It’s no surprise that many eagerly seek out full scholarships to Europe every year; it’s a popular study abroad choice among students for many reasons.
Apart from its great reputation for its way of life, vast array of options, and opportunities for global exposure amidst cultural diversity, it is also known for its high standards of education.
“European programmes tend to be more diverse than US courses and therefore draw more students from emerging economies,” says Brandon Kirby, Director of Marketing from the Rotterdam School of Management in the Netherlands.
In a recent survey by Educations.com, Germany ranks #1 as the best European country to study abroad in; for good reason too, as Germany is home to high standards of living, low tuition costs, and its reputation as a higher education powerhouse. Many even go on to graduate and live in the country to work, as there are now initiatives that help them secure jobs in the country from 2024 to 2028.
Hot on its heels are the UK, France, Spain , and the Netherlands, along with Switzerland and Denmark around the corner.
Interested in going abroad? Check out some fully-funded scholarships that are available for international applicants:
Expect to see many Emily in Paris fans flock to iconic locations for photos. Are you one of them? Source: AFP
The Emile Boutmy Scholarship in France
This scholarship is for those looking to undertake a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD from the Science Po University in Paris, which hosts 14,000 students — half of which are international. Students can enrol in any subject offered by the university, ranked as one of the top public institutions in the country.
The Emile Boutmy Scholarship will fund up to US$21,044 a year, covering tuition and costs of living. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be: first time applicants, from a non-European Union state, whose household does not file taxes within the European Union, and who have been admitted to the Undergraduate or Master’s programme.
Check your eligibility here.
The Erasmus+ Scholarship Programme
The Erasmus+ scholarship is a prestigious, integrated, and international study programme jointly delivered by an international consortium of higher education institutions. This programme awards EU-funded scholarships to the best candidates who apply during annual selection rounds.
This scholarship covers studying abroad and also offers opportunities for internships and work placements for higher education students, as long as they are in a country covered by the programme. For those wishing to seek out postgraduate studies, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offers full scholarships to European universities and beyond.
Individual grants vary based on living costs, tuition fees, country, and number of students applying. Learn more here.
Switzerland is also known for its stunning views, making it a memorable study abroad location. Source: AFP
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship in Switzerland
This fully-funded scholarship is open for students from over 180 different countries looking to pursue a master’s or PhD degree in Switzerland. Research scholarships are awarded for research or study at all Swiss cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences and the two federal institutes of technology, as well as the four research institutes.
The catch? You’ll have to be nominated by an academic supervisor at one of these higher education institutions in order to be considered for the scholarship.
Those interested can learn more about the four types of scholarships offered:
Each scholarship has different funding and criteria. Find out more here.
The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
Considered one of the best scholarships for international students to study in Ireland. This programme is an established national initiative funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and is a fully-funded opportunity for international students to study within Ireland.
It awards up to a maximum of US$21,040 a year, including a stipend, fees, and direct research expenses. It covers all disciplines, and is open to any non-EU/non-EEA students.
Learn more about the scholarship here.
The Belgium Government Scholarships
Looking to study in Belgium? Several fully-funded scholarships are now available for international students who want to pursue a full-time master’s degree or a training course.
There are no restrictions; students from any background, religion or race can apply, and choose from a wide range of academic fields and majors. Explore options such as the Belgian Americal Education Foundation Fellowships, the Science@Leuven Scholarships and more.
One standout option is the ARES Scholarships, which just opened its registrations for 2025-2026. It’s goal is to enable students from developing countries to learn and strengthen their network and skills, then return to their home country as agents of change.
A couple of conditions, though. Applicants must be residents of the programme’s partnered countries, hold a degree from a Belgian university, and have two years of relevant professional experience.
Check to see if you qualify here.
The DAAD Scholarship in Germany
For students who wish to study in the #1 ranked European country for international students, we’ve got the scholarship you need. Study, carry out research, or learn German with the DAAD Scholarship, which supports over 100,000 students and researchers worldwide.
This scholarship is fully-funded by the Government of Germany, for all international students looking to pursue a postgraduate degree. In some programmes, even internships are fully-funded. The scholarship also offers research grants for PhD students from almost every country, primarily to applicants from developing and emerging countries.
More information and answers available here.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme in France
This scholarship programme was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to enable higher education institutions to attract top foreign students to enrol in their postgraduate programmes.
There are two main disciplinary fields for this programme – Science and Technology, and Humanities and Social Sciences. However tuition fees are not covered; instead, the programme provides a monthly stipend of US$1,995 a month, along with other perks such as international transportation, national transportation, insurance, housing searches, cultural activities, etc.
Do note that you cannot apply direction for this scholarship; applications must be made through a higher education institution.
The Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme in Italy
The University of Padua proudly offers an extensive range of scholarships to both local Italian students and international students. Their standout choice is the Padua Excellence Scholarship, which annually offers up to 43 scholarships to highly talented students wishing to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Italy.
Students will have access to a world-class education, with numerous programme choices available in English. It’s a fully-funded scholarship with full fee waivers and a yearly stipend of US$8,870. All you need is a strong academic record, a CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or equivalent, and maybe an additional research proposal if required.
Learn more here.
Germany is home to some of the most fascinating architecture in the world, ranging from Disney-like castles, rural historic homes, and modern, clean cut structures. Source: AFP
The Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship in Germany
The Heinrich Böll Foundation grants scholarships to approximately 1,500 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students of all subjects and nationalities per year, who are pursuing their degree at universities, universities of applied sciences, or universities of the arts.
Non-EU master’s students will receive up to US$1,228 a month plus various individual allowances. Some scholarships even cover health insurance and tuition fees, and can be extended to cover an additional semester. For PhD students, they will receive up to US$1,577 monthly, but tuition fees are not covered; they can also opt to extend their scholarship for up to 12 months.
The catch is that you will need to have written proof of German language proficiency. Find out more here.
The Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarship in Germany
This scholarship is funded by the DAAD scholarship for international students looking to pursue diplomas, bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Students in any subject area are eligible to apply if they demonstrate excellent school or academic merit and wish to study in Germany.
Sponsored students receive material and non-material support so that they have no financial worries during their studies and have more time for their volunteering.
International students receive a monthly base amount of US$1,035. In addition, costs for health insurance are funded and scholars with a child receive an allowance of US$177 per month. Up to 40 scholarships are awarded each year, making it rather competitive.
Learn more here.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on September 13, 2024.