Best Scholarships for International Students in 2025

Scholarship

One of the biggest concerns for students who dream of studying abroad is the cost. Tuition fees, living expenses, and travel can add up quickly—but there’s good news: hundreds of scholarships are available to help international students reduce or even eliminate the financial burden.

Whether you're aiming for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, this guide will walk you through the top scholarships, how to apply, eligibility requirements, and tips to improve your chances in 2025.

Why Apply for Scholarships?

• Reduce or fully cover tuition fees

• Get help with living expenses, accommodation, and travel

• Add prestige to your academic and professional profile

• Focus more on studies, less on financial stress

• Many scholarships don’t require repayment!

Top Scholarships by Destination

United Kingdom

1. Chevening Scholarships

   • For master’s programs; fully funded

   • Requires strong academic/professional background

   • Deadline: Usually Nov each year

2. Commonwealth Scholarships

   • For students from Commonwealth countries

   • Covers tuition, airfare, stipend, etc.

3. GREAT Scholarships

   • Offered by UK universities for students from selected countries

   • £10,000 towards tuition fees

4. University-specific awards

   • Many UK universities offer automatic or application-based scholarships (e.g., UCL Global Scholarships, Warwick Chancellor’s Scholarships)

Canada

1. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

   • For PhD students; worth CAD 50,000/year for 3 years

2. Canada-ASEAN Scholarships

   • For students from Southeast Asia

   • Covers short-term exchange programs or full study

3. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (U of T)

   • Fully funded for undergraduate students

4. University of British Columbia (UBC) Scholarships

   • Merit-based and need-based awards available

United States

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

   • For master’s and PhD students

   • Covers tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance

2. Hubert Humphrey Fellowship

   • For mid-career professionals; 1-year non-degree programs

3. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars

   • Fully funded scholarships for any graduate program at Stanford

4. University-specific aid

   • Harvard, Yale, MIT, and many others offer generous aid packages for international students based on need or merit

Australia

1. Australia Awards Scholarships

   • For students from developing countries

   • Covers full tuition, travel, and living allowance

2. Destination Australia Scholarships

   • For study in regional Australia

   • Worth AUD 15,000/year

3. University of Sydney International Scholarships

   • Fully funded PhD scholarships

4. Deakin and Monash Merit Scholarships

   • Available for undergraduate and postgraduate programs

France

1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

   • For master’s and PhD programs in engineering, law, economics, etc.

   • Monthly stipend + tuition waiver

2. École Normale Supérieure (ENS) Scholarships

   • For humanities and sciences students

3. Campus France Scholarships

   • Searchable portal for programs funded by the French government and other organizations

Germany

1. DAAD Scholarships

   • One of the best-known and widely available grants

   • For master’s, PhD, and short programs

   • Covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance

2. Deutschlandstipendium

   • Merit-based; open to both domestic and international students

3. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships

   • For students with academic excellence and social commitment

   
   

Common Eligibility Requirements

• Strong academic background (GPA matters)

• Language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)

• Letter of motivation or personal statement

• Letters of recommendation

• Research proposal (for graduate scholarships)

• Leadership qualities or community service experience

When to Apply?

• Start early—many scholarships close 6–12 months before the program starts

• Watch for country-specific deadlines

• Some universities automatically consider you for scholarships when you apply

Tips to Increase Your Chances

1. Start preparing at least a year in advance

2. Focus on academic excellence + extracurricular activities

3. Personalize your statement of purpose

4. Apply to multiple scholarships—don’t just rely on one

5. Ask professors or mentors for strong recommendation letters

6. Make sure your CV/resume is polished and relevant to the program

   
   

Need Help Applying?

At Gateway Education, we don’t just help you choose the right university—we also assist you with:

• Finding the best scholarship opportunities

• Reviewing your essays and documents

• Meeting deadlines and completing applications

Don’t let cost stop you from achieving your dreams. Scholarships are more accessible than ever, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Get in touch with us today to start your scholarship journey!