Which scholarships are open now?
As of October 2026, based on the official pages we checked:
- Commonwealth Master's and PhD Scholarships (UK): open until 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST.
- Chevening 2027/28 (UK): closed on 6 October 2026.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe): most programmes recruit from around October to January, but dates vary by programme.
- DAAD (Germany): deadlines vary by scholarship and programme. Some doctoral calls close in late October.
- Global Korea Scholarship: deadlines vary by application route and country.
Scholarship deadlines: October 2026 and beyond
| Scholarship | Deadline or timing (checked October 2026) | Study level | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Master's and PhD (UK) | 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST | Master's, PhD | The application route depends on the scheme. For the Master's and PhD scholarships, applications go through a nominating body in your country. Check the scheme page for your route. |
| Chevening (UK) | Closed 6 October 2026. Next round expected from around August 2027, not yet confirmed. | Master's | Needs work experience and a commitment to return home. Free to apply. |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe) | Typically October to January | Master's | There is no central application. Apply to each programme, and note the programme's own deadline. |
| DAAD (Germany) | Varies by programme. Some doctoral calls close 21 October 2026. | Master's, PhD and others | Search the DAAD database for the programme you want. |
| Global Korea Scholarship | Undergraduate 2027 embassy track ran 15 to 30 September 2026. Graduate rounds typically around February. | Undergraduate, graduate | Dates depend on the route and your country. Age limits apply. |
| University scholarships | Often linked to the course application or set just after an offer | All levels | Each university sets its own dates. Check the international scholarships page. |
These are the dates we found in October 2026, not promises. If a date has passed, check the official page for the next round.
Looking for a specific scholarship?
Our Scholarship Directory compares the official schemes and the main scholarship websites and databases, so you can see what each is best for, which countries and study levels it covers, and whether it is free to use. It is the quickest way to find the right place to search.
How much can a scholarship cover?
Scholarships range from small tuition discounts to packages covering tuition and living costs. These are examples, not typical or guaranteed values, and they change from year to year:
| Example | What it offers | Type of funding |
|---|---|---|
| GREAT Scholarships (UK) | At least £10,000 towards tuition for a one year taught master's, through participating universities | Partial tuition funding |
| NL Scholarship (Netherlands) | A one off €5,000 for eligible non EEA students at participating institutions | Partial, one off |
| Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships | CAD 50,000 a year for three years, requires nomination by a Canadian institution | Doctoral funding with living support |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program (US) | Around 4,000 foreign students receive grants each year for master's or doctoral study | Programme specific funding |
What does "fully funded" cover? It usually means tuition and often a living stipend. Flights, visa costs, health insurance and dependants' costs are sometimes included and sometimes not, so read the funding terms. Two "fully funded" scholarships can cover very different things.
When you compare awards, look at the total cost of studying, not just the headline amount. A £5,000 award does not necessarily make an expensive university cheaper than one with no scholarship.
Scholarships by study level
Bachelor's scholarships
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships are rare, so many students combine several smaller sources.
- University awards. Many universities offer merit awards and fee discounts to international applicants. This is usually the most realistic route.
- Need blind US colleges. A small number of US colleges, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and Amherst, have described their undergraduate admissions as need blind for international applicants and aim to meet demonstrated need. Be careful: policies can differ by applicant type, level of study and course, and they can change. A need blind policy for undergraduates does not automatically apply to postgraduate students. Check each university's current admissions and financial aid pages.
- Government schemes. Some, such as the Global Korea Scholarship, cover undergraduate study. Age limits and embassy application routes apply.
- NL Scholarship. For eligible non EEA students at participating Dutch institutions.
Master's scholarships
Most of the best known named schemes sit at master's level, and competition for full funding is intense.
| Scholarship | Destination | Key information |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Fully funded one year master's. Needs two years (2,800 hours) of work experience and a commitment to return home for two years. |
| Commonwealth Master's | UK | For students from eligible Commonwealth countries. Typically needs a 2:1 or equivalent. Applications go through a nominating body. |
| GREAT Scholarships | UK | At least £10,000 towards tuition for a one year taught master's, for students from selected countries. |
| Fulbright Foreign Student | USA | Master's and doctoral funding. Apply through your home country's Fulbright commission or US embassy. |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | Scholarships attached to joint programmes. You cannot hold two Erasmus Mundus scholarships. |
| DAAD | Germany | Master's awards of up to 24 months are common. Many applicants apply to the university at the same time. |
| Global Korea Scholarship | South Korea | Government funded graduate study with eligibility and age requirements. |
| NL Scholarship | Netherlands | €5,000 one off award for eligible non EEA students. |
PhD scholarships and funded PhD positions
Many PhDs are funded, and the funding is often advertised as part of the research position rather than as a separate scholarship.
- Funded studentships and research projects. A university or supervisor advertises a position with fees and a stipend covered.
- Government schemes. Commonwealth, DAAD, Fulbright and Vanier can support doctoral study. The Commonwealth PhD scheme is aimed at students from least developed countries and fragile states.
- Contact supervisors early. For many research areas, finding a supervisor and agreeing a research proposal comes first.
When you find a "funded" PhD, check whether international fees are covered, the annual stipend, how long the funding lasts, whether you apply separately for funding, and any nationality or residency restrictions. A PhD described as funded is not automatically one where every cost is covered.
Scholarships by country
| Destination | Main funding routes to investigate | StudyDecidr guide |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Chevening, Commonwealth, GREAT and university scholarships | Study in the UK |
| USA | University financial aid, merit scholarships and Fulbright | Study in the USA |
| Australia | University scholarships and government funding | Study in Australia |
| Canada | University awards, plus doctoral funding such as Vanier | More guides coming |
| Germany | DAAD and university funding, with many public universities charging low or no tuition | |
| Netherlands | NL Scholarship, Orange Tulip and university awards | |
| South Korea | Global Korea Scholarship and university funding |
How do I find scholarships for my nationality or subject?
By nationality. "International students" does not mean every country is eligible, so always check the official eligibility list.
- Start with your home country's nominating body or Fulbright commission, because several major schemes run their applications through them.
- Check destination government pages, such as British Council country pages and DAAD filters.
- Look on university international fees pages for awards aimed at your country or region.
By subject. Check both the scholarship provider and the university department, because a department may offer funding that no general database lists. Our subject guides can help you decide what to study before you search for funding.
How to improve your chances
- Apply only where you are eligible. A strong application cannot overcome a requirement you do not meet.
- Apply early and to several. Large scholarships are extremely competitive.
- Show impact. Use specific evidence of what you have achieved and what you will do with the opportunity.
- Tailor every application. Explain why you are right for that particular scholarship.
- Choose referees carefully. Give them plenty of notice and useful information.
- Follow the instructions exactly. Word counts, formats and documents matter.
You may need to apply to the university before or at the same time as the scholarship, so check which application comes first.
Scholarship scams: how to stay safe
Warning signs include:
- You are asked to pay a fee to apply.
- You are told you have won a scholarship you never applied for.
- The organisation has no verifiable identity or official website.
- You are pressured to act immediately.
- Payment is requested through gift cards, cryptocurrency or personal accounts.
- The scholarship cannot be confirmed through an official source.
Genuine major schemes such as Chevening are free to apply for. Never share sensitive financial or identity information until you have verified the organisation independently.
Scholarship application checklist
- Shortlist courses and universities. Find courses
- Check each university's scholarship page
- Check eligibility: nationality, level, subject, work experience
- Record every deadline in one calendar
- Ask referees early
- Gather transcripts, certificates and English test results
- Prepare your essays or personal statement
- Check the application against the instructions
- Keep a copy of every submission and confirmation
Find your course and your funding
A scholarship is only useful if the course and university are right for you. StudyDecidr helps you compare courses and universities by subject, grades, budget, preferred countries and career goals, so you can match funding to a shortlist rather than the other way round. Find your courses
Sources and methodology
We checked scholarship details against official provider sources in October 2026, including Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, the British Council, Fulbright, DAAD, Erasmus+, Study in Korea, Nuffic (NL Scholarship) and the Vanier programme. Where sources disagree, for example on the number of GREAT awards or the full list of need blind US colleges, we keep the wording general.
Deadlines, award values and eligibility can change between application rounds. Please verify the current details on the official provider website before you apply.
Last checked: October 2026.
Editorial policy. StudyDecidr may list independent scholarship websites because they are useful to students. Inclusion is not paid for and does not imply endorsement. Where a commercial relationship exists, it will be disclosed.