Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2025 (Top Countries Ranked)

Studying abroad is a dream for so many many people, but the cost often turns it into a distant hope. Thankfully, there are opportunities for students worldwide—especially those from Africa and Asia, to access fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, travel, and even health insurance.

In this post, we rank the top countries offering fully funded scholarships in 2025, how to apply, and what you need to prepare. If you’re aiming to study abroad for free, this is your essential starting point.

🌍 Ranked: Top 10 Countries Offering Fully Funded Scholarships in 2025

1. Germany 🇩🇪

• Top Scholarship: DAAD Scholarships
• Coverage: Tuition-free + monthly stipend (€934), health insurance, and travel allowance
• Who Can Apply: Master’s and PhD students from all over the world
• Apply: DAAD Portal

Why Germany?
Public universities are already tuition-free, and DAAD makes it even better by covering all your costs.

2. Canada 🇨🇦

• Top Scholarship: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• Coverage: CAD $50,000 per year for 3 years
• Who Can Apply: PhD students
• Apply: Vanier CGS Website

Other options include the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship for undergraduates.

3. United States 🇺🇸

• Top Scholarship: Fulbright Foreign Student Program
• Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance
• Who Can Apply: Graduate students and young professionals
• Apply: Fulbright Program

Other programs:

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars (for Africans)
• Hubert Humphrey Fellowship (for mid-career professionals)

4. United Kingdom 🇬🇧

• Top Scholarship: Chevening Scholarships
• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel to and from the UK
• Who Can Apply: Master’s students
• Apply: Chevening.org

Other notable UK scholarships:

• Commonwealth Scholarships
• Gates Cambridge Scholarships

5. Australia 🇦🇺

• Top Scholarship: Australia Awards
• Coverage: Full tuition, return air travel, establishment allowance, and living expenses
• Who Can Apply: Students from developing countries
• Apply: Australia Awards

6. France 🇫🇷

• Top Scholarship: Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
• Coverage: Monthly allowance, international return trips, health insurance
• Who Can Apply: Master’s and PhD students
• Apply: Campus France

Bonus: Most public universities in France charge only €170–€380/year for international students.

7. Japan 🇯🇵

• Top Scholarship: MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship
• Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare
• Who Can Apply: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD students
• Apply: Via Japanese embassies in your home country

8. Netherlands 🇳🇱

• Top Scholarship: Holland Scholarship / OKP (Orange Knowledge Programme)
• Coverage: Up to €25,000+ for tuition, travel, and living expenses
• Who Can Apply: Bachelor’s and Master’s students from non-EU countries
• Apply: Study in Holland

9. South Korea 🇰🇷

• Top Scholarship: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
• Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, settlement allowance
• Who Can Apply: All degree levels
• Apply: GKS Website

10. Sweden 🇸🇪

• Top Scholarship: Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
• Coverage: Full tuition + SEK 11,000/month living stipend + travel grant
• Who Can Apply: Master’s students from eligible countries
• Apply: Swedish Institute

🗂 Common Requirements for Fully Funded Scholarships

• Academic transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose or personal essay
• Language proficiency (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL)
• Valid passport
• Sometimes: work experience or leadership background

📆 Important Deadlines (2025 Intake)

Always check the official websites and start applications at least 6–9 months in advance.

📥 Free Checklist for Scholarship Applicants (Download)

Grab your downloadable PDF checklist to stay on top of all application requirements:
✅ Academic documents
✅ Essays
✅ Passport
✅ Health insurance quotes
✅ Deadline reminders
✅ Scholarship-specific forms

👉 Download Here

📊 Infographic: Top 10 Countries with Fully Funded Scholarships in 2025

Top 10 Countries with Fully Funded Scholarships in 2025

USA
Tuition, stipend, airfare (Master’s, PhD) – Global

UK
Chevening, Commonwealth – All levels – Commonwealth nations

Canada
Vanier, Banting – Graduate – Global

Australia
Australia Awards – All levels – Asia, Africa

New Zealand
NZ Scholarships – All levels – Africa, Pacific

Germany
DAAD – Mostly Masters/PhD – Developing countries

South Korea
GKS – All levels – Asia, Africa

Japan
MEXT – Undergraduate to PhD – Global

France
Eiffel – Master’s, PhD – Priority to Global South

Sweden
SI Scholarships – Master’s – Africa, Asia

🎓 Explore Scholarships Now

✅ Final Tips for Scholarship Success

1. Apply to multiple countries — don’t limit yourself to just one.
2. Tailor your essays to the goals of each program.
3. Secure strong references who understand your academic goals.
4. Don’t wait till deadlines — earlier applicants often get priority.
5. Stay organized using the downloadable checklist above.

Key Takeaways

• Fully funded scholarships cover tuition, housing, flights, and insurance
• Germany, Canada, the US, and the UK top the list of offers in 2025
• Master’s and PhD students have the widest access, but undergrads can also apply
• Start early, submit clean documents, and meet the exact requirements
• Use checklists and apply across multiple programs to increase your chances

Things you can find here: Denmark’s Skilled Work Visa for Global Talent: Opportunities for Africans and Asians, UK Visa Sponsorship Jobs for Foreigners – Updated Opportunities, Canada Work Visa and Insurance Requirements: What You Must Buy Before Applying (2025), Top Universities for International Students: 2025 Rankings, Top 10 Countries to Obtain a Second Passport and Citizenship for Global Travel: Free Access to the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and More.

Pro Tip: For the best visa sponsorship jobs and insurance options for immigrants, explore our Visa Sponsorship section and Insurance category.

Written by our team of international travel and visa experts based in Canada. Read more helpful guides like this here.