Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

Introduction

Studying abroad can open the door to better academic opportunities, international experience, professional networks and exposure to new cultures. The biggest challenge for many students, however, is the cost.

Tuition fees, accommodation, food, health insurance, flights and other expenses can make an overseas degree seem out of reach. This is where fully funded scholarships for international students can make a major difference.

Unlike scholarships that only reduce tuition fees, fully funded awards may cover most or all major study costs. Depending on the programme, the package may include tuition, a living allowance, accommodation, health insurance, travel expenses or visa-related costs.

There are opportunities for students from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and other countries, but competition can be intense. The key is to identify scholarships that match your academic level and profile, prepare your documents early and follow the official application instructions carefully.

What Are Fully Funded Scholarships?

A fully funded scholarship is a financial award designed to cover the major costs associated with studying at a particular institution or in a particular country.

The exact meaning of “fully funded” differs between programmes. One scholarship may cover tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend, while another may also pay for international travel and health insurance.

Possible benefits include:

• Full or substantial tuition-fee coverage
• Monthly living allowance
• Accommodation or housing support
• Health or medical insurance
• Airfare or travel allowance
• Visa-related support
• Research or study allowances
• Books or educational materials
• Language preparation in some programmes

Students should always read the official scholarship terms. A programme described as fully funded does not necessarily mean that every personal expense will be paid.

For example, the Stipendium Hungaricum programme provides tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, accommodation support and medical insurance, but its official guidance warns that these benefits may not cover every living expense.

10 Fully Funded Scholarships International Students Should Know

There are many scholarship programmes around the world. The following are some of the most notable options for international applicants.

1. Chevening Scholarships

The UK government’s Chevening Scholarship is one of the best-known opportunities for international students seeking a master’s degree in the United Kingdom.

Chevening normally supports one-year taught master’s degrees and is aimed at emerging leaders from around the world.

The standard scholarship package includes:

• Tuition fees
• Economy return travel
• Monthly living allowance
• Arrival allowance
• Departure allowance
• Visa application cost
• Certain travel-related allowances
• Support for required TB testing where applicable

The official programme describes Chevening as fully funded.

Applicants should pay close attention to the eligible-course rules and application requirements. Chevening is highly competitive, so a strong academic record alone may not be enough; applicants should also demonstrate leadership, professional experience and a clear reason for their proposed study.

2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are particularly attractive for students who want to study in more than one European country.

The programmes are delivered by international university partnerships, and students may study, conduct research or undertake other academic activities at institutions in different countries.

Full scholarships are available for highly ranked applicants worldwide. Depending on the programme, scholarship support can contribute to participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.

Most programmes are at master’s level and last between one and two academic years.

A major advantage is the international nature of the programme. However, each master’s course has its own academic requirements, documents and application procedure.

The European Commission says that applications for many Erasmus Mundus programmes are generally submitted between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year, although applicants should confirm the deadline for their specific programme.

3. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to pursue full-time master’s study in the UK.

The programme is designed particularly for applicants who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK and focuses on development-related themes.

Nigeria is among the countries listed for Commonwealth opportunities at participating UK institutions.

For the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, the official commission states that applications open on 8 September 2026 and close on 20 October 2026, with study beginning in September or October 2027.

Because Commonwealth scholarships have specific eligibility and nomination arrangements, applicants should follow the instructions for their country and chosen scholarship route rather than relying on general scholarship blogs.

4. DAAD EPOS Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service, commonly known as DAAD, operates the Development-Related Postgraduate Courses programme, or EPOS.

It is particularly relevant to graduates from developing countries who want to study selected development-related postgraduate programmes in Germany.

Applicants generally need relevant academic qualifications and professional experience. The official DAAD information states that EPOS applicants normally require at least two years of professional experience.

For eligible programmes, scholarship support can include:

• Monthly payments
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance
• Travel allowance
• Possible rent subsidy
• Possible family allowance under certain conditions

The current DAAD scholarship database gives different funding periods depending on the programme, ranging from 12 to 42 months.

This makes EPOS particularly worth considering for Nigerian professionals whose career goals are connected to development, public policy, health, economics, environment or related fields.

5. MEXT Scholarship

The Japanese Government’s MEXT Scholarship is another major option for international students.

MEXT supports different categories of students, including undergraduate students, research students and teacher-training students.

For research students, the official Study in Japan website states that applicants must generally be under 35 and eligible for admission to a master’s or doctoral programme. Other categories have different requirements.

Benefits can include:

• Tuition exemption
• Round-trip airfare
• Scholarship allowance
• Preparatory education where applicable

Eligibility, application routes and timelines depend on the category and whether an applicant applies through a Japanese embassy or a university recommendation route.

Students should therefore check the MEXT information applicable to their country rather than copying requirements from another applicant’s category.

6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides opportunities for international graduate students, young professionals and artists to study or conduct research in the United States.

The programme operates in more than 160 countries, but application procedures and eligibility requirements differ significantly between countries.

For Nigerian applicants, the official Fulbright page provides Nigeria-specific information and directs applicants to the relevant U.S. Embassy and programme contacts.

This is an important example of why applicants should avoid assuming that a scholarship has exactly the same requirements everywhere. The correct application instructions are usually determined by the programme’s official office in your country.

7. Clarendon Fund at the University of Oxford

The Clarendon Fund provides fully funded graduate scholarships at the University of Oxford.

It is open to applicants from around the world, with no nationality restriction, and covers eligible master’s and DPhil study.

The scholarship covers course fees and provides a grant for living expenses. For 2025–26, Oxford states that full-time Clarendon scholars receive at least £20,780 per year for living expenses. This amount can change in future academic years.

One useful feature is the application process. Eligible applicants who submit their Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline are automatically considered for Clarendon; there is no separate Clarendon application form.

This makes it essential to apply to Oxford by the correct course deadline rather than waiting for a separate scholarship deadline.

8. Stipendium Hungaricum

The Hungarian government’s Stipendium Hungaricum programme offers international students opportunities to study in Hungary at undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels, among others.

The official programme lists benefits including:

• Tuition-free education
• Monthly stipend
• Accommodation or accommodation contribution
• Medical insurance

For bachelor’s and master’s students, the published monthly stipend is HUF 43,700, while doctoral funding follows different rates. The programme also makes clear that these amounts are contributions and may not cover all living expenses.

This scholarship can be particularly attractive to students looking beyond the UK, United States and Canada.

However, applicants should check whether their country is included in the relevant application call and whether their preferred university and programme are available.

9. Türkiye Scholarships

Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded programme for international students and provides opportunities at associate, bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels.

The programme’s official information lists several benefits, including:

• University and department placement
• Tuition fees
• Monthly stipend
• Accommodation
• Health insurance
• One-year Turkish language course
• Flight ticket

The programme is especially interesting for applicants looking for undergraduate funding because many major government scholarships focus mainly on postgraduate study.

Application periods can vary by programme, but the official full-time scholarship information says applications are generally received between January and February. Applicants should verify the current year’s announcement before preparing their application.

10. Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships for eligible international professionals applying to selected master’s programmes in Sweden.

Nigeria is among the countries represented in the eligibility information for selected programmes.

The exact eligible master’s programmes and scholarship conditions change, so students should use the official SI application portal and programme listings.

Applicants should also understand that being admitted to a Swedish master’s programme does not automatically mean they have received the scholarship. Admission and scholarship selection are separate parts of the process.

Who Can Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships?

Eligibility depends entirely on the scholarship.

Common requirements include:

• A recognized academic qualification
• Good academic performance
• Proof of English or another required language
• Admission or an application to an eligible university
• Strong personal statement
• Academic or professional references
• Research proposal for some master’s or PhD programmes
• Relevant work experience for selected scholarships
• Citizenship from an eligible country
• Meeting age requirements where applicable

For example, DAAD EPOS normally requires professional experience, while MEXT has different age and educational requirements depending on the category.

Do not assume that having excellent grades automatically makes you eligible. Always check the scholarship’s official eligibility rules.

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships

Applying successfully requires more than filling out an online form.

1. Choose scholarships that match your profile

Start by identifying your:

• Current qualification
• Intended degree
• Field of study
• Preferred countries
• Work experience
• Academic strengths
• Career goals

Then search for scholarships that actually accept your profile.

2. Check the official requirements

Read the official scholarship website carefully.

Pay attention to:

• Eligible countries
• Degree level
• Eligible courses
• Minimum academic requirements
• Work experience
• Language requirements
• Application deadline
• Required documents

3. Prepare your documents early

Common documents include:

• International passport
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate
• Curriculum vitae
• Personal statement
• Recommendation letters
• Research proposal where applicable
• English-language test results where required
• Proof of employment or work experience

Nigerian applicants should make sure their academic documents and names are consistent across their applications.

4. Write a strong personal statement

Avoid simply saying that you need money to study.

Explain what you want to study, why the programme fits your goals, what experience you already have and how the education will help you contribute after graduation.

A convincing application connects your past experience, proposed study and future impact.

5. Submit before the deadline

Do not wait until the final day.

Websites can experience heavy traffic, documents can fail to upload and recommendation letters may arrive late.

Give yourself several days or weeks of extra time whenever possible.

How Nigerian Students Can Improve Their Chances

Nigerian students face the same basic application principles as other international applicants, but careful preparation can make the process easier.

Start by building a scholarship calendar. Record each programme’s opening date, deadline, degree level, requirements and official application link.

It is also useful to maintain a folder containing your:

• Updated CV
• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificates
• Passport
• Recommendation contacts
• Personal statement drafts
• Research ideas
• Certificates and professional records

Do not use one personal statement for every scholarship. Adapt each application to the scholarship’s objectives and the specific course.

Most importantly, apply only through the official scholarship or university website. Be cautious when someone asks you to pay money simply to “secure” a scholarship.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying for every scholarship without checking eligibility

A large number of applications does not automatically mean a higher chance of success.

Focus on scholarships where you genuinely meet the requirements.

Using a generic personal statement

Selection committees want to understand your specific goals and suitability.

A generic essay can make an otherwise strong application look careless.

Ignoring programme-specific requirements

Two scholarships may both offer master’s funding but require completely different documents or work experience.

Read the instructions for each opportunity separately.

Missing the deadline

Even an excellent application can be rejected if it arrives after the official deadline.

Paying unverified agents

Many legitimate scholarship programmes allow applicants to apply directly. If an organisation is charging you a large fee while claiming to guarantee a scholarship, investigate carefully.

No legitimate scholarship can guarantee selection simply because someone paid an agent.

What Does “Fully Funded” Actually Pay For?

This is one of the most important questions applicants should ask.

Before accepting an award, check whether it covers:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Food
• Local transport
• International airfare
• Visa expenses
• Health insurance
• Books
• Research expenses
• Family expenses
• Personal costs

For example, Chevening explicitly provides tuition, travel and a monthly stipend, while Stipendium Hungaricum explains that its living support may not cover every expense.

Therefore, fully funded does not always mean zero personal expenses.

When Should You Start Applying?

A good rule is to start preparing six to twelve months before your intended study period.

Some scholarships open almost a year before the academic programme begins.

For instance, the Commonwealth Commission has already published the application dates for its 2027/28 master’s scholarships, while Erasmus Mundus programmes commonly recruit several months before the programme starts.

Starting early gives you time to:

• Research universities
• Take language tests
• Request recommendation letters
• Improve your CV
• Write and edit essays
• Obtain official documents
• Compare different programmes
• Prepare for interviews where required

Frequently Asked Questions

What are fully funded scholarships for international students?

They are scholarships that cover most or all major costs associated with studying abroad, depending on the programme. Benefits may include tuition, living expenses, accommodation, insurance and travel.

Can Nigerian students apply for fully funded scholarships abroad?

Yes. Nigerian students can apply for many international scholarships, although eligibility depends on the specific programme and country requirements.

Are fully funded scholarships available for undergraduate students?

Yes. Some programmes offer undergraduate funding. Türkiye Scholarships, for example, provides opportunities at undergraduate level as well as master’s and PhD levels.

Are there fully funded scholarships for master’s degrees?

Yes. Many major international scholarships focus on master’s study, including Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, DAAD EPOS and several university-funded awards.

Are fully funded PhD scholarships available for international students?

Yes. Universities and governments offer funded doctoral opportunities. MEXT, for example, includes research-student routes leading to master’s or doctoral study, while Oxford’s Clarendon Fund supports DPhil students.

Do fully funded scholarships cover airfare?

Some do, but not all. Chevening includes economy return travel, while Türkiye Scholarships provides a once-off flight ticket under its listed full-time scholarship benefits.

Do I need IELTS to win a fully funded scholarship?

Not necessarily. Language requirements depend on the scholarship, university and programme. Some institutions may accept alternative evidence of English proficiency, while others require a recognized test.

Can I apply for several scholarships at the same time?

Generally, yes, provided you meet the rules of each programme. Applying to several suitable scholarships can reduce your dependence on one opportunity.

How can I avoid scholarship scams?

Use official government, university or scholarship-provider websites. Be suspicious of anyone promising guaranteed selection or asking for unnecessary payments to “release” a scholarship.

Conclusion

Fully funded scholarships can make international education much more affordable, but winning one requires careful planning rather than luck alone.

For Nigerian and other international students, strong options include Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, DAAD EPOS, MEXT, Fulbright, Oxford Clarendon, Stipendium Hungaricum, Türkiye Scholarships and Swedish Institute opportunities.

The most useful next step is to identify programmes that match your degree level, field, academic background and career goals. Then check the official requirements, prepare your documents early and submit a well-tailored application before the deadline.

Most importantly, treat every scholarship as a separate opportunity. Requirements, funding packages and deadlines can change, so always confirm the latest information directly from the official scholarship provider before applying.