Top 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.

Choose the Best Scholarship in Europe

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 institutions' 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 world's largest scholarship providers, with 100+ funding programs 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 offering the most comprehensive postgraduate scholarships in Europe. 

Depending on the university and program chosen, 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 programs, and partners with 244 universities in Germany. These characteristics make it one of the best fully funded scholarships in Europe for international students 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 program 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 program to program. Please check the language requirements for your program and scholarship thoroughly before applying. 

Note: Students who already have an ongoing master's degree program in Germany cannot be funded under this scholarship. Funding is only possible for degree programs 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 August and October 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 & Development Office established the Chevening Scholarships. 

The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive postgraduate scholarships in Europe. It is currently limited to students who have work experience and want to pursue a master’s degree in the UK. For eligible candidates, the master's scholarships in Europe cover tuition, a monthly stipend, a return flight, and accommodation.

Eligibility Criteria:

Students must confirm that they are 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.

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3. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France) 

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs established the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship in January 1999. To this day, it is one of the best European scholarships for international students in France. The scholarship covers all the major universities and educational institutions in France. It provides full tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and travel costs. 

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship initiative supports meritorious students for PhD and master's 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. Some 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 master's scholarships in Europe

• Up to 35 years - for PhD scholarships in Europe

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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 was reserved for Dutch university students' scholarships for a master's degree in Europe. The program 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 program.

Application Process:

1. The candidate has to secure admission to a Dutch master’s program 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, an admission letter, a CV, proof of language proficiency, and a short OTS-motivation letter

4. The application can be submitted after program 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 program 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. 

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5. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (Sweden) 

The Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals is one of the fully funded postgraduate scholarships 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 program 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 merit-based criteria.

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

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Conclusion

Europe can be a costly educational destination for international students due to its 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 dream of studying in Europe is within your reach.