List of Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe for International Students

Studying in Europe is a dream for many international students, but financial barriers often stand in the way. Fortunately, Europe offers a wide range of fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, monthly living expenses, travel costs, and health insurance. These scholarships are funded by governments, universities, and international organizations and are available for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs.

Below is a carefully selected list of 50 fully funded scholarships in Europe that are among the most popular and trusted by international students.

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Scholarship

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Scholarship allows international students to study a master’s program across multiple European countries with full financial support. It is one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships in Europe.

Summary:

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships in Europe. It allows students to study a joint master’s degree across two or more European universities with full financial support.

2. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

The DAAD Scholarship is funded by the German government and supports international students pursuing master’s and PhD degrees in Germany. Most public universities offer tuition-free education under this program.

Summary:

The DAAD Scholarship supports international students who wish to study in Germany. It is widely known for covering living costs and offering access to top public universities.

3. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is offered by the French government to attract high-achieving international students to French institutions for master’s and doctoral studies.

Summary:

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship aims to attract top international talent to French institutions and provides generous financial support during the study period.

4. Chevening Scholarship (UK)

Chevening is a fully funded UK government scholarship designed for future leaders pursuing a one-year master’s degree in the UK.

Summary:

Chevening is a globally recognized UK government scholarship designed for future leaders and professionals from around the world.

5. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals

This scholarship supports students who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to sustainable development while studying in Sweden.

Summary:

This scholarship supports students who demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to sustainable development.

6. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship promotes international research exchange and supports students pursuing research, PhD, or postdoctoral studies in Switzerland.

Summary:

The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship promotes international research collaboration in Switzerland.

7. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Hungary)

The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship allows students to study in Hungary with full financial support across bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs.

Summary:

This scholarship allows students to study in Hungary with full financial support provided by the government.

8. Turkiye Burslari Scholarship (Turkey)

Turkiye Burslari is a comprehensive government-funded scholarship covering all major expenses for international students in Turkey.

Summary:

Turkiye Burslari is one of the most comprehensive fully funded scholarship programs in the region.

9. Netherlands NL Scholarship (Netherlands)

The Holland NL Scholarship is funded by the Dutch government and universities to support non-EU students starting their studies in the Netherlands.

Summary:

The Holland Scholarship helps reduce the financial burden for students starting studies in the Netherlands.

10. Orange Tulip Scholarship (Netherlands)

The Orange Tulip Scholarship helps talented students from selected countries study at Dutch universities.

Summary:

This scholarship is designed to attract talented students from specific regions.

11. Italian Government MAECI Scholarship

The MAECI Scholarship supports international students pursuing higher education and research in Italy.

Summary:

The MAECI Scholarship supports international students pursuing higher education in Italy.

12. University of Bologna Scholarship (Italy)

This scholarship supports talented international students studying at the University of Bologna.

Summary:

This scholarship helps talented students study at one of Europe’s oldest universities.

13. University of Padova Scholarship (Italy)

The University of Padova offers competitive scholarships to attract international students to its English-taught programs.

Summary:

Padova offers competitive scholarships for high-achieving international students.

14. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship (Switzerland)

ETH Zurich offers excellence scholarships to outstanding students enrolled in its master’s programs.

Summary:

ETH Zurich is one of Europe’s top universities offering generous scholarships to outstanding students.

15. EPFL Excellence Fellowship (Switzerland)

This fellowship supports academically excellent students pursuing master’s programs at EPFL.

Summary:

This fellowship supports academically excellent students studying at EPFL.

16. KU Leuven Scholarship (Belgium)

KU Leuven offers scholarships to international students pursuing advanced master’s degrees.

Summary:

KU Leuven provides scholarships to attract global talent.

17. VLIR-UOS Scholarship (Belgium)

VLIR-UOS supports students from developing countries studying development-related programs in Belgium.

Summary:

VLIR-UOS supports education that contributes to sustainable development.

18. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship supports outstanding postgraduate students studying at the University of Cambridge.

Summary:

This scholarship is among the most prestigious in the world.

19. Rhodes Scholarship (UK)

The Rhodes Scholarship enables students to study at the University of Oxford with full financial support.

Summary:

The Rhodes Scholarship focuses on leadership and service.

20. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)

The Commonwealth Scholarship supports students from eligible countries to study in Europe.

Summary:

This scholarship promotes international cooperation and development.

21. University of Helsinki Scholarship (Finland)

This scholarship supports international students enrolling in master’s programs at the University of Helsinki.

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22. Aalto University Scholarship (Finland)

Aalto University offers scholarships to talented international students in engineering, design, and business.

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23. Denmark Government Scholarship

The Danish government offers scholarships to non-EU students studying at Danish universities.

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24. Norwegian BI Presidential Government Scholarships

Norway offers tuition-free education at public universities for international students.

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25. University of Ghent Scholarship

Ghent University offers scholarships masters and PhD studies.

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26. University of Luxembourg Scholarship

The University of Luxembourg offers financial support to international master’s students.

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27. University of Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to high-achieving international students at the University of Amsterdam.

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28. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship

Leiden University offers excellence scholarships to outstanding international students.

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29. Maastricht University High Potential Scholarship

This scholarship supports excellent students pursuing master’s programs at Maastricht University.

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30. University of Bristol Scholarship

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31. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

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32. Humboldt Research Fellowship (Germany)

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33. Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Scholarship (Germany)

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34. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship (Germany)

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35. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship (Germany)

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36. University of Geneva Scholarship (Switzerland)

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37. Sorbonne Excellence Scholarship (France)

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38. Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship (France)

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39. University of Milan Scholarship (Italy)

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40. University of Pisa DSU Scholarship (Italy)

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41. University of Granada Scholarship (Spain)

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42. Spanish Government Scholarship

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43. Portuguese Government Scholarship

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44. University of Porto Scholarship

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45. University of Vienna Scholarship (Austria)

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46. Austria Government Scholarship

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47. University of Warsaw Scholarship (Poland)

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48. Polish Government Scholarship

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49. University of Tartu Scholarship (Estonia)

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50. Estonian Government Scholarship

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Can international students get fully funded scholarships in Europe?

Yes, many European countries offer fully funded scholarships for international students. These scholarships usually cover tuition fees, monthly living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes travel costs. Examples include Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, Chevening, and Swedish Institute Scholarships.

Which European country offers the most scholarships for international students?

Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands offer the highest number of scholarships for international students. Germany is especially popular due to tuition-free public universities and DAAD-funded programs.

Are European scholarships available for bachelor’s students?

Yes, some European scholarships are available for bachelor’s students, such as Stipendium Hungaricum, Turkiye Burslari, and selected university-based scholarships. However, most fully funded opportunities are more common at the master’s and PhD levels.

Do I need IELTS to get a scholarship in Europe?

Not always. Many universities accept alternative English proficiency proofs such as a previous degree taught in English or internal language assessments. Some scholarships and universities also waive IELTS depending on your academic background.

What are the basic requirements to apply for scholarships in Europe?

Common requirements include academic transcripts, a motivation letter, recommendation letters, CV, and proof of language proficiency. Some scholarships may also require work experience or research proposals.

Is studying in Europe free for international students?

In some countries like Germany and Norway, public universities offer tuition-free education. However, students still need to cover living expenses unless they receive a fully funded scholarship.

What is the best scholarship in Europe for master’s students?

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees Scholarship is considered one of the best scholarships in Europe for master’s students. It allows students to study in multiple European countries with full financial support.

Can I work while studying in Europe on a scholarship?

Yes, most European countries allow international students to work part-time while studying. The number of allowed working hours varies by country and visa regulations.

How much bank balance is required to study in Europe without a scholarship?

The required bank balance depends on the country. On average, students may need between €8,000 to €12,000 per year to cover living expenses if they do not have a scholarship.

Are scholarships in Europe based on merit or financial need?

Both types exist. Some scholarships are purely merit-based, while others consider financial need, leadership qualities, or country-specific eligibility. Many programs use a combination of these criteria.

When should I apply for European scholarships?

Most European scholarships open between October and March for the following academic year. It is recommended to start preparing documents at least 6–8 months in advance.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously. However, some fully funded programs may not allow you to hold more than one scholarship at the same time.

Which European scholarships do not require application fees?

Many government-funded scholarships such as DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Stipendium Hungaricum, and Turkiye Burslari do not charge any application fees.

Is Europe good for international students?

Yes, Europe is one of the best destinations for international students due to high-quality education, affordable or free tuition, cultural diversity, and strong post-study work opportunities.

Can I get permanent residence in Europe after studying?

Many European countries offer post-study work visas that can lead to long-term residence and permanent settlement, depending on employment and residency duration.

What are the cheapest European countries for international students?

Countries like Germany, Hungary, Poland, Italy, and Portugal are considered among the most affordable European study destinations, especially with scholarships or tuition-free options.

Can I study in Europe in English?

Yes, thousands of bachelor’s and master’s programs across Europe are taught entirely in English, especially at the master’s and PhD levels.

What documents are required for a European student visa?

Typically, you need an admission letter, proof of financial means or scholarship, passport, health insurance, accommodation details, and visa application form.

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Ehsan Mazhar

Ehsan Mazhar is a leading writer at EU Scholarships, specializing in international scholarships, study abroad guidance, and academic resources for global students.

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