With an estimated population of about 54.5 million in 2024, Myanmar is the largest country by area in mainland Southeast Asia. The country is rich in cultural traditions and values. In recent decades, many students from Myanmar have looked overseas for higher education opportunities and scholarships that can help them contribute to their communities after graduation.
If you are a Burmese student looking to pursue studies abroad, this article will bring you closer to your goal by highlighting scholarship options and important updates you should know before applying.
Scholarships for Burmese Students
1. DAAD Helmut-Schmidt Master’s Scholarship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Full funding; the current monthly scholarship rate is €992
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s | Offered by: DAAD, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office
The DAAD Helmut-Schmidt-Programme supports future leaders from developing and emerging countries. It is especially relevant for students who want to study public policy, governance, law, economics, administration, social science, or related fields that can contribute to social, political, and economic development in their home countries.
This scholarship does not allow students to study at any German university. Instead, it funds selected master’s courses chosen by DAAD. Scholarship holders are exempt from tuition fees and receive a monthly scholarship of €992, health insurance coverage in Germany, fixed travel allowances, a study and research grant, rent subsidies and family supplements where applicable, and a mandatory German language course before the start of the program. For the current cycle, applications run from June 1 to July 31, 2026.
2. Arthur F. Church Entrance Scholarships
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: $10,000 CAD
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s | Offered by: University of Waterloo – Canada
The Arthur F. Church Entrance Scholarships, funded through a donation from Arthur F. Church, are one way the University of Waterloo supports outstanding students entering the Faculty of Engineering. Two scholarships, valued at $10,000 CAD each, are awarded annually: one to a student entering Mechatronics Engineering and one to a student entering Computer Engineering or Systems Design Engineering.
Selection is based on academic excellence and extracurricular achievements, as assessed through Waterloo’s Admission Information Form and online video interview. Burmese students applying to eligible first-year engineering programs at Waterloo should check the official award page and admissions requirements to confirm current eligibility.
3. Toronto Metropolitan University – International Student Leadership Award (ISLA)
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: $10,000 CAD for the Fall 2026 International Student Leadership Award
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s | Offered by: Toronto Metropolitan University – Canada
International Student Leadership Award (ISLA) is for undergraduate international students enrolling in a Canadian postsecondary institution for the first time and starting the first year of a full-time four-year undergraduate degree, or a five-year co-op undergraduate degree, at TMU.
ISLA is valued at $10,000 CAD for up to 53 recipients. Applicants must be international students paying international tuition fees, have a final admission average of at least 86% or equivalent, and submit a personal statement. The award recognizes academic achievement, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and leadership. TMU also lists a Winter 2027 ISLA valued at $10,000 CAD for up to 20 recipients.
4. University of British Columbia – Affiliated Fellowships
- Master’s Scholarship Program | Ph.D. Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: $175 to $16,000 for master’s students; $175 to $40,000 for doctoral students, with most doctoral awards around $16,000
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s and Ph.D. | Offered by: University of British Columbia – Canada
The University of British Columbia offers Affiliated Fellowships for meritorious graduate students. The master’s competition is open to Canadian, permanent resident, and international students, and awards are made for full-time study or research leading to a graduate degree. Master’s applicants generally need first-class standing in each of the last two years of full-time study; for UBC courses, first-class standing is 80% or higher.
For master’s students, UBC lists approximately 50 Affiliated Fellowships each year, with values ranging from $175 to $16,000. For doctoral students, UBC lists fellowship values from $175 to $40,000, with most awards around $16,000. Students must meet the eligibility rules for the relevant master’s or doctoral competition, and eligible programs generally need a significant research component.
There are several other scholarships for Burmese students besides the opportunities mentioned above. Students should use official university scholarship pages, government scholarship portals, and trusted scholarship databases to find current awards. Before applying, always confirm the latest deadline, award amount, eligibility requirements, and application process on the official scholarship page.
We hope that this article on scholarships for Burmese students was informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out our Scholarships Page and the available courses for international students!
