🎓 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.
🇪🇺🇬🇧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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
🇺🇸🇨🇦 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.
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.
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
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.
🌏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
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
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.
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.
2. Fully Funded Master’s at Specific Universities (“Branded Programs”)
These are the elite, prestige “once in a lifetime” fellowships.
🇬🇧 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.
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.
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.
🇨🇳 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.
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.
🇺🇸 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).
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.”
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




This is an incredible list. Holy smokes. Thank you for putting this together
Thank you <3