Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students 2026
Studying abroad gives you a chance to learn from top universities, meet new people, and explore different cultures. But it is not cheap. Many international students cannot afford tuition fees, housing, food, and travel.
That is why top fully funded scholarships are important. They remove the financial burden by covering most or all costs. Some even include health insurance, research grants, and return tickets.
If you want to study abroad in 2026, here is a complete guide to the top fully funded scholarships available for international students.
What is a Fully Funded Scholarship?
A fully funded scholarship means that the university or government pays for almost everything. It usually includes:
Tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Accommodation or housing support
Travel tickets (sometimes round trip)
Health or medical insurance
Research or study materials
This kind of support allows students to focus on their studies instead of worrying about money.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships for 2026
Here is a list of top fully funded scholarships.
1. Fulbright Scholarship (USA)
The Fulbright program is one of the most well-known scholarships. It supports master’s and PhD students in the United States. The program has been running for decades and is available in over 160 countries.
Benefits: Tuition, airfare, health insurance, and a monthly stipend.
Eligibility: Good academic record, English language skills, and leadership potential.
2. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
The UK government funds Chevening. It is only for one-year master’s degrees in the UK. Thousands of students apply every year.
Benefits: Tuition fees, visa fees, travel costs, and a monthly allowance.
Eligibility: At least two years of work or volunteer experience, leadership skills, and good academics.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (Europe)
Erasmus Mundus allows students to study in more than one European country during a single master’s program. This makes it unique.
Benefits: Full tuition, travel, and a monthly living allowance.
Eligibility: Open to all international students. Selection is competitive.
4. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
Germany is famous for free or low-cost education. The DAAD scholarship adds full financial support for international master’s and PhD students.
Benefits: Tuition (if applicable), travel allowance, health insurance, and monthly stipend.
Eligibility: Students with a bachelor’s degree and some professional experience.
5. Chinese Government Scholarship (China)
China offers scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students through the CSC program.
Benefits: Tuition fees, accommodation, medical insurance, and a monthly allowance.
Eligibility: Open to all international students. No age restrictions for some programs.
6. Australia Awards Scholarship (Australia)
This scholarship is supported by the Australian government. It focuses on students from developing countries.
Benefits: Tuition, living allowance, return airfare, and health insurance.
Eligibility: Students from Asia, Africa, and the Pacific region.
7. Government of Canada Scholarships (Canada)
Canada provides several options such as Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Lester B. Pearson Scholarships.
Benefits: Tuition, research funding, health insurance, and living costs.
Eligibility: International students with excellent academic records.
8. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
The Japanese government offers MEXT scholarships for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.
Benefits: Tuition, monthly allowance, and airfare.
Eligibility: Strong academic background and interest in studying in Japan.
9. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
Switzerland offers scholarships for postgraduate researchers and doctoral students.
Benefits: Tuition, health insurance, monthly allowance, and housing support.
Eligibility: International students applying for PhD or research programs.
10. Rhodes Scholarship (UK – University of Oxford)
The Rhodes scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious. It funds master’s and PhD programs at Oxford University.
Benefits: Tuition, travel, monthly stipend, and research support.
Eligibility: Students with leadership qualities and strong academic results.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
Start early: Most applications open 12 months before classes begin.
Prepare documents: Collect transcripts, recommendation letters, and language test scores.
Strong personal statement: Write clearly about your goals and why you deserve the scholarship.
Check deadlines: Missing a deadline means losing the chance for that year.
Apply for more than one: Do not depend on only one scholarship. Apply to several.
Scholarship applications are long and detailed. If you want to start studying in 2026, you must prepare in 2025. This includes preparing for IELTS/TOEFL, writing personal essays, and securing recommendation letters.
Explore More Scholarships on Study and Wander
Oman Scholarship Program 2025–26 for Pakistani Students – Fully funded scholarships in Oman for students from Pakistan. 👉 [Read More]
How to Write a Europass CV for Scholarships – A step-by-step guide to make a strong CV for European and international scholarships. 👉 [Read More]
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2025–2026 Guide – Learn how to apply for fully funded joint master’s programs in Europe. 👉 [Read More]
Portugal Government Scholarship 2025 – A full guide for international students to study in Portugal with funded grants. 👉 [Read More]
Scholarships Without IELTS 2025 – Find fully funded programs that don’t require IELTS for admission. 👉 [Read More]
Chevening Scholarship UK 2025–26 – Apply for a funded master’s degree in the United Kingdom. 👉 [Read More]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does top fully funded scholarship mean?
It means the scholarship pays for tuition, living costs, and sometimes travel, insurance, and study materials. Students don’t need to cover major expenses.
2. Can I apply for scholarships without IELTS?
Yes, some scholarships do not require IELTS. Many universities accept alternatives like TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, or proof of previous education in English.
3. Which country offers the most fully funded scholarships?
The USA, UK, Germany, China, Japan, and Australia have many government-funded scholarships for international students.
4. Are there fully funded scholarships for undergraduate students?
Yes. Programs like the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship (Canada) and Chinese Government Scholarship (China) cover undergraduate studies.
5. When should I apply for 2026 scholarships?
Most scholarships open a year before classes start. For 2026, applications will open in 2025. It’s best to start preparing early.
6. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?
Yes. You can apply for multiple scholarships as long as you meet the requirements.
7. Do top fully funded scholarships also cover family members?
Normally, they only cover the student. Some PhD or research scholarships may allow dependents, but this is rare.