There are thousands of scholarships out there for international students. But all scholarships are not created equal. Some scholarship programs offer much more than financial aid. It brings prestige to the student. We have selected the top 10 most prestigious scholarships for international students.
These scholarships are offered annually, are need based and are often competitive.
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Table of Contents
1. MasterCard foundation Scholars programme:
The MasterCard Foundation is partnering with over 10 recognized universities and higher institutions around the world to offer the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program, a $500 million education initiative that will provide talented yet economically disadvantaged students from developing countries, particularly from Africa,– with comprehensive support for secondary and university education. The scholarship will be offered to 15,000 African Students for a period of 10years.
The vision of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars program is to educate and develop bright yet economically marginalized young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and who will contribute to the transformation of the continent. It will transition promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa. The Scholars Program is anticipated to benefit 15,000 young people within 8 to 10 years.
2. UK – Commonwealth Scholarship Programme:
Each year, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission is one of the most prestigious scholarships for international students. It invites each nominating agency, university or university body to forward a specific number of nominations for the Commonwealth Scholarship for developing countries. Approximately 200–230 scholarships are awarded each year.
3. Australia Awards for Africa:
The Australia Awards for Africa are an initiative of the Australian Government aimed at maximizing the benefit of the Australian Government’s extensive scholarship programs, and supporting enduring ties between Australia and neighboring African countries. Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are available for full-time Postgraduate Diploma or Master Degree studies for African Nationals at Australian universities.
4. Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships:
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) sponsors students from developing countries to pursue graduate studies leading to a master’s degree from preferred and partner universities around the world. The scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
5. UK – Chevening Scholarship:
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholarship programme was established in 1983 and is now an internationally prestigious scheme with over 41,000 alumni. In 2011–12, there were over 700 Chevening Scholars studying at universities across the UK. Chevening Scholarships are currently offered in approximately 110 countries. Chevening awards enable Scholars to study a one-year postgraduate Master’s course in any discipline at any UK university.
6. UK – Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Programme:
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (with funding from DFID) and UK universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK. Since establishment in 1959, 27,000 individuals have benefited, with 120 to 150 awards every year. Scholarships are open to Commonwealth citizens. Awards are for postgraduate study (Masters and PhD).
7. Sweden – Swedish Institute Study Scholarship:
Swedish Institute Study Scholarships for 12 Developing Countries to Study for Undergraduate and Master’s Degree Programs. The scholarship covers both the tuition fee and living expenses to the amount of SEK8,000 (€878.9799) per month. Scholarship holders within the SI Study Scholarships will receive a travel grant in connection with the scholarship. The travel grant is a lump sum of SEK 10.000. (€ 1098.7249).
8. Any country – OFID Scholarship Award:
Each year, the OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) Scholarship is awarded to support an undergraduate student from any developing country, to pursue higher education in a relevant field of development at any recognized university/college in the world. Through its scholarship scheme, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly driven individuals overcome one of the biggest challenges to their careers: the cost of advanced professional or graduate training. The winner will receive up to US$100,000.
9. UK – Reach Oxford Scholarship – University of Oxford:
A number of Oxford colleges offer Reach Oxford scholarships (formerly Oxford Student Scholarships) to students from developing countries who, for political or financial reasons, or because standard educational facilities do not exist, cannot study for a degree in their own countries. Scholarship winners will study at Oxford University, UK, under any undergraduate course of study, except medicine, due to the course length and expense. The scholarship covers university and college fees, a full grant for living expenses, and a return flight to the UK at the start and end of the course per year.
10. Germany – DAAD Scholarship:
DAAD Scholarship Programmes have benefited hundreds of African students since their inception. The scholarships are awarded each year to postgraduate students wishing to study for a Master’s or PhD degree. The DAAD scholarships can support students who want to study in their country (in-country scholarships) or abroad. The annual application deadline for this scholarship is October 15, every year.
11. Fulbright Foreign Scholarship:
The Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarships Program is offered for Masters, PhD and non-degree postgraduate studies to study at USA universities. Scholarships are open to approximately 4,000 international students from more than 155 countries worldwide.
12. New Zealand Development Scholarships for African Students
The New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) offers the opportunity for international students from selected developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to study in New Zealand to gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in specific subject areas that will assist in the development of their home country. The scholarships include tuition fees, travel costs, living allowance, and insurance.
13. Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowship for Masters and Professional Programs
The Rotary Foundation offers scholarship funding through the Rotary Foundation Global Grant scholarships. The scholarship funds graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. The minimum budget for a global grant scholarship is $30,000, which can fund the following: passport/visa, inoculations, travel expenses, school supplies, tuition, room and board, etc. Generally, the study grants can be carried out in any country where there is a host Rotary club or district.
14. Korean Government Scholarships
The Korean Government Scholarship Program is designed to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea and to develop global leaders and strengthen Korea-friendly networks worldwide. The scholarships cover tuition, allowance, travel, airfare, medical insurance, etc.
15. VLIR-UOS Scholarship Program
VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from 31 developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue an English Taught Training or Master’s Programme related to development at Universities in Belgium. The scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodations, allowances, travel costs, and other program related costs.
Also see
List of Scholarships in US for International Students
List of Scholarships in UK for International Students
80 Study Abroad Scholarships for International Students
