International Student Funding: Masters Programs

which masters programs offer funding for international students

There are several fully funded master's programs available for international students, offering tuition fee waivers, stipends, accommodation, and travel allowances. These scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded based on academic merit, leadership qualities, and other criteria. Many universities, government programs, and private organizations provide these scholarships to international students. Some examples of such scholarships include the Fulbright Scholarship, Schwarzman Scholars, Yenching Academy, and University of Minnesota Fellowship. Additionally, some universities, such as Yale University, Stanford University, and the University of Chicago, offer their own scholarships and fellowships for international students.

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Scholarships and fellowships in the USA

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is one of the most popular government-funded scholarships for international students in the USA. It offers scholarships for graduate students, young professionals, and artists to study in the US for one year or more. The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship is a prestigious, fully-funded scholarship program that offers Indian scholars and professionals the opportunity to study, research, or teach in the United States.

The University of Chicago has partnered with the Stamps Scholars Program to provide fully-funded master's programs for international students. Stanford University offers up to 100 fully-funded graduate degree programs, and Yale University offers several prestigious scholarships for international students, with awards ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $70,000 per year.

Columbia University offers various fully-funded fellowship opportunities for international students, including those from India, across multiple departments and schools. The University of Pennsylvania offers the Global Leadership Fellows Program for outstanding international students pursuing master's degrees.

Several other universities also offer fully-funded scholarships or fellowships for international students, including the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Memphis, the University of Minnesota, the University of New Haven, Illinois State University, Iowa State University, Michigan State University, New York University, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Iowa.

In addition, there are other scholarship and fellowship programs that are not affiliated with a specific university. The Morehead-Cain Scholars Program is a prestigious merit scholarship program founded at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Paul Tulane Award is a full-tuition scholarship offered by Tulane University to incoming first-time freshman applicants. The AAUW Fellowship Program is offered by the American Association of University Women and is open to international students from all world countries for graduate and postgraduate studies in any subject offered by the university. The ACI Foundation Scholarship provides a $10,000–$15,000 US educational stipend for tuition, residence, books, and materials for undergraduate, master's, PhD, and postdoctoral studies. The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program covers full tuition, a living allowance, travel, and health insurance at Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania. The Rotary Peace Fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses for master's and PhD studies.

There are also some scholarship programs specifically for international students from certain regions or backgrounds. The MasterCard Foundation Scholarships are for African students to study in the US and Africa. The Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship Program is a funding opportunity for high-achieving students with an interest in contributing to the student community. The Clark University Global Scholars Program offers scholarships of no less than US$10,000, as well as a guaranteed $2,500 taxable stipend for a paid internship for first-year international applicants. The Emory University Needs-Based Scholarship Program provides funding opportunities for international students. The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program is a non-degree scholarship program for international, experienced professionals wishing to undertake 10 months of academic study in the US. The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship is for international students studying any subject at a participating college or university in the US. The Civil Society Leadership Awards offer fully-funded scholarships for students from eligible countries to study at the master's level in the US or another host country.

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Scholarships and fellowships in China

China is one of the most generous countries when it comes to providing scholarships to foreign students, with over 50,000 international students in China currently on scholarships. The Chinese government offers numerous scholarships for resident and international students, recognising the role of quality education in national industrialisation and social progress.

CSC Scholarships

One of the most common scholarships awarded to international students is the CSC Scholarship, provided by the Chinese Scholarship Council. This is a government scholarship, an initiative of the Chinese Ministry of Education, to promote education, cultural exchange, political cooperation and mutual understanding between other countries and China. CSC scholarships can be full or partial funding. Students who qualify for CSC scholarships may attend any of the 279 different universities, making it one of the best Chinese scholarships for international students.

Confucius Institute Scholarships

The Confucius Institute Scholarships are awarded to students who apply to the university and the Confucius Institute website simultaneously.

City Scholarships

Many Chinese cities offer scholarships to attract more international students. These include Beijing, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Yiwu, Liaoning, and Ningbo.

University Scholarships

Individual universities in China also offer scholarships to international students. These include:

  • United International College
  • Xiamen University
  • Jiangsu University
  • Nanjing Government Scholarship
  • Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Government Scholarships
  • Sichuan Provincial Government Scholarships
  • Chongqing Municipal Government Mayor Scholarship

Yenching Academy

The Yenching Academy offers a generous graduate scholarship that covers tuition fees, a travel stipend, accommodation, and living expenses on Peking University’s campus. This English-taught program is open to students from around the world and offers a range of fields to base their thesis on, including law, economics, international relations, philosophy, literature, and history.

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Scholarships and fellowships in Germany

Germany is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education system and the availability of scholarships and fellowships. Here is some information on scholarships and fellowships in Germany, specifically for international students:

DAAD Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the largest German funding organisation for international academic cooperation. It offers scholarships and grants to international students, graduates, doctoral students, and postdocs. DAAD scholarships do not have to be paid back and typically include a monthly stipend (currently €992 for students and €1,300 for doctoral/PhD students), a travel allowance, and health, accident, and personal liability insurance. DAAD also provides funding for internships and language courses, depending on the scholarship programme. These scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded based on academic merit and other criteria.

Bayer Foundation Fellowships

The Bayer Foundation offers three fellowships for medical students and students pursuing a master's or PhD in scientific disciplines, including pharmacy, data science, medical engineering, and more. Both international and German applicants are eligible for these fellowships, which provide up to €10,000 per applicant to cover international research projects, internships, travel, visa, living expenses, and other exceptional project costs.

Carl Duisberg Fellowships

The Carl Duisberg Fellowships are open to students of human or veterinary medicine, as well as those pursuing an MSc or PhD in medical engineering, applied medical sciences, public health, or data science in medicine. Applicants must have excellent academic records and demonstrate innovation, relevance to their field, and awareness of the societal impact of their research.

Humboldt Research Fellowship

The Humboldt Research Fellowship is offered by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and is open to researchers of all nationalities (except German and Brazilian) and academic disciplines. This fellowship provides an opportunity for international researchers to pursue research projects in Germany and receive financial support.

Technical University of Munich Scholarship

The Technical University of Munich offers a scholarship specifically for outstanding German and international students enrolled in one of their master's programs: "Data Engineering and Analytics" or "Mathematics in Data Science". The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of €1,000 for up to 12 months, with female students particularly encouraged to apply.

European Postdoctoral Fellowships

The European Postdoctoral Fellowships within the MSCA program are open to researchers of any nationality with a doctoral degree. These fellowships support individuals pursuing a 1 to 2-year research project in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Funding includes living and mobility allowances, family allowances, and support for research, training, and networking activities.

KAAD Scholarships

The Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD) is a scholarship foundation of the German Catholic Church. KAAD offers scholarships to postgraduates and researchers from countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Near and Middle East, and Eastern and Southeastern Europe. These scholarships provide funding for master's or doctoral studies and include a monthly stipend, travel support, and sponsorship for an intensive language course.

In addition to these opportunities, there are various other scholarships and fellowships available in Germany for international students. It is recommended to explore university-specific scholarships and seek advice from the desired university or a study-abroad advisor.

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Scholarships and fellowships in Thailand

Thailand is an attractive destination for international students, welcoming over 20,000 each year with its blend of tradition and modernism, exotic scenery, and academically excellent universities. For those seeking scholarships and fellowships to fund their Master's studies in Thailand, there are a variety of options available.

Scholarships

The Chulabhorn Graduate Institute offers Master's Degree Scholarships to all international students. Applicants must be under 30 years of age, with experience in scientific laboratory research and a relevant bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.

Chulalongkorn University, a public and self-governing research university in Bangkok, also offers International Graduate Students Scholarships for international students pursuing a master's degree.

Additionally, the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has announced the Royal Thai Government Scholarships for the academic year 2025-2026. These scholarships are expected to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses for successful candidates. AIT also offers the Prof. Emeritus Madan Mohan Das Memorial Scholarship for international students from Thailand and India who wish to pursue a master's degree in Structural Engineering at the School of Engineering and Technology.

Other notable mentions include the Young Achiever Scholarship by Bangkok University, which is open to both Thai and non-Thai nationals, and the Young Tech Scholarships offered by SCB (Siam Commercial Bank) for undergraduate studies in fields like Digital, Innovation, Science, and Tech.

Fellowships

The Asian Institute of Technology has introduced the Gender and Development Studies Project Fellowship for international students pursuing a master's degree in the Development and Sustainability School of Environment, Resources, and Development.

Government Scholarships

The Thai government offers scholarships through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) under the Annual International Training Course and Thailand International Postgraduate Program. These scholarships provide a range of benefits, including a living allowance, accommodation allowance, settlement money, a books allowance, and a thesis allowance. To apply, candidates must fill out an online application form on the TICA website and be nominated by the National Focal Point for International Development Cooperation or relevant government agencies.

Additionally, the DAAD Thailand website offers a range of scholarship programmes for Thai students and researchers, including postdoc funding and summer courses for Bachelor's students.

When considering Master's programmes in Thailand, it is important to note that universities will have specific English language requirements and may ask for additional test scores, such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT, depending on the subject of your chosen Master's. Tuition fees can vary based on the type of university and the chosen discipline, with international students paying anywhere between 890 and 10,000 EUR per academic year, and some programmes exceeding this range.

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Scholarships and fellowships in the UK

The UK government runs a variety of scholarship programmes to support international students who need funding for their studies in the UK. Here is some information about scholarships and fellowships in the UK:

Scholarships

The three main UK government scholarships are:

  • GREAT Scholarships: Scholarships to UK universities across a variety of subjects for students from 18 countries.
  • Chevening Scholarships: Offers fully-funded master's degrees in the UK for students with at least 2 years of eligible work experience.
  • Commonwealth Scholarships: Scholarships for talented individuals with the potential to positively impact the global stage.

Other scholarships include:

  • Marshall Scholarships: For graduate study in the UK.
  • Global Excellence Scholarships: Supporting students who wish to develop their academic potential and contribute to the university community.
  • Disability scholarships: Supporting international students with disabilities, long-term mental health conditions, learning difficulties, or other special needs.
  • Scholarships for women: For women undertaking master's degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) at one of 19 UK universities.

Fellowships

Some fellowships in the UK include:

  • The Newton International Fellowship: This fellowship selects early-stage postdoctoral researchers from around the world and offers support for two years at UK research institutions.
  • The Rhodes Scholarship: Postgraduate awards supporting outstanding students at the University of Oxford.
  • The Schmidt-MacArthur Fellowship: A 12-month international fellowship programme open to postgraduate students in design, engineering, and business.
  • The American Philosophical Society (APS) Fellowship: This fellowship offers small grants to scholars to support the cost of research leading to publication. The fellowship includes travel expenses and a monthly stipend.

Frequently asked questions

Some examples of fully-funded master's programs for international students in the USA include the University of Memphis Scholarship, the University of Minnesota Fellowship, the Chancellor's Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Chicago's Stamps Scholars Programme.

Some examples of fully-funded master's programs for international students outside of the USA include the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, the Yenching Academy at Peking University in Beijing, China, and the Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Some examples of international scholarships that can be used to fund a master's program include the Fulbright Scholarship, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship, the Bangkok Government Scholarship, and the Chinese Government Scholarship.

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