Scholarships for international students
Many universities offer scholarships or fee discounts to international students. Discounts are often 10% to 50% of tuition, and a few government schemes cover tuition and living costs in full.
Types of scholarships
- University merit scholarships, based on your grades
- Early payment and early application discounts
- Country-specific awards for students from South Asia
- Government scholarships such as Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) and Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Scholarships by country
UK
- University scholarships and fee discounts for international students: often £1,000–£5,000 a year
- GREAT Scholarships: usually £10,000 towards a one-year master’s, for students from selected countries
- Chevening Scholarships: fully funded master’s study for future leaders (highly competitive)
USA
- Merit scholarships at many universities: often $5,000–$25,000 a year
- Graduate assistantships: can cover tuition and pay a monthly stipend
- Fulbright: fully funded graduate study for students from eligible countries (highly competitive)
Australia
- University merit scholarships: often 10%–50% off tuition fees
- Australia Awards: around 70 scholarships a year for Bangladeshi citizens for master’s study, covering full tuition, return airfare, an establishment allowance and a contribution to living costs
Ireland
- University scholarships for international students: often €2,000–€5,000, or a percentage off tuition
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship: a €10,000 stipend plus a full tuition fee waiver for one year of master’s or PhD study (60 awarded each year)
Canada
- Entrance scholarships at many colleges and universities: often CAD 1,000–10,000
- Some universities offer larger awards for high-achieving international students
Malta
- Many colleges offer tuition discounts or instalment plans; we tell you what is open for your intake
Hungary
- Stipendium Hungaricum: free tuition, a monthly stipend of HUF 43,700 for bachelor’s and master’s students, a dormitory place or HUF 40,000 a month towards housing, and medical insurance (for students from partner countries)
- PhD students on Stipendium Hungaricum: HUF 140,000–180,000 a month
Denmark
- Danish Government Scholarships: each university awards a limited number to highly qualified non-EU students; most cover tuition and some also give a living grant
Sweden
- University tuition-fee waivers: often 25%–75% off tuition
- Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals: full tuition, SEK 12,000 a month for living costs and a travel grant (highly competitive)
Malaysia
- Merit scholarships at many private universities: often 10%–50% off tuition fees
Typical figures. Requirements and scholarship amounts vary by university and course and change each year, so we confirm the latest details with you before you apply.
How to improve your chances
- Apply early, as many awards are limited
- Keep your grades and English test scores high
- Write a strong personal statement
- Meet the scholarship deadlines, which are often earlier than course deadlines
How we help
We tell you which scholarships you can apply for, help you prepare your application, and include scholarship applications with your university application where possible.
