Top 10 Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2025 (Apply Now!)
Pursuing higher education abroad can be financially challenging. Fortunately, numerous fully funded scholarships are available in 2025 to support international students in achieving their academic goals. Below is a curated list of top scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, and more.
1. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
- Host Institution: University of Cambridge
- Degree Level: Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD)
- Coverage: Full tuition, maintenance allowance, airfare, and additional discretionary funding
- Eligibility: Outstanding applicants from outside the UK
- Deadline: January 2025
Established by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this prestigious scholarship supports exceptional students to study at the University of Cambridge.
2. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada)
- Host Institutions: Canadian universities
- Degree Level: Doctoral (PhD)
- Coverage: $50,000 per year for three years
- Eligibility: International students demonstrating leadership and academic excellence
- Deadline: November 2025
Launched by the Government of Canada, the Vanier CGS aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students.
3. Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia)
- Host Institutions: Australian universities
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition, travel expenses, living allowance, and health insurance
- Eligibility: Students from developing countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East
- Deadline: April 30, 2025
Funded by the Australian Government, these scholarships aim to promote knowledge and education links between Australia and its neighbors.
4. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Host Institutions: UK universities
- Degree Level: Master’s
- Coverage: Tuition fees, monthly living allowance, airfare, and additional grants
- Eligibility: Outstanding emerging leaders from Chevening-eligible countries
- Deadline: November 2025
Funded by the UK Government, Chevening Scholarships support future leaders to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK.
5. Schwarzman Scholars Program (China)
- Host Institution: Tsinghua University, Beijing
- Degree Level: Master’s in Global Affairs
- Coverage: Tuition, room and board, travel expenses, and personal stipend
- Eligibility: International students with leadership potential
- Deadline: September 2025
Modeled after the Rhodes Scholarship, this program aims to build a global community of future leaders.
6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
- Host Institutions: Swiss universities
- Degree Level: Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral
- Coverage: Tuition fees, monthly stipend, health insurance, and housing allowance
- Eligibility: International students from over 180 countries
- Deadline: September 2024
These scholarships promote international exchange and research cooperation between Switzerland and over 180 countries.
7. MEXT Scholarships (Japan)
- Host Institutions: Japanese universities
- Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD
- Coverage: Tuition fees, monthly allowance, travel expenses, and accommodation
- Eligibility: International students recommended by Japanese embassies or universities
- Deadline: May 31, 2025
Funded by the Japanese Government, MEXT Scholarships support international students in various academic fields.
8. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Host Institutions: German universities
- Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
- Coverage: Monthly stipend (€850 for Master’s, €1,200 for PhD), travel allowance, and health insurance
- Eligibility: Graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries
- Deadline: Varies by program
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for international students to pursue postgraduate studies in Germany.
9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
- Host Institutions: Consortium of European universities
- Degree Level: Master’s
- Coverage: Tuition fees, travel expenses, installation costs, and monthly stipend
- Eligibility: Students worldwide
- Deadline: Varies by program
This program offers scholarships for students to pursue joint master’s degrees across multiple European countries.
10. Clarendon Fund Scholarships (UK)
- Host Institution: University of Oxford
- Degree Level: Master’s and PhD
- Coverage: Full tuition and college fees, generous grant for living expenses
- Eligibility: All graduate applicants to Oxford
- Deadline: January 2025
The Clarendon Fund offers around 200 new scholarships each year to academically excellent students at the University of Oxford.
Final Thoughts
Securing a fully funded scholarship can significantly ease the financial burden of studying abroad. Each of these scholarships has its own set of eligibility criteria and deadlines, so it’s crucial to research and prepare your applications well in advance. Stay proactive, and you could be on your way to an enriching international academic experience in 2025.
