A fully funded scholarship can make study abroad possible, even if your family cannot pay the fees. It usually pays for your tuition, your living costs and often your flights and health insurance.
These awards are competitive, but governments, universities and foundations give out thousands of them every year. This guide lists the best-known fully funded scholarships by country, explains what ‘fully funded’ really means, and shows you how to apply step by step.
Last checked: November 2026. Eligible countries, benefits and deadlines change every year, so always confirm the details on the official website.
What Does ‘Fully Funded’ Mean?
Most fully funded scholarships cover:
- Full tuition fees.
- A monthly living allowance, often called a stipend.
- A return flight.
- Health insurance.
- Sometimes accommodation, visa fees, a language course or a settling-in allowance.
Always read the details. Some ‘full’ scholarships cover tuition and living costs but not flights. Others pay a stipend that is small compared with local prices. Make a simple budget before you accept any offer.
Best Fully Funded Scholarships by Country
| Country | Scholarship | Level |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Chevening; Commonwealth Scholarships; Gates Cambridge; Clarendon; Rhodes | Mainly master’s and PhD |
| United States | Fulbright Foreign Student Program; need-based aid at top universities; funded PhD positions | Undergraduate to PhD |
| Germany | DAAD scholarships | Master’s and PhD |
| European Union | Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarships | Master’s |
| Japan | MEXT (Japanese Government) Scholarship | Undergraduate to PhD |
| South Korea | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | Undergraduate to PhD |
| China | Chinese Government (CSC) Scholarship | Undergraduate to PhD |
| Türkiye | Türkiye Bursları | Undergraduate to PhD |
| Hungary | Stipendium Hungaricum | Undergraduate to PhD |
| Sweden | Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals | Master’s |
| Australia | Australia Awards; university research scholarships | Mainly postgraduate |
Each programme has its own list of eligible countries. Check that your country is on the list before you start an application.
Short Profiles of the Top Programmes
Chevening (United Kingdom)
Chevening is the UK government’s main award for future leaders. It funds a one-year master’s degree at a UK university. Applicants usually need about two years of work experience. You can check when applications open on the official Chevening Bangladesh page. For more UK options, read our UK scholarships guide.
Commonwealth Scholarships (United Kingdom)
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission funds master’s and PhD study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, mainly low and middle income countries. Bangladesh is a Commonwealth member. Many applications go through a nominating body in your home country, so check the local process early.
Fulbright (United States)
Fulbright is the US government’s exchange programme for graduate study and research. It is run by the Fulbright commission or the US embassy in each country, so rules and deadlines differ by country. See our USA scholarships guide for more US options.
DAAD (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funds master’s and PhD study, including courses linked to development. Many German public universities charge low or no tuition fees, so funding goes further. Use the official DAAD scholarship database to search by subject and by the country you are applying from.
Erasmus Mundus (European Union)
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s degrees are taught by groups of European universities, usually in two or more countries. The best applicants receive scholarships that cover study costs, travel and living expenses. You apply to each programme directly.
MEXT (Japan)
The Japanese government scholarship covers tuition, a monthly allowance and flights. You can apply through the Japanese embassy in your country or, for some programmes, through a Japanese university.
Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea)
GKS covers tuition, living costs, flights and usually a year of Korean language study before your degree. Applications go through Korean embassies or partner universities.
Chinese Government Scholarship (China)
This award covers tuition, accommodation, a stipend and insurance. Read our China scholarships guide for the application steps.
Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum and the Swedish Institute
Türkiye Bursları covers tuition, housing, a monthly stipend, health insurance, flights and a Turkish language course. Stipendium Hungaricum is for students from Hungary’s partner countries and covers tuition, a stipend, housing support and medical insurance. The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals fund master’s study for people from selected countries with leadership experience.
Fully Funded Scholarships for Undergraduates
Full funding for a bachelor’s degree is rarer than for a master’s or PhD, but good options exist:
- Government scholarships that include undergraduate study, such as MEXT, GKS, the Chinese Government Scholarship, Türkiye Bursları and Stipendium Hungaricum.
- Need-based aid at selective US universities, some of which meet the full demonstrated need of admitted international students.
- University merit scholarships in many countries. These are usually partial, but a few are full.
How to Choose the Right Country
The best scholarship is the one that fits your goals, not just the most famous one. Think about these points:
- Language: is the course taught in English, or will you need to learn a new language?
- Your subject: some countries are known for engineering, others for business or public policy.
- Work experience: awards like Chevening ask for it; many undergraduate awards do not.
- Conditions: some government awards expect you to return home after your studies.
- Living costs: check whether the stipend is enough for the city you will live in.
How to Find and Apply
- Start 12 to 18 months early. Many deadlines fall a year before the course starts.
- Check eligibility first: nationality, age, level, subject and work experience.
- Use official sources only: government scholarship websites, embassies and university funding pages.
- Prepare core documents: transcripts, CV, reference letters, English test results and a valid passport.
- Write a strong personal statement that links your past achievements, your chosen course and your future plans.
- Apply to several programmes in different countries to improve your chances.
Tips for a Strong Application
Fully funded awards receive many applications. These simple habits help yours stand out:
- Answer the exact question. Many applicants copy a general essay. Committees notice this quickly.
- Show impact with examples. Say what you did, and what changed because of it.
- Explain your future plan. Many government awards want to know how you will use your degree back home.
- Choose referees who know you well. A detailed letter from a supervisor is better than a short one from a famous person.
- Prepare for the interview. Practise short, clear answers about your goals, your course and why you chose that country.
- Submit early. Portals can be slow or crash near the deadline.
Finally, keep a simple spreadsheet of every programme, its deadline and the documents it needs. Staying organised is one of the easiest ways to avoid mistakes.
Avoid Scholarship Scams
- Genuine scholarships never ask you to pay to ‘guarantee’ an award.
- Apply only through official websites, embassies or recognised universities.
- Be careful with emails saying you won a scholarship you never applied for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is easiest for a fully funded scholarship?
No scholarship is easy. However, programmes that give many awards, such as the Chinese Government Scholarship, Türkiye Bursları and Stipendium Hungaricum, can be less competitive than very selective awards like Chevening or Rhodes.
Can I get a full scholarship without IELTS?
Some programmes and universities accept other English tests or proof that your previous degree was taught in English. Others teach in the local language and include language training. Check each programme’s rules.
Do I need perfect grades?
Strong grades help, but many scholarships also value leadership, community work, clear goals and a convincing application.
Final Thoughts
Fully funded scholarships can make study abroad possible for students from any background. Choose programmes that match your profile, start early, use official sources and apply to several. With careful preparation, your chances are better than you might think.
