Fully funded scholarships can turn a UK, European, or Australian master's degree that would otherwise cost tens of thousands of dollars into a fully covered opportunity — and Bangladesh consistently ranks among the top applicant countries for programmes like Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship. This guide covers the major scholarships open to Bangladeshi students, what they cover, and their core eligibility requirements.
Overview of Major Scholarships
| Scholarship | Destination | Level | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master's | Full tuition + living stipend + airfare |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | UK | Master's / PhD | Full tuition + stipend + airfare |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Master's / PhD | Full tuition + living allowance + airfare |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany | Master's / PhD | Tuition (often free) + monthly stipend |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's | EU (multiple countries) | Master's | Full tuition + travel + monthly stipend |
| University-specific scholarships | UK, USA, Canada, Australia | Undergrad / Master's / PhD | Partial to full tuition waivers |
Chevening Scholarship (UK)
Chevening is the UK government's flagship global scholarship programme and one of the most prestigious awards a Bangladeshi student can receive.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | One-year master's degree only (any subject, any UK university) |
| Covers | Full tuition, monthly living stipend, return airfare, arrival/departure allowances |
| Eligibility | Bangladeshi citizen, minimum 2 years of work experience, return to Bangladesh for 2 years after the award |
| English requirement | IELTS UKVI Academic 6.5 overall, no band below 5.5 (or equivalent) |
| Application opens | Typically August |
| Deadline | Typically early November |
Chevening requires you to apply to your own choice of UK universities and secure an unconditional offer separately — the scholarship covers the funding, not admission itself.
Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)
Funded by the UK government for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including Bangladesh.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's and PhD |
| Covers | Full tuition, monthly stipend, return airfare, thesis grant (PhD) |
| Eligibility | Bangladeshi citizen; the Master's Scholarship generally prioritises candidates who cannot afford to study in the UK without financial support and who will contribute to development in Bangladesh |
| English requirement | IELTS Academic 6.5 (varies by course) |
| Application route | Some categories apply directly online; others require nomination through a nominating body |
| Deadline | Typically December |
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (for master's study, focused on development-related subjects) are a related, slightly less competitive category worth checking for Bangladeshi applicants.
Australia Awards
Australia Awards Scholarships are funded by the Australian government for students from selected developing countries, including Bangladesh, to study at Australian universities.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's and, in some categories, PhD |
| Covers | Full tuition, living allowance, return airfare, establishment allowance, health cover |
| Eligibility | Bangladeshi citizen, generally requires relevant work experience and a study plan connected to Bangladesh's development priorities |
| English requirement | IELTS Academic, typically 6.5 overall (institution-dependent) |
| Application route | Through the Australia Awards Bangladesh office / online portal |
| Deadline | Varies by year, generally announced by the Australian High Commission in Dhaka |
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers multiple scholarship categories for Bangladeshi students, and many public German universities charge no or minimal tuition even without a scholarship.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's and PhD (subject-specific categories exist, e.g. development-related master's programmes) |
| Covers | Monthly stipend (varies by category), health insurance, travel allowance |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree with strong academic record; relevant categories often require 2 years of professional experience |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0–6.5 for English-taught programmes (German-taught programmes require German proficiency instead) |
| Application route | Directly through DAAD's online portal or via German universities |
| Deadline | Varies widely by programme, generally 6–12 months before intake |
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees (EU)
Erasmus Mundus funds joint master's programmes taught across two or more European universities, with generous full scholarships open to Bangladeshi applicants.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Level | Master's (joint degree across 2–4 EU countries) |
| Covers | Full tuition, monthly living stipend, travel and installation allowance |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; competitive selection, no work experience requirement in most categories |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.0–7.0 depending on the consortium and programme |
| Application route | Directly through the individual Erasmus Mundus programme's website (each joint master's has its own portal) |
| Deadline | Typically November–January for the following autumn intake |
University-Specific Scholarships
Many universities in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia offer partial or full tuition-fee scholarships specifically for international or South Asian students, separate from government-funded awards.
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Merit-based tuition discounts | Awarded automatically or via separate application based on academic record |
| Country/region-specific bursaries | Some UK and Australian universities run dedicated South Asia scholarships |
| Faculty-specific awards | Engineering, business, and STEM faculties often have dedicated funding pools |
| Need-based bursaries | Assessed against demonstrated financial need, common at UK universities |
Always check the "Scholarships" or "Fees and Funding" page of each university you shortlist — many awards are automatically considered when you submit your application, with no separate form required.
Other Scholarships Worth Exploring
| Scholarship | Destination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | USA | Highly competitive, funds master's and PhD study; Bangladeshi applicants apply through the US-Bangladesh Educational Foundation |
| Swedish Institute Scholarships | Sweden | Full scholarships for select master's programmes, open to Bangladeshi citizens |
| New Zealand Scholarships | New Zealand | Development-focused scholarships for select fields, aligned with New Zealand's aid programme priorities |
| Japan (MEXT) Scholarships | Japan | Fully funded, offered through the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka for undergraduate, master's, and research students |
| Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) | South Korea | Full tuition, stipend, and Korean language training; open to Bangladeshi applicants |
Common Scholarship Application Documents
Most major scholarships on this list require a broadly similar document set, so preparing these early saves significant time when multiple deadlines overlap.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Academic transcripts and certificates | Proof of prior qualifications, often required with certified translations if not in English |
| Statement of purpose / personal statement | Explains your motivation, career goals, and connection to your home country's development |
| Reference letters (2–3) | Academic or professional referees who can speak to your ability and character |
| CV/resume | Summarising education, work experience, and extracurricular involvement |
| English test score (IELTS/TOEFL) | Required at application or shortly after conditional selection for almost every scholarship listed here |
| Passport copy | Standard identity verification document |
| Research proposal (PhD applications) | Outlining your intended research area and methodology |
Scholarship Application Timeline (Typical Year)
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6–12 months before intake | Research scholarships, shortlist universities, request references |
| 9–10 months before intake | Sit IELTS/TOEFL if not already completed |
| 8–9 months before intake | Chevening and Commonwealth applications typically open |
| 6–8 months before intake | Submit university applications alongside scholarship applications |
| 3–5 months before intake | Interviews (where applicable) for shortlisted candidates |
| 1–3 months before intake | Award decisions communicated; visa process begins |
Because timelines for Chevening, Commonwealth, Australia Awards, DAAD, and Erasmus Mundus do not perfectly align, keeping a personal calendar of every deadline is essential — missing a single scholarship's window by even a day usually means waiting a full year for the next cycle.
General Tips for Bangladeshi Scholarship Applicants
- Start early: Most major scholarships (Chevening, Commonwealth, Australia Awards) open applications 9–12 months before the intake
- Secure your English test score first: A valid IELTS or TOEFL score is required at application or shortly after for almost every scholarship on this list
- Tailor your personal statement: Reviewers for Chevening, Commonwealth, and Australia Awards specifically look for a clear connection between your study plan and Bangladesh's development needs
- Apply to multiple scholarships: There is no penalty for applying to Chevening, Commonwealth, and a university-specific scholarship simultaneously
- Keep references ready: Most scholarships require 2–3 academic or professional references — request these early, as referees in Bangladesh may need several weeks' notice
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — a strong IELTS score is a prerequisite for nearly every major scholarship in this guide. Gabble's AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice helps Bangladeshi students reach the 6.5+ band scores that Chevening, Commonwealth, and Australia Awards typically require.