From the Chevening Scholarship to the Australia Awards, here are 12 prestigious fully-funded scholarships that cover tuition, living costs and flights and the exact steps to build a winning application.
Scholarship funding can mean the difference between your dream of studying abroad and staying home. The good news is that for Indian students specifically, there are more funded opportunities than ever. Here are 12 you should be aware of for 2025. Chevening Scholarship (UK) Funded by the UK government, Chevening is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world. It covers full tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel costs, and a visa fee waiver for a one-year master's program at any UK university. Eligibility requires a bachelor's degree, at least 2 years of work experience, and a demonstrated potential for leadership. The application window opens in August and closes in November for the following academic year. Competition is intense only around 50 to 60 Indians receive it annually but the benefit is life-changing. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) Funded by the UK government for Commonwealth citizens, these scholarships target candidates from developing countries including India. They cover tuition, living allowances, travel, and more. Unlike Chevening, these are specifically for candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. Applications are managed through the Indian national nominating agency. Australia Awards Scholarships Funded by the Australian government, Australia Awards cover full tuition, return airfare, living costs, and health insurance. They are aimed at candidates who will return to India and contribute to development. Strong preference is given to applicants from Northeast India and Jammu & Kashmir. GREAT Scholarships (UK) The GREAT Scholarship program offers £10,000 towards a one-year UK master's course and is available at over 50 UK universities including Sheffield, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. These are significantly less competitive than Chevening and new cohorts open annually. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships One of the most respected Indian scholarships for studying abroad, Inlaks awards scholarships of up to USD 100,000 for study at top global universities in arts, sciences, medicine, and engineering. Only around 20 awards are made per year and competition is fierce. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship NSF provides loans that convert to grants upon return to India and contribution to national development. Awards range from INR 20 to 30 lakhs. Applications open annually in October. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship These need-based scholarships are for postgraduate students from developing countries who have no other means to fund their education abroad. Awards are structured as 50% grant and 50% loan. DAAD Scholarships (Germany) The German Academic Exchange Service offers hundreds of scholarships annually for Indian students to study in Germany, often in programs delivered in English. Germany's tuition-free public universities combined with DAAD living stipends make this an extraordinary value. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees These EU-funded programs allow you to study at two or three European universities across one degree program. Scholarships cover tuition, travel, installation costs, and a monthly stipend of approximately €1,000. Dozens of programs across engineering, environment, arts, and sciences are available. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship This competitive scholarship offers 60 awards per year for one year of study at an Irish higher education institution. It covers €10,000 in fees plus a €3,000 stipend. Given VisaNova's new Ireland partnership network, this is a timely opportunity for our students. Quebec Scholarships (Canada) The Government of Quebec offers partial scholarships for students from developing countries to study at Quebec universities. Combined with significantly lower tuition at Francophone institutions, these make Quebec an underrated destination. Building a Winning Scholarship Application Every top scholarship asks the same core questions: Why this course? Why this country? What is your leadership impact? What will you do with this education? Start preparing your personal statement 6 months before the deadline. Gather 3 strong references who can speak to your academic and professional capabilities. Research the scholarship's stated goals and mirror their language. And apply to at least 3 to 4 scholarships simultaneously. The VisaNova Global scholarship advisory team can review your personal statement and guide your scholarship shortlist based on your academic profile, budget, and target countries.