Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students

Fully funded undergraduate scholarships for international students are among the most sought-after opportunities for high-achieving and talented students worldwide. Studying abroad for a bachelor’s degree offers exposure to world-class education, diverse cultures, and global networking, but financial constraints often prevent students from achieving this dream. Fully funded scholarships eliminate these barriers by covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, health insurance, and sometimes travel costs. This guide covers everything you need to know about fully funded undergraduate scholarships, including eligibility criteria, top scholarships by country, application process, required documents, tips to win, and frequently asked questions.
Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
What Are Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
A fully funded undergraduate scholarship is a financial aid program that covers all major costs associated with earning a bachelor’s degree abroad. These scholarships are designed for students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to social impact.
Typical coverage includes:
- Full tuition fees 
- Monthly living stipend 
- Accommodation or housing allowance 
- Health and medical insurance 
- Travel or relocation expenses 
- Research or study-related grants for some programs 
Fully funded scholarships allow students to focus entirely on their studies, personal growth, and global experiences without worrying about finances.
Why Choose Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships Abroad
Studying abroad at the undergraduate level offers unmatched benefits. Fully funded scholarships amplify these benefits by removing financial barriers and providing additional opportunities for growth.
Key benefits include:
- Access to top-ranking universities and world-class faculty 
- Participation in global research, innovation, and development programs 
- Exposure to diverse cultures and international perspectives 
- Networking opportunities with peers, alumni, and professionals worldwide 
- Increased eligibility for postgraduate scholarships, including M.Phil and PhD programs 
- Leadership development and career enhancement opportunities 
Who Can Apply – Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria differ based on the scholarship, country, and funding organisation. In general, applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Completion of secondary education or high school diploma (12 years of schooling) 
- Strong academic record (typically 75% or above, or GPA 3.0 or higher) 
- Proficiency in English (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent) 
- Demonstrated leadership, volunteering, or extracurricular achievements 
- Letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors 
- Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose 
Some scholarships prioritize students from developing countries, underrepresented communities, STEM fields, or female candidates.
Top Countries Offering Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
Studying in different countries provides unique academic, cultural, and career advantages. Here are the leading destinations:
- USA: Prestigious universities, strong research programs, and generous stipends 
- UK: Renowned academic institutions and leadership-oriented scholarships 
- Canada: Safe, multicultural, and research-focused undergraduate programs 
- Australia: Excellent living standards and research-driven opportunities 
- Germany: Tuition-free or low-cost high-quality education 
- New Zealand: Research-based learning with generous scholarship coverage 
- China: Thousands of fully funded scholarships through CSC 
- Japan: Advanced STEM and research programs 
- Europe: Erasmus+, tuition-free government scholarships, and international exposure 
Types of Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
Government Funded Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by national governments to attract global talent. Examples:
- Fulbright Undergraduate Program – USA 
- Chevening Undergraduate Scholarships – UK 
- Commonwealth Scholarships – UK 
- Australia Awards Scholarships 
- DAAD Undergraduate Scholarships – Germany 
- MEXT Scholarships – Japan 
- CSC Scholarships – China 
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 
University Funded Scholarships
Offered directly by universities based on merit, leadership, or specific criteria. Examples:
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship – UK 
- Rhodes Scholarship – UK 
- University of Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarships 
- University of Toronto International Scholarships 
- Harvard College Financial Aid for International Students 
Organisation Funded Scholarships
Funded by foundations, NGOs, or international organisations. Examples:
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships 
- OPEC Fund for International Development Scholarships 
- Joint Japan World Bank Undergraduate Scholarships 
- Wellcome Trust Undergraduate Scholarships 
Fields of Study Covered
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships are available across a wide range of disciplines:
- STEM: Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science 
- Business & Economics: Finance, Management, Public Administration, International Relations 
- Social Sciences & Humanities: Psychology, Sociology, Literature, History, Education 
- Medical & Health Sciences: Public Health, Biomedical Science, Nursing, Clinical Research 
- Agriculture & Food Sciences: Sustainable Agriculture, Food Technology, Environmental Studies 
Step by Step on How to Apply
- Research and shortlist scholarships suited to your academic and personal profile 
- Review eligibility criteria and program requirements carefully 
- Prepare essential documents such as transcripts, SOP, and CV 
- Contact potential mentors or program representatives if required 
- Write a tailored personal statement or motivation essay 
- Submit your application online with all documents before the deadline 
- Prepare thoroughly for interviews or additional assessments if required 
Documents Required
- Academic transcripts and high school diploma 
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume 
- Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose 
- Letters of Recommendation (2–3) 
- English proficiency test scores (IELTS/TOEFL) 
- Passport copy 
- Evidence of extracurricular achievements, publications, or awards if applicable 
Top 50 Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
- Fulbright Undergraduate Program – USA 
- Chevening Undergraduate Scholarships – UK 
- Commonwealth Undergraduate Scholarships – UK 
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship – UK 
- Rhodes Scholarship – UK 
- University of Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarships – Australia 
- University of Sydney International Scholarships – Australia 
- DAAD Undergraduate Scholarships – Germany 
- CSC Undergraduate Scholarships – China 
- MEXT Undergraduate Scholarships – Japan 
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships – New Zealand 
- Vanier Undergraduate Scholarships – Canada 
- Trudeau Undergraduate Scholarships – Canada 
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Bachelor’s Scholarships – Europe 
- ETH Zurich Undergraduate Scholarships – Switzerland 
- EPFL Excellence Scholarships – Switzerland 
- KAUST Undergraduate Scholarships – Saudi Arabia 
- Qatar University Scholarships – Qatar 
- King Fahd University Scholarships – Saudi Arabia 
- Aga Khan Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships 
- OPEC Fund Scholarships – Middle East 
- Turkey Burslari Scholarships – Turkey 
- Holland/Netherlands Government Scholarships 
- Swedish Institute Scholarships – Sweden 
- Norwegian Quota Scholarships – Norway 
- Danish Government Scholarships – Denmark 
- Belgium VLIR-UOS Scholarships 
- Hungary Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarships 
- Stanford University International Undergraduate Scholarships – USA 
- Harvard College International Aid – USA 
- Yale University International Scholarships – USA 
- MIT Undergraduate Scholarships – USA 
- University of Chicago Scholarships – USA 
- University of Oxford Undergraduate Financial Aid – UK 
- University of Cambridge Undergraduate Scholarships – UK 
- Imperial College London Scholarships – UK 
- University College London Scholarships – UK 
- University of Warwick Undergraduate Scholarships – UK 
- Monash University Undergraduate Scholarships – Australia 
- University of Queensland Scholarships – Australia 
- University of Adelaide Scholarships – Australia 
- University of Auckland Scholarships – New Zealand 
- University of Otago Scholarships – New Zealand 
- Victoria University of Wellington Scholarships – New Zealand 
- Kyoto University Undergraduate Scholarships – Japan 
- Seoul National University Undergraduate Scholarships – South Korea 
- Hong Kong Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme 
- Singapore A*STAR Undergraduate Scholarships 
- Malaysia International Scholarships 
- Taiwan ICDF Scholarships 
Tips to Win Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships
- Start early and plan your application strategy carefully 
- Maintain strong academics and high test scores 
- Build leadership, volunteer, and extracurricular profiles 
- Write an outstanding personal statement or essay 
- Obtain strong letters of recommendation 
- Prepare thoroughly for interviews or selection tests 
- Apply to multiple scholarships to maximize chances 
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing application deadlines 
- Submitting generic or poorly written personal statements 
- Ignoring eligibility criteria 
- Weak or insufficient recommendation letters 
- Limiting applications to only one or two scholarships 
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships provide life-changing opportunities for international students. They cover tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, and additional benefits, allowing students to focus fully on academics, personal growth, and global exposure. By planning early, building strong academic and extracurricular profiles, and applying strategically, any high-achieving student can secure a fully funded scholarship and create a path toward future postgraduate studies or professional success.
