Scholarships For Graduate Students
There are numerous scholarships available for graduate students that offer financial support for Master’s, Ph.D., and other postgraduate studies. These scholarships are provided by universities, governments, organizations, and private institutions, and they can cover a wide range of expenses, including tuition, living costs, and travel. Here’s a list of some top scholarships for graduate students across various countries and fields:
1. The Fulbright Program (USA)
- Why it works: The Fulbright Program is one of the most prestigious scholarships for international students aiming to pursue graduate-level studies in the United States. It promotes mutual understanding and provides funding for study, research, or teaching assistantships.
- Coverage: Full tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Eligibility: Open to international students from over 140 countries. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential.
- How to apply: Applications can be submitted through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. embassy in your home country.
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Why it works: Chevening Scholarships are awarded to outstanding individuals with leadership potential to study postgraduate courses in the UK. Sponsored by the UK government, these scholarships provide full financial support for the duration of the study.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, and an additional monthly stipend.
- Eligibility: Open to students from Chevening-eligible countries who have an undergraduate degree and at least two years of work experience.
- How to apply: Apply through the official Chevening website.
3. Rhodes Scholarships (USA, UK, Australia, Canada, etc.)
- Why it works: The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and oldest international graduate scholarships. It is awarded to exemplary students worldwide for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, and travel expenses.
- Eligibility: Candidates must be between 18 and 24 years old and have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership, and a commitment to social impact.
- How to apply: Apply through the Rhodes Trust website.
4. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
- Why it works: The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for graduate students who want to study at the University of Cambridge. It is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is one of the world’s most prestigious graduate awards.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, travel allowances, and health insurance.
- Eligibility: Open to international students who want to pursue postgraduate degrees (Master’s or Ph.D.) at the University of Cambridge.
- How to apply: Apply directly through the University of Cambridge’s official website.
5. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU)
- Why it works: The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) is a program funded by the European Union for students pursuing joint Master’s degrees in Europe. The program allows students to study in multiple European countries.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and insurance.
- Eligibility: Open to students worldwide who wish to pursue a Master’s degree under the Erasmus Mundus program.
- How to apply: Applications are made directly to the universities offering the Erasmus Mundus courses.
6. The DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
- Why it works: The DAAD Scholarship offers graduate students the opportunity to study in Germany. It is one of the most prominent international scholarship programs for students pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in German institutions.
- Coverage: Full or partial tuition, travel expenses, and monthly living stipends.
- Eligibility: Open to international students pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. programs in Germany.
- How to apply: Apply through the official DAAD website.
7. The Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
- Why it works: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers funding for students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries to study postgraduate programs in the UK. These scholarships aim to promote global development and understanding.
- Coverage: Full tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, and additional allowances.
- Eligibility: Open to students from Commonwealth countries with a strong academic background.
- How to apply: Apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
8. The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Canada)
- Why it works: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are prestigious awards given to doctoral students who demonstrate leadership skills and a high level of academic achievement.
- Coverage: $50,000 per year for up to three years.
- Eligibility: Open to both Canadian and international students pursuing Ph.D. programs at eligible Canadian universities.
- How to apply: Applications are made through the Canadian university where you are studying or planning to study.
9. The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program (USA)
- Why it works: The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University provides funding for graduate students to pursue any degree at Stanford, including Master’s, Ph.D., and professional degrees.
- Coverage: Full funding for tuition, living expenses, and travel.
- Eligibility: Open to students worldwide who have completed an undergraduate degree within the last 4 years and are applying to a Stanford graduate program.
- How to apply: Apply through the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program website.
10. The Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business Scholarships (China)
- Why it works: CKGSB Scholarships offer full and partial funding for students pursuing an MBA, Executive MBA, or Ph.D. programs at the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in Beijing.
- Coverage: Full or partial tuition fees.
- Eligibility: Open to international students with outstanding academic backgrounds and leadership potential.
- How to apply: Apply through the CKGSB admissions process.
11. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (Global)
- Why it works: This scholarship is available for students from developing countries who wish to pursue graduate studies in development-related fields at selected universities in the USA, Japan, or other eligible countries.
- Coverage: Full tuition, travel costs, and a monthly living allowance.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be from eligible developing countries and must have work experience in development-related fields.
- How to apply: Apply through the World Bank website.
12. The Gates Foundation Global Health Program Scholarships (Global)
- Why it works: Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship provides support to students pursuing graduate studies in global health at prestigious universities like Harvard University and the University of Washington.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, and travel allowances.
- Eligibility: Open to students worldwide interested in pursuing global health or related fields.
- How to apply: Apply through the Gates Foundation’s official website or the respective universities’ scholarship portals.
13. The American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship (USA)
- Why it works: The Emerging Global Leader Scholarship is designed for international graduate students who are pursuing a Master’s degree at the American University in Washington, D.C. This program focuses on developing leaders who will positively impact global development.
- Coverage: Full tuition and living expenses.
- Eligibility: Open to international students who demonstrate leadership potential and have a strong academic background.
- How to apply: Apply through the American University’s admissions portal.
14. The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships (Australia)
- Why it works: The University of Melbourne offers several graduate research scholarships for international students who are pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. programs in research-based disciplines.
- Coverage: Full tuition, stipend, and allowances for living expenses.
- Eligibility: Open to international students who have a strong research proposal.
- How to apply: Apply through the University of Melbourne’s official website.
15. The United Nations Scholarships (Global)
- Why it works: The UN Scholarships offer financial aid for postgraduate students who wish to pursue degrees related to international relations, human rights, or development at universities that work with the UN.
- Coverage: Varies, but often includes tuition, travel costs, and living expenses.
- Eligibility: Open to students from developing countries pursuing international development and human rights-related fields.
- How to apply: Apply through the UN or its affiliated institutions.
These scholarships provide substantial financial support for graduate students and are available to individuals pursuing a wide range of disciplines.