Studying abroad can be expensive. Tuition fees are only one part of the cost; accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, visa expenses, books and international travel can add thousands of dollars to the total cost of an overseas education.
That is why fully funded scholarships are among the most valuable opportunities available to international students.
A genuine fully funded scholarship can cover some or all of the major costs associated with an academic programme. Depending on the award, this may include tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance, visa costs and other allowances.
However, there is an important distinction between scholarships advertised as “fully funded” and scholarships that actually provide comprehensive financial support. Not every scholarship covers every expense, and eligibility can vary significantly by nationality, degree level, academic background, work experience and proposed field of study.
This guide focuses on legitimate opportunities and explains what international students should know when searching for fully funded scholarships in 2026.
Important: Note that some scholarships advertised as “2026 scholarships” are actually accepting applications in 2026 for programmes beginning in 2027. Always check the scholarship’s official deadline and intake year before applying.
What Are Fully Funded Scholarships?
A fully funded scholarship is an award designed to cover the major costs of an eligible student’s education and, in many cases, living expenses.
The exact package differs from one scholarship to another.
For example, Chevening states that its full scholarship normally includes tuition fees, return travel, an arrival allowance, visa costs, a departure allowance and a monthly living stipend.
Erasmus Mundus scholarships can cover participation costs and contribute toward travel, visa and living expenses.
The practical lesson is simple: never assume that “fully funded” means every personal expense will be paid. Read the official funding conditions before applying.
Latest Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in 2026
The following programmes are among the major opportunities international students should know about during the 2026 scholarship cycle.
| Scholarship | Destination | Typical level | 2026 status/relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | United Kingdom | Master’s | 2027/28 applications open |
| Rhodes Scholarship | United Kingdom | Postgraduate | 2027 applications open |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe and partner countries | Master’s | New programmes opening for applications in late 2026 |
| DAAD scholarships | Germany | Master’s/PhD and others | Several 2026 deadlines lead to 2027 study |
| Oxford Clarendon | United Kingdom | Master’s/DPhil | Applications for 2027 entry follow Oxford course deadlines |
| Swedish Institute Scholarship | Sweden | Master’s | 2026/27 round has closed; future applicants should monitor the next call |
The availability of these programmes does not mean every applicant is eligible. Each scholarship has its own selection criteria and application process.
1. Chevening Scholarships 2026
For international students interested in a master’s degree in the United Kingdom, Chevening remains one of the most prominent fully funded government scholarship programmes.
The important update for applicants searching in August 2026 is that the 2027–28 Chevening application cycle opened on August 4, 2026, and is scheduled to close on October 6, 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Successful scholars are expected to begin their UK studies in September or October 2027.
This means students searching for “fully funded scholarships 2026” should not overlook Chevening simply because the study programme starts in 2027.
What does Chevening cover?
A full Chevening Scholarship normally provides:
- University tuition fees
- Return economy travel
- Monthly living allowance
- Arrival allowance
- Visa application cost
- Departure allowance
- Travel top-up allowance for eligible scholars
- Other programme-related support
The exact financial package is governed by the scholarship’s current terms and award documentation.
Chevening generally supports one-year taught master’s programmes in the UK rather than undergraduate or PhD programmes.
Chevening application deadline
For the 2027–28 scholarship:
Application opens: August 4, 2026
Application closes: October 6, 2026 at 11:00 UTC
Interviews: March–April 2027
Results: From mid-June 2027
Studies begin: September/October 2027
Applicants should not wait until the final day. A strong application requires time to develop the required essays, select suitable courses and prepare references.
2. Rhodes Scholarships 2027
The Rhodes Scholarship is another major fully funded opportunity for international students seeking postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
The 2027 scholarship applications opened in June 2026. Applications submitted in 2026 are for students who will enter Oxford in October 2027.
The scholarship is aimed at academically outstanding applicants who demonstrate leadership, character and a commitment to service.
Rhodes Scholarship for West African students
This opportunity is particularly relevant to applicants from Nigeria and other eligible West African countries.
The Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa covers countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and several others in the region. For the 2027 entry cycle, applications opened on June 1, 2026 and close at 23:59 GMT on August 27, 2026.
Therefore, eligible Nigerian applicants reading this article in August 2026 have a particularly important deadline approaching.
What does Rhodes cover?
The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate award at Oxford.
However, eligibility is highly competitive. Applicants must satisfy the requirements for the relevant Rhodes constituency, including age, academic and other criteria.
For West Africa, applicants should carefully review the current constituency-specific requirements rather than relying on general Rhodes information.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
If your goal is to study in Europe, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) should be near the top of your scholarship search.
These are international master’s programmes delivered by a consortium of universities. Students may study in more than one country during the programme.
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 cover participation costs and contribute toward travel, visa and living expenses.
The programmes typically last between one and two academic years, depending on the specific master’s programme.
When do Erasmus Mundus applications open?
Most Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes accept applications between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year. However, each programme establishes its own deadline.
This is particularly important in 2026 because the European Commission announced that 37 new Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters were selected in the latest call, with the new programmes expected to open student applications in autumn 2026. Full scholarships will also be available.
That makes late 2026 an important period for students preparing applications for 2027 entry.
How Erasmus Mundus works
Unlike some government scholarships, you generally apply directly to the institution or consortium operating the master’s programme.
You should:
- Search the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue.
- Identify programmes that match your academic background.
- Read the programme-specific eligibility requirements.
- Check whether scholarships are available.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Submit the application before the programme’s deadline.
Do not assume that applying to one Erasmus Mundus programme automatically makes you eligible for every Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
4. DAAD Scholarships in Germany
Germany is another important destination for students searching for fully or substantially funded international scholarships.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) operates a large scholarship database containing programmes for international students and researchers.
One example is the DAAD Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines programme, which supports postgraduate study in Germany.
However, DAAD is not one single scholarship. It is a collection of different funding programmes, and eligibility varies by country, degree level, academic discipline and programme.
DAAD deadlines in 2026
The official DAAD database currently lists different deadlines for different programmes.
For example, the Study Scholarships – Master Studies for All Academic Disciplines programme has a listed deadline of November 16, 2026, with selection in spring 2027 and scholarship funding beginning in the winter semester 2027/28 for the relevant programme listing.
Other DAAD programmes have different deadlines, including some in September, November and December 2026.
This is why searching for “the DAAD deadline” can be misleading. There is no single deadline for all DAAD scholarships.
Applicants should use the official DAAD scholarship database and open the individual programme description before preparing an application.
