List of Graduate Scholarship for International Students

Every year thousands of scholarships, grants, and fellowship funds are awarded to international students around the world who show good academic excellence and innovative skill, to enable them to pursue a study or research program. Some of these are graduate scholarship for international students from developing countries which range from partially to fully funded scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

Top Graduate Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships for International Students

1. AAUW International Fellowships

American Association of University Women International Fellowships program provides funds for women who are not U.S. citizens and are not permanently residing in the U.S. to enable them to pursue a graduate and postdoctoral degree. They must be willing to return to their home country after pursuing a professional career in any of the U.S accredited

universities. 

Degree: Master, or Ph.D.

Award Amount: $20,000–$50,000

Host Country: USA 

Application Opens: 1st August

Application Deadline: 15th November 

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the requirements for this scholarship:

• must not be a U.S. citizen, not permanently residing, or intend to 
• permanently reside in the U.S.
• Hold an academic degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree
• Intend to devote themselves full-time to the proposed academic plan during the fellowship year.
• Intend to return to their home country to pursue a professional career upon completion of their studies.
• Have proof of English proficiency, either transcripts from English-speaking institutions or a written statement verifying English is the applicant’s native language or plan to take the English proficiency exam early.
• Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must have applied by November 15, to an accredited institution of study for the period of the fellowship year and must indicate the name of the institution in the International Fellowship application. While acceptance is not required at the time of application, fellows must provide official confirmation from the institution with their award acceptance materials. Doctoral fellowships are intended for doctorate degrees classified as research degrees, such as Ph.D. or Ed.D.
• Master’s/first professional degree fellowships are intended for masters or professional degree-level programs such as J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M.Arch., or medical degrees such as M.D., D.D.S., etc. Certificates, associate degrees, and undergraduate degrees are ineligible.
• Doctoral fellowships are intended for doctorate degrees classified as research degrees, such as Ph.D. or Ed.D.
• Postdoctoral applicants must provide proof of their doctorate degree; hold a doctorate classified as a research degree (e.g., Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., D.M.) or an M.F.A. by November 15; and indicate where they will conduct their research.
• Master’s/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must be enrolled in a U.S.-accredited institution located in the U.S. during the fellowship year.
• A limited number of awards are available to Graduate Women International members for study or research in any country other than their own. Note that foreign branches of U.S. institutions are considered outside of the U.S.
• Applicants can apply for the fellowship for any year of their program but must be conducting a full year of study or research. International Fellowships do not provide funding for a partial year of study or research. Programs ending before April of the fellowship year are not eligible.

2. Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation provides graduate scholarships for international students from developing countries who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies. Beneficiary countries that are currently on the list are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The scholarships are 50 percent grant and 50 percent loan.

Degree: Master, or Ph.D.

Award Amount: varies

Host Country: Varies

Application Opens: January

Application Deadline: March (usually middle)

Note: Students who live in Canada, France, Portugal, and the USA, who are natives of one of the above-listed developing nations, who are interested in development-related subjects, and have no other means of funding their study, are eligible to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the requirements for this scholarship:

• Students must show excellent academic records.
• Genuine financial need. Financial assistance is provided according to the needs of students, but the international scholarship program (ISP) must be considered a resource of last resort. Applicants must demonstrate that they have explored and secured multiple sources of funding. The award funding need is determined individually, by deducting from the eligible student expenses, the total of other grants, loans (if any), parental contribution, and student employment income. All students are encouraged to try to reduce the amount requested from the Foundation by applying to other sources of assistance as well.
• Admission to a reputable postgraduate institution of higher learning. The program gives priority to Master's degree courses but also considers applications for Ph.D. studies. Local/regional universities and distance learning programs are acceptable for ISP funding if the quality of the courses is maintained.
• Strong professional experience, extracurricular achievements, volunteer contributions, and leadership skills.

https://the.akdn/en/what-we-do/developing-human-capacity/education/international-scholarships

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Gates Cambridge offers graduate scholarships to international students. This is to enable eligible candidates to pursue either master's or Ph.D. programs. The program provides an £18,744 stipend per annum, health insurance, academic development funding up to £2,000, and family allowance up to £10,120.

Degree: Master, or Ph.D.

Award Amount: £18,744

Host Country: UK

Application Opens: 15 September

Application Deadline: 5 January 

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the requirements for this scholarship:

• Applicant must be a citizen of any country outside the United Kingdom
• applying to pursue one of the following courses at the University of Cambridge:

-Ph.D. (full-time or part-time*)

-MLitt (full-time)

-One-year postgraduate course (full-time), with some exceptions   

*Note: For October 2023 entry, Gates Cambridge is piloting a scheme that allows applicants to apply for funding for a part-time doctoral degree.

4. DAAD Scholarships

DAAD offers fully funded graduate scholarships to international students for master's and Ph.D. programs at top German universities for study and research programs. DAAD scholarship is paid every month at € 861 for graduates and € 1,200 for doctoral/Ph.D. students. Other allowances are also attached. 

Degree: Master, Ph.D.

Award Amount: Varies

Host Country: Germany

Application Opens: 

Application Deadline:  September 

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the requirements for this scholarship:

• Excellent English language proficiency, with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
• Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory but highly recommended.
• Academic Grades minimum aggregate of 8.5 CGPA or 85% or equivalent depending upon the applied degree.
• Obtain a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your home institution, if applying for an exchange or short-term research program.
• Work Experience: A minimum of 2 years of work experience, research work, teaching/graduate assistantship.
• Submit a short 500- 1000 word research proposal/SOP. In some cases CV is sufficient.

Note: Apart from fulfilling these requirements, prospective applicants must also hold proof of accommodation for visa insurance.

5. Research Excellence Scholarship 

This is a fully funded graduate scholarship for both current and prospective students in the UK, it is open to all international students. It covers all expenses during the length of the program. The graduate scholarship for international students is only available for masters and doctorate studies.

Degree: Master, Ph.D.

Award Amount: Varies

Host Country: UK

Application Opens: 

Application Deadline: Typically January 

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the requirements for this scholarship:

• Applicant must have submitted an admission application to, or currently, be registered on, an eligible** full- or part-time eligible degree program at UCL by the scholarship deadline;
• holding or expected to achieve at least an upper second-class Honours UK undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.

To be AWARDED IF SELECTED, you must:

• have an offer of admission to, or currently, be registered in, a full-time or part-time research degree program at UCL.

You may apply if you are a current student, but if you are entering your third year of research you will normally only be considered for funding in exceptional circumstances.

6. Nottingham Developing Solutions Scholarships

The Developing Solutions Scholarships Programme is a graduate scholarship for international students from countries within Africa, South Asia, and selected commonwealth countries. it offers up to 50% or 100% tuition fee, for a year program to candidates who are innovative and demonstrate ingenuity in developing impactful solutions.

Degree: Master, Ph.D.

Award Amount: Varies

Host Country: UK

Application Opens: 

Application Deadline: 17 May 

Eligibility Requirements

The following are the requirements for this scholarship:

• be domiciled in Africa, India, or one of the selected Commonwealth countries listed below
• be classed as an overseas student for fee purposes
• hold an offer to start a full-time master's (including MRes) at the University of Nottingham UK, studying in the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, or Faculty of Social Sciences

Note you are not eligible if you fall in this category:

• If you are a current student or graduate of the University of Nottingham
• have already studied outside of your home country
• are currently studying in the UK