Meta title: Top Scholarships for International Students in 2025 — Fully Funded & Prestigious Awards
Meta description: Discover the best 2025 scholarships for international students: Fulbright, Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, DAAD, Australia Awards, MEXT, Eiffel, Knight-Hennessy, ADB-JSP, Commonwealth, CSC & more. Eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and tips.
Looking to fund your studies abroad in 2025? You’re in the right place. Below is a carefully curated, up-to-date guide to the top scholarships and grants for international students in 2025—with what they cover, who’s eligible, and when to apply. I’ve prioritized fully funded, globally recognized programs and included official references so you can verify details fast.
Table of contents
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
- Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)
- DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Australia Awards (Australia)
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (New Zealand)
- MEXT Scholarships (Japan)
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarships (France)
- Commonwealth Scholarships (UK, for Commonwealth citizens)
- Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC)
- Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford, USA)
- ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (Asia-Pacific)
- Vanier Program changes (Canada): what’s new in 2025
- Quick application tips & FAQs
1) Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
Why it’s a top pick: One of the world’s most recognized awards for international master’s/PhD study and research in the U.S., operating in 160+ countries and supporting thousands annually. Fulbright Online+2Fulbright Online+2
What it covers: Tuition, living stipend, health insurance, and more (exact benefits vary by country; apply through your local U.S. Embassy/ Fulbright Commission). Fulbright Online
When to apply (2025 cycle): Each country runs its own timeline—many begin calls between February–June for studies the following academic year. Always check your country page on Fulbright. Fulbright Online
Best for: Future researchers, professionals, and artists with leadership potential who want U.S. study or research experience.
2) Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Why it’s a top pick: The UK Government’s flagship fully funded one-year master’s scholarship for future leaders from 160+ countries. Applications for 2026–27 entry are open from 5 Aug to 7 Oct 2025 (12:00 UTC)—a prime 2025 action window for you. Chevening+2GOV.UK+2
What it covers: University tuition, monthly stipend, travel, visa, and more; plus a powerful global alumni network. Chevening
Best for: Emerging leaders with strong networking/impact potential and at least two years’ work experience.
3) Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)
Why it’s a top pick: Prestigious joint master’s programs delivered by consortia of universities in multiple countries—you study in at least two countries and graduate with a joint/double degree. Many programs award generous scholarships. The EU lists €1,400/month for individual scholarships (up to 24 months) as a guideline. Erasmus++1
What it covers: Monthly stipend, participation costs/tuition, travel and insurance (package varies by program). New EMJM programs are added annually; 87 new projects were selected in 2025, widening options. Erasmus++1
When to apply: Most EMJM courses open applications from October–January for the intake the following fall, but check each program’s site.
Best for: Students who want a multi-country EU experience and a stacked CV.
4) DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Why it’s a top pick: The DAAD funds a huge portfolio—postgraduate, research, development-oriented master’s, and more—for study and research in Germany. DAAD+1
What it covers: Typically tuition waivers (Germany’s public universities), monthly stipends, insurance, and travel depending on the scheme. Check the DAAD scholarship database to match your profile. DAAD
When to apply: Deadlines vary by program and department—start with the DAAD database and your target university.
5) Australia Awards (Australia)
Why it’s a top pick: Fully funded long-term awards administered by DFAT for citizens of partner countries to study at Australian universities. In 2025, DFAT indicated 1,551 long-term awards across 55 partner countries, signalling significant availability. DFAT+1
What it covers: Tuition, return airfares, establishment allowance, living stipend, OSHC, and more. Country-specific eligibility and sectors apply. DFAT+1
When to apply: Windows differ by country; the official site and country profiles list the opening/closing dates and whether to apply via OASIS or a local portal. DFAT
6) Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (New Zealand)
Why it’s a top pick: New Zealand’s Manaaki scholarships focus on development impact and priority sectors—and include full funding. In 2025 there was a Samoa foundation round (Aug 1–31, 2025 NZ time), while most other countries open in early 2026—worth tracking if NZ is your destination. nzscholarships.govt.nz+1
What it covers: Tuition, living costs, travel, insurance; see official MFAT/Manaaki pages for your country stream. nzscholarships.govt.nz+1
7) MEXT (Monbukagakushō) Scholarships (Japan)
Why it’s a top pick: The Japanese Government’s MEXT scholarship supports research students (Master’s/PhD), undergraduates, teacher training, and specialized training. Schedules vary by country, but the Embassy Recommendation route usually runs Dec–Feb (screening Jan–Feb) with final placements the following year. Some embassies publish specific deadlines for 2025 cycles. 日本留学情報サイト Study in Japan+2Embassy of Japan in the United States+2
What it covers: Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, prep Japanese language training (where applicable).
When to apply: Watch your local Japanese Embassy/Consulate page starting late year/early year for the next intake. 日本留学情報サイト Study in Japan
8) France Excellence Eiffel Scholarships (France)
Why it’s a top pick: France’s flagship Eiffel program funds top international master’s and PhD candidates via institution-nominated applications (you don’t apply directly to Campus France—your French university applies for you). For the 2026 campaign (your 2025 action window), applications open Oct 1, 2025 and close Jan 8, 2026 at Campus France; individual universities set earlier internal cutoffs in Oct–Nov 2025. Campus France+2Toulouse School of Management+2
What it covers: Monthly allowance, international transport, insurance, and cultural activities (tuition is not directly covered but many French public programmes have low fees). Campus France
9) Commonwealth Scholarships (UK — Commonwealth citizens)
Why it’s a top pick: Fully funded Master’s and PhD awards for citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries. For the 2026–27 academic year, several official/partner pages list application deadlines around 14 Oct 2025 (16:00 GMT)—relevant if you’re applying during 2025. Always verify your country’s nominating agency and stream. Commonwealth Scholarship Commission+2British Council+2
What it covers: Tuition, stipend, flights, thesis/research support, and more.
How it works: You typically apply both to the CSC online system and through your nominating agency (ministry, university, or NGO) by their deadline. Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
10) Chinese Government Scholarships (CSC)
Why it’s a top pick: The CSC supports degree and non-degree study across hundreds of Chinese universities. Some missions announced 2025/26 online applications closing by Feb 23, 2025; most universities accept CSC applicants Dec–Apr, with internal deadlines varying by institution. id.china-embassy.gov.cn+2Tsinghua Graduate Admissions+2
What it covers: Tuition, accommodation (or subsidy), stipend, and medical insurance.
Pro tip: Pick a CSC-affiliated university and program first, then follow that university’s CSC application instructions. China Scholarship 2025
11) Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford University, USA)
Why it’s a top pick: A multi-disciplinary, fully funded leadership scholarship that adds up to three years of support on top of an admitted Stanford graduate degree (master’s, JD, MD, PhD, etc.). The 2026 cohort application closes Oct 8, 2025 (1:00 pm PT)—a key 2025 deadline. Eligibility includes earning your first bachelor’s Jan 2019 or later (with military exceptions). Knight-Hennessy Scholars+3Knight-Hennessy Scholars+3Knight-Hennessy Scholars+3
What it covers: Tuition, stipend, and more, plus leadership development and a powerful community. Knight-Hennessy Scholars+1
12) ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
Why it’s a top pick: Funds ~135 master’s scholarships annually at designated institutions across Asia & the Pacific, with a development focus. Covers full tuition, subsistence (including housing), books, insurance, travel, and research. Asian Development Bank+2Asian Development Bank+2
How to apply: Choose a designated institution/program first, then apply per ADB-JSP procedures and the university’s steps. Asian Development Bank+1
13) Canada update: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
What changed in 2025: The Government of Canada announced it is no longer accepting applications for the Vanier CGS and directed applicants to the harmonized Canada Graduate Research Scholarships — Doctoral program. If you planned on Vanier for a 2025/26 start, check the new pathway and timelines with your Canadian host university. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships+1
Choosing the right scholarship: quick matcher
- Strong leadership + one-year Master’s in the UK? Chevening. Chevening
- Want a multi-country EU Master’s with a stipend? Erasmus Mundus. Erasmus+
- Prefer Germany’s research ecosystem? DAAD database first. DAAD
- From an Australia Awards partner country? Check DFAT country pages for 2025/26 windows. DFAT
- Targeting France? Eiffel requires an institution nomination—contact your future French program early (Oct–Nov 2025 internal deadlines are common). Campus France+1
- Stanford dream + leadership track? Knight-Hennessy (deadline Oct 8, 2025). Knight-Hennessy Scholars
- Development-focused Master’s in Asia-Pacific? ADB-JSP at a designated institution. Asian Development Bank
How to make your 2025 application stand out (and avoid common mistakes)
- Start from the official page and read the fine print. Sounds obvious, but the biggest errors come from outdated blogs. Always confirm benefits, eligibility, and dates on the official site. (I’ve linked official sources throughout.)
- Mind the two-step applications. Some schemes need both a scholarship application and a university admission (e.g., Knight-Hennessy + Stanford program; CSC + university; Eiffel via your French institution). Knight-Hennessy Scholars+2China Scholarship 2025+2
- Chase internal deadlines. Programs like Eiffel and many Erasmus Mundus courses have internal cutoffs weeks earlier than the headline date. Missing an internal date means no nomination. Toulouse School of Management
- Tailor your impact story. Scholarships such as Chevening, Knight-Hennessy, ADB-JSP and Australia/Manaaki care deeply about leadership and development outcomes, not just grades. Use results, metrics, and community outcomes to prove it. Chevening+2Knight-Hennessy Scholars+2
- Pick referees strategically. Choose people who know your work and impact, brief them early, and align their letters with the selection criteria (leadership, academic excellence, purpose).
- Eligibility traps. Programs may have citizenship, work-experience, or degree-date windows (e.g., Knight-Hennessy’s first degree window). Verify before you draft essays. Knight-Hennessy Scholars
- Apply broadly—but smartly. It’s fine to apply to multiple programs if each aligns with your goals. Prioritize quality over quantity.
Micro-profiles (at a glance)
- Fulbright (USA): ~4,000 foreign grantees annually; broad fields; country-run processes. Fulbright Online+1
- Chevening (UK): One-year master’s; apps close 7 Oct 2025 (12:00 UTC) for 2026–27 entry. Chevening
- Erasmus Mundus (EU): Joint master’s, multi-country; indicative €1,400/month scholarships; new programs added in 2025. Erasmus++1
- DAAD (Germany): Huge database of awards for grads/PhDs/postdocs. DAAD
- Australia Awards: Fully funded awards; 1,551 long-term scholarships for 2025 across 55 countries. DFAT
- Manaaki (NZ): Fully funded; country windows vary (e.g., Samoa Aug 1–31, 2025). nzscholarships.govt.nz
- MEXT (Japan): Embassy recommendation usually Dec–Feb cycle for the next fall; watch your embassy. 日本留学情報サイト Study in Japan
- Eiffel (France): Institution-nominated; Oct 1, 2025–Jan 8, 2026 at Campus France; universities set earlier internal deadlines. Campus France+1
- Commonwealth (UK): Fully funded Master’s/PhD; many calls close around 14 Oct 2025 via nominating agencies. British Council
- CSC (China): Dec–Apr typical window; some 2025 missions closed Feb 23, 2025—deadlines vary by university/embassy. id.china-embassy.gov.cn+1
- Knight-Hennessy (Stanford): Oct 8, 2025 (1 pm PT) deadline; first degree Jan 2019+ (with exceptions). Knight-Hennessy Scholars+1
- ADB–JSP: ~135 master’s awards/year; full tuition + stipends + travel at designated institutions. Asian Development Bank+1
- Canada (Vanier): Applications no longer accepted; see Canada Graduate Research Scholarships—Doctoral. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
FAQs
Q: Which scholarships cover everything (tuition + living + travel)?
A: Chevening, Australia Awards, Manaaki NZ, ADB-JSP, many Erasmus Mundus scholarships, Fulbright (varies), Knight-Hennessy (with a Stanford admit), Commonwealth, and CSC are typically fully funded packages. Always confirm specifics on the official page. id.china-embassy.gov.cn+8Chevening+8DFAT+8
Q: I’m applying in late 2025—what are the hot deadlines?
A: Chevening (closes 7 Oct 2025, 12:00 UTC), Knight-Hennessy (8 Oct 2025, 1 pm PT), several Commonwealth streams (often 14 Oct 2025), and Eiffel internal university deadlines across Oct–Nov 2025 ahead of Jan 8, 2026 Campus France cut-off. Campus France+3Chevening+3Knight-Hennessy Scholars+3
Q: Can I apply to multiple programs at once?
A: Yes—just ensure each application is tailored and timelines don’t clash. Some require institutional nomination (Eiffel, certain Commonwealth streams), and some require dual applications (Knight-Hennessy + Stanford degree; CSC + university). China Scholarship 2025+3Campus France+3Commonwealth Scholarship Commission+3
Final checklist for 2025 applicants
- Shortlist 3–5 scholarships that fit your profile and timing.
- Reverse-engineer each program’s selection criteria and demonstrate them with evidence (impact, leadership, publications, projects).
- Calendar all internal and official deadlines (set reminders 2–3 weeks early).
- Contact referees now; share your draft essays and selection criteria.
- Where an institution nomination is required (Eiffel, some Commonwealth), contact the program admin early October. Toulouse School of Management
- Always verify details on the official scholarship pages before you submit.
