Fully Funded Scholarships That Cover Everything
Fully funded scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and often health insurance too. They are highly competitive β acceptance rates of 2β5% for the biggest ones β but thousands of students win them every year. The difference is preparation, not perfection.
Below are the 10 most valuable fully funded scholarships open in 2026. Each one links directly to its detail page on ScholyHub where you can see eligibility, deadlines, required documents, and application steps.
1. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
Value: Full tuition at any UK university + Β£1,236/month living allowance + return flights + thesis grant + settling-in allowance.
For: Future leaders and influencers from 160+ countries pursuing a 1-year Master's in the UK.
What makes winners stand out: Chevening does not just want good students β it wants future leaders who will use their UK education to create change. Your essays must show specific examples of leadership, networking ability, and a concrete plan for impact in your home country. Generic ambitions like "I want to help my community" will not cut it.
Application tip: Start your essays in August, even though the deadline is in November. Strong Chevening essays go through 5+ drafts. Ask someone who won Chevening to review yours β their perspective is invaluable.
Deadline: Usually early November.
π View Chevening Scholarship details, eligibility, and deadlines β
2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Value: β¬934β1,200/month living allowance + health insurance + travel allowance. Tuition at German public universities is already free for everyone.
For: Postgraduate students and researchers, with special programs for applicants from developing countries.
What makes winners stand out: DAAD values academic excellence above all. A strong GPA, clearly defined research interests, and relevant professional experience (2+ years for some programs) are essential. Your motivation letter should connect your work experience to your study goals and explain how you will apply your German education in your home country.
Unique advantage: Since German tuition is free, the DAAD scholarship is purely for living expenses β making it one of the most cost-effective scholarships to hold. Combined with Germany's 18-month post-study work visa, this is exceptional value.
π View DAAD Scholarship details, eligibility, and deadlines β
Also explore our complete guide to studying in Germany for free.
3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (United States)
Value: Full tuition + monthly stipend + health insurance + round-trip airfare + J-1 visa sponsorship.
For: Graduate students from participating countries pursuing Master's or PhD programs at US universities.
What makes winners stand out: Fulbright's mission is mutual understanding between nations. Your application should demonstrate not just academic excellence but cross-cultural engagement and a commitment to bridging your home country and the US. Community service, cultural exchange experience, and clear plans to share your American experience back home all strengthen your candidacy.
Application process: Fulbright applications go through two rounds β first your national Fulbright commission, then the US side. Apply through the commission in your home country, usually 12β18 months before your intended start date.
π View Fulbright Program details, eligibility, and deadlines β
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
Value: β¬1,400/month stipend + full tuition waiver + travel costs + installation allowance.
For: Students from any country pursuing specific joint Master's programs across 2β3 European universities.
What makes it special: Erasmus Mundus is not just a scholarship β it is a completely different educational experience. You study at 2β3 universities in different European countries over 2 years, graduating with a joint degree recognized across Europe. You build networks in multiple countries, experience different academic cultures, and develop the kind of adaptability that employers value deeply.
How to apply: Applications go directly to the consortium running the specific EMJMD program, not to a central Erasmus office. Each program has its own deadline and requirements.
π View Erasmus Mundus details, eligibility, and deadlines β
5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (United Kingdom)
Value: Full university fees + maintenance allowance (~Β£20,000/year) + airfare + visa costs + academic development funding.
For: Outstanding applicants from outside the UK applying to any full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge.
The reality: Gates Cambridge has an acceptance rate of roughly 2%, making it one of the most selective scholarships in the world. Winners typically have near-perfect academic records, significant research experience, and a clear vision for how they will contribute to improving the lives of others. This is not just an academic merit award β your commitment to social impact matters as much as your grades.
π View Gates Cambridge Scholarship details β
6. Commonwealth Scholarships (United Kingdom)
Value: Tuition + airfare + monthly living allowance + warm clothing allowance + thesis grant + study travel grant.
For: Citizens of Commonwealth countries (54 nations) pursuing Master's or PhD programs in the UK.
What makes it unique: Commonwealth Scholarships emphasize development impact β they want scholars who will return home and use their education to address their country's challenges. If you are from a Commonwealth country with a strong academic record and a clear plan for how your studies will benefit your community, this is one of your best opportunities.
Application route: Apply through your national nominating agency, not directly to the UK.
π View Commonwealth Scholarship details β
7. Australia Awards Scholarships
Value: Full tuition + AUD $27,000+/year living allowance + return airfare + Overseas Student Health Cover + introductory academic program.
For: Students from participating countries in the Indo-Pacific region (covers most of South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Pacific).
Why it stands out: Australia Awards provide an exceptionally comprehensive package β even the pre-departure preparation and on-arrival orientation are funded. Australia's universities consistently rank in the global top 100, and the scholarship includes practical elements like academic preparedness programs that help you succeed, not just fund you.
π View Australia Awards details, eligibility, and deadlines β
8. Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP/GKS)
Value: Full tuition + KRW 900,000+/month stipend + round-trip airfare + medical insurance + settlement allowance + Korean language training (1 year).
For: International students from 150+ countries at all degree levels β Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD.
The Korean advantage: KGSP includes a full year of Korean language training before your degree program starts. This means you arrive, learn Korean for a year (fully funded), then begin your actual studies. It is one of the few scholarships that invests in your cultural integration, and graduates often speak Korean fluently β a valuable asset in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
π View KGSP details, eligibility, and deadlines β
9. Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship
Value: Full tuition + Β₯143,000β145,000/month (~$1,000) + round-trip airfare.
For: International students pursuing research, undergraduate, or specialized training programs in Japan.
Multiple pathways: MEXT offers several scholarship types: Research Students (for graduate research), Undergraduate Students, College of Technology Students, Specialized Training College Students, and Japanese Studies Students. The Research Students category is the most popular and covers Master's and PhD programs.
Application tip: Finding a Japanese professor willing to accept you as a research student before applying dramatically increases your chances. Email professors directly with your research proposal β many are receptive to motivated international students.
π View MEXT Scholarship details, eligibility, and deadlines β
10. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals
Value: SEK 11,000/month living allowance (~$1,050) + travel grant + insurance + SI network membership.
For: Professionals from eligible countries with 3+ years of full-time work experience pursuing Master's in Sweden.
What makes it special: Beyond funding, SI Scholars join a powerful global network of professionals and leaders. The scholarship includes networking events, leadership training, and mentoring. Sweden's universities are known for innovation, sustainability, and gender equality β values that SI specifically selects for.
π View Swedish Institute Scholarship details β
Bonus: More Fully Funded Scholarships on ScholyHub
These 10 are the most well-known, but there are hundreds more. Here are a few others worth exploring:
π³π± Holland Scholarship β β¬5,000 for studying in the Netherlands
π¨π Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships β Full funding for research in Switzerland
π³πΏ New Zealand Excellence Awards β Funding for study in New Zealand
π Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship β 50% grant + 50% loan for developing country students
ποΈ Rotary Peace Fellowship β Full funding for peace and conflict studies
How to Maximize Your Chances
Apply to 5β10 scholarships simultaneously. Even the best candidates face 95% rejection rates on any single scholarship. Volume matters. Browse all scholarships on ScholyHub to find every opportunity you qualify for.
Start 12 months before deadlines. Strong applications need time for recommendation letters, essay drafts, and test preparation. Use our dashboard deadline calendar to track all your scholarship deadlines.
Let AI find your matches. Our free AI Study Match analyzes your GPA, nationality, field of study, and preferences to recommend scholarships you specifically qualify for.
Write a standout SOP. Use our free AI SOP Generator to create a personalized first draft for each scholarship.
Read our complete guide to winning scholarships for the 10 strategies that separate winners from everyone else.
Need expert help? Our consultancy team has helped hundreds of students win competitive scholarships. Get in touch.
