Top 25 Foreign Government Scholarships for International Students

Many developed countries, such as the USA, UK, Australia, Japan, and various European nations, are committed to promoting international development cooperation and the internationalization of their education systems. As part of this commitment, they offer government-funded scholarships to outstanding international students from around the world. These scholarships provide opportunities for students to pursue higher education in these countries.

United States Government Scholarships:

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program: This program offers full scholarships to international students from 155 countries who wish to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in the US. It also covers non-degree postgraduate studies. The scholarship includes tuition fees, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance. Approximately 1,800 scholarships are awarded annually.
2. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program: This fellowship provides experienced professionals from designated countries with a year of professional enrichment in the United States. It covers tuition fees, allowance, accident and health insurance, travel expenses, and more. Around 200 fellowships are awarded annually.

UK & British Commonwealth Government Scholarships:

1. British Chevening Scholarships: The UK government’s Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding scholars from eligible countries for one-year Master’s degrees. Most Chevening Scholarships cover tuition fees, living allowance, airfare to the UK, and additional grants. About 1,500 scholarships are offered globally.
2. UK Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries: These scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who wish to pursue Master’s and PhD studies in the UK. They cover airfare, tuition and examination fees, personal allowance, thesis grant (if applicable), and more. Approximately 300 scholarships are awarded each year.

European Government Scholarships:

1. The Netherlands Orange Knowledge Programme: This program aims to advance the development of individuals and organizations in higher and vocational education and other related fields. Scholarships are available for short courses and Master’s programs. The scholarship is a contribution towards living costs, tuition fees, visa, travel, insurance, etc.
2. Holland Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students: This scholarship is for international students outside the European Economic Area who want to pursue bachelor’s or master’s degrees at Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. The scholarship amounts to €5,000.
3. Belgium Government Scholarships: Belgium offers various scholarships, including the Master Mind Scholarships, which promote the internationalization of Flemish Higher Education. It awards up to 45 scholarships to outstanding Master’s students from all countries. The scholarship provides a maximum of €8,000 per academic year.
4. VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program: This program awards scholarships to students from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue development-related English-taught training or Master’s programs at Belgian universities. The scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, allowance, travel costs, and other program-related expenses.
5. DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (Germany): The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for postgraduate courses with relevance to developing countries at German Universities. The scholarships are targeted at international students from developing countries and cover full or partial support.
6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland): These scholarships provide graduates from around 180 countries with the opportunity to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral research in any academic field at Swiss public-funded universities or recognized institutions. The scholarship covers a monthly allowance, tuition fees, health insurance, lodging allowance, etc.
7. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (Sweden): This scholarship is for highly-qualified international students from developing countries who want to pursue full-time Master’s studies at Swedish Universities. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, some travel grants, and insurance. About 335 scholarships are offered.
8. Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students (Denmark): The Danish Ministry of Education offers scholarships to highly qualified and motivated international students from outside the EU/EEA who wish to pursue full degree higher education programs at participating Danish Universities. The scholarship can be given as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants for living costs.
9. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students (Italy): Italy awards scholarships for various study programs, including University degree courses, Masters, and PhD programs. The scholarships are available for periods of three, six, or nine months.
10. Eiffel Excellence Scholarships (France): The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers the Eiffel scholarship program to attract the best foreign students for Master’s and PhD degree programs in France. The scholarship includes a monthly allowance, return trip, health insurance, and cultural activities but does not cover tuition fees.

Australia and New Zealand Government Scholarships:

1. Australian Awards Scholarships: Formerly known as Australia Development Scholarships (ADS), these scholarships are for international students from selected countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East who wish to study at Australian Universities. They cover various degree programs and offer benefits like full tuition fees, air travel, establishment allowance, living expenses, and health cover.
2. Australia International Postgraduate Research Scholarships: This program enables international students to undertake postgraduate research qualifications in Australia. The scholarship covers tuition fees and health cover costs for Masters or Doctorate by research degrees. Around 330 scholarships are awarded annually.
3. New Zealand International Tertiary Scholarships: These scholarships offer opportunities for students from selected developing countries to study in New Zealand and gain knowledge and skills through postgraduate study in specific subject areas. The scholarships include tuition fees, travel costs, living allowance, and insurance.

Asia Government Scholarships:

1. Japanese Government Scholarships (Japan): Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities as undergraduate and research students. The scholarships cover allowances, travel costs, and school fees.
2. Taiwan Higher Education Scholarship Program (Taiwan): TaiwanICDF provides scholarships for higher education to partner developing countries, covering full tuition fees, housing, airfare, insurance, textbook costs, and a monthly allowance.
3. Turkey Graduate Scholarships for International Students (Turkey): This scholarship program supports successful international students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies in Turkey. The scholarship includes a monthly stipend, full tuition fee, Turkish language course, accommodation, round-trip air ticket, and health insurance.
4. Singapore International Graduate Award (Singapore): This award is for international students with excellent academic results who are interested in pursuing a PhD in Science and Engineering at a Singapore University. It covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, settlement allowance, and airfare grant.
5. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (Hong Kong): The Hong Kong Research Grants Council offers this fellowship to attract outstanding students worldwide for PhD degree programs in Hong Kong’s institutions. The fellowship provides a monthly stipend and a conference and research-related travel allowance.

These government-funded scholarships present incredible opportunities for international students to pursue higher education and contribute to their own personal growth and global development. Whether it’s studying in the US, UK, Australia, Europe, Asia, or New Zealand, these scholarships open doors to diverse cultures, experiences, and knowledge, creating a better world through education.