Every year, thousands of students around the world dream of pursuing higher education abroad, but financial constraints often hold them back.
Fortunately, many prestigious institutions and governments offer fully funded scholarships for international students.
These scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, travel costs, and sometimes even additional allowances. Here is a comprehensive list of the top 20 fully funded scholarships for international students in 2025.
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: 5 November 2025, 12:00 UTC
Eligibility: Citizens of Chevening‑eligible countries; bachelor’s degree; minimum 2 years (2,800 hours) of work experience; leadership potential; commitment to return home for 2 years
Application Procedure:
1. Apply online via chevening.org during the August–November window.
2. Provide three UK course choices and meet at least one offer by 11 July 2025.
3. Submit online references and education documents.
4. Attend local interview (Feb–Apr 2025).
5. If successful, receive conditional award, then finalise university enrolment .
2. Rhodes Scholarships (Oxford, UK)
Deadline: 31 July 2025
Eligibility: Bachelor’s by July 2026; exceptional academic record (First Class or ≈3.7+ GPA); leadership ability; English proficiency; under ~24–27 years
Application Procedure:
1. Apply through national/regional Rhodes constituencies (online + university endorsement).
2. Submit academic transcripts, references, and a personal statement.
3. Sit for interviews in October–November.
4. Finalists are invited to Oxford; scholarships begin Autumn 2026.
3. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: ~mid‑October 2024
Eligibility: Citizens of Commonwealth low/middle-income countries; undergraduate/master’s/PhD applicants with outstanding academic performance; commitment to return to home country.
Application Procedure:
1. Confirmation of admission from a UK-recognised university.
2. Apply via national nominating agency.
3. Provide academic transcripts, references, personal statement, and development-focused research proposal.
4. Clarendon Scholarships (Oxford, UK)
Deadline: Generally December 2024 – January 2025 (for 2025 entry)
Eligibility: All graduate applicants to Oxford; outstanding academic excellence; no separate application required (considered automatically with graduate application).
Application Procedure:
1. Apply to a full-time master’s or DPhil program via Oxford’s graduate portal.
2. Automatic consideration based on academic profile and statement.
5.Weidenfeld‑Hoffmann Scholarships (Oxford, UK)
Deadline: Same as Oxford graduate entry (Dec 2024–Jan 2025)
Eligibility: Citizens of developing/emerging economies; outstanding academics; leadership potential; applying for master’s at Oxford.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply via Oxford’s graduate portal; tick box to opt in.
2. Provide references and statement outlining leadership credentials.
6. Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships (Oxford, UK)
Deadline: Same as Oxford graduate portal deadlines
Eligibility: African nationals; applying for master’s, DPhil, or diploma; strong academic record; leadership potential; commitment to Africa’s development.
Application Procedure:
Identical to Oxford graduate application—select scholarship during application and provide optional motivational essay.
7. Reach Oxford Scholarships (Undergrad, Oxford, UK)
Deadline: 12 February 2025
Eligibility: Citizens of low-income, DAC-listed countries; applying for undergrad arts, humanities, or social sciences course (excludes medicine); academic excellence; financial need.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply via UCAS.
2. Submit a Reach Oxford supplemental form with financial info by 12 Feb 2025.
3. Shortlisting based on need and grades; interviews via phone/video.
8. Crankstart Scholarships & Oxford Bursaries (UK)
Deadline: Typically UCAS deadlines: end of October 2024
Eligibility: UK residents from low-income households; outstanding academic record; entering undergraduate degree.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply through UCAS and Oxford bursary application.
2. Provide household financial data.
9. Fulbright Scholarships (USA)
Deadline: Varies by country—often October–November 2024 for 2025–26 entry
Eligibility: Citizens of participating countries; excellent academic record; proposal for graduate study or research; English proficiency; leadership potential.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply via home-country Fulbright Commission or US Embassy.
2. Submit personal statements, study/research proposals, transcripts, references, and sometimes standardized test scores (GRE/TOEFL).
10. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Deadline: Typically September–November 2024
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree holder; applicants to a master’s or PhD program in Germany; strong academic record; sometimes work experience.
Application Procedure:
1. Identify a DAAD program.
2. Apply online with academic records, CV, study plan, references, and proof of language skills.
3. Selection often in winter; studies start Autumn 2025.
11. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU)
Deadline: Program-specific, most close between December 2024–January 2025
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree; admitted to an Erasmus Mundus consortium program; strong academic background and mobility motivation.
Application Procedure:
1. Choose a Joint Master’s program and apply via the central portal.
2. Submit motivation letter, transcripts, references, language proof.
3. Grants include tuition, travel, and living costs.
12. Schwarzman Scholars (Tsinghua University, China)
Deadline: 12 September 2024 (for 2025 intake)
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree; 18–28 years; leadership potential; record of academic excellence; interest in global affairs.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply via schwarzmanscholars.org; include transcripts, essays, references, and GRE/GMAT.
2. Video interview rounds in October–November 2024; recipients start August 2025.
13. Mandela Rhodes Scholarships (South Africa)
Deadline: Typically July 2025 (exact date TBA)
Eligibility: African citizens under 30; Honours or master’s program in South Africa; academic excellence, leadership, commitment to reconciliation.
Application Procedure:
1. Complete online application (essay, CV, references).
2. Shortlisted candidates attend interviews; winners begin next academic year.
14. Chinese Government Scholarships
Deadline: Typically May–Aug 2025
Eligibility: Non-Chinese citizens; applying to bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD at Chinese universities; strong academics; age limits apply (usually under 35 for masters).
Application Procedure:
1. Apply through CUCAS portal.
2. Submit transcripts, study plan, health record, and passport copy to host Chinese university or embassy.
15. KAIST International Student Scholarship (Korea)
Deadline: Usually November–December 2024
Eligibility: Competitive GPA; undergraduate or graduate applicant to KAIST; strong academic records.
Application Procedure: Part of KAIST application; submit transcript, personal statement, recommendation letters, language test scores.
16. ADB–Japan Scholarship Program
Deadline: Varies by country—most between October–December 2024
Eligibility: Citizens of ADB borrowing countries; admitted to participating universities in Asia/Pacific; bachelor’s degree with good academic record.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply via designated national ADB office.
2. Submit academic transcripts, work experience, references, medical report.
17. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)
Deadline: Typically April 2025
Eligibility: Citizen of World Bank member developing country; bachelor’s degree; admission to development-related master’s program; 3 years’ work experience.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply online via World Bank portal with academic info, proposal, references.
2. Finalists interviewed via Skype; scholarships start Fall 2025.
18. Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships
Deadline: Varies by program, often April–May 2025
Eligibility: Citizens of member countries; applying for UG, master’s, or PhD; good academic standing.
Application Procedure:
1. Apply via IsDB portal.
2. Submit transcripts, study plan, recommendation letters.
3. Interview for finalists.
19. Australian Awards Scholarships
Deadline: March–April 2025 (country-specific)
Eligibility: Citizens of participating developing countries; bachelor’s degree; leadership potential; relevance to development.
Application Procedure:
1. Submit via Australian mission or online portal.
2. Provide references, study proposal, health documents.
20. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto, Canada)
Deadline: Early November 2024 on OUAC portal
Eligibility: International incoming undergrad at U of Toronto; exceptional academic and leadership track record.
Application Procedure:
1. Complete OUAC application and indicate interest.
2. Submit video submission and answers to supplemental questionnaires.
3. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed; decisions made by February–March 2026.
Application Tips
1. Start early – Mark deadlines 6–12 months ahead.
2. Meet eligibility precisely—age, nationality, academic, or work experience.
3. Tailor personal statements to each scholarship’s focus (leadership, development, etc.).
4. Link to program objectives: e.g., Chevening expects future leaders who will return home.
5. Secure top references—institutional or professional.
6. Prepare for interviews through mock sessions and reviewing sample questions.
7. Submit full applications early to avoid technical issues.
Wrapping up
These 20 prestigious, fully funded scholarships offer remarkable opportunities for international students in 2025.
They prioritize academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to making a positive impact. By planning early, aligning applications closely with each scholarship’s goals, and ensuring strong materials, candidates from around the world can greatly increase their chances of success.