Top 25 Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Students 2027
Top 25 Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Students 2027 A fully funded master’s degree abroad is not a fantasy reserved for a handful of geniuses. Every year, governments, universities and foundations pay the full tuition, living costs, flights and insurance for tens of thousands of international master’s students — including thousands from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, ... <a title="Top 25 Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Students 2027" class="read-more" href="https://studygraduate.com/scholarship/top-25-fully-funded-scholarships-for-masters-students-2027/" aria-label="Read more about Top 25 Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Students 2027">Read more</a>
📖 Overview
Top 25 Fully Funded Scholarships for Master’s Students 2027
A fully funded master’s degree abroad is not a fantasy reserved for a handful of geniuses. Every year, governments, universities and foundations pay the full tuition, living costs, flights and insurance for tens of thousands of international master’s students — including thousands from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria and Indonesia. The catch is not eligibility. The catch is information: deadlines scattered across 25 different official websites, stipend figures quoted in six currencies, and application windows that open and close while most students are still “thinking about it.” This guide fixes that. Below you will find the 25 strongest fully funded scholarships open to master’s students for 2027 entry, ranked by a combination of funding generosity, openness to international applicants and track record — with verified stipend figures, honest notes on what each scheme does and does not cover, and the typical application window for each one.
A quick definition before the list. On StudyGraduate, “fully funded” means the scholarship covers your tuition fees and provides enough support for basic living costs — through a monthly stipend, a maintenance allowance, or funded accommodation. Where a famous scheme covers tuition and living costs but not flights, or pays a stipend but not tuition (the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is the classic example), we say so plainly in its profile rather than hiding it. Read the fine print in each entry, and always confirm the current cycle’s figures on the official website before you apply — amounts are reviewed annually and a few 2027-cycle pages were not yet published when this guide was verified in October 2026.
If you are still choosing where to study, browse our university directory and the full scholarships directory alongside this list, and compare destinations using the global rankings explorer. Master’s applicants who also plan to continue to a doctorate should cross-check our companion ranking of fully funded PhD scholarships for 2026/2027, because several funders below support both levels.

At a Glance: The 25 Scholarships Compared
| # | Scholarship | Host country / region | What it covers | Typical application window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chevening Scholarship | United Kingdom | Full tuition, monthly stipend, flights, visa and health surcharge | Aug–Oct (2027-28 round closed 6 Oct 2026; next round Aug 2027) |
| 2 | Fulbright Foreign Student Program | United States | Tuition, living stipend, airfare, health insurance (varies by country) | Country deadlines, mostly Feb–May |
| 3 | Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe (2–3 countries) | No tuition charged; €1,400/month for up to 24 months | Oct–Jan, per programme |
| 4 | DAAD EPOS | Germany | €992/month, travel, insurance, rent subsidy possible | Per course, mostly Aug–Oct |
| 5 | Knight-Hennessy Scholars | United States (Stanford) | Full tuition and fees, living stipend, annual travel, up to 3 years | Jun–early Oct |
| 6 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | United Kingdom (Cambridge) | Full fees, maintenance allowance (£22,050/yr in recent cycles), airfare, visa costs | Oct (US round); Dec–Jan (international round) |
| 7 | Rhodes Scholarship | United Kingdom (Oxford) | Full fees, college fees, annual stipend, flights | Jun–Oct, by constituency |
| 8 | Clarendon Scholarship | United Kingdom (Oxford) | Full tuition and college fees, annual living grant | Automatic — apply to Oxford by Dec/Jan deadline |
| 9 | Schwarzman Scholars | China (Tsinghua) | Tuition, room and board, stipend, flights, study tour | Apr–Sep (global track) |
| 10 | MEXT Scholarship (graduate) | Japan | Full tuition, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare | Apr–May (embassy track) |
| 11 | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-G) | South Korea | Full tuition, monthly allowance, airfare, language year, insurance | Feb–Mar |
| 12 | Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC Type A) | China | Tuition, dormitory accommodation, monthly stipend, insurance | Nov–Apr, via agencies/embassies |
| 13 | Australia Awards Scholarships | Australia | Full tuition, living allowance, establishment grant, airfare, health cover | Feb–Apr, by country |
| 14 | Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | United Kingdom | Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, allowances | Oct–Dec |
| 15 | Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships | Commonwealth countries | Full tuition, living stipend, return flights | Two cycles per year |
| 16 | Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | France | €1,200/month for 12–36 months — tuition NOT covered | Oct–Jan, via French institutions only |
| 17 | Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Tuition-free study, monthly stipend, accommodation support, insurance | Nov–mid Jan |
| 18 | Türkiye Burslari (graduate) | Türkiye | Full tuition, monthly stipend, flights, accommodation, Turkish course | Jan–Feb |
| 19 | Swedish Institute Scholarship | Sweden | Full tuition, monthly living payment, travel grant, insurance | Oct (admission) / Feb (scholarship) |
| 20 | Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | New Zealand | Full tuition, living allowance, establishment allowance, airfare, insurance | Feb–Mar, by country |
| 21 | ADB–Japan Scholarship Program | Asia-Pacific institutions | Full tuition, monthly subsistence, housing, books, insurance, airfare | Per institution |
| 22 | Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship | Partner universities worldwide | Tuition, monthly living stipend, airfare, health insurance | Two windows, Jan–May |
| 23 | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Partner universities globally | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, laptop, flights (varies by partner) | Per partner university |
| 24 | Rotary Peace Fellowship | Peace centers in 5+ countries | Tuition, room and board, round-trip transport, internship costs | Feb–mid May |
| 25 | Yenching Academy Scholarship | China (Peking University) | Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, round-trip travel | Aug–Dec, by application pool |
Who Is Eligible for These Scholarships?
Eligibility differs by funder, but master’s applicants who win these awards usually share a common profile. You will normally need: (1) a completed bachelor’s degree before the programme starts — final-year students may apply to most schemes if graduation is confirmed before enrolment; (2) strong academic results, typically a first-class or upper-second-class degree, or a GPA around 3.0–3.5/4.0 and above, though Chevening and Türkiye Burslari weigh leadership and work experience more heavily than a perfect transcript; (3) citizenship of an eligible country — government schemes such as Australia Awards, Manaaki and Commonwealth Scholarships are restricted to partner-country lists, while Erasmus Mundus, Knight-Hennessy and Schwarzman are open to almost all nationalities; (4) English proficiency where the programme requires it — some funders (Erasmus Mundus programmes, GKS) set their own test rules, and GKS famously does not require Korean or English scores at application, though bonus points apply; and (5) for DAAD EPOS and JJ/WBGSP, relevant professional experience — EPOS generally expects at least two years of post-degree work experience, and the World Bank programme requires development-related employment. Age limits exist on some schemes (GKS graduate applicants must be under 40; Schwarzman applicants must be 18–28), so check the entry that interests you before investing months in an application.
The Top 25 Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships, Ranked
1. Chevening Scholarship — United Kingdom
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s flagship award funds a one-year taught master’s at any UK university, in any subject. It pays full tuition, a monthly stipend set by region, return airfare, an arrival allowance, the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge — genuinely full funding. Chevening selects on leadership and networking potential, not grades alone, and requires at least 2,800 hours of post-degree work experience. The 2027-28 application round closed on 6 October 2026; the next round is expected to open in August 2027 for 2028-29 entry. Read our dedicated Chevening Scholarship profile and verify dates at chevening.org.
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program — United States
Fulbright enables graduate students from around 160 countries to study a master’s in the United States, with funding administered by binational commissions or US embassies in each country. The package typically covers tuition and fees, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare and health insurance, though the exact mix varies by country programme. Competition is intense and country deadlines mostly fall between February and May for the following year’s start. Because eligibility and fields differ sharply by country (some commissions restrict subjects or require years of work experience), your single most important step is reading your own country’s Fulbright page carefully. See our Fulbright Program overview for how the system works.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Europe
Erasmus Mundus is unlike any other scheme on this list: you do not apply for a scholarship in the abstract, you apply to a specific joint master’s programme run by a consortium of European universities, and the scholarship comes with it. You study in at least two countries and graduate with a joint or multiple degree. Scholarship holders pay no tuition or participation costs and receive €1,400 per month for up to 24 months to cover travel, visa, installation and living costs, per the Erasmus+ Programme Guide. You may apply to up to three programmes in the catalogue (check each programme’s own rule), with most deadlines between October and January. Details: our Erasmus Mundus profile and the official catalogue via erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu.
4. DAAD EPOS Scholarship — Germany
Germany’s EPOS programme funds master’s (and some doctoral) study on a defined list of development-related courses taught in English or German at German universities. The verified current payment is €992 per month for master’s students (the older €934 figure still circulating online is superseded), plus health, accident and personal liability insurance, a travel allowance, and possible rent and family supplements. EPOS is designed for professionals: applicants generally need a bachelor’s completed within the last six years and at least two years of relevant work experience. Deadlines are set by each course, mostly between August and October. Start with our DAAD Scholarship guide and the official database at daad.de.
5. Knight-Hennessy Scholars — Stanford University, USA
Knight-Hennessy funds graduate study in any Stanford school — master’s, JD, MD, MBA and PhD alike — for up to three years. It covers full tuition and associated fees, a living and academic stipend (room, board, books, transport, personal expenses), an annual economy travel stipend and a one-time relocation grant; exact stipend amounts are set yearly and published by Stanford rather than fixed in the call. You apply to Knight-Hennessy and to your Stanford degree separately, and you must have earned your bachelor’s within the eligibility window stated on the official site. The 2027-cohort Knight-Hennessy application closed in early October 2026. Official details: knight-hennessy.stanford.edu; see also the Stanford University profile and our Knight-Hennessy profile.
6. Gates Cambridge Scholarship — University of Cambridge, UK
Funded by the Gates Foundation, this award covers the full cost of postgraduate study at Cambridge: the University Composition Fee (tuition) at the correct rate, a maintenance allowance (£22,050 for 12 months in the 2026-27 cycle — confirm the 2027-28 rate on the official site), one economy airfare, inbound visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge, plus discretionary academic development and family allowances. Around 80 scholars are selected yearly, split between a US round (mid-October deadline) and an international round (December or January, depending on course). Selection weighs outstanding intellectual ability, reasons for choosing the course, commitment to improving others’ lives and leadership potential. Our profile: Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
7. Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford, UK
The world’s oldest international scholarship funds postgraduate study at Oxford — including master’s degrees such as the BPhil, MPhil and MSc — for two to three years depending on the degree path. It pays all university and college fees, an annual stipend covering living expenses in Oxford (the 2025-26 stipend was in the region of £19,000 per year; the Trust publishes the new rate each cycle), an economy flight to and from Oxford, and visa and health surcharge costs. Rhodes is constituency-based: you apply through your country or regional constituency, each with its own deadline between June and October, and some require institutional endorsement or nomination. Character, leadership and commitment to service count alongside academics — a pure grades-only application rarely succeeds.
8. Clarendon Scholarship — University of Oxford, UK
Clarendon is the low-effort, high-value entry on this list: there is no separate scholarship application. Apply to Oxford for a master’s (or DPhil) by the December or January funding deadline and you are automatically considered. Around 200 new scholarships are awarded each year across all subjects; the award covers tuition and college fees in full plus a grant for living expenses for the fee-liability period of your course. Because selection is driven by academic excellence and potential as judged by departments, the strongest lever you control is the quality of your Oxford application itself — references, research fit (for research degrees) and your statement. Pair this with the University of Oxford profile when shortlisting courses.
9. Schwarzman Scholars — Tsinghua University, China
A one-year, fully residential Master of Global Affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University — designed, Rhodes-style, to prepare future leaders to understand China’s role in the world. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board in the college, round-trip airfare to Beijing, a study tour within China, books and supplies, a laptop, health insurance and a personal stipend. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, be 18–28 years old at enrolment, and demonstrate leadership potential and entrepreneurial spirit; no Chinese language skill is required and teaching is in English. Roughly 150 scholars are chosen annually from a global pool through a September deadline for non-Chinese applicants (the 2026 global deadline was 10 September). Official site: schwarzmanscholars.org.
10. MEXT Scholarship (University Recommendation and Embassy) — Japan
Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) scholarship for graduate students covers full tuition at a Japanese national or partner university, a monthly stipend (research and master’s students receive roughly ¥144,000–¥145,000 per month in recent schedules — confirm the current schedule, as MEXT revises amounts), a round-trip economy airfare, and regional supplemental allowances. Most applicants use the embassy track: applications open around April–May through the Japanese embassy in your country, followed by written exams and interviews. A university-recommendation track runs later in the year through Japanese universities directly. No Japanese language ability is required at application, and six months of funded language training is available where needed.
11. Global Korea Scholarship — Graduate (GKS-G) — South Korea
Korea’s NIIED-run GKS is one of the most complete packages anywhere: full tuition, round-trip airfare, a funded year of Korean language training, health insurance and an all-inclusive monthly allowance — KRW 1.38 million per month for graduate degree students under the 2026 GKS-G schedule (rates are reset in each year’s guidelines, so confirm the 2027 figures on the Study in Korea portal). You apply via the embassy track (up to three university choices) or the university track (one choice) — never both. Graduate applications typically open in February. Applicants need a GPA equivalent to 80% or top-20% standing and must be under 40. Official portal: studyinkorea.go.kr.
12. Chinese Government Scholarship, Type A (CSC) — China
Type A is the bilateral-programme route of the China Scholarship Council awards, applied for through Chinese embassies and dispatching agencies (Type B is applied for through universities). A full Type A award covers tuition, free university dormitory accommodation (or an accommodation subsidy), comprehensive medical insurance and a monthly stipend — CNY 3,000 per month for master’s students under the standard CSC schedule. Programmes are available in English and Chinese (a funded Chinese preparatory year is possible). Application windows run roughly from November to April depending on the agency. Because agency quotas and eligible universities change annually, treat any third-party “guaranteed CSC” offer with suspicion — the official route costs nothing.

13. Australia Awards Scholarships — Australia
Australia’s long-running development scholarship funds master’s study at Australian universities for citizens of partner countries across the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The package is comprehensive: full tuition, a living allowance, an establishment allowance, return airfare, Overseas Student Health Cover, and an introductory academic programme. In exchange, scholars must return home for at least two years after graduating — this is a development scholarship, not a migration pathway, and the return condition is enforced. Applications usually open in February and close at the end of April, with country-specific eligibility (some countries are coursework-master’s only). See our Australia Awards profile and check partner-country lists on the official Australia Awards site before assuming you qualify.
14. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships — United Kingdom
Offered by the UK Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for candidates from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford UK study. The award covers approved airfare, full tuition fees, a monthly stipend (£1,378 per month, or £1,690 in London, under the 2025-26 rates — new rates are published with each call), a warm clothing allowance, child allowance where applicable and a thesis grant. These scholarships are themed around development impact, and most require nomination through your country’s nominating agency. Applications typically open in October and close in December. Our Commonwealth Scholarship guide explains the nomination routes.
15. Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) — Commonwealth countries
QECS funds two-year master’s degrees in low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries other than your own — think Fiji, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Mauritius and other rotating hosts — building south–south academic mobility. The award covers full tuition, a living stipend for the duration, return economy flights, an arrival allowance and a research support grant on application. There are two application cycles each year, and the host universities and subjects change between cycles, so timing matters more than long-range planning here. Applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country and apply for a master’s at a listed host university in another Commonwealth state.
16. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — France
Eiffel is prestigious but frequently misunderstood: it pays a monthly allowance — €1,200 per month at master’s level from January 2026, for 12 to 36 months — plus national and international transport support, insurance and housing assistance, but it does not pay tuition fees. In practice, many Eiffel scholars attend public universities where international tuition is modest, or negotiate fee arrangements with their institution, which is why it still belongs on a “fully funded” shortlist for France — but budget honestly. You cannot apply directly: French higher-education institutions select and submit candidates, with files due to Campus France by January. Plan to contact your target institution by October–November.
17. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary
Hungary’s government scholarship, run by the Tempus Public Foundation with partner sending countries, funds master’s study across a wide course list. It provides tuition-free education, a monthly stipend (HUF 43,700 per month for master’s students under recent schedules), a monthly accommodation contribution or free dormitory housing, and medical insurance. The stipend alone is lean by Western European standards, but combined with free tuition and housing support in a lower-cost country it functions as full funding for most students. Applications run from November to mid-January through the online portal, and you must also be nominated through your home country’s sending partner.
18. Türkiye Burslari — Graduate — Türkiye
Türkiye Scholarships is a single-application government scheme: one form covers university placement and the scholarship together for master’s programmes across Turkish universities. The graduate package includes full tuition, a monthly stipend (TRY 6,500 per month for master’s students under the 2025 schedule — amounts are updated in each call), free accommodation, a one-year Turkish language course, a round-trip flight and health insurance. Applications are accepted in a single window, usually 10 January to 20 February, and the process includes interviews in many countries. Because placement is part of the award, list your university preferences strategically rather than clustering all choices on two Istanbul flagships.
19. Swedish Institute Scholarship — Sweden
The Swedish Institute funds master’s study in Sweden for professionals from a list of eligible countries (which has included Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya and others — the list changes, so check the current cycle). It covers full tuition paid directly to the university, a monthly living allowance (SEK 12,000 per month in recent cycles), a one-time travel grant and insurance; membership of the SI Network for Global Professionals is part of the package. You must first apply for SI-eligible master’s programmes through Sweden’s central admissions (mid-October to mid-January) and then submit the scholarship application in February. Documented leadership experience through work or civil society is required.
20. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships — New Zealand
New Zealand’s MFAT-funded Manaaki scholarships support postgraduate study (including master’s) for citizens of eligible partner countries in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Full funding means: full tuition, a living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical and travel insurance, tutoring support and return airfare — with scholars expected to return home and contribute to their country’s development. Applications typically open in February–March with country-specific windows and priority sectors (climate, food security, governance, renewable energy feature heavily). Shortlisting includes interviews, and partner-country eligibility genuinely changes between cycles — verify before preparing documents.
21. ADB–Japan Scholarship Program — Asia-Pacific
The Asian Development Bank, financed by Japan, funds master’s degrees in economics, management, science and technology and other development fields at designated institutions across the Asia-Pacific (including universities in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand and the USA (Hawaii)). It covers full tuition, a monthly subsistence and housing allowance, books and instructional materials, medical insurance and travel expenses. Applicants must be citizens of an ADB borrowing member country, under 35, with at least two years of full-time professional experience, and must agree to return home after study. Applications are made through the institutions, whose deadlines vary across the year.
22. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) — Worldwide
This programme funds citizens of eligible developing countries to study development-related master’s programmes at a defined list of “preferred” and “partner” universities in the US, Europe, Japan, Australia and Africa. It covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare and basic medical insurance. Eligibility is demanding and specific: you need a bachelor’s degree earned at least three years before the application deadline, recent development-related professional experience (three years paid work is the benchmark), and an unconditional offer from a participating programme. There are two application windows (roughly January–February and March–May). It rewards applicants whose careers are already in development — current students and recent graduates should look elsewhere on this list.
23. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — Partner universities worldwide
The Mastercard Foundation partners with universities in Africa, North America and Europe (including McGill, Sciences Po, the University of Edinburgh and African universities such as Makerere and Ashesi) to fund academically talented, economically disadvantaged young people through master’s degrees. Support typically includes tuition, accommodation, a stipend, books, a laptop, flights and mentoring, but the package and the application route are set by each partner university — there is no single central application. Master’s eligibility varies by partner (some partners are undergraduate-only). Start from the Foundation’s partner list, then apply through the university’s own Scholars Program page.
24. Rotary Peace Fellowship — Peace centres worldwide
Each year Rotary selects peace and development professionals for a fully funded master’s degree at one of its university peace centres (including Duke/UNC in the USA, Uppsala, Bradford, Queensland and Makerere). The fellowship covers tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation and all internship and field-study expenses. It is not for fresh graduates: candidates need at least three years of relevant work experience (five for the strongest files) and must commit to peace and development work after graduation. Applications run from February to mid-May for the following academic year, endorsed through a local Rotary district. If your master’s goal is conflict resolution, international relations or development practice, this is one of the best-funded routes in existence.
25. Yenching Academy Scholarship — Peking University, China
The Yenching Academy offers a fully funded, interdisciplinary Master in China Studies at Peking University, taught in English and residential in the Yenching residential college. All admitted international students receive the Yenching Fellowship covering tuition, accommodation in the college, a monthly stipend, round-trip travel to Beijing and study-related expenses. The cohort mixes Chinese and international graduates from all disciplines; selection values academic excellence, leadership and curiosity about China from multiple disciplinary angles. Application windows differ by whether you apply through a partner university (often autumn deadlines) or directly, so check the Academy’s current timetable. For applicants targeting China expertise plus an elite cohort network, it is Schwarzman’s natural sibling — and applying to both is common.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Strategy for 25 Different Schemes
You cannot — and should not — apply to all 25. The winning approach is a portfolio: pick five to eight scholarships that match your level, nationality, field and work history, and run them as one organised campaign.
- Filter by eligibility first (Week 1). Strike out every scheme whose nationality list, age limit, work-experience rule or degree requirement excludes you. This step alone usually halves the list.
- Secure the university side (Weeks 1–4). Many schemes (Knight-Hennessy, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon, Swedish Institute, Eiffel) require a university application or admission offer in parallel. Note each degree deadline — funding deadlines are meaningless if you miss the course deadline.
- Build a master document folder (Weeks 2–6). Transcripts, degree certificate, passport, CV, English test scores and two or three adaptable recommendation letters cover 90% of every application. Get certified translations and attestations done once.
- Write one core essay, then tailor it (Weeks 4–8). Your study rationale, leadership story and post-degree plan form one core narrative. Adapt its emphasis per funder: Chevening wants leadership and networking; Commonwealth and Australia Awards want development impact and return-home plans; Erasmus Mundus wants programme fit and mobility motivation.
- Submit early and log everything (ongoing). Portals crash on deadline day every year. Submit at least a week early, save confirmation emails, and track each application in a simple spreadsheet or our study-abroad tools.
- Prepare for interviews (post-shortlisting). Chevening, Türkiye Burslari, MEXT and Australia Awards all interview. Rehearse out loud: why this course, why this country, what you will do afterwards, and what you will do if not selected.
Required Documents (Typical Set)
- Valid passport (photo page) — many embassies require 6+ months validity beyond travel.
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and full transcripts (with certified English translation where needed).
- CV/resume in the funder’s preferred format (Europass for several European schemes).
- Personal statement / statement of purpose, tailored per scheme.
- Two academic or professional recommendation letters on letterhead, signed.
- English proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEFL) where the university or scheme requires them.
- Study plan or research outline (required by GKS, CSC, MEXT and Türkiye Burslari).
- Work-experience certificates (essential for Chevening, EPOS, JJ/WBGSP and Rotary).
- Medical certificate and police clearance — usually only after selection (GKS, CSC, MEXT require them at later stages).
Deadlines and Timeline for the 2027 Cycle
| Period | What happens | Schemes to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Oct–Nov 2026 | European and UK funding deadlines cluster; Oxford/Cambridge funding deadlines approach | Erasmus Mundus programmes open; Gates Cambridge US round (Oct); Stipendium Hungaricum opens (Nov) |
| Dec 2026–Jan 2027 | Peak deadline season | Clarendon (Oxford course deadline), Gates international round, Eiffel files due, Swedish admissions close, Türkiye Burslari opens |
| Feb–Mar 2027 | Spring government-scheme windows | GKS-G opens, Australia Awards open, Manaaki opens, Rotary Peace opens, Fulbright country deadlines |
| Apr–May 2027 | Late windows and embassy tracks | MEXT embassy applications, JJ/WBGSP window 2, Fulbright late country deadlines |
| Jun–Oct 2027 | Next-cycle flagship rounds | Knight-Hennessy and Chevening open for 2028 entry; Schwarzman global deadline (Sep); Rhodes constituency deadlines |
Note on 2027 dates: where a funder had not yet published its 2027-cycle calendar when this guide was verified (21 October 2026), the windows above reflect the most recent completed cycle — the pattern is stable year to year, but always confirm the exact closing date on the official site. If you are comparing options across levels, see the master list of top 50 fully funded scholarships for international students 2027.
How to Improve Your Chances
Match before you write. Selection panels reject most applications on fit, not quality. If a scheme funds development professionals, a brilliant application from a fresh graduate still fails. Tell one coherent story. Your past work, chosen course and post-degree plan should read as one line, not three unrelated ambitions. Quantify leadership. “Led a team” is weak; “trained 14 volunteers, raised a budget, served 300 students” is evidence. Choose referees who know your work. A famous professor who barely knows you writes a generic letter; a supervisor who can cite specifics writes a winning one. Respect the return-home logic. Development scholarships (Australia Awards, Commonwealth, Manaaki) fund you to build capacity at home — an essay about settling abroad is disqualifying. Proofread like an editor. Spelling errors in the first paragraph quietly signal carelessness to every panel. Finally, apply to a portfolio, not a single dream: five well-matched applications outperform one perfect one.
Common Mistakes That Kill Applications
- Applying to both GKS tracks (embassy and university) in the same cycle — NIIED cross-checks and disqualifies.
- Missing the university deadline while chasing the scholarship deadline (fatal for Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford and Swedish Institute routes).
- Copy-pasting one essay everywhere — panels spot generic text instantly, and naming the wrong funder or country is an automatic rejection story that recurs every year.
- Claiming Eiffel or similar stipend schemes “pay tuition” in your budget plan and arriving underfunded.
- Ignoring the work-experience arithmetic — Chevening counts hours (2,800); EPOS and JJ/WBGSP count post-degree years. Compute yours before applying.
- Paying agents who “guarantee” government scholarships. Every scheme on this list is free to apply for through official channels. A guarantee is a scam marker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for several of these scholarships at the same time?
Yes — with narrow exceptions (GKS forbids dual-track applications within its own scheme, and some government scholarships require you to decline other government awards if selected). Running a portfolio of five to eight applications is the strategy most successful scholars actually used.
Which fully funded master’s scholarship is the easiest to get?
None is easy, but competition ratios differ. Single-university and regional schemes (Stipendium Hungaricum, Türkiye Burslari, QECS, partner-university Mastercard awards) receive far fewer applications per place than Chevening, Rhodes or Gates Cambridge. “Less famous” is often the smarter target.
Do I need IELTS for all of these?
No. Requirements sit with the university or programme, not always the funder. GKS requires no language test at application; many Erasmus Mundus programmes accept different proofs of English; German EPOS courses taught in English set their own scores. Never assume — check the specific course page.
I graduated this year. Am I eligible without work experience?
For Erasmus Mundus, Knight-Hennessy, Gates Cambridge, Schwarzman, GKS, MEXT and Stipendium Hungaricum, yes. For Chevening (2,800 work hours), DAAD EPOS, JJ/WBGSP and Rotary Peace Fellowship, work experience is a formal requirement — target them after two to three years of employment.
Does “fully funded” include flights and visa costs?
Usually, but not always. Chevening, Commonwealth, Australia Awards and Türkiye Burslari explicitly cover flights and visa/health charges. Erasmus Mundus folds travel into the €1,400 monthly allowance. Eiffel covers transport support but not tuition. The per-scheme profiles above state the position for each award.
Can I bring my family on a fully funded master’s?
Some schemes pay dependant allowances (Commonwealth offers child allowances; DAAD EPOS can add family supplements), but most do not fund partners. Visa rules for dependants also tightened in the UK for taught master’s students. Budget and check immigration rules separately from scholarship rules.
What GPA do I realistically need?
For the prestige university awards (Rhodes, Gates, Knight-Hennessy), a first-class degree or GPA near the top of your cohort is the norm. For government development schemes, a solid upper-second-class record combined with work experience and impact regularly beats a perfect transcript with no story.
When should I start preparing for 2028 entry?
Now. Chevening and Knight-Hennessy open in mid/late 2027 for 2028 entry, but transcripts, references and English tests take months. Starting document preparation 9–12 months before deadlines is the single biggest advantage you can give yourself.
Sources & Verification
Figures in this guide were checked in October 2026 against official sources, including: Chevening (chevening.org); the Erasmus+ Programme Guide and programme pages via the European Commission (erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu) and consortium pages (Erasmus Mundus €1,400/month); DAAD (daad.de) for EPOS €992/month; Knight-Hennessy Scholars (knight-hennessy.stanford.edu); Gates Cambridge (gatescambridge.org); Schwarzman Scholars (schwarzmanscholars.org); Campus France Eiffel guidance (€1,200/month master’s from January 2026; tuition excluded); the Study in Korea portal (studyinkorea.go.kr) for GKS allowances; the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission rate schedules; and the official programme pages of the Rhodes Trust, MEXT, Australia Awards, Tempus Public Foundation, Türkiye Scholarships, the Swedish Institute, MFAT Manaaki, ADB, the World Bank, Rotary and the Yenching Academy. Where a 2027-cycle figure had not been published, the most recent verified cycle is labelled as such in the text.
Disclaimer: Scholarship amounts, deadlines and eligibility rules change every cycle. Always confirm details on the official scholarship website before applying. StudyGraduate is an independent information portal, not an agent or agency, and cannot guarantee selection, admission or visa approval for any programme.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Check the official website for full eligibility criteria for your country
🎁 Benefits
- See the official website for the complete list of benefits
⚙️ Application Process
- 1Check your eligibility on the official site
- 2Prepare your documents and statements
- 3Submit the online application before the deadline
- 4Complete interviews or assessments if shortlisted
- 5Await the final selection announcement
📅 Important Dates
Deadlines vary by country and intake. Check the official website for country-specific dates.
📄 Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Academic transcripts & certificates
- Statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- CV / resume
Commonly required — confirm the exact list on the official site.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions

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