A Master’s degree from a prestigious international university can transform your career prospects and personal growth. But for many, the high cost of tuition and living abroad is a barrier. The good news? There are hundreds of Masters abroad scholarships available to international students that cover full tuition, airfare, and living expenses.
This comprehensive guide explores the top master’s scholarships for 2025, including fully funded government programs, university-specific awards, and field-based scholarships across the USA, UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Why Apply for a Master’s Abroad Scholarship?
Pursuing a postgraduate degree abroad can cost between $20,000 to $60,000+ per year. Scholarships help reduce or eliminate this burden.
Key Benefits:
- Fully or partially cover tuition, housing, travel, and insurance
- Access world-class research and faculty
- Boost your global employability
- Build international networks and experience diverse cultures
Pro Tip: Many scholarships not only waive tuition but also offer monthly stipends, research funding, and even language training.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Abroad (2025)
Below are some of the most prestigious and high-value scholarships for master’s students around the globe:
1. Chevening Scholarships – UK
- Covers: Full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend
- Eligibility: Future leaders from over 160 countries
- Deadline: November 2025
- Website: chevening.org
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – USA
- Covers: Tuition, airfare, health insurance, stipend
- Eligibility: Master’s & PhD applicants from eligible countries
- Deadline: Varies by country
- Website: foreign.fulbrightonline.org
3. DAAD EPOS Scholarships – Germany
- Covers: Full tuition, €934/month stipend, travel costs
- Eligibility: Professionals from developing countries
- Fields: Development, engineering, health, economics
- Website: daad.de
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees – EU
- Covers: Tuition, living allowance, travel, installation
- Eligibility: International students pursuing joint master’s across Europe
- Website: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
5. Australian Awards Scholarships – Australia
- Covers: Tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, stipend
- Eligibility: Students from eligible developing countries
- Deadline: May 2025
- Website: dfat.gov.au
Top U.S. Scholarships for Master’s Students
Scholarship | Coverage | Notes |
Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford) | Full tuition + stipend | Leadership-focused |
AAUW International Fellowships | Up to $25,000 | Women only |
Harvard Fellowships | Need-based aid | Requires admission |
Clark University Scholarships | Tuition and grants | Based on merit |
Top UK Scholarships for Master’s Study
Scholarship | Coverage | Eligibility |
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship | Fully funded | Citizens of Commonwealth countries |
Gates Cambridge | Tuition + travel + stipend | Open to all international students |
Clarendon Fund – Oxford | Full fees + £15,000 stipend | Automatically considered with admission |
Rhodes Scholarship | Full cost of study at Oxford | India, Africa, Australia, more |
Best Canadian Master’s Scholarships
Scholarship | Amount | Notes |
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | CAD $50,000/year | Open to research-based master’s |
University of Toronto International Scholarships | Partial to full | Based on merit |
UBC International Leader of Tomorrow | Full tuition | Exceptional academic record + need |
Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation | Tuition + allowance | Leadership & public policy focus |
Australian Scholarships for Master’s Students
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
- Monash International Merit Scholarship
- University of Sydney International Scholarship
- Deakin Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships
Each of these offers full/partial funding, housing allowance, and priority admission consideration for top-performing students.
Germany Master’s Scholarships (English-Taught)
- DAAD Helmut Schmidt Program – Focus on public policy
- Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Scholarship – For social science students
- Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) – For politically active students
- Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship – Emphasis on sustainability
Field-Specific Master’s Abroad Scholarships
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarships – Switzerland
- Japan MEXT Scholarships – STEM programs
- Orange Knowledge Programme (Netherlands) – Technical disciplines
- Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
Health & Medicine
- Wellcome International Master’s Fellowships
- Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Scholarships
- Karolinska Institutet Global Master’s Scholarships – Sweden
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
- Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship – France
- Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Scholarships
- DAAD Fine Arts Master’s Scholarships – Germany
How to Apply for Master’s Abroad Scholarships
General Steps:
- Research – Start 12–18 months before intended intake
- Prepare – SOP, LORs, CV, academic transcripts
- Language Tests – IELTS/TOEFL required for many programs
- Apply to University – Some scholarships require a conditional offer
- Submit Scholarship Applications – Before their deadlines
- Prepare for Interviews – Some programs involve an interview stage
Apply to 5–10 scholarships to improve your chances.
Tips to Win a Master’s Scholarship Abroad
- Maintain a GPA above 3.5 or equivalent
- Highlight extracurriculars and leadership roles
- Write a powerful, unique SOP
- Secure strong letters of recommendation
- Stay organized and apply before deadlines
Documents Commonly Required
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Standardized test scores (GRE/GMAT, if required)
- English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Research proposal (for some programs)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I get a full scholarship for a master’s abroad?
Yes! Programs like Chevening, DAAD, Fulbright, and Erasmus offer fully funded scholarships.
Q2: Do I need work experience?
Some scholarships (like Fulbright and Chevening) prefer 2+ years of work experience, but many others don’t.
Q3: Can I get a scholarship without IELTS?
Some universities waive IELTS if your prior education was in English or based on interview performance.
Q4: Can I apply before I get admission?
Some scholarships require an admission offer, others accept parallel applications.
Invest in Your Future Wisely
A Master’s degree abroad opens unmatched career doors. But funding it wisely is the key. With the right scholarship, you can access elite global education without debt.
Start today: shortlist 3–5 countries, use this guide to find matching scholarships, and begin building your application portfolio.
Your future is waiting—and it’s funded.