Government Scholarships for International Students from both Developed and Developing Countries

Although a list of Government-funded Scholarships for Developing Countries was earlier published on Study & Scholarships, another list of Government Scholarships for International Students became necessary seeing that it is not only students from developing countries that source government-backed scholarships each year. The scholarships are aimed toward a global cooperation for international development.

Unlike in the previous list, most of the government-backed scholarships below may not require students to return to serve their home country after completing their study. However, applicants are STRONGLY advised to take time to review individual scholarship criteria as there is no uniform requirement for all scholarships. Besides, these criteria may change from time to time, and in some cases, are discontinued by their providers. (Also see our complete scholarship list).

1. IPRS Scholarships at Australian Universities
   The International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) program is funded by the Australian Government, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR). The program was established to maintain and develop international research linkages and specifically aims to:
   
   • attract top quality international postgraduate students to areas of research strength in Australian higher education providers (HEPs); and
   • support Australia’s research effort.
   The IPRS enables international students to undertake a postgraduate research qualification in Australia and gain experience with leading Australian researchers...read more.
   
   
2. Government-funded Scholarships for Developing Countries
   Every year, governments of developed nations offer scholarships to students of developing countries, as part of their obligation to the global cooperation for international development. These government scholarships are facilitated through bilateral agreements between the governments of the developed and developing countries.
   Generally, the most highly held of these scholarships are those offered by the United States, UK and the British Commonwealth, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. As most government scholarships are development scholarships, students are expected to return to serve their home country after completing the scholarship...read more.
   
   
3. Australian Leadership Awards Scholarships
   The Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) aim to develop leadership and build partnerships and linkages within the Asia-Pacific, while addressing priority development issues of the region.
   An ALA Scholarship enables candidates to undertake studies leading to a Masters or Doctorate degree in Australia. It does not include Graduate Diplomas, with the exception of those Masters courses that require the completion of a Graduate Diploma as part of the Masters degree. ALA scholars also undertake a Leadership Development Program in Australia...read more.
   
   
4. Turkish Government Scholarships for International Students
   If there is no special note in bilateral agreements, the Turkish Government offers scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate (Master/PhD) studies, as well as for Research and Turkish Language Summer Courses...read more.
   
   
5. Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards
   The Endeavour Awards is the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program providing opportunities for citizens of the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia. Awards are also available for Australians to undertake study, research and professional development abroad.
   The Endeavour Postgraduate Awards provide full financial support for international students for 2 to 3.5 years to undertake a postgraduate qualification at a Masters or PhD level either by coursework or research in any field of study in Australia...read more.
   
   
6. Danish International Scholarship Scheme for Non-EU Students
   Danish higher education institutions receive a limited number of government scholarships each year to fund highly qualified full-degree students from non-European Union/European Economic Area (non-EU/EEA) countries or Switzerland...read more.
   
   
7. DAAD Scholarships for PG Courses with Special Relevance to Developing Countries
   The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports a range of postgraduate courses at German Universities which aim at providing academically educated young professionals from developing countries with further specialized studies.
   These degree courses, which consist of one to two years of concentrated study, provide academically-trained young professionals in leading positions from developing countries with the opportunity to engage in postgraduate education and training in their particular field or profession...read more.
   
   
8. Distance Learning Scholarships for Developing Commonwealth Countries
   Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships offer the opportunity to study for a UK Master’s degree while living and working in your home country. Since 2002, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) has offered Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships of its and DFID’s commitment to exploring new methods of scholarship delivery. Rather than offering these scholarships directly to students, the CSC works with UK universities. To date, we have funded courses at over 20 UK institutions, awarding over 1,000 scholarships to students from across the developing Commonwealth. The CSC supports around 700 awards annually...read more.
   
   
9. Hungarian Government Scholarships for International Students
   Through the Hungarian Scholarship Board Office, the Hungarian Minister of Education and Culture offers scholarships for foreign students and professors of higher education institutions as well as research fellows who intend to gain further professional experience in Hungarian institutions of higher education or research. Scholarships can be applied for under two systems: Bilateral Agreements, and Scholarship Pool. It is for both Undergraduate (bachelors), Postgraduate (diploma, masters, doctoral, postdoctoral, research). Deadline is 15 April (annually)...read more.
   
   
10. Korean Government Scholarships for International Undergraduate students
    The Korean Government through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) offers the Korean Government Scholarship Program for an undergraduate degree (KGSP-U).
    The objective of the Korean Government Scholarship Program for an undergraduate degree is to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea in order to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between the countries...read more.
    
    
11. Korean Government Scholarships for International Postgraduate Students
    The Korean Government Scholarship Program is designed to provide higher education in Korea for international students in order to promote international exchange in education and mutual friendship between the participating countries.
    The Korean Government invites international students from more than 100 countries who wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degree in Korea. To apply for this program, you should contact one of the 1st Selection Institutions (90 Overseas Korean Embassies or 51 Domestic Universities) and submit the application no later than the designated deadline...read more.
    
    
12. British Chevening Scholarships for Foreign Nationals
    The Chevening Scholarships programme started in 1984. Originally called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Scholarships and Awards Scheme, it remains one of the world’s top scholarship schemes providing scholarships to around 2300 students from over 150 countries to study in the UK every year. Chevening Scholarships offers exceptional students from around the world, who will be future leaders, the opportunity to fund and undertake one-year Masters courses at British universities...read more.
    
    
13. Taiwan Government Scholarships for International Students
    The Taiwan Scholarship Program was established jointly by three government agencies of the Republic of China (Taiwan) --- the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the National Science Council of the Executive Yuan (NSC) --- to encourage outstanding international students to undertake degree programs in Taiwan. While providing study opportunities for a wide range of disciplines, at Taiwan's universities and colleges, this program also aims to:
    • Promote knowledge, understanding and friendship between people in Taiwan and in countries around the world.
    • Provide opportunities to increase academic and educational links with international institutions of higher learning.
    • Develop outstanding professionals and experts to meet the needs of the global society...read more.
    
    
14. Spanish Government Scholarships for International Students
    The scholarships are implemented by MAEC-AECI for Foreigners pursuing Masteral and Doctoral Studies (both under the plan as old as the European Higher Education Area) and Research in Spanish universities and their affiliated centers and other agencies...read more.
    
    
15. Eiffel Excellence Scholarships for International Students
    The French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs launched the Eiffel excellence scholarship programme in January 1999 to support French centres of higher education in their international outreach initiatives, in a context of mounting competition among developed countries, to attract elite overseas students on masters, engineering and PhD courses.
    The programme focuses on three key subject areas of sciences, economics and management, law and political science. The courses undertaken in France will help them to obtain positions of responsibility in the public and private sectors...read more.
    
    
16. Guest PhD / Postdoctoral Scholarships in Sweden for Developing Countries
    The Guest Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students from selected countries around the world. Scholarships are given for PhD and post-doctoral level studies.
    Eligibility: The scholarships are intended for guest students or researchers belonging to any of the mentioned countries and target groups, applying for full-time studies/research in Sweden. There is no age limit for the scholarship holders...read more.
    
    
17. Guest Master’s Scholarship Program in Sweden
    The objective of the scholarship program is to promote democratic, economic and social development through supporting know-how and transfer of knowledge to advanced students within areas in which Sweden is at the forefront of academic research...read more.
    
    
18. Czech Government Scholarships for Developing Countries
    The Government of the Czech Republic offers a number of undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral scholarships within the framework of its Foreign Development Assistance Programme in support of the study of foreign nationals from developing countries at public institutions of higher education in the Czech Republic for the academic year. Scholarships are granted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in accordance with the programme for the support of study by foreign nationals in the Czech Republic, managed by the Minister of Education...read more.
    
    
19. Mexican Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
    The Mexican Government scholarships are awarded for Masters, Ph.D, medical specialization courses as well as for postgraduate-level research, postdoctoral stays, postgraduate mobility programs, artistic creation residences, high-level conferences, residences for Mexicanist researchers, residences for media collaborators, and special chairs for visiting professors...read more.