Top 12 Fully Funded Scholarships Across Europe (2026/2027 Guide)

Are you a graduate from a very poor background or you have been dreaming of studying in Abroad? Do you keep wondering how you will ever afford a master’s or PhD abroad? This guide is made for you.

Do you already hold a bachelor’s degree? Have you been quietly planning your Japa journey to Europe? Then you are in the right place.

Here is the truth. You do not need to be rich to study in Europe. You need the right information. You need the right scholarship. And you need the discipline to apply correctly and on time. That is exactly what this guide gives you.

Below are 12 prestigious, fully funded scholarships in Europe. They cover tuition, monthly stipends, flights, and health insurance. Many are open to applicants from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. So add every single one of these to your bucket list today.

Introduction
Scholarship Overview
Scholarship Summary Table
Scholarship Benefits
Eligibility Criteria
Available Courses and Fields of Study
Required Documents
English Language Requirements
How to Apply Step by Step
Application Deadlines
Selection Process
Why You Should Apply
Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Every year, thousands of brilliant students miss out on fully funded scholarships in Europe. This usually has nothing to do with talent. Instead, it happens because they never knew these programs existed. Or they simply applied too late.

This guide fixes that problem. Maybe your dream is Germany. Maybe it is the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Hungary, Italy, or Denmark. Either way, there is a scholarship on this list built for you.

Governments, foundations, and even the European Union itself sponsor these scholarships. As a result, the funding is real, consistent, and awarded to genuine applicants every single year.

Scholarship Overview

So what exactly is a fully funded scholarship? Simply put, it means the sponsor covers everything. You do not spend your own money on tuition, accommodation, feeding, or flights.

Most of the scholarships below fall into this category. They target master’s students, PhD candidates, researchers, and in some cases, early career professionals.

Here is the complete list of the 12 scholarships in this guide.

DAAD EPOS Scholarship, Germany
Chevening Scholarship, United Kingdom
Commonwealth Master’s and PhD Scholarships, United Kingdom
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship, Germany
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP)
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship, Hungary
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks
Italian Government MAECI Scholarship
Danish Government Scholarship

Scholarship Summary Table

The table below gives you a quick snapshot of each scholarship. Use it to shortlist the programs that fit your profile.

Scholarship	Host Country	Study Level	Funding Type	Eligible Countries	Deadline
DAAD EPOS	Germany	Master’s, PhD	Fully funded	Developing countries	Varies by program
Chevening	United Kingdom	Master’s	Fully funded	Chevening eligible countries worldwide	Opens August, closes October
Commonwealth Scholarships	United Kingdom	Master’s, PhD	Fully funded	Commonwealth member countries	Opens October, closes December or January
Mastercard Foundation Scholars	Multiple partner universities	Undergraduate, Master’s	Fully funded	Mostly African countries	Set by each university
Heinrich Böll Foundation	Germany	Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD	Fully funded	Worldwide	March (undergrad), September (grad)
Swiss Government Excellence	Switzerland	PhD, Postdoctoral, Research	Fully funded	Over 180 countries	Varies by country, August to December
France Excellence Eiffel	France	Master’s, PhD	Fully funded	Worldwide, age limits apply	Around January
SISGP	Sweden	Master’s	Fully funded	Selected developing countries	Around February
Stipendium Hungaricum	Hungary	Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral	Fully funded	Partner countries worldwide	Mid January
MSCA Doctoral Networks	Multiple EU countries	PhD, Doctoral research	Fully funded	Worldwide	Varies by project
Italian MAECI	Italy	Master’s, PhD	Fully or partially funded	Worldwide	Around May
Danish Government Scholarship	Denmark	Master’s	Tuition waiver plus grant	Non EU and non EEA students	Varies by university

Keep in mind that deadlines shift every intake year. So always confirm the current date on the official portal before you prepare your documents.

4. Scholarship Benefits

What exactly do you get if you win one of these scholarships? Most fully funded programs in Europe typically cover the following.

Full tuition fees at the host university
A monthly stipend for living costs
Return flight tickets or travel allowance
Health and accident insurance
Visa and residence permit support
Research allowances and, in some cases, family allowances

For example, the DAAD EPOS Scholarship offers a monthly stipend, full tuition coverage, health insurance, and travel support. This applies to master’s and PhD candidates from developing countries.

5. Eligibility Criteria

Every scholarship has its own specific requirements. However, there are common threads across almost all 12 programs.

A completed bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants, or a completed master’s degree for PhD applicants
A strong academic record, usually a good CGPA or GPA
Relevant work experience, since Chevening requires about two years of professional experience
Citizenship of an eligible country, because Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships restrict applications to specific nationalities
A genuine motivation letter or research proposal, depending on your study level
A confirmed academic supervisor in the host country, which many PhD programs like the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship require before you apply

Always read the official call for applications carefully. Eligibility rules can change from one intake to another.

6. Available Courses and Fields of Study

These scholarships are not limited to one discipline. In fact, you will find funding across many fields, including:

Engineering, technology, and applied sciences
Public health and medicine
Development studies, governance, and public policy
Business, economics, and finance
Environmental studies and sustainability
Law and international relations
Arts, humanities, and social sciences

The DAAD EPOS Scholarship, for instance, focuses heavily on development related courses. Meanwhile, the Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals leans toward sustainability and leadership. The Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Networks are almost entirely research and PhD focused, so they cut across nearly every academic field in the European Union.

Required Documents

Prepare these documents ahead of time. This way, you will not be rushing once applications open.

International passport
Academic transcripts and degree certificates
CV or resume in the Europass or standard academic format
Statement of purpose or motivation letter
Research proposal, for PhD and research based scholarships
Two or three academic or professional reference letters
Proof of English or relevant language proficiency
Passport photograph
Admission letter from the host university, where required before you apply for the scholarship

English Language Requirements

Most of these scholarships teach in English. Therefore, you will typically need to prove your proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL. That said, waivers do exist in several cases.

For example, if your previous degree was taught fully in English, programs like DAAD EPOS and Chevening often accept a letter of proof from your university instead of a fresh test. Similarly, some universities in Germany and Hungary accept alternative certifications, such as the Duolingo English Test.

On the other hand, French taught programs under France Excellence Eiffel may require proof of French proficiency instead. So always check your specific program page, since requirements differ from one university to another.

How to Apply, Step by Step

Ready to start? Follow these steps in order.

Choose the scholarship and country that fits your academic level and career goals.
Confirm your eligibility on the official scholarship portal.
Secure admission to your chosen course first, where the scholarship requires this.
Prepare all required documents, including your motivation letter and reference letters.
Complete the official online application form before the deadline.
Submit your application and keep a copy of your confirmation.
Prepare for a possible interview, since DAAD, Chevening, and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship often include this stage.
Wait for the outcome and respond quickly to any follow up requests.

Application Deadlines

Deadlines vary by scholarship, country, and intake year. So treat every date below as a guide, not a fixed rule.

DAAD EPOS Scholarship: varies by program
Chevening Scholarship: opens August, closes early October
Commonwealth Scholarships: opens October, closes December or January
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: set individually by each partner university
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship: March for undergraduates, September for graduates
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship: varies by country, roughly August to December
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship: usually around January
Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals: usually around February
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship: usually mid January
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Networks: varies by individual project
Italian MAECI Scholarship: usually around May
Danish Government Scholarship: varies by host university

Because dates shift each year, bookmark every official portal below. Then set a personal reminder at least two months before the expected opening date.

Selection Process

How do sponsors actually pick winners? Selection is competitive, and it usually involves more than one stage.

Document screening to confirm eligibility and completeness
Academic evaluation of transcripts, research proposals, or motivation letters
Shortlisting of the strongest candidates
Interviews, either in person, online, or through recorded video responses
Final selection and official award notification

Chevening and the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship, in particular, place heavy weight on your motivation letter. So treat this document as the heart of your application, not an afterthought.

Why You Should Apply

Still unsure if this journey is worth it? Consider these benefits.

You study in Europe without paying tuition out of your own pocket.
You build an international network of scholars, professors, and alumni.
You gain access to postgraduation work opportunities in countries like Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.
You strengthen your CV with a globally respected credential.
You open doors for future research, employment, or further studies in Europe.
You break the financial barrier that stops so many talented students from studying abroad.

If your background or your bank account has ever made your dreams feel far away, these scholarships exist to prove that idea wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for more than one scholarship on this list at the same time? Yes, you can. Just make sure you meet each program’s eligibility criteria. Also, plan carefully around the different timelines and documents required.

Do I need admission before I apply for these scholarships? It depends on the program. For example, DAAD EPOS requires you to apply to a specific course first. Chevening, on the other hand, lets you apply for the scholarship and admission around the same period.

Is work experience compulsory for all 12 scholarships? No, it is not. Work experience is a strict requirement for Chevening. However, scholarships like Stipendium Hungaricum and France Excellence Eiffel focus more on academic performance.

Can undergraduates apply for any of these scholarships? Most programs target master’s and PhD candidates. Still, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship, and Stipendium Hungaricum also fund undergraduate study in specific cases.

Are these scholarships truly free, with no hidden charges? Yes, genuine applications through the official portals below are completely free. So never pay anyone who promises to guarantee your slot. And never send money to secure an interview or admission letter.

Official Scholarship Portal Links

Always apply directly through these official websites. Avoid third party agents who ask for payment to process your application.

DAAD EPOS Scholarship: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/
Chevening Scholarship: https://www.chevening.org/apply/
Commonwealth Scholarships: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: https://mastercardfdn.org/en/what-we-do/all-programs/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/
Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship: https://www.boell.de/en/study-abroad-programme
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/en/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/eiffel-scholarship-program-of-excellence
Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals: https://si.se/en/apply/scholarships/
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship: https://stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply/
Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions Doctoral Networks: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks
Italian Government MAECI Scholarship: https://esteri.it/en/opportunita/borse-di-studio/
Danish Government Scholarship: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-a-danish-institution/state-scholarships

So here is the one thing to remember. Your background does not disqualify you from studying in Europe. What disqualifies most people is missing the deadline, or never applying at all. Pick two or three scholarships from this list that match your profile. Start preparing your documents today. Then give yourself a real shot at a fully funded future.