Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2025

The cost of higher education keeps rising, making it harder for international students to pursue degrees abroad. That’s where fully funded scholarships come in — they cover not just tuition, but also living expenses, travel, and more.

For 2025, several excellent opportunities are available across the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Whether you’re planning for a master’s, PhD, or even an undergraduate degree, this list will help you get started. Here are the top 10 fully funded scholarships for international students to explore this year.

Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships for 2025

1. Chevening Scholarships – UK

If the UK is on your study-abroad wishlist, the Chevening Scholarship should be at the top of your applications. It’s one of the most sought-after UK scholarships for global students.

Covers: Tuition, travel, visa fees, monthly living allowance

Open to: Students from 160+ countries

Fields: Any eligible UK master’s program

It also offers fantastic networking and leadership opportunities.

2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – USA

For anyone dreaming of studying in the USA, the Fulbright Program provides an outstanding pathway. It fosters cultural exchange and academic excellence across 155+ countries.

Covers: Full tuition, travel, health insurance, living stipend

Open to: Graduate students and young professionals

Fields: Wide range of disciplines at US universities

3. DAAD Scholarships – Germany

Germany is a top destination for affordable, high-quality education. The DAAD Scholarships further make this possible, especially for students from developing nations.

Covers: Monthly stipend, travel, health insurance, tuition

Open to: Postgraduates in development-related fields

Fields: Focus on social sciences, engineering, environmental sciences, and more

4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees—Europe

Want to study in more than one European country during your master’s? The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees offer a unique academic experience combined with rich cultural exposure.

Covers: Full tuition, living expenses, travel, insurance

Duration: 1–2 years

Fields: Multidisciplinary programs with mobility across EU countries

5. Australia Awards Scholarships

For students from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific region, Australia Awards Scholarships present an incredible opportunity to study in Australia’s top universities, and contribute to their home countries after graduation.

Covers: Tuition, travel, establishment allowance, monthly stipend

Open to: Undergraduate and postgraduate students

Fields: Priority areas related to home country development needs

6. Gates Cambridge Scholarships – UK

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is more than just financial support; it also fosters a close-knit global community of future leaders. If you dream of studying at Cambridge, this is one of the best scholarships available.

Covers: Full tuition, maintenance allowance, travel, other expenses

Open to: Full-time postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge

Fields: All subjects except certain professional degrees

7. Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program – Stanford University, USA

Looking to combine academic excellence with leadership development? The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University offers exactly that, fully funded graduate study at one of the world’s leading universities.

Covers: Tuition, living stipend, academic enrichment funds

Open to: Students worldwide pursuing any graduate degree at Stanford

Focus: Leadership, innovation, global impact

8. Commonwealth Scholarships—UK

Students from Commonwealth countries can benefit from this flagship UK government program. Commonwealth Scholarships make high-quality UK degrees accessible to talented students across the globe.

Covers: Tuition, travel, monthly stipend

Open to: Master’s and PhD students from eligible Commonwealth countries

Fields: Various, with emphasis on development-related areas

9. Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships – Japan

Interested in experiencing Japan’s world-class universities and culture? The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships offer full financial support for students at all academic levels.

Covers: Tuition, monthly allowance, travel costs

Open to: Undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students

Application: Via Japanese embassies or universities

10. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships – Switzerland

Known for its high standard of living and academic excellence, Switzerland offers this prestigious scholarship to international students pursuing advanced research and postgraduate degrees.

Covers: Tuition fees, monthly allowance, insurance, housing

Open to: Students from 180+ countries

Fields: Research-based and postgraduate programs

Tips for Applying to Fully Funded Scholarships

Winning a fully funded scholarship takes careful preparation. Follow these tips to improve your chances:

Start early: Many programs have deadlines up to a year in advance.

Track deadlines: Use a calendar to manage application timelines.

Tailor your statement of purpose: Highlight why you’re a strong fit for the program.

Secure strong references: Request letters from academic or professional mentors.

Show leadership: Highlight extracurriculars and community involvement.

Maintain excellent academic records: Keep transcripts updated and accurate.

Comparison Table of Scholarships

Scholarship Name	Country	Level	Coverage	Application Deadline*
Chevening Scholarships	United Kingdom	Master’s	Tuition, travel, visa, living expenses	Nov 2024 (for 2025 intake)
Fulbright Foreign Student Program	United States	Master’s, PhD	Tuition, travel, health insurance, living stipend	Varies by country (Feb–Oct 2024)
DAAD Scholarships	Germany	Postgraduate (Master’s/PhD)	Tuition, monthly stipend, travel, health insurance	Aug–Oct 2024 (varies by course)
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees	Multiple EU Countries	Master’s	Tuition, living expenses, travel, insurance	Dec 2024–Mar 2025 (varies by program)
Australia Awards Scholarships	Australia	Undergraduate, Postgraduate	Tuition, travel, establishment allowance, living stipend	May–June 2024 (varies by country)
Gates Cambridge Scholarships	United Kingdom	Postgraduate (Master’s/PhD)	Tuition, maintenance allowance, travel, additional expenses	Oct 2024 (for 2025 entry)
Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program	United States	Graduate (any field at Stanford)	Tuition, living stipend, academic enrichment funds	Oct 2024
Commonwealth Scholarships	United Kingdom	Master’s, PhD	Tuition, travel, monthly stipend	Oct 2024 (varies slightly by country)
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships	Japan	Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD	Tuition, monthly allowance, travel	April–May 2024 (via embassies)
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships	Switzerland	Postgraduate, Research (PhD/Postdoc)	Tuition fees, monthly allowance, insurance, housing	Sep–Dec 2024 (varies by country)

Scholarship comparison by country, level, benefits, and deadlines.

Conclusion

Fully funded scholarships give international students the chance to study abroad without the burden of high costs. Whether you’re aiming for a master’s, PhD, or even an undergraduate degree, 2025 offers some amazing opportunities.

Explore University Living to find more guidance on planning your study-abroad journey, from scholarship tips to finding your ideal home abroad. Now is the time to research, apply smartly, and make your global education dreams a reality.

FAQs

1. What is a fully funded scholarship?
A fully funded scholarship covers tuition, living expenses, travel, and sometimes health insurance — allowing students to study without financial burden.

2. How can I apply for fully funded scholarships abroad?
Research programs early, check eligibility, prepare documents like personal statements and references, and submit applications before deadlines.

3. Are there fully funded undergraduate scholarships for international students?
Yes. Many programs, such as MEXT (Japan) and Australia Awards, offer full funding for undergraduate students.

4. Which countries offer the most fully funded scholarships?
Top destinations include the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, Japan, Switzerland, and various EU countries through Erasmus Mundus.

5. What are my chances of winning a fully funded scholarship?
Competition is high, but a strong academic record, leadership experience, well-crafted application, and persistence can significantly improve your chances.