Governments in industrialized countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Europe, offer government-funded scholarships to excellent overseas students as part of their commitment to international development cooperation and educational system internationalization.
1. United States Government Scholarships
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Program grants full scholarships to international students from 155 countries seeking to pursue a Master’s or PhD degree in the United States. Scholarships may also be granted for non-degree postgraduate studies. The grant covers tuition, textbooks, air tickets, a living stipend, and health insurance. Every year, more than 1,800 scholarships are available.
- Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program provides a year of professional growth in the United States to experienced professionals from select countries around the world. The fellowship covers tuition, allowances, accident and health insurance, travel expenses, and other benefits. Approximately 200 fellowships are awarded each year.
2. British Commonwealth Government Scholarships
- British Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships, the UK government’s global scholarship programme, are awarded to outstanding scholars from Chevening-eligible countries worldwide. Awards are usually for one-year Master’s degrees. Most Chevening Scholarships include schooling, a fixed-rate living stipend (for one person), economy class return flights to the UK, and additional monies to cover necessary expenses. There are more than 1500 scholarships available worldwide.
- UK Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries
Commonwealth Scholarships are intended for students from developing Commonwealth countries who want to attend Master’s and PhD programs in the United Kingdom. Each scholarship includes airfare to and from the United Kingdom, tuition and examination fees, personal living expenses, thesis awards (if applicable), and an initial arrival allowance, among other benefits. Every year, around 300 of these scholarships are awarded.
3. European Government Scholarships
The Netherlands
- Holland Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students
The Holland Scholarship, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, is for international students outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to study a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a Dutch research university or university of applied sciences in Holland.The scholarship amounts to €5,000.
Belgium
- Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships for International Students
The Flemish government has created a new scholarship program dubbed Master Mind Scholarships, which aims to promote globalization in Flemish higher education. It offers up to 45 scholarships to outstanding Master’s students from around the world. Every academic year, the new student is granted a scholarship worth up to €8,000. The Flemish Host Institution may charge the applicant a maximum tuition fee of €109 per year.
Germany
- DAAD Scholarships for Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships for a wide range of postgraduate courses at German universities that are especially useful to developing countries. The scholarships are primarily intended for international students and young professionals from developing countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Central and South America, and Central and Eastern Europe. The DAAD fellowship grants full or partial support for selected programmes.
Switzerland
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships enable graduates from over 180 countries to do doctoral or postdoctoral research in any academic area at a publicly funded university or recognized institution in Switzerland. The scholarship provides a monthly allowance, tuition, health insurance, housing, and other benefits.
Denmark
- Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students
Every year, the Danish Ministry of Education awards a number of 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 could take the form of full or partial tuition exemptions, as well as grants to cover living expenses.
Italy
- Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
The Italian government offers scholarships for study in Italy to both foreign residents and Italian nationals who live abroad. Scholarships are provided for university degree programs, advanced vocational training, art and music courses, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs, among others. Scholarships are only available for three, six, and nine months.
France
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
The Eiffel scholarship program was established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist French higher education institutions in attracting the best overseas students for master’s and PhD programs. Eiffel scholarship recipients are given a monthly allowance as well as compensation for expenses including travel, health insurance, and cultural events. It excludes tuition expenditures.
