Many international students dream of studying abroad but are held back by high tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. Fully funded scholarships, those that cover most if not all of these costs, can be life‐changing.
In 2025, there are several prestigious programs around the world offering such opportunities for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students.
This post presents 10 of the best fully funded scholarships, along with what they offer, who they’re for, and how to increase your chances of winning one.
What Makes a Scholarship “Fully Funded”?
A scholarship is generally considered fully funded if it covers most of the financial burden of studying abroad, typically including:
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Tuition or fees
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Living stipend or accommodation
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Travel / airfare
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Health insurance
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Sometimes books, visa fees, research or thesis costs
Scholarships vary widely in terms of eligibility, fields covered, regions, and what “fully funded” covers, so always check the official site.
10 Fully Funded Scholarships in 2025
Here are 10 leading fully funded scholarships available for international students in 2025:
| # | Scholarship | Study Level / Duration | What It Covers | Who Can Apply / Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevening Scholarships (UK) | Master’s (1 year) | Tuition + monthly stipend + travel + visa & some travel grants. | Open to candidates from eligible countries; strong leadership, academic merit, and a plan to return home or contribute after study. |
| 2 | Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA) | Master’s & PhD | Tuition, travel, living stipend, health insurance. | Applicants with undergraduate degree, good academic record, and often a proposal or statement of purpose. Country‐specific rules apply. |
| 3 | DAAD Scholarships (Germany) | Master’s & PhD | Monthly stipend, travel allowance, health insurance, sometimes tuition (if applicable) etc. | Non‐German nationals; strong academic background; some programs may require knowledge of German or English. |
| 4 | Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (Europe) | Master’s (joint across 2+ European universities) | Tuition, monthly stipend, travel, often health insurance. | Open worldwide; must meet academic and linguistic requirements; deadlines differ per program. |
| 5 | Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | PhD & Postdoctoral | Tuition or research support, monthly stipend, living allowance, possibly travel and accommodation. | Excellent researchers with strong propositions; applies to those outside Switzerland. |
| 6 | Joint Japan / World Bank Graduate Scholarship | Master’s (often in development or economics‐related fields) | Tuition, travel, living stipend, insurance. | Citizens of developing countries; usually work experience required; commitment to return home development issues. |
| 7 | Rhodes Scholarship | Postgraduate (Oxford University, UK) | All fees, living costs, one round trip, other allowances. | Outstanding academic achievements; leadership; usually between ~18 and ~28/30 years old (varies by country). |
| 8 | Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University, USA) | Graduate (various degrees) | Tuition, stipend, travel expenses, personal development funds etc. | Applicants from all nationalities; high academic performance; leadership, civic contributions; interviews are part of selection. |
| 9 | Ireland Government International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) | Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma, PhD | Tuition waiver + stipend or other supports depending on university. | For non-EU/EEA students; high academic merit; some universities require host department approval. |
| 10 | Australia Awards Scholarships | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD (depending on country eligibility) | Full tuition, return airfares, living allowance, settling‐in allowance, insurance. | Citizens of eligible developing countries; academic merit; leadership qualities; commitment to return home after studies. |
Important Notes & Deadlines
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Some deadlines for these scholarships are in early 2025 – Jan to April for many; others may extend into mid or later 2025.
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The exact benefits and what is considered “fully funded” can vary, even within one scholarship program – some cover all expenses; others do almost all but may exclude some smaller costs.
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Eligibility criteria (work experience, age, academic grade, English proficiency, field of study) vary greatly per scholarship. Always check the official scholarship site.
How to Choose & Apply Successfully
Here are expert tips for increasing your chances:
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Start early – Fully funded scholarships are highly competitive. Begin researching at least 9–12 months before the intake.
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Check specific requirements – Some require essays, proposals, recommendation letters, proof of leadership, or a service plan for your home country.
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Maintain strong academics – High GPAs, strong test scores (if required), and relevant experience help.
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Demonstrate leadership or community involvement – Many scholarship committees look for more than just grades; what you do outside class matters.
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Tailor each application – Write essays and statements of purpose that clearly show how the scholarship fits your goals, why you chose the country/university, and what impact you aim to make.
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Get your documents ready – Transcripts, degree certificates, language test scores (if needed), passport, research proposal, etc.
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Watch out for deadlines and apply to backup options – Apply to more than one scholarship to increase chances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does a fully funded scholarship cover?
A fully funded scholarship usually covers tuition fees, living stipend, travel costs, accommodation, and health insurance. Some also cover books, visa fees, and research costs, but this varies depending on the program.
2. Who is eligible for fully funded scholarships?
Eligibility depends on the scholarship, but most require:
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Strong academic performance
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Proof of leadership or community involvement
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A clear study or research plan
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Citizenship of an eligible country
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Sometimes English proficiency tests (IELTS/TOEFL), unless waived
3. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?
Yes. You can apply to multiple scholarships in the same year. In fact, it is recommended since these awards are very competitive.
4. Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for fully funded scholarships?
Some scholarships require proof of English proficiency, but many universities now offer waivers if you studied in English or can provide alternative proof. For example, some DAAD and Erasmus programs accept English proficiency letters instead of IELTS.
5. Are fully funded scholarships available for undergraduates too?
Yes, though fewer compared to master’s and PhD scholarships. Examples include the Australia Awards, some Fulbright programs, and specific university-funded scholarships.
6. What GPA is required to get a fully funded scholarship?
There’s no universal GPA cutoff, but most scholarships prefer applicants with at least a 3.0/4.0 (or equivalent). Competitive programs like Rhodes or Chevening expect even higher academic performance plus strong extracurricular achievements.
7. Do fully funded scholarships cover family members (spouse/children)?
Most scholarships only cover the student. A few, such as some research fellowships, may allow limited family support, but this is rare.
8. How competitive are fully funded scholarships?
Very competitive. Programs like Rhodes, Fulbright, and Chevening often accept only 1–3% of applicants. Early preparation, strong essays, and recommendation letters improve your chances.
9. Can I work while studying on a fully funded scholarship?
Yes, in most cases, as long as your visa allows it and it doesn’t interfere with studies. However, since you’ll receive a living stipend, working may not be necessary.
10. How do I increase my chances of getting a fully funded scholarship?
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Apply early and to multiple programs.
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Build a strong academic record.
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Highlight leadership, volunteer work, or community impact.
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Write a compelling personal statement tailored to the scholarship’s goals.
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Secure strong recommendation letters from professors or professionals.
Conclusion
Fully funded scholarships make it possible for many students to achieve their dreams of international education without overwhelming debt.
The 10 programs above, including Chevening, Fulbright, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Switzerland Excellence Scholarships, Rhodes, Knight-Hennessy, GOI-IES, Australia Awards, and the Joint Japan/World Bank scholarship, offer some of the best opportunities in 2025.
If you’re planning to study abroad, identify which scholarships match your profile, prepare early, and aim high. A successful scholarship can transform not just your academic journey but your future career and impact on your community.