Top Study in Europe Scholarships for International Students

 

According to a European Commission report in 2025, more than 1.76 million students go to Europe for higher studies every year. From that pool, more than 27.2% of students receive scholarships in Europe for their higher studies. And that number keeps increasing exponentially. The EU countries are home to some of the most prestigious universities that offer courses in STEM, management, and the social sciences, attracting students from all disciplines. So if you are looking for a world-class education and a high standard of living, Europe is the right choice for you.

An important factor in ensuring that the large international diaspora can access quality education in Europe is the cost of studying. Hence, we have compiled a list of several instituted national scholarships in Europe. This extensive list covers need-based, merit-based, social, and specialised scholarships for students from every background. So read on and choose the scholarship that fits your needs!

1. DAAD Scholarship - Germany

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) is one of the largest scholarship providers in the world with 100+ funding programmes at universities in Germany. It is an umbrella organisation that provides scholarships for undergraduate, master's, PhD, and research students. It is especially well-regarded for the most complete postgraduate scholarships in Europe. 

Depending on the university and programme chosen by the students, the DAAD scholarships can cover tuition fees, a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel costs, and other academic expenses.

DAAD has an easy application process, a wide roster of programmes, and partners with 244 universities in Germany. These characteristics make it one of the best fully funded scholarships for studying in Germany.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Students should have completed the university-specified level of qualification for their course before applying. This requirement depends on the programme selected under the DAAD scholarship.
2. Due to many German universities having German as the medium of instruction, DAAD scholarships also prefer German proficiency. It is not a strict criterion for every scholarship and differs from programme to programme. Please check the language requirements for your programme and scholarship thoroughly before applying. 

Note: Students who already have an ongoing master's degree programme in Germany cannot be funded under this scholarship. Funding is only possible for degree programmes starting in the winter semester of the following year. 

Application process: 

The application for a DAAD scholarship is completely online. The documents required by the committee depend on university-specific lists. Invitations for new DAAD scholarship applications to study in Germany are usually sent between October and August every year.  

1. Students are required to submit the documents, i.e transcripts, a research proposal (if required), a motivation letter, recommendation letters, and language certificates. The submitted documents must be in the correct format, properly attested, and submitted before the prescribed deadline. Check the instructions listed on the DAAD portal thoroughly. 
2. Selection for this scholarship depends on students' academic merit, their project quality, professional experience in their home country, and their commitment to the betterment of society.
3. Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview at the final stage of the selection process.

2. Chevening Scholarships (UK) 

Although the United Kingdom is no longer a part of the European Union, it is a highly sought-after educational destination. To facilitate access to quality education at prestigious universities, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office established the Chevening Scholarships. 

The Chevening Scholarship is currently limited to students who have working experience and want to pursue a master’s degree in the UK. For eligible candidates, the scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, return flight, and accommodation.

Eligibility criteria:

Students must confirm if they're a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country and have at least two years of work experience.

Application process:

1. The application has to be completed online through the Chevening portal 
2. Students are required to write a personal statement and four essays. This helps the selection committee understand the student’s motivation. It gives a clear picture of why they are a good fit for the scholarship. The essays are expected to be on themes of leadership, building professional connections, future career goals, and the reasons for choosing their course.
3. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (often virtually) by panels in their home country.

3. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France) 

An initiative of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is a lifeline for international students in France. The scholarship covers all the major universities and educational institutions in France. It provides for full tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and travel costs. 

The Eiffel Excellence initiative supports meritorious students for PhD and masters scholarships in Europe, in priority fields of study in France.

Eligibility criteria:

1. Students cannot apply for this scholarship on their own. Their profile is supposed to be nominated by a French university or a member of a "grande école." 

The Grande école is a group of prestigious and selective French higher education institutions. Unlike other universities, they are not a part of the standard public university system. A few names of these elite schools are: HEC Paris (business), Sciences Po (political science), or Polytechnique (engineering). This makes securing this particular scholarship highly competitive for international students.

2. It welcomes applicants in the following age groups:

• Up to 29 years - for masters 

• Up to 35 years - for PhD

 

4. Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS), Netherlands

The OTS scholarship in Europe is administered by Nuffic (the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education) to benefit students from specific countries. The scholarship currently supports students from India, China, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, and Vietnam. 

The funding is reserved for Dutch university students' scholarships for a master's degree in Europe. The programme recently expanded to cover PhD scholarships in Europe too. It covers partial or full tuition and living costs for the awarded students, depending on the university and programme.

Application process:

1. The candidate has to secure admission to a Dutch master’s programme to be considered for the scholarship. 
2. Once the admission is secured, the student can submit an application for OTS through their university portal. 
3. The application dossier should include transcripts, admission letter, CV, language proficiency proof, and a short OTS-motivation letter
4. The application can be submitted after programme commencement too, within the October to January window.
5. Some institutions run a brief, friendly online interview to gauge your study plans and long-term career goals. Results are traditionally declared between April and June of the next year.

Note: Because the scholarship cannot cover the first year of studies, it is advisable to prepare a strong application to secure continued funding for the rest of the programme term. Review the exact funding details on your university’s dedicated financial aid page, as awards can range from partial tuition waivers to full tuition plus partial living stipends, depending on the university. 

 

5. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (Sweden) 

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals is a fully funded scholarship in Europe for students wishing to pursue master’s degrees in Sweden. It is a highly competitive, meritorious, and prestigious scholarship that covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend of SEK 12,050, travel grants, and insurance.

Application process: 

1. Candidates must secure admission to the master's programme at a Swedish university. The call for admissions will be declared open on the national university admission portal. 
2. A separate application has to be submitted on the Swedish Institute scholarship portal to avail the scholarship.
3. Additional documents required are a CV, letters of reference, and a motivation letter showcasing their goals, aspirations, and potential for leadership qualities.
4. The selection is highly competitive and goes beyond just merit-based.

It takes into consideration the candidates' leadership skills and commitment to community service demonstrated in their application.

 

Conclusion

Europe can be a costly educational destination for international students due to it’s first world living standards. Scholarships in Europe help cover essential academic expenses, enabling deserving students to pursue their educational goals with greater confidence. Students prepare dedicated scholarship applications and use a mix of personal funds, education loans (widely preferred), and part-time work to fund their studies in Europe. If you plan your study abroad journey meticulously, your study in Europe dream is within your reach.