Europe is filled with beautiful scenery and has a rich history and culture, making it a great destination for studying abroad. Home to many prestigious and high-performing institutions, Europe remains a top choice for international students pursuing higher education.
Since moving abroad and studying overseas can be costly, many scholarships are available for international students. These scholarships are offered by universities, governments, foundations, and other organizations.
Many European universities offer scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. These include entrance awards, merit-based scholarships, and funding for specific study programs. In addition to university scholarships, several European governments offer scholarship programs for international students. External scholarships from foundations and private organizations may also provide financial support, sometimes with broad coverage.
Numerous scholarships and funding opportunities are available, so make sure to read on to find the scholarship that is right for you.
Top Scholarships in Europe for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Clarendon Fund | University of Oxford | Master’s, DPhil/Ph.D. | Full course fees plus a living grant of at least £20,780 |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships | European Union / Erasmus+ | Master’s | Participation costs plus a contribution to travel, visa, installation, and living costs |
| Romanian Government Scholarship | Romanian Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition and enrollment fees, monthly stipend, accommodation support, and medical assistance |
| Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship | Hungarian Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition-free education, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution or dormitory place, and medical insurance |
| Aalto University Scholarship | Aalto University | Bachelor’s, Master’s | 100% tuition fee waiver |
| DAAD Scholarships | External | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | Program-dependent funding; examples include monthly payments, travel allowance, and insurance |
| Swiss Government Scholarships | Swiss Government | Research, Ph.D., Art Master’s | CHF 2,450 per month, plus selected benefits; tuition is generally not covered |
| Chevening Scholarship | External | Master’s | Tuition fees, travel, visa cost, monthly stipend, and other allowances |
| Amsterdam Merit Scholarship | University of Amsterdam | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Varies by faculty or graduate school |
| University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme | University of Helsinki | Master’s | 50% or 100% tuition fee waiver |
| Reach Oxford Scholarship | University of Oxford | Bachelor’s | Course fees, living costs grant, and one return airfare per year |
| Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme | ETH Zurich | Master’s | CHF 12,000 per semester plus tuition fee waiver |
| The Karolinska Institute Global Master’s Scholarship | Karolinska Institutet | Master’s | Tuition fee coverage only |
| Uppsala University Global Scholarship | Uppsala University | Master’s | Full tuition coverage; living expenses are not covered |
| Utrecht Excellence Scholarship | Utrecht University | Selected Bachelor’s and Master’s programs | Tuition fees or tuition fees plus the required income linked to a residence permit |
| NL Scholarship | Netherlands Government | Bachelor’s, Master’s | €5,000 in the first year; not a full-tuition scholarship |
| Science@Leuven Scholarship | KU Leuven | Master’s | €12,000 allowance per academic year plus partial tuition fee waiver for non-EEA students |
| Excellence Fellowship | Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne | Master’s | CHF 10,000 per semester, with a maximum coverage of 4 semesters |
1. Clarendon Fund (University of Oxford)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Master’s and Ph.D.: Full course fees plus a living grant of at least £20,780 in 2025–26
- Meet the Clarendon Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Antonio Tabanera Manzanares from Spain
The Clarendon Fund is a fully funded graduate scholarship at the University of Oxford for Master’s and DPhil (Ph.D.) applicants. It covers course fees in full and provides a living grant of at least the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. In 2025–26, full-time Clarendon scholars receive at least £20,780. There is no separate Clarendon application; eligible applicants are automatically considered when they apply to Oxford by the relevant December or January graduate admissions deadline.
Here is what Clarendon Scholarship Scholars Say:
“This scholarship covers all the tuition fees for the four years of this PhD, which go up to 35,000£ per year, and I get about 20,000£ extra each year to cover my living expenses.”
Antonio Tabanera Manzanares
“In the University of Oxford there is not a specific application process for the scholarships awarded by the University.”
Antonio Tabanera Manzanares
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships (EMJM)
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Master’s: Participation costs plus a contribution to travel, visa, installation, and living costs
- Meet the Erasmus Mundus Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Juan Carlos Pichardo from Mexico and Motunrayo Ibiyo from Nigeria
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships are prestigious awards under the EU’s Erasmus+ program. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programs are jointly designed and delivered by a consortium that normally includes at least three higher education institutions from at least three different countries. The programs last 1 to 2 academic years and carry 60, 90, or 120 ECTS credits. Scholarship funding covers participation costs and contributes to travel, visa, installation, and living costs. Applications are made directly to each Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program, and deadlines vary by consortium.
Here is what Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship Scholars Say:
“Fortunately, I received a fully funded scholarship of 49,000 euros so, in total, I didn’t have to pay anything.”
Sandra Babu
“Only 21 applicants received the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship out of around 500 applications worldwide, and from each country, a maximum of three people could be selected.”
Kaf
“The strongest asset I prepared for was how to write a proper CV and a strong motivation letter.”
Hiba
“Yes, I was fortunate to be selected for three different Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programs and waitlisted in three others, which made the final decision both exciting and challenging.”
Sachin Timilsina
3. Romanian Government Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.: Tuition and enrollment fees, monthly stipend, accommodation support, and medical assistance
- Meet the Romanian Government Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Josefina Cabrera from Paraguay and Hadhrat Mirza from Indonesia
The Romanian Government Scholarship, offered through Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supports non-EU international students at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. levels. For Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, only Romanian-taught study programs are available, with a preparatory Romanian language year available where needed. The scholarship covers tuition and enrollment fees, a monthly stipend, accommodation support, and medical assistance. For the 2026–2027 cycle, applications were open from February 16 to March 31, 2026.
Here is what Romanian Government Scholarship Scholars Say:
“Not only did it offer full coverage of tuition and accommodation, but it also provided a living stipend, making it possible to focus on my academic and professional development without the burden of financial constraints.”
Hadhrat Mirza
“I was honored to be the only Vietnamese student awarded this scholarship for the 2024–2025 academic year.”
Hoang Minh Triet
“Remember, you only need one acceptance to change your life. Keep improving, keep applying, and believe in yourself.”
Josefina Cabrera
4. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.: Tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, accommodation contribution or dormitory place, and medical insurance
- Meet the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Andrea Bergula Saises from the Philippines and Shaan Muhammad Shayan from Pakistan
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, funded by the Hungarian Government, offers opportunities for international students to pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier Master’s, non-degree, and doctoral studies at Hungarian institutions. Benefits include tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, an accommodation contribution or dormitory place, and medical insurance. For non-degree, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and one-tier Master’s students, the monthly stipend is HUF 43,700. For doctoral students, the stipend is HUF 140,000 per month in the first phase and HUF 180,000 per month in the second phase. Applicants should note that these provisions are contributions to living expenses and may not cover all costs in Hungary.
Here is what Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Scholars Say:
“It is fully funded, so the students don’t pay any tuition fee, plus a monthly stipend of about 100€ and free dormitory space.”
Hasan Çağan Güler
“The applications usually open mid-fall, with the deadline being early- or mid-January.”
Aya
“For the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, applicants from Pakistan are required to take the HAT (Higher Education Aptitude Test) and get nominated by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).”
Ayesha Javaid
“The Stipendium Hungaricum application process has two stages: one through your home country’s government or sending partner, and the second through Tempus Public Foundation in Hungary.”
Zhibek
5. Aalto University Scholarship
The Aalto University Scholarship offers merit-based tuition coverage for tuition-fee-liable students. Aalto University Excellence Scholarships are awarded as 100% tuition fee waivers. The scholarship is granted for the target duration of the degree: three academic years for a Bachelor’s degree and two academic years for a Master’s degree. Living costs are not included.
6. DAAD Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by program; examples include monthly scholarship payments, travel allowance, and insurance benefits
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and research opportunities, depending on the program
- Meet the DAAD Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Bharath Kumar from India and Dr. Pamela Ochungo from Kenya
As you may have heard, DAAD Scholarships focus on Germany. DAAD offers a wide range of funding programs, so eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts depend on the specific scholarship. DAAD scholarships often include a monthly scholarship payment and may also include a flat-rate travel allowance, health insurance, accident insurance, and personal liability insurance. Current examples listed by DAAD include monthly payments of €992 for students and €1,300 for doctoral or Ph.D. students.
The best thing about DAAD Scholarships is that they cover a lot of ground. Some programs are available to students, while others are intended for graduate students, doctoral candidates, or researchers. Since requirements vary by scholarship, applicants should always check the DAAD scholarship database and the call for applications for the program they want to pursue.
Here is what DAAD Scholarship Scholars Say:
“The scholarship provides a year-long fellowship of 1300 Euros, a research allowance of 460 Euros, and a travel allowance of 1425 Euros to carry forward scientific exploration at German universities and research institutes.”
Subhadip Saha
“After an interview, a supervisor agreed to host me, which allowed me to proceed with my DAAD scholarship application, as a confirmed host institution was a key requirement.”
Grace Achieng Ochieng
“The DAAD EPOS scholarship, which requires applicants to have at least two years of professional experience in the field they intend to study, was the perfect opportunity to build on my professional background and pursue my academic goals in Germany.”
Samida Sher
7. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 2,450 per month, plus selected benefits; tuition and semester fees are generally not covered
- Eligible Degree/s: Research fellowships, Ph.D. scholarships, and art scholarships for an initial Master’s degree, depending on country and scholarship type
- Meet the Swiss Government Excellence Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Katyayani Sharma from India and Greta Mazzaggio from Italy
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships, offered by the Swiss Confederation, are mainly intended for talented early-career researchers from abroad who have already completed a Master’s degree. Available scholarship types include research fellowships, Ph.D. scholarships, and art scholarships for an initial Master’s degree in an artistic field. The 2027–2028 scholarship information states that research, Ph.D., and art scholarship holders receive CHF 2,450 per month. 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. Tuition and semester fees are generally not covered.
Here is what Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship Scholars Say:
“Each grantee receives a monthly stipend of CHF 3,500, along with additional benefits such as a housing allowance, a public transport pass, and access to Swiss healthcare coverage (for non-EU/EFTA citizens).”
Greta Mazzaggio
“The Swiss Excellence Scholarship is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of just 10–15%.”
Nargiz Hajiyeva
“Swiss govt excellence does not require tests like the GRE or TOEFL. Knowledge about German, French, or Italian is beneficial but not absolutely necessary.”
Debabrata Dutta
“As part of the formal application process, I had to translate all my academic degrees and transcripts from Spanish into French using an official sworn translator, which required time, money, and coordination.”
Mariano Villalba
“Your application should reflect your personality, and this, in a way, is beneficial for both the applicant and the host lab.”
Katyayani Sharma
Note: The scholar quotes above describe individual experiences from specific award years and may not reflect the current official scholarship terms.
8. Chevening Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition fees, travel, visa cost, monthly personal living allowance, and other allowances
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
- Meet the Chevening Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Mijerita Khachatryan from Armenia and Ana Claudia Furtado from Brazil and Cape Verde
Another leading scholarship program in Europe is the Chevening Scholarship. Chevening Scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders from around the world to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in the United Kingdom.
Chevening funding may include tuition fees, economy travel to and from the scholar’s country of residence, an arrival allowance, the cost of an entry clearance visa application, a departure allowance, a travel top-up allowance, and a monthly personal living allowance. Chevening scholars must commit to returning to their country or territory of award for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
Here is what Chevening Scholars Say:
“The Chevening scholarship covered not only the tuition fees, but also a monthly stipend for living expenses (accommodation, food, transport, etc.), Economy travel to and from your country of residence, an arrival allowance, the cost of an entry clearance (visa) application, a departure allowance, among some other benefits.”
Dayne Perdomo
“I believe what truly set my application apart were the four key pillars Chevening emphasizes: leadership and influence, networking, study in the UK, and career planning.”
Willis Onyango Obanda
“For me, the Chevening interview was one of the best experiences. I remained calm and composed throughout, simply sharing my story and having a conversation with the panel, rather than feeling it was a formal interview.”
Mijerita Khachatryan
“Each year, over 60,000 applicants from around 160 countries compete, but only around 1,500 are selected, with an acceptance rate of just 2–3%.”
Zohra Jalal
“Read the guidance for that year carefully and answer the specific essay questions as they are framed.”
Ajita
9. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by faculty or graduate school
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s
The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is offered by the University of Amsterdam to outstanding students from outside the EU/EEA who have applied for a degree program at the university.
This scholarship is competitive and is awarded based on faculty or graduate school criteria. Applications are submitted through the relevant Admissions Office, and deadlines, eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and scholarship coverage differ by faculty or graduate school. Applicants should check the scholarship information for their specific program before applying.
10. University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme
For those looking at Finland as a possible destination, this may be for you. The University of Helsinki offers a scholarship program for excellent tuition-fee-liable students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who want to complete a Master’s program at the university.
The University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme consists of 50% or 100% tuition fee waivers. Scholarships are awarded based on academic assessment, academic excellence, previous study success, and motivation to study in a Master’s program. The scholarship is for two years, provided that the student studies full time and meets the required academic progress. The university states that it does not offer scholarships to cover living expenses.
11. Reach Oxford Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Course fees, living costs grant, and one return airfare per year
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
The University of Oxford is a highly distinguished institution in the United Kingdom and around the world, and many international students wish to study there.
Incoming undergraduate students can try applying for the Reach Oxford Scholarship, but they must apply for university admission first. Aside from course fee coverage, recipients receive a grant for living costs and one return airfare per year. Around 2 to 3 awards are available annually, so applicants should prepare a strong academic record and application.
12. Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 12,000 per semester plus tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
ETH Zurich, located in Switzerland, is well known for science, research, and technology.
Students who want to pursue a Master’s degree can apply for the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme. This scholarship includes CHF 12,000 per semester for living and study expenses, as well as a tuition fee waiver. ESOP is awarded for the regular duration of the Master’s program, which is three or four semesters. Selection is based on the evaluation of the respective Master’s program admissions committees, with final scholarship decisions made by the Rector of ETH Zurich.
13. The Karolinska Institute Global Master’s Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee coverage only
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
With many applicants for admission at Karolinska Institute, there is also strong competition for this scholarship. Karolinska Institutet states that it offers around one scholarship per program per year across its global Master’s programs; in 2025, it received 687 applications and 10 students were offered a scholarship.
The KI Global Master’s Scholarship covers tuition fees for students enrolled in eligible Global Master’s programs at Karolinska Institutet. Travel, living expenses, and other costs must be covered through other funding. This award is only available to first-year, tuition-fee-paying students who have applied to an eligible global Master’s program and meet the scholarship requirements.
14. Uppsala University Global Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full tuition coverage
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
This scholarship award is intended for international fee-paying students who will be taking a Master’s program at Uppsala University. Uppsala University scholarships for prospective Master’s students cover the full cost of tuition but do not cover living expenses.
Applicants must apply for admission to their desired Master’s program by the University Admissions deadline and complete the scholarship application separately. The scholarships are competitive and are awarded to selected fee-paying Master’s students.
15. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition fees or tuition fees plus the required income linked to a residence permit
- Eligible Degree/s: Selected Bachelor’s and Master’s programs
- Meet the Utrecht Excellence Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including Duong Nguyen from Vietnam and Adriana Figueredo from Paraguay
Just like some of the other university scholarships mentioned above, the Utrecht University Excellence Scholarship is tied to admission. It is available for selected English-taught Master’s programs and selected Bachelor’s programs, including Economics & Business Economics, Philosophy, Politics & Economics, Global Sustainability Science, and University College Utrecht.
The grant may be awarded as a “gold” award, which covers tuition fees, or a “platinum” award, which covers tuition fees plus the required income linked to a residence permit for study as set by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service. Selection is based on academic quality and the ability to complete the program in the available time.
Here is what Utrecht Excellence Scholarship Scholars Say:
“The scholarship fully covered the tuition fee and also living expenses.”
Duong Nguyen
“The Utrecht Excellence Scholarship was the opportunity that made my dreams come true. It is offered every year to new students from non-EU countries applying for a master’s at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.”
Christian Oliveros
16. NL Scholarship
- Scholarship Link
- Scholarship Amount for Bachelor’s and Master’s: €5,000 in the first year; not a full-tuition scholarship
- Meet the NL Scholars: Explore scholarship journeys, including João Pedro Rocha Oliveira from Brazil and Kathryn from the United States
The NL Scholarship, previously known as the Holland Scholarship, is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, as well as several Dutch research universities and universities of applied sciences. It is intended for international students from outside the European Economic Area who want to pursue a full-time Bachelor’s or Master’s program in the Netherlands. The scholarship amounts to €5,000, is received in the first year of study, and is not a full-tuition scholarship. Application procedures and deadlines are set by each participating institution.
Here is what NL Scholarship Scholars Say:
“The NL Scholarship, a one-time award of €5,000”
Kathryn
“I was well aware of how competitive it would be, as only one scholarship was awarded per school at the university.”
João Pedro Rocha Oliveira
17. Science@Leuven Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: €12,000 allowance per academic year plus partial tuition fee waiver for non-EEA students
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
KU Leuven is known as a center of academic excellence and a distinguished research university in Europe. With a variety of programs for undergraduate and graduate students, many international students are interested in studying at this university.
For Master’s students in the sciences, KU Leuven offers the Science@Leuven Scholarship. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the scholarship provides an allowance of €12,000 per academic year for a maximum of two consecutive years if the student performs well in the first year of the Master’s program. Non-EEA students receive a partial tuition fee waiver and pay a reduced fee set by KU Leuven for the scholarship year. The number of scholarships varies each year depending on available funds.
18. Excellence Fellowship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: CHF 10,000 per semester, with a maximum coverage of 4 semesters
- Eligible Degree/s: Master’s
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, more commonly referred to as EPFL, is a leading university in Switzerland. The school offers programs in areas such as architecture, engineering, and the sciences.
For students with excellent records who are planning to pursue graduate studies, the Master Excellence Fellowship can help with study expenses. The fellowship is worth CHF 10,000 per semester, with a maximum coverage of 4 semesters. It is available to students who obtained their Bachelor’s degree at EPFL, as well as students who began their university studies elsewhere. External candidates may also receive a reservation for a student room in a student residence. Students are responsible for managing all living expenses, including tuition fees and rent.
We hope this article on European scholarships was helpful and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
