🎓 Fully Funded Master’s Programs for International Students

(with links, deadlines & why they matter)

Hello world!

This year, while applying to grad schools myself, I got super overwhelmed by how many incredible master’s programs actually exist. Turns out, there are way more fully funded options in the world than anyone ever mentions — tuition covered, monthly stipend, flights, insurance, sometimes even a language course.

But here’s the thing: it’s not about finding a funded program — it’s about finding the one that fits you. Because even though there are tons of opportunities, only a handful will truly match your background, goals, and future plans.

To help you see the big picture of graduate school opportunities, I've created this post. I researched, cross-checked all the sources, and organized everything by region and country, including:

✓ official links
✓ typical deadlines
✓ what each program covers
✓ who they’re best for

Let’s get into it.

1. Big Global & Government Scholarships

(fund across universities, not tied to a single program)

These are the universal ones — you apply once, and they fund almost any master’s degree in eligible countries.

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🇪🇺🇬🇧Europe & UK

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)

The boss of fully funded programs.
You study the same degree across 2–3 countries, rotating campuses.

Covers:

• Full tuition

• ~€1,400 monthly stipend

• Travel + insurance

• Sometimes installation allowance

Fields: literally everything — from AI to heritage studies to food science. VERY DIVERSE!

Official portal: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue
(Search the list of funded programs)

Deadline:
Most programs close October–January each year (varies by program).
→ Many popular programs: Dec 15–Feb 15.

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Chevening Scholarship (UK)

👉 The key requirement:

You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country AND
be currently living in that country when you apply (with very few exceptions).

As a Russian citizen, I can’t participate because my country is currently suspended (what a surprise).

BUT

Chevening is open to over 160 countries, including tons of places across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

One-year master’s at any UK university.
Ideal if you want career acceleration + UK network.

Covers:

• Tuition (up to £20–30k)

• Monthly stipend

• Flights

• Visa + TB test

• Arrival allowance

Official site: https://www.chevening.org/apply/

Deadline:
Applications open August and close early November every year.

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Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

For citizens of eligible countries across the Commonwealth.

Covers: tuition, stipend, flights, thesis grant, and more.

Fields: STEM, policy, development, engineering, education, etc.

Official site: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/

Deadline:
Usually September–October.

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DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Key schemes include:

• EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)

• Helmut-Schmidt (Public Policy & Good Governance)

Covers:

• Free or very low tuition

• €934–€1,300 stipend

• Health insurance

• Travel allowance

• German language course (2–6 months)

Great for: social sciences, engineering, sustainability, public policy, development, architecture.

Official site: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarship-database/

Deadline:
Depends on program, usually August–October.

Helmut-Schmidt-Programme (DAAD PPGG) – for public policy

Official site: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/helmut-schmidt-programme/

Deadline:
June–July yearly.

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Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)

France’s elite scholarship for high-achieving international students.

Covers:

• Monthly stipend

• International transport

• Insurance

• Cultural activities

• Campus housing allowance

Tuition is technically not included, but most universities waive or subsidize it for Eiffel scholars.

Official site: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/eiffel-scholarship-program-of-excellence

Deadline:
Universities submit candidates → internal deadlines Oct–Dec.
Final Campus France deadline: January.

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Swedish Institute Scholarships (Sweden)

Highly competitive but life-changing.

Covers:

• Full tuition

• SEK ~11,000/month stipend

• Insurance

• Travel grant

Fields: sustainability, environmental science, human rights, data, tech, leadership, etc.

Official site: https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/swedish-institute-scholarships-for-global-professionals/

Deadline:
Application window: February (after your university application in January).

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Türkiye Scholarships / Türkiye Bursları (Türkiye)

Very generous government scholarship. Go Türkiye <3

Covers:

• Tuition

• Accommodation in student dorms

• Monthly stipend

• Healthcare

• 1-year Turkish language course

• Round-trip flights

Fields: humanities, design, engineering, Islamic studies, social sciences.

Official site:

https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/

Deadline:
Applications open January 10 – February 20 yearly.

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🇺🇸🇨🇦 USA & North America

Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)

THE scholarship for international students — the one people brag about for life.

Covers:

• Full tuition

• Monthly stipend

• Insurance

• Flights

• Cultural programming

Strong fit: people with research interests, leadership potential, and community work.

Official site:

https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/

Deadline:
Varies by country → usually February–June for the next academic year.

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McCall MacBain Scholarship (Canada)

Canada’s version of Rhodes.

Covers:

• Tuition at participating universities

• Monthly stipend

• Leadership training

• Summer funding

Programs: education, design, public health, arts, engineering, sustainability, law (depending on university).

Official site:

https://mccallmacbainscholars.org/apply/

Deadline:
June–August registration,
September application deadline.

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P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship

For international women pursuing graduate study in the US or Canada.

Covers: significant portion of tuition + living costs (exact amount varies).
Great add-on if your degree is partially funded.

Official site: https://www.peointernational.org/

Deadline:
Eligibility form opens September 15, closes December 15.

Additional North American opportunities:

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (mostly PhD but some master’s/PhD routes)

Official:

https://vanier.gc.ca/en/home-accueil.html
Deadline: October

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University-Specific Full Funding Examples

These are not widely advertised but exist:

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Fellowships for:

• Public Health

• Epidemiology

• Policy

• Social protection

Some packages = full tuition + stipend.

Funding page: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/academics/tuition-and-funding

Deadlines vary by program (typically Dec–Jan).

Many US universities also offer:

• Graduate assistantships (teach/research → tuition waiver + stipend)

• Departmental fellowships

• Leadership scholarships

• Diversity fellowships

Search trick:

Type “[university name] + graduate assistantship + master’s” on Google.

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🌏Asia-Pacific

MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Japan’s golden scholarship.

Covers:

• Tuition

• Monthly stipend

• Flights

• Prep Japanese language program (up to 1 year)

You can apply through:

• Embassy track

• University track
  (Both competitive, but worth it.)

Official site:
Embassy track → check your local Japanese embassy

University track → check your desired uni site

This is a useful website for more information in general (government approved): https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships/

Deadline:
Embassy track: April–June
University track: December–February

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GKS / Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea)

1 year Korean language + 2 years master’s.

Covers:

• 100% tuition

• KRW 1,000,000–1,500,000 monthly stipend

• Arrival allowance

• Settlement allowance

• Insurance

• Round-trip flights

Super attractive if you want to study design, media, AI, humanities, or international relations.

Official site: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/sub/gks/allnew_invite.do

Deadline:
Varies, but generally:
Embassy track → September–October
University track → February–March

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Australia Awards (Australia)

For students from eligible partner countries.

Covers:

• Tuition

• Living stipend

• Health insurance

• Flights

• Academic support

Official site: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-fellowships

Deadline:
Usually February–April.

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New Zealand / Manaaki Scholarships

Very generous for students from the Global South.

Covers:

• Tuition

• Living stipend

• Establishment allowance

• Flights

Official site: https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/

Deadline:
Usually Mid-February–March.

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2. Fully Funded Master’s at Specific Universities (“Branded Programs”)

These are the elite, prestige “once in a lifetime” fellowships.

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🇬🇧 UK

Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)

The oldest, most famous scholarship.

Covers:

• Tuition

• College fees

• Stipend

• Travel

• Research funding

Any master’s available at Oxford.

Official site: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/

Deadline:
Most countries: June–August.

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Clarendon Fund (Oxford)

Full funding for any Oxford grad program.

Extremely competitive, but a lot more spots than Rhodes.

Official site: https://www.ox.ac.uk/clarendon

Deadline:
Automatically considered when you apply to Oxford by December–January.

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Gates Cambridge (Cambridge)

Full tuition, stipend, flights, academic development grant.

Programs: almost everything except a few professional degrees.

Official site:

https://www.gatescambridge.org/

Deadline:
Non-US students: December–Early January.

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🇨🇳 China

Schwarzman Scholars (Tsinghua, Beijing)

One-year Master of Global Affairs.

Covers everything, from tuition to food to study trips to business attire stipend.

Official site:

https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/

Deadline:
Applicants outside China: May–September.

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Yenching Academy (Peking University)

For students interested in China studies, humanities, social sciences.

Fully funded: tuition + accommodation + stipend + flights.

Official site:

https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/

Deadline:
Varies, but usually November–December.

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🇺🇸 USA

Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford)

The most generous program in the US right now.

You choose any Stanford master’s degree, and Knight-Hennessy pays for it + adds leadership training, cohort, retreats.

Fields: design, engineering, education, law, business, humanities, sustainability.

Official site: https://knight-hennessy.stanford.edu/

Deadline:
Usually October (before Stanford’s own degree deadlines).

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My Strategy

As of December 2025, I’m applying to a couple of Erasmus Mundus programs and the Global Korea Scholarship. Follow the journey and see how it works out :)

Here’s the strategy I’m using:

1. I started 3–6 months early

Starting early is non-negotiable if you want to avoid panic decisions and have a buffer for things you cannot control — like professors taking time with recommendation letters or unexpected bureaucratic delays.

2. I’m leading with my story and mission (way more important than GPA)

Your mission — and how your skills align with the program’s mission — is the real match made in heaven.
These programs consistently prioritize:

• leadership

• global curiosity

• impact

• clarity of purpose

• resilience

…not a perfect transcript.

3. I’m applying to several programs, but intentionally

It’s worth noting that even though I’m applying to programs in completely different fields and countries, I’m doing it with depth, not chaos-energy.
Quality > quantity
But quantity with quality? even better.

Evaluate your energy and time before choosing your strategy — but I would never apply to just one program. Diversify, but do it thoughtfully.

4. I study the vibe of past winners

As much as I believe in my exceptional nature (lol), studying the profiles of past scholars is incredibly useful.
Not to copy, but to understand:
How do successful applicants frame their stories?
What themes do they emphasize?
What tone do they use?

It helps you present yourself in the strongest, clearest way.

5. I don’t self-reject

Every year thousands of students don’t apply because they assume,
“I won’t get it.”
I’m simply… not doing that.

Most of the best opportunities I’ve had in life were ones I initially thought were “out of my league.”
So I apply. Always.
If it’s meant for me, it’s mine — but only if I actually click “submit.”

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Want to study abroad for free but don’t know where to start?

If you feel overwhelmed by deadlines, funding pages, and eligibility requirements — I can help.

60-minute call + personalised 6–12 month strategy

This is for people who want a global life strategy, not random ideas.

We spend 60 minutes mapping your background, interests, constraints, finances, energy, and long-term goals. I work as a global opportunities strategist — matching you with education, jobs, volunteering, language programs, visas, and hybrid paths that are funded or cheap whenever possible.

Good luck,

Daria