A fully funded scholarship covers everything — tuition, living allowance, flights, visa fees, and health insurance — leaving you to focus entirely on your studies. Competition is fierce, but for the strongest candidates, these awards transform the cost of international study from prohibitive to zero. This guide covers the most accessible and prestigious fully funded scholarships available to international students in 2026.
What "Fully Funded" Actually Means
A truly fully funded scholarship covers:
| Component | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees | Yes |
| Monthly living allowance | Yes |
| Flights (arrival and sometimes return) | Yes |
| Health insurance | Yes |
| Visa application fees | Sometimes |
| Research/field costs (for PhD) | Sometimes |
| Dependant allowances | Some programmes |
Partial scholarships cover only tuition or only a portion — these are worth applying for but should not be confused with full funding.
Government-Funded Fully Funded Scholarships
1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) |
| Covers | Full tuition + living allowance (£1,100–£1,172/month) + flights + visa |
| Level | Master's degree (1 year) at any UK university |
| Eligible countries | 160+ countries |
| Work experience required | Minimum 2 years |
| Deadline | Typically November each year |
Chevening is the UK government's flagship international scholarship — one of the world's most recognised awards. Winners are selected for leadership potential, not just academic performance.
English requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall (no skill below 5.5) — though competitive winners typically score 7.0+.
2. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | UK Department for International Development / Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
| Covers | Full tuition + living allowance + flights + thesis grant |
| Level | Master's and PhD |
| Eligible countries | Commonwealth countries with high development need |
| Basis | Academic merit + development impact |
| Deadline | December each year (varies by country) |
Commonwealth Scholarships prioritise candidates from low and middle income Commonwealth countries whose study will have development impact at home.
3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | US State Department / bilateral agreements |
| Covers | Full tuition + living stipend + flights + health insurance |
| Level | Master's and PhD; some non-degree research |
| Eligible countries | 160+ countries |
| Basis | Academic merit + leadership + cultural exchange potential |
| Deadline | Country-specific (typically October–January) |
Fulbright is the US government's flagship international exchange programme — one of the most prestigious academic awards in the world. Award conditions and values vary by sending country.
4. Australia Awards Scholarship
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Australian Government (DFAT) |
| Covers | Full tuition + living allowance (AUD 26,000+/year) + return flights + OSHC |
| Level | Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD |
| Eligible countries | Developing countries in Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East |
| Basis | Academic merit + development relevance |
| Deadline | Country-specific (typically March–April) |
Australia Awards are one of the most generous government scholarship programmes globally — and include a requirement to return to your home country for 2 years after completion.
5. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) |
| Covers | Monthly stipend (€750–€1,200) + tuition (if applicable) + travel grant |
| Level | Master's, PhD, and research positions |
| Eligible countries | Global (varies by programme) |
| Basis | Academic merit + research fit |
| Deadline | Varies by programme (October–November typical) |
DAAD offers dozens of scholarship programmes — some country-specific, some global. For developing country students, the "Development-Related Postgraduate Courses" programme provides full funding for specific master's programmes in Germany.
6. Erasmus+ Scholarship (Europe)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | European Union |
| Covers | Monthly allowance + tuition waiver (for Erasmus Mundus) |
| Level | Master's and PhD (Erasmus Mundus joint degrees) |
| Eligible countries | Global |
| Basis | Academic merit |
| Deadline | Typically January–March each year |
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees are taught across multiple European universities and fully funded for selected international students. Over 150 programmes are available across science, arts, business, law, and engineering.
7. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation |
| Covers | Full cost of study at Cambridge + living allowance + flights |
| Level | PhD, Master's, MBA at University of Cambridge |
| Eligible countries | All countries except UK |
| Basis | Outstanding academic record + commitment to improving lives |
| Deadline | December (US); January (non-US) |
Gates Cambridge is one of the world's most prestigious and competitive scholarships — typically ~90 awards per year from a global applicant pool of several thousand.
8. Rhodes Scholarship (UK — Oxford)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Rhodes Trust |
| Covers | Full Oxford tuition + living stipend (~£21,000/year) |
| Level | Any postgraduate degree at Oxford |
| Eligible countries | Approximately 100 countries |
| Basis | Academic excellence + leadership + character |
| Deadline | Country-specific (typically August–October) |
The Rhodes Scholarship is the world's oldest international scholarship — approximately 100 scholars selected globally each year. Previous winners include former US presidents and world leaders.
University-Funded Fully Funded Scholarships
1. Harvard Financial Aid (Undergraduate)
Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students. Families earning under $85,000 per year typically pay nothing; those earning up to $150,000 pay a reduced amount.
| Family Income | Expected Contribution (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Under $85,000 | $0 |
| $85,000 – $150,000 | 10% of income |
| $150,000+ | Variable |
This is not technically a scholarship — it is need-based financial aid — but the effect is full or near-full funding for qualifying international students.
2. Princeton Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Princeton meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students without loans. The average aid package for international students covers most costs.
3. MIT Need-Based Aid
MIT meets full demonstrated need — the average international undergraduate receives over $57,000 per year in aid.
4. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Funded by | Government of Canada |
| Covers | CAD 50,000/year for 3 years |
| Level | PhD |
| Eligible | International students enrolled at Canadian universities |
| Basis | Academic excellence + research potential + leadership |
IELTS Scores Required for Scholarship Applications
Strong English proficiency scores are almost universally required — and competitive winners typically score above the minimum:
| Scholarship | IELTS Min | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening | 6.5 | 7.0 – 7.5 |
| Commonwealth | 6.5 | 7.0 – 7.5 |
| Fulbright | Varies | 7.0 – 8.0 |
| Australia Awards | 6.5 | 7.0 – 7.5 |
| Gates Cambridge | 7.0 | 7.5 – 8.5 |
| Rhodes | 7.0 | 7.5 – 8.5 |
A strong IELTS score above the minimum can strengthen a scholarship application significantly — it signals communication ability and academic readiness.
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