholarship program. It supports future leaders who want to complete a one-year taught Master’s degree in the UK.
What Chevening covers
The scholarship normally provides:
Full university tuition fees
A monthly living allowance
Economy airfare to and from the UK
UK student visa application cost
Arrival and departure allowances
Travel support for approved Chevening events
A contribution toward tuberculosis testing when required
The monthly stipend depends on whether the university is inside or outside London. Official Chevening funding information
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants must:
Be citizens of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
Hold an undergraduate degree qualifying them for a UK Master’s program
Have completed their undergraduate studies at least two years before the application deadline
Have at least 2,800 hours of work experience acquired after graduation
Apply to three eligible UK university courses
Obtain an unconditional offer from at least one selected course by the specified deadline
Return to their country of award for at least two years after finishing the scholarship
Work experience can include full-time employment, part-time work, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships when allowed under the current rules. Official Chevening eligibility criteria
What selectors look for
Chevening places significant emphasis on:
Leadership and influencing experience
Professional relationship-building
A realistic career plan
Clear reasons for choosing the selected courses
Evidence that the applicant will create positive change at home
Application period
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are currently open and close at 11:00 UTC on 6 October 2026. Official application timeline
Best for
Professionals seeking a one-year Master’s degree who already have leadership examples and post-graduation work experience.
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is funded by the United States government. It operates in more than 160 countries and awards approximately 4,000 grants annually.
It allows graduate students, young professionals and artists to study or conduct research in the United States. Official Fulbright program overview
What Fulbright covers
Benefits vary by country, but awards may include:
University tuition support
Monthly living support
J-1 visa sponsorship
Health benefit coverage
International travel
Books or academic allowances
Academic placement assistance
Enrichment and professional activities
Applicants must check their country’s Fulbright announcement because the funding package and available degrees are not identical everywhere.
General eligibility requirements
Applicants generally need to:
Reside in the nominating country when applying
Hold the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree
Have a strong academic record
Demonstrate sufficient English ability
Meet country-specific citizenship and residency requirements
Not hold US citizenship
The central program recommends English scores around TOEFL iBT 79–80 or IELTS 6.5, although country requirements may differ.
Clinical programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing are generally excluded. Non-clinical fields such as public health may be allowed. Official Fulbright application guidance
How to apply
Applications are processed through the Fulbright Commission, US Embassy or designated organization in the applicant’s country. Some countries use institutional placement, while others require applicants to seek university admission themselves.
Best for
Applicants seeking a graduate degree in the United States, especially those with strong academic results, leadership potential and community involvement.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international Master’s programs funded by the European Union. Students normally study at two or more universities in different countries.
What the scholarship covers
Full Erasmus Mundus scholarships can cover:
Program participation costs
Tuition-related charges
A living allowance
Travel costs
Visa-related costs
Current EU funding for individual scholarship holders can reach €1,400 per month for up to 24 months, depending on the program and scholarship conditions.
Eligibility
Applicants must normally:
Hold a Bachelor’s degree; or
Be completing the final year of a Bachelor’s degree and graduate before the Master’s begins; or
Possess an officially recognized equivalent level of learning
Each consortium sets its own academic, language and document requirements.
How to apply
Students apply directly to the consortium managing their chosen Erasmus Mundus program. Applications are commonly accepted between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year.
Programs usually last one or two academic years and award either a joint degree or multiple degrees. Official Erasmus Mundus student guide
Best for
Students who want to study in several countries and gain an international, multidisciplinary Master’s degree.
4. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship
The MEXT Scholarship is financed by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
It offers several categories:
Research students
Undergraduate students
Teacher-training students
Japanese studies students
College of technology students
Specialized training college students
Young Leaders’ Program students
Financial benefits
Depending on the category, MEXT provides:
Full tuition exemption
Monthly allowance
Round-trip airfare
Japanese-language or preparatory education when required
The official program information lists monthly support of approximately ¥143,000–¥145,000 for research students and around ¥117,000 for several undergraduate-level categories.
Main eligibility points
Requirements depend on the category. Generally:
Undergraduate applicants must be under the age limit specified in the annual call and have completed the required years of schooling.
Research applicants must hold the qualifications required for admission to a Japanese graduate program.
Applicants must satisfy health, nationality and arrival requirements.
Applicants may need to sit written examinations and attend an interview.
Application routes
There are two main routes:
Embassy recommendation: Apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
University recommendation: A participating Japanese university nominates the student to MEXT.
Not every university has a recommendation quota. Official MEXT scholarship guide
Best for
Students seeking a fully funded undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Japan and applicants who are comfortable with a detailed embassy selection process.
5. Global Korea Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship, commonly called GKS, is administered by South Korea’s National Institute for International Education.
It supports international students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees at designated Korean universities.
What GKS covers
Benefits generally include:
Tuition
International airfare
Monthly living support
Korean-language training
Settlement allowance
Medical insurance
Research or degree-completion support under applicable categories
Application routes
Applicants usually apply through one of two routes:
Embassy Track: Through the Korean embassy in the applicant’s country
University Track: Directly through a designated Korean university
Candidates cannot casually switch between tracks after applying, so the annual guidelines should be studied carefully.
Selection factors
GKS generally considers:
Academic performance
Personal statement
Study plan
Recommendation letters
Language ability
Applicant’s potential to strengthen international cooperation
Age limits, minimum grades, eligible universities and country quotas are defined in each annual call.
Best for
Students interested in Korean universities, technology, engineering, business, international studies and Korean-language development.
6. Türkiye Scholarships
Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded program offering university placement and financial support in one application.
It supports:
Associate degrees
Bachelor’s degrees
Master’s degrees
PhD programs
Selected arts and research programs
Scholarship benefits
The current full-time program includes:
University and department placement
Tuition fees
Accommodation
Health insurance
One year of Turkish-language education
One flight ticket at the beginning of the program and another after graduation
Monthly stipends of approximately:
Undergraduate: 4,500 TL
Master’s: 6,500 TL
PhD: 9,000 TL
Official Türkiye Scholarships benefits
Application period
Full-time applications are generally accepted from 10 January to 20 February each year.
Selection process
Evaluation normally includes:
Academic performance
Age and degree-level eligibility
Motivation and career goals
Quality of previous achievements
Social and extracurricular activities
Compatibility between previous education and the proposed program
Interview performance
Graduate scholarships do not normally cover health-science programs, although undergraduate options may be different.
Best for
Applicants wanting a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD scholarship with university placement, accommodation and language training included.
7. DAAD EPOS Scholarships
DAAD’s Development-Related Postgraduate Courses program, known as EPOS, is funded in connection with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
It supports professionals from developing and emerging countries who want to study selected development-related postgraduate programs in Germany.
Financial benefits
EPOS currently offers:
Approximately €992 per month for graduates
Approximately €1,400 per month for doctoral candidates
Health, accident and personal-liability insurance
Travel allowance when not covered elsewhere
Possible rent subsidy
Possible allowance for accompanying family members
Main eligibility requirements
Applicants normally need:
A relevant Bachelor’s degree
Above-average academic performance
At least two years of relevant professional experience after graduation
A clear development-related motivation
An academic degree normally completed within the previous six years
Required English or German proficiency
Funding lasts approximately 12 to 42 months, depending on the course.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted directly to the selected EPOS course, not initially to DAAD. Applicants may usually select up to three courses and must explain their order of preference. Official DAAD EPOS information
Best for
Professionals with at least two years of experience in development-related fields such as public policy, engineering, environmental management, economics, public health or education.
8. Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are long-term awards administered by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
They are available only to citizens of participating partner countries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region and selected developing regions.
Benefits
The award generally includes:
Full tuition fees
Return economy airfare
Establishment allowance
Fortnightly living-expense contribution
Overseas Student Health Cover
Introductory academic program
Pre-course English training when required
Supplementary academic support
Certain research-fieldwork expenses
Important condition
Recipients must leave Australia after completing the scholarship and remain outside Australia for at least two years. Failure to comply may result in a debt equal to the scholarship’s total cost.
Country-specific priorities, eligible degrees and deadlines differ significantly. Official Australia Awards information
Best for
Students from eligible partner countries whose chosen field supports their country’s national development priorities.
9. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
They support citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford a one-year taught Master’s degree in the UK.
Funding
The 2027–2028 scholarship provides:
Full approved tuition fees
Approved return airfare
Monthly stipend of approximately £1,712, or £2,000 in the London metropolitan area
Study-related travel grant
Potential disability support
Limited child support for qualifying single parents
Application requirements
Applicants must:
Be citizens of, or hold qualifying refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country
Be permanently resident in an eligible country
Hold the required undergraduate qualification
Demonstrate academic merit
Present a strong study plan
Explain the expected development impact
Apply through an approved national agency or nominating organization
The CSC does not accept candidates without an approved nomination.
Current schedule
Applications for 2027–2028 are scheduled to open on 8 September 2026 and close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. Official Commonwealth Master’s information
Best for
Applicants from eligible Commonwealth countries whose proposed studies directly address a development challenge.
10. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals supports experienced professionals from selected countries who want to complete an eligible Master’s degree in Sweden.
Iraq is included among the eligible countries in the currently published program information.
Benefits
The scholarship provides:
Full tuition-fee coverage
Monthly allowance of SEK 12,000
Travel grant, normally SEK 15,000
Membership in professional and alumni networks
Official Swedish Institute scholarship page
Eligibility
Applicants normally need:
Citizenship from an eligible country
Admission application to an eligible Swedish Master’s program
Documented professional experience
Demonstrated leadership experience
A strong connection between the proposed degree and sustainable development
For many countries, the published cycle requires at least 3,000 hours of documented work experience. Applicants should verify the requirement for their citizenship in the next call.
Important application detail
Admission to a Swedish university and the SI scholarship are separate processes. Applicants must first submit their Master’s applications through Sweden’s national university-admission system.
Best for
Experienced professionals with strong leadership and sustainable-development goals.
11. Stipendium Hungaricum
Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian government’s international scholarship program. It is based on agreements between Hungary and participating sending partners.
Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq appear within the program’s partner frameworks.
What it covers
The scholarship provides:
Tuition-free education
Monthly stipend
Free dormitory accommodation or a housing contribution
Public healthcare access
Supplementary medical insurance
Current support is approximately:
Bachelor’s and Master’s: HUF 43,700 per month
Doctoral first phase: HUF 140,000 per month
Doctoral second phase: HUF 180,000 per month
Accommodation: dormitory place or approximately HUF 40,000 per month
The program explicitly warns that its stipend and housing contribution may not cover every living expense, especially private rent in Budapest. Official funding details
Application process
Applicants normally:
Select up to two eligible programs.
Apply through the Stipendium Hungaricum portal.
Complete any required sending-partner application.
Receive nomination from their sending partner.
Complete the university admission evaluation.
Programs and eligible fields vary by nationality. Official application page
Best for
Students seeking Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD options in Europe who can supplement the living allowance if necessary.
12. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships mainly support international researchers and PhD applicants. They are not general Bachelor’s or taught-Master’s scholarships.
Available categories
Depending on nationality, categories may include:
Research fellowship
Full PhD scholarship
First Master’s degree in arts at selected institutions
2027–2028 funding and requirements
The current scholarship provides CHF 2,450 per month for basic living expenses.
Research and PhD applicants generally need:
A completed Master’s degree by the specified 2027 deadline
A detailed research proposal
A timeline and research methodology
An academic supervisor at a Swiss institution
A formal letter of support from that supervisor
Two academic recommendations
Compliance with the current age requirement
Applications without a Swiss academic supervisor are not considered. Official Swiss scholarship details
Important limitation
This scholarship should not automatically be treated as guaranteed full tuition plus full living costs. Applicants must examine university fees, insurance eligibility and the scholarship conditions for their country.
Information for Iraqi applicants
For Iraq, the 2027–2028 call opened on 20 August 2026 and lists a deadline of 27 November 2026. Research fellowships and PhD scholarships are available. Official country and deadline list
Best for
Applicants with a strong research project who can secure support from a Swiss professor.
13. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
It supports high-achieving international students in selected Master’s and doctoral fields.
Benefits
For Master’s recipients, the current program provides a monthly allowance of approximately €1,200, together with selected services such as travel, insurance and cultural activities.
However, Eiffel should not automatically be described as a complete tuition scholarship. Applicants must confirm tuition arrangements with the nominating university.
Application method
Students cannot submit applications directly to Campus France. A French higher-education institution must select and nominate the candidate.
Therefore, the correct process is:
Identify an eligible French program.
Contact the international or scholarship office.
Ask whether the institution will nominate you.
Complete the university’s internal selection process.
The institution submits the final Eiffel application.
Official France Excellence Eiffel information
Best for
High-achieving Master’s and PhD candidates who can secure nomination from a French university.
14. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand government for citizens of selected partner countries.
Financial benefits
A full scholarship may provide:
Full tuition fees
Living allowance
Establishment allowance
Medical insurance
Travel insurance
Travel to and from the recipient’s country
Limited home travel for longer programs
Reintegration allowance
Research and thesis assistance for eligible postgraduate students
Official financial-support information
Selection priorities
Successful applicants are normally expected to:
Be citizens of an eligible country
Meet age, residence and visa requirements
Have strong academic results
Select a subject aligned with their country’s development needs
Possess relevant work experience when required
Return home and contribute to national development
Demonstrate communication and relationship-management ability
Applicants must return to their home country for at least two years after completing the scholarship. Official selection guidance
Best for
Applicants from eligible Pacific, Asian, African, Caribbean and Latin American partner countries whose proposed degree matches a listed development priority.
Best Scholarships by Study Level
For undergraduate students
The strongest options are:
MEXT Scholarship
Global Korea Scholarship
Türkiye Scholarships
Stipendium Hungaricum
Australia Awards, for eligible countries
Manaaki New Zealand, for eligible countries
Chevening, DAAD EPOS, Erasmus Mundus and the Swedish Institute Scholarship are not undergraduate scholarships.
For Master’s students
The strongest options are:
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Chevening
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
DAAD EPOS
Swedish Institute Scholarship
Türkiye Scholarships
MEXT
GKS
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
Stipendium Hungaricum
For PhD and research students
The strongest options are:
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
MEXT
GKS
Fulbright
Stipendium Hungaricum
Türkiye Scholarships
Selected DAAD programs
France Excellence Eiffel
Recommended Scholarships for Iraqi Applicants
Iraqi applicants should prioritize:
Chevening: Currently open until 6 October 2026
Swiss Government Excellence: Currently open for Iraqi research and PhD applicants until 27 November 2026
Fulbright Foreign Student Program: Available to Iraqi graduate students and young professionals, particularly for US Master’s study
Swedish Institute Scholarship: Iraq appears on the eligible-country list
Stipendium Hungaricum: Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have sending-partner routes
Erasmus Mundus: Open worldwide, subject to program requirements
Türkiye Scholarships: Available to international applicants at several degree levels
MEXT: Apply through the Japanese Embassy or an eligible university
GKS: Apply through the Korean Embassy or a designated university
DAAD EPOS: Iraqis may apply to eligible development-related courses when they meet the professional-experience requirement
Iraq is not currently listed among the eligible countries for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. Australia Awards and Manaaki New Zealand also focus on specified partner countries, so Iraqi applicants should check their country lists before preparing an application.
Documents You Should Prepare
Most government scholarship applications require some combination of:
Valid passport or national identification
Degree certificate
Complete academic transcripts
Certified translations
English-language certificate
Academic or professional CV
Personal statement
Motivation letter
Study plan
Career plan
Two or three recommendation letters
Employment certificates
Proof of leadership or voluntary work
University admission application
Research proposal for PhD applicants
Supervisor support letter for research scholarships
Medical documents after preliminary selection
Keep both original and translated copies. The applicant’s name should appear consistently across the passport, certificates, transcripts and application forms.
How to Create a Strong Application
1. Apply only where you are clearly eligible
Check nationality, age, degree level, graduation date, work experience and language requirements before writing essays.
2. Connect the degree to a real problem
Explain what problem exists in your country or professional sector, what skills you lack, how the degree will provide those skills and what you will do after returning.
3. Use evidence of leadership
Do not simply write, “I am a leader.” Describe:
The situation
Your responsibility
The action you took
The people you influenced
The measurable result
What you learned
4. Choose courses strategically
A famous university is not automatically the best choice. Select programs whose modules, professors, research facilities or industry partnerships directly support your goals.
5. Give recommenders enough time
Choose people who know your work well. Provide them with your CV, study goals, scholarship criteria and submission deadline.
6. Prepare for interviews
Be ready to explain:
Why you selected the country
Why you selected the course
Why the scholarship should invest in you
Your leadership examples
Your career plan
How your country will benefit
Why you will return after graduation
Common Reasons Applications Fail
Applications are often rejected because applicants:
Submit generic or copied personal statements
Do not answer the actual essay question
List responsibilities without showing results
Choose courses unrelated to their career goals
Ignore return-home or development-impact requirements
Provide weak or incomplete recommendations
Miss the separate university-admission application
Upload unreadable or incomplete transcripts
Apply through the wrong embassy, university or nominating agency
Wait until the final day to submit
Assume that every “government scholarship” covers every expense
Final Advice
There is no single best scholarship for every student.
Choose according to your degree level and profile:
If you are an experienced professional, prioritize Chevening, DAAD EPOS and the Swedish Institute Scholarship.
If you are a recent graduate, consider Erasmus Mundus, Fulbright, MEXT or GKS.
If you need an undergraduate scholarship, focus on MEXT, GKS, Türkiye Scholarships and Stipendium Hungaricum.
If you are preparing a PhD proposal, consider the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, MEXT, GKS and selected DAAD programs.
If you are from Iraq, Chevening, Swiss Government Excellence, Fulbright, Erasmus Mundus, SI, Stipendium Hungaricum and Türkiye Scholarships provide particularly relevant routes.
Apply to several carefully selected programs instead of depending on a single scholarship. Four excellent, customized applications are usually more effective than ten rushed and generic applications.