Studying for a master’s degree abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars once you add tuition, accommodation, food, flights, insurance, and everyday expenses. For international students, finding a scholarship that covers more than just tuition can therefore make the difference between studying abroad and putting the plan on hold.
Fortunately, there are fully funded scholarships for international students that can cover tuition fees and provide financial support for living expenses, travel, accommodation, insurance, and other study-related costs.
Some scholarships provide accommodation directly, while others give students a monthly stipend that is designed to cover accommodation and living costs. The exact package varies by country, program, university, and year.
Below are 20 major fully funded or full-cost scholarship opportunities worth researching if you want to pursue a master’s degree abroad.
Important: Scholarship benefits, eligibility rules, deadlines, and participating countries can change. Always verify the current requirements on the official scholarship website before applying.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships — Europe
Study destination: Multiple European countries
Degree: Master’s
Funding: Participation costs, living allowance, travel and visa support
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program is one of the most attractive options for students who want to study in Europe.
Instead of studying at only one university, students may study at several universities in different countries as part of a joint master’s program.
Scholarships can cover participation costs and provide contributions toward travel, visa expenses, and living costs.
The exact scholarship package depends on the individual master’s program.
Why consider Erasmus Mundus?
- Study in multiple European countries
- International academic environment
- Master’s-level programs
- Travel support
- Living allowance
- Visa contribution
- No single-country study requirement for many programs
Applications are commonly submitted between October and January for programs beginning the following academic year, although deadlines vary by program.
2. Chevening Scholarships — United Kingdom
Study destination: UK
Degree: Usually one-year master’s
Funding: Tuition, living stipend, flights and additional allowances
Chevening is the UK government’s flagship international scholarship program.
A Chevening Award can cover:
- University tuition fees
- Return economy travel
- Monthly living allowance
- Arrival allowance
- Departure allowance
- Visa application cost
- Certain travel-related allowances
The monthly stipend is designed to cover basic living expenses, including accommodation, meals, personal expenses and local travel.
This means accommodation is generally funded through the living allowance rather than necessarily through free university housing.
Chevening is highly competitive and places significant emphasis on applicants’ leadership, networking and future impact.
Official Chevening Scholarship information
3. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships — UK
Study destination: UK
Degree: Master’s
Funding: Tuition, airfare and living allowance
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are designed for eligible citizens of Commonwealth countries who want to pursue master’s-level study in the UK.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission states that the scholarship covers approved tuition fees, airfare to and from the UK, visa costs and a living allowance.
The living allowance is intended to help scholars cover their expenses while studying in the UK.
Additional support can be available depending on the particular award and the scholar’s circumstances.
This can be particularly interesting for students from eligible developing Commonwealth countries.
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
4. Australia Awards Scholarships — Australia
Study destination: Australia
Degree: Undergraduate and postgraduate, depending on country
Funding: Tuition, airfare, living expenses and health insurance
Australia Awards Scholarships are funded by the Australian Government for students from eligible developing countries.
The standard benefits generally include:
- Full tuition fees
- Return airfare
- Establishment allowance
- Contribution to living expenses
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Introductory academic support
- Possible pre-course English support
- Certain eligible fieldwork support
The establishment allowance can help with initial accommodation, books and study materials.
However, eligibility and available fields depend on the applicant’s country. Students should therefore check the country-specific requirements before preparing an application.
Australia Awards Scholarships — Australian Government
5. Türkiye Scholarships — Türkiye
Study destination: Türkiye
Degree: Master’s, among other levels
Funding: Tuition, accommodation, stipend, health insurance and flight
Türkiye Scholarships is one of the clearest examples of a government scholarship that combines several major benefits.
For master’s students, the program provides:
- University and department placement
- Tuition fee coverage
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation
- Health insurance
- One-time flight ticket
- One-year Turkish language course
Unlike scholarships where students receive only a living stipend and must find housing themselves, Türkiye Scholarships explicitly lists accommodation as part of the scholarship package.
That makes it particularly interesting for students who want to minimize upfront living expenses.
Türkiye Scholarships official website
6. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary
Study destination: Hungary
Degree: Master’s and other levels
Funding: Tuition, stipend, accommodation contribution and medical insurance
Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum program provides tuition-free education for selected international students.
The scholarship currently lists:
- Tuition-fee exemption
- Monthly stipend
- Free dormitory accommodation or an accommodation contribution
- Medical insurance
For master’s students, the monthly stipend is currently listed at HUF 43,700, while students who do not use the dormitory can receive an accommodation contribution of HUF 40,000 per month.
The accommodation contribution may not cover the entire rent in expensive cities, particularly Budapest, so students should not assume that every living cost is completely covered.
Stipendium Hungaricum official website
7. MEXT Scholarship — Japan
Study destination: Japan
Degree: Master’s, doctoral and other categories
Funding: Tuition exemption, monthly support and airfare
The Japanese Government’s MEXT Scholarship is another major opportunity for international students.
For research students progressing to graduate study, MEXT provides tuition exemption and round-trip airfare, with scholarship support depending on the applicable category.
MEXT applications may be handled through Japanese embassies or universities, depending on the route.
Students interested in Japan should carefully check the relevant embassy or university recommendation process.
Study in Japan — MEXT Scholarships
8. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) — South Korea
Study destination: South Korea
Degree: Master’s and doctoral
Funding: Tuition, airfare, language training and monthly support
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is funded by the Korean government.
For graduate students, the program provides support that includes:
- Tuition
- Airfare
- Korean language training
- Monthly allowances
- Academic support
The standard master’s pathway can include Korean language training before the degree program.
Because the scholarship has different tracks and university options, applicants should check the current annual announcement for the exact benefits and eligibility requirements.
Study in Korea — GKS information
9. DAAD EPOS — Germany
Study destination: Germany
Degree: Selected postgraduate/master’s programs
Funding: Monthly stipend, insurance and travel allowance
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarship is particularly relevant for graduates from developing and newly industrialized countries.
For eligible master’s programs, the scholarship provides:
- Monthly payment of €992 for graduates
- Health, accident and personal liability insurance
- Travel allowance where applicable
- Potential rent subsidy
- Potential family allowance
One important point is that EPOS is not a general scholarship for every master’s program in Germany.
You must choose from the specific postgraduate programs included in the DAAD EPOS list.
Applicants generally also need at least two years of professional experience for EPOS.
10. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships — New Zealand
Study destination: New Zealand
Degree: Including eligible postgraduate study
Funding: Tuition, living allowance, travel, insurance and establishment support
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship provides extensive financial support to eligible students.
Benefits can include:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Establishment allowance
- Medical insurance
- Travel to and from the student’s home country
- Travel insurance
- Some reunion travel
- Research and thesis support for many postgraduate students
- Reintegration allowance
The establishment allowance can be used for initial expenses such as accommodation, textbooks and other study materials.
Eligibility and available fields vary by country.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
11. Fulbright Foreign Student Program — United States
Study destination: United States
Degree: Master’s and other graduate study
Funding: Generally designed as a full scholarship package
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the best-known international scholarship programs in the United States.
Funding and eligibility depend on the country-specific Fulbright commission or U.S. Embassy program.
For many participating countries, awards can provide major support toward:
- Tuition
- Living expenses
- Health insurance
- Airfare
- Academic expenses
The application process is country-specific, so applicants should use the Fulbright office responsible for their country rather than relying on a general U.S. scholarship website.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
12. Gates Cambridge Scholarship — United Kingdom
Study destination: University of Cambridge
Degree: Selected postgraduate degrees
Funding: Full-cost scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is designed to provide full-cost funding for eligible postgraduate students from outside the UK.
For the current international applicant round, the scholarship can cover the University Composition Fee and provide a maintenance stipend, along with funding for travel to and from the UK, visa costs and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The scholarship can also provide additional discretionary funding in certain circumstances.
However, only a limited number of scholarships are awarded each year, making it exceptionally competitive.
13. Rhodes Scholarship — University of Oxford
Study destination: University of Oxford, UK
Degree: Postgraduate
Funding: Tuition, living stipend, flights and visa costs
The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship for study at Oxford.
For the 2026–27 academic year, Rhodes provides an annual stipend of £21,060, from which scholars cover living expenses including accommodation. It also covers Oxford course fees, student visa and associated health surcharge costs, and two economy flights to and from the UK.
For applicants from Pakistan, the Rhodes Trust currently lists two scholarships available each year under the Pakistan constituency.
This makes Rhodes particularly relevant to Pakistani students who meet its academic and eligibility requirements.
Rhodes Scholarships for Pakistan
14. Knight-Hennessy Scholars — Stanford University
Study destination: Stanford University, USA
Degree: Graduate programs including master’s
Funding: Tuition, living expenses and travel
Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy Scholars program provides funding for graduate students across Stanford’s schools.
The funding package includes:
- Tuition and associated fees
- Stipend for living and academic expenses
- Room and board support through the stipend
- Books and academic supplies
- Local transportation
- One annual economy-class travel stipend
- One-time relocation support for newly enrolling scholars
The program can provide funding for up to three years, depending on the graduate degree.
Importantly, there are no citizenship restrictions for applying to Knight-Hennessy, although applicants must separately apply to an eligible Stanford graduate program.
15. Clarendon Scholarship — University of Oxford
Study destination: University of Oxford, UK
Degree: Master’s and DPhil
Funding: Full tuition and living grant
The Clarendon Fund provides fully funded scholarships to graduate students at Oxford.
For full-time master’s students, Clarendon covers course fees in full and provides an annual living grant. Oxford states that the 2025–26 grant was at least £20,780.
The living grant is designed to cover living expenses, which can include accommodation.
Unlike some scholarships, there is no separate Clarendon scholarship form. Eligible applicants are automatically considered if they apply to their Oxford graduate course by the relevant funding deadline.
One limitation: Clarendon does not generally advertise a separate international airfare benefit like Rhodes or Chevening.
16. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship — Ireland
Study destination: Ireland
Degree: Master’s, postgraduate diploma or PhD
Funding: Tuition fee waiver plus stipend
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES) supports high-calibre international students at eligible Irish institutions.
For the 2026 scheme, successful scholars receive:
- €10,000 stipend for one year
- Full fee waiver from the host institution for that scholarship year
This scholarship is different from some of the full packages on this list because the official award itself does not provide a dedicated airfare and accommodation package.
Therefore, students should calculate their remaining living and travel expenses before treating it as a completely cost-free study option.
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships
17. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Study destination: Multiple countries and partner universities
Degree: Undergraduate and graduate opportunities, depending on partner
Funding: Tuition, accommodation, academic support and travel
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program works through partner universities and organizations rather than operating as one single university scholarship.
Financial support can include:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Books and academic materials
- Mentoring
- Counselling
- Leadership development
- Return air ticket where necessary
The exact degree programs, eligibility requirements and deadlines are determined by participating partner institutions.
This is particularly important because you cannot simply submit one universal Mastercard Foundation application.
You need to identify a participating university or partner program that accepts students at your intended degree level.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
18. Chinese Government Scholarship
Study destination: China
Degree: Master’s, doctoral and other eligible programs
Funding: Tuition, accommodation, stipend, insurance and travel support depending on scheme
China offers several government-funded scholarship routes for international students.
One example is the MOFCOM Scholarship, which supports postgraduate study for eligible students from developing countries.
Its published scholarship structure includes:
- Tuition waiver
- On-campus accommodation
- Living stipend
- Medical insurance
- Settlement allowance
- One-time round-trip international airfare
For master’s students, the published MOFCOM scholarship information lists a monthly living stipend of RMB 3,000.
The exact requirements and participating universities vary between Chinese scholarship schemes, so students should identify the specific program before applying.
China Scholarship Council / Campus China
19. Stipend-Based Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Study destination: Switzerland
Degree: Mainly research-focused postgraduate opportunities; eligibility varies
Funding: Scholarship allowance and other support depending on category
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are another major government-funded opportunity for international students and researchers.
However, applicants should pay close attention to the type of award available to them.
Not every Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship is designed as a conventional taught master’s scholarship.
Many opportunities are research-focused and can have specific degree, nationality, academic and institutional requirements.
Therefore, students interested in Switzerland should check the current country-specific call rather than assuming that every applicant can use the scholarship for a standard master’s degree.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
20. Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarship
Study destination: Brunei Darussalam
Degree: Includes master’s and doctoral study
Funding: Government scholarship package
The Government of Brunei Darussalam offers scholarships for international students through its Ministry of Education.
The Ministry’s Department of Scholarship Management manages government scholarship opportunities for overseas and international education, including master’s and PhD-level awards.
Because the scholarship structure and annual call can change, students should check the current official announcement for the exact financial benefits, participating institutions, eligible countries and degree programs.
Brunei Ministry of Education — Scholarship Management
Quick Comparison of the 20 Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country/Region | Tuition | Living Support | Flights | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus | Europe | Yes | Yes | Yes/allowance | Usually through funding |
| Chevening | UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Through stipend |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Through stipend |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Yes | Yes | Yes | Establishment/living support |
| Türkiye Scholarships | Türkiye | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Yes | Yes | Not generally a standard benefit | Dorm/allowance |
| MEXT | Japan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Living support |
| GKS | South Korea | Yes | Yes | Yes | Depends on program/allowances |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Program-dependent | Yes | Yes | Possible rent subsidy |
| Manaaki NZ | New Zealand | Yes | Yes | Yes | Establishment/living support |
| Fulbright | USA | Generally yes | Yes | Generally yes | Through funding |
| Gates Cambridge | UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Through maintenance |
| Rhodes | UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Through stipend |
| Knight-Hennessy | USA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Through stipend |
| Clarendon | UK | Yes | Yes | Not a standard benefit | Through living grant |
| GOI-IES | Ireland | Yes | Yes | Not included as standard | Through stipend |
| Mastercard Foundation | Multiple | Yes | Yes | Yes where necessary | Yes |
| Chinese Government Scholarships | China | Yes | Yes | Depending on scheme | Often yes |
| Swiss Government Excellence | Switzerland | Depends | Yes | Depends | Depends |
| Brunei Government Scholarship | Brunei | Depends on current call | Yes/depends | Depends | Depends |
Which Scholarships Are Closest to “Everything Covered”?
If your main goal is to minimize the amount of money you personally need to spend, pay particular attention to scholarships that explicitly include tuition + living support + travel + accommodation.
Examples include:
Türkiye Scholarships
Accommodation is explicitly included, along with tuition, stipend, health insurance and a flight.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Financial support can explicitly include tuition, accommodation and return airfare where necessary.
Rhodes Scholarship
Oxford fees, living stipend, flights, visa costs and health surcharge are included. The stipend is intended to cover accommodation and other living costs.
Chevening
Tuition, travel and a monthly stipend intended to cover accommodation and living expenses are included.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship
Tuition, living allowance, establishment allowance, travel and insurance are included, with the establishment allowance helping with initial accommodation expenses.
Important: “Fully Funded” Does Not Always Mean Every Expense Is Paid
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about international scholarships.
A scholarship can be described as fully funded while still requiring you to manage certain expenses.
For example, a scholarship might provide:
€1,000 monthly stipend
instead of:
Free apartment + free food + free transportation.
In that situation, you use the stipend to pay for accommodation and daily expenses.
Likewise, some scholarships cover a return flight but don’t pay for every trip you make during the academic year.
Others cover tuition but don’t provide enough money to live comfortably in an expensive city.
That’s why you should examine the actual funding package rather than relying on the phrase “fully funded.”
How to Find the Right Fully Funded Scholarship
If you’re serious about studying abroad without taking on large financial obligations, use this process.
1. Choose your master’s field
Start with your academic background and career goals.
For example:
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Business Analytics
- Economics
- Management
- Data Analytics
- International Business
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
2. Check country eligibility
Some government scholarships are only available to citizens of specific countries.
3. Check the degree requirements
A scholarship may fund master’s degrees but only in selected fields.
4. Check the GPA requirement
Don’t assume every scholarship uses the same academic threshold.
5. Check English requirements
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge qualifications or an English-medium degree may be treated differently depending on the university and scholarship.
6. Check work-experience requirements
For example, DAAD EPOS generally requires at least two years of professional experience.
7. Check the deadline
Some scholarships close almost a year before the academic program begins.
8. Apply to several opportunities
Don’t build your entire study-abroad plan around one scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest fully funded scholarship to get?
There is no universally “easy” fully funded scholarship.
Selection depends on the scholarship, applicant pool, eligibility requirements and the strength of your profile.
A better strategy is to find scholarships where your academic background, experience and career goals closely match the program.
Can I get a fully funded master’s scholarship with a low CGPA?
It depends on the scholarship.
Some programs place substantial emphasis on academic performance, while others consider leadership, professional experience, community involvement, research potential and career plans.
A lower CGPA can reduce your options, but it does not automatically eliminate every scholarship.
Do fully funded scholarships cover accommodation?
Some do directly.
For example, Türkiye Scholarships explicitly includes accommodation, while Stipendium Hungaricum offers a dormitory place or accommodation contribution.
Other scholarships provide a living stipend that is intended to cover accommodation and daily expenses.
Do scholarships pay for flights?
Many major government scholarships do provide travel support.
Examples include Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, Australia Awards, MEXT, GKS, Rhodes and Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, although the exact conditions vary.
Can Pakistani students apply for these scholarships?
Many of them are open to international students, but eligibility is program-specific.
For example, Pakistan has its own Rhodes constituency, and the Rhodes Trust currently lists two scholarships per year for Pakistan.
For every other scholarship, check the current country list before applying.
Should I apply for admission before the scholarship?
It depends on the scholarship.
Some require university admission first, while others have a combined application or allow you to apply for the scholarship and university separately.
For example, GOI-IES requires applicants to have a conditional or final offer from an eligible Irish institution when applying.
Always follow the scholarship’s official application instructions.
Final Thoughts
A fully funded master’s scholarship can remove one of the biggest barriers to studying abroad: the cost.
But not every scholarship described as “fully funded” works in exactly the same way.
Some provide free accommodation. Others give you a monthly stipend and expect you to pay your rent from it. Some provide a return flight, while others provide a travel allowance. Some cover health insurance, while others do not.
That distinction matters.
If your goal is to study abroad with as little personal funding as possible, start by comparing the complete financial package rather than simply looking at tuition coverage.
Programs such as Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, Australia Awards, Türkiye Scholarships, Stipendium Hungaricum, MEXT, GKS, DAAD EPOS, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, Fulbright, Gates Cambridge, Rhodes and Knight-Hennessy can all be worth researching depending on your nationality, academic background, field and career goals.
The most important step is to start early.
Scholarship applications often require transcripts, recommendation letters, English-language proof, CVs, motivation letters, research proposals and other documents. Preparing these months in advance gives you more opportunities to submit strong applications rather than rushing everything immediately before the deadline.