Are you an Iraqi student with limited funds who hopes to pursue higher studies abroad? Many international scholarship programs welcome applications from Iraqi students or provide country-specific opportunities that can help make study abroad more affordable.
These scholarships can support your academic goals by helping cover tuition, living costs, travel, or research expenses. Below are several well-known scholarship options for Iraqi students to research carefully before applying.
Scholarships for Iraqi Students
Now that you know there are many scholarship opportunities available, let’s look at some of the different programs you can consider.
1. Turkish Government Scholarship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Full funding, including university and department placement, a monthly stipend, tuition, a one-year Turkish language course, accommodation, health insurance, and a one-time flight ticket at the beginning of education and upon graduation
- Eligible Degree(s): Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Offered by: Turkish Government
Türkiye Scholarships, also known in Turkish as Türkiye Bursları, is a government-funded scholarship program for international students who want to study in Türkiye. The program is open to citizens of all countries, including Iraq, and offers full-time scholarships at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels.
The full-time scholarship package currently includes university and department placement, tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a one-year Turkish language course, a one-time flight ticket, and a monthly stipend. The listed monthly stipend amounts are TL 4,500 for undergraduate students, TL 6,500 for master’s students, and TL 9,000 for PhD students.
To apply, candidates must meet the program’s academic and age criteria. The minimum academic achievement requirement is 70% for associate and bachelor’s degree candidates, 75% for graduate candidates, and 90% for candidates in health sciences such as medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. Applicants must also generally be under 21 for associate and bachelor’s programs, under 30 for master’s programs, under 35 for PhD programs, and under 50 for research scholarships.
2. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 2,450 per month, plus selected benefits; tuition and semester fees are generally not covered
- Eligible Degree(s): Research fellowship and PhD; art master’s scholarships are available only to applicants from limited countries
- Offered by: Swiss Government
If you wish to pursue a research fellowship or PhD in Switzerland, you can explore the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. These scholarships are mainly intended for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a master’s degree. The program supports international research cooperation between Switzerland and more than 180 countries.
The scholarship amount for research fellowships, PhD scholarships, and art scholarships is CHF 2,450 per month to cover basic living expenses for one person. Additional benefits may include compulsory health insurance premiums for non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders, a one-time CHF 600 rental deposit grant, a Half-Fare Travelcard for public transport, and a return flight allowance for non-EU/EFTA scholarship holders. However, the scholarship does not generally cover tuition or semester fees, and students may need to pay those costs themselves.
Research fellowship applicants and PhD applicants must have a master’s degree or equivalent, a detailed research plan, and a letter of support from an academic supervisor in Switzerland. Research fellowships last 6 to 12 months, while PhD scholarships last 12 months and may be renewed twice for up to 36 months, subject to academic progress. Applicants should always check the country-specific scholarship types and deadlines before applying.
3. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: Covered award costs include tuition, a living allowance, and round-trip travel; the exact stipend varies and is not published as a fixed monthly range for Iraq
- Eligible Degree(s): Master’s degree or graduate-level research
- Offered by: U.S. Department of State; administered by AMIDEAST in the Middle East and North Africa region
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is a highly respected scholarship program that supports international graduate students, early-career professionals, and researchers who want to study or conduct research in the United States. For Iraq, the program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by AMIDEAST in the Middle East and North Africa region.
For Iraqi applicants, the program supports earning a master’s degree or pursuing graduate-level research at a U.S. university. Covered award costs include tuition, a living allowance, and round-trip travel. The application for the Fulbright Foreign Student Program in Iraq is currently closed, so interested students should monitor the official program page for the next application cycle.
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents able to hold a passport from Iraq, must reside in Iraq throughout the application, selection, nomination, and placement processes, and must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree by the program start date. Applicants should also have a strong academic background, strong English skills or the ability to attend a Long-Term English program, and at least two years of professional work experience after graduation.
4. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship
- Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Amount: €934 per month for students or €1,200 per month for postgraduates, plus a family allowance and health care cost refund if applicable
- Eligible Degree(s): Bachelor’s, Master’s/postgraduate, doctoral degrees | Offered by: Friedrich Ebert Foundation
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation is a German political foundation committed to the values of social democracy. Its scholarship programs support students and doctoral candidates in Germany, especially students from working-class families, immigrant families, and other groups that are underrepresented in higher education.
The foundation provides funding for first-degree programs, master’s and postgraduate programs, and doctoral degrees. For foreign students, it is essential to already live in Germany, study at a German university, and provide proof of sufficient German language skills. Applications must be submitted in German.
Applicants are expected to show good academic performance, socio-political commitment, and identification with the fundamental values of social democracy. Foreign scholarship holders currently receive €934 per month for students or €1,200 per month for postgraduates, plus a €276 family allowance and health care cost refund if applicable. Income exceeding €400 per month is credited against the scholarship.
To apply, you should prepare your academic records, a strong application in German, and supporting materials that show your academic qualifications and social commitment. However, the foundation does not fund several categories, including short-term programs of less than three semesters, research visits, final stages of a degree or doctorate, postdoctoral projects, or study abroad programs outside the EU.
FAQs: Scholarship Opportunities for Iraqi Students
Which Country Offers the Best Scholarships for Iraqi Students?
There is no single best country for every Iraqi student. The best option depends on your degree level, field of study, language skills, academic record, and whether you already have admission or enrollment at a university.
Türkiye may be a good option for students seeking a broad fully funded scholarship at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD level. The United States offers the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for Iraqi applicants pursuing a master’s degree or graduate-level research. Switzerland is especially relevant for research and PhD applicants with a master’s degree and a Swiss academic supervisor. Germany’s Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship is mainly suitable for students who already live in Germany, study at a German university, and can apply in German.
Iraqi students who want to pursue higher studies abroad can find opportunities in countries such as Türkiye, the United States, Switzerland, and Germany. Some programs offer broad funding packages that may cover tuition, living costs, travel, health insurance, or research-related support. However, scholarship benefits, eligibility rules, and deadlines change frequently, so it is important to verify every detail on the official scholarship website before applying.
We hope this article has been informative! Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for Iraqi Students and the Scholarships Page for different information on scholarships and universities across the globe!
