Nursing is in demand worldwide, and many students hope to study it abroad. Fully funded scholarships for undergraduate nursing are rare for international students, but there are good options, especially for postgraduate study in nursing, midwifery and public health.
Last checked: October 2026. Always confirm details on official websites.
Government Scholarships That Include Nursing and Health
- Chevening (UK): fully funded one-year master’s, including nursing, public health and global health.
- Commonwealth Scholarships (UK): for development-focused master’s and PhDs from eligible Commonwealth countries, often in health.
- SI Scholarship for Global Professionals (Sweden): public health is a priority area.
- Australia Awards: postgraduate study for students from partner countries, often in health.
- MEXT, GKS and Chinese Government scholarships: cover health sciences at undergraduate and postgraduate level, often with language study first.
See our guide to fully funded scholarships by country.
Nursing Scholarships in the United States
Most US nursing scholarships are for US citizens and permanent residents, but they are worth knowing about if you are eligible:
- Johnson & Johnson nursing scholarships: J&J’s nursing website lists many nursing scholarships from different organisations, and J&J also sponsors specific awards, such as a scholarship for nursing students at New Jersey independent colleges.
- National Health Service Corps: funds nurse practitioner and nurse midwife students in return for service in underserved areas. See our NHSC guide.
- Hospital and employer programmes: many hospitals pay tuition in exchange for a work commitment.
University Scholarships
Many universities in the UK, Australia, Canada and Europe offer partial scholarships or fee discounts for international nursing and health students. Search each university’s international scholarships page.
Things to Check Before Studying Nursing Abroad
- Registration: will the qualification let you register as a nurse in the country where you want to work?
- Clinical placements: are they included, and is a work visa needed?
- English requirements: nursing programmes often require higher IELTS or OET scores.
- Total cost: include living costs and placement travel.
Tips
- Gain work experience at home first; many postgraduate scholarships value it.
- Show how your study will improve health care in your community.
- Avoid agents promising guaranteed nursing scholarships or jobs for a fee.
