Finding a genuine fully funded Master’s scholarship can change the economics of studying abroad. Instead of paying international tuition fees and living expenses from personal savings, a successful scholarship recipient may receive tuition coverage, a living allowance and, depending on the programme, travel, insurance or other support.
But there is an important distinction between a scholarship advertised as “fully funded” and a scholarship that actually covers the costs you need.
For example, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme offers full scholarships that can contribute to participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs. The Swedish Institute Scholarship covers full tuition and provides a monthly living allowance and travel grant, but does not cover everything, including insurance and family expenses. DAAD’s EPOS programme provides a monthly scholarship, insurance and travel support, with some additional benefits available under certain conditions.
This guide focuses on established scholarship programmes and official information rather than unverified scholarship lists.
Important 2026 update: As at now, some scholarships for programmes beginning in 2026 have already closed or announced their winners. However, several major scholarship application cycles for 2027 entry are opening during late 2026. That makes August onward an important preparation period for prospective applicants.
What Are Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships?
A fully funded Master’s scholarship is financial support designed to cover most or all of the major costs associated with completing a postgraduate degree.
Depending on the scholarship, funding may include:
- Full or substantial tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Accommodation or housing support
- Airfare or travel allowance
- Visa-related support
- Health or medical insurance
- Research or study allowances
- Books or academic materials
- Family-related allowances in limited circumstances
However, there is no universal definition of “fully funded.”
Some programmes cover tuition and living expenses but exclude airfare. Others provide a travel allowance but do not cover dependants. Some scholarships pay tuition directly to the university while giving the student a separate stipend.
Always read the official funding conditions before assuming that a scholarship will cover every expense.
Top Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships 2026
The following programmes are among the strongest options for international students, including applicants from Africa and Nigeria.
| Scholarship | Study destination | Master’s funding | Important point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe and partner countries | Full scholarships available on selected programmes | Many applications are normally submitted directly to the programme |
| Chevening | United Kingdom | Fully funded | Strong emphasis on leadership and work experience |
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships | United Kingdom | Funded postgraduate study | Designed for eligible Commonwealth citizens from low- and middle-income countries |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Scholarship plus insurance and travel support | Usually requires relevant professional experience |
| Swedish Institute Scholarship | Sweden | Full tuition + monthly allowance + travel grant | Nigeria is an eligible country |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | United States | Funding support and J-1 sponsorship | Requirements and deadlines vary by country |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-G) | South Korea | Government-funded graduate scholarship | 2026 selection has already been completed |
| Oxford Clarendon Scholarship | United Kingdom | Full fees + living grant | Automatic consideration when eligible applicants meet the course deadline |
The availability, deadlines and eligibility requirements of individual programmes change from year to year. Check the official programme page before submitting an application.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is one of the most attractive options for students who want to study in more than one country.
These are international Master’s programmes delivered by consortia of universities. Students may study at multiple institutions during the programme rather than remaining at a single university.
The European Commission states that students from around the world can apply and that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked students. Scholarships can contribute towards participation costs as well as travel, visa and living expenses.
What makes Erasmus Mundus different?
A typical programme may involve:
- Multiple universities
- Two or more countries
- International academic mobility
- Research or traineeship components
- A joint or multiple degree
Programmes normally last between one and two academic years.
How do you apply?
You do not submit one universal application for every Erasmus Mundus Master’s.
Instead, you identify an eligible programme in the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and apply directly to the institution or consortium running that programme.
Most programmes normally accept applications between October and January for studies beginning the following academic year, although exact deadlines vary.
2026/2027 update
The 2026 selection of Erasmus Mundus projects included 37 new Joint Masters. The European Commission says these new programmes are expected to open student applications in autumn 2026, making this particularly relevant for students targeting the next intake.
2. Chevening Scholarships
Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme for emerging leaders.
It supports eligible applicants to pursue a one-year Master’s degree at a UK university.
Chevening is particularly competitive because academic ability alone is not enough. The programme places considerable emphasis on leadership, professional experience, future plans and the applicant’s potential contribution after the scholarship.
Chevening requirements
Current eligibility requirements include:
- Citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country or territory
- Commitment to return to the country of award for at least two years after the scholarship
- At least two years of qualifying work experience, equivalent to 2,800 hours
- An undergraduate degree that qualifies the applicant for a UK Master’s programme
- Completion of undergraduate studies at least two years before the application deadline under the current rules
Chevening 2026 application timeline
For the 2027–28 academic year, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Interviews are scheduled for March–April 2027, with successful scholars expected to begin their studies in September/October 2027.
This means prospective applicants who have not yet applied should treat Chevening as one of the most immediate opportunities in the current scholarship cycle.
What should applicants focus on?
A strong Chevening application should demonstrate a clear connection between:
Past experience → leadership → chosen Master’s degree → future impact.
Simply saying that you want to study in the UK is unlikely to make a compelling application.
3. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is another major UK-funded opportunity for citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
The programme is intended for talented candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK and focuses on development-related outcomes.
Who should consider it?
It can be particularly relevant to applicants whose proposed Master’s study connects with development priorities and who can demonstrate how their education will benefit their home country or wider community.
2027/28 application dates
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has announced that applications for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year will open on 8 September 2026 and close on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. Study is expected to begin in September/October 2027.
Applicants should therefore begin preparing documents before September rather than waiting for the application portal to open.
4. DAAD EPOS Scholarships in Germany
The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses, commonly known as EPOS, provides scholarships for selected postgraduate programmes in Germany.
The programme is specifically aimed at graduates from eligible developing and emerging countries and focuses on development-related postgraduate education.
This is one of the programmes where professional experience can make a major difference.
DAAD EPOS requirements
The general EPOS criteria include:
- A relevant Bachelor’s degree
- Strong academic performance
- At least two years of professional experience for eligible applicants
- Admission to an eligible postgraduate course
- Appropriate language proficiency
- Meeting the individual requirements of the chosen Master’s programme
The exact academic and language requirements vary by programme.
What does DAAD EPOS cover?
The current programme information lists:
- Monthly scholarship payment of €992 for graduates
- Health, accident and personal liability insurance
- Travel allowance where travel is not covered by another source
- Possible rent subsidy
- Possible allowance for accompanying family members under certain circumstances
The funding period is generally between 12 and 42 months, depending on the study programme.
Important point about deadlines
There is no single universal EPOS deadline.
Each participating Master’s programme has its own deadline. Some 2026/27 programmes have application windows running into September or October 2026, while others close earlier.
Therefore, applicants should search the official DAAD scholarship database and the specific university programme rather than relying on a generic “DAAD deadline.”
