Every year, thousands of Indian students dream of studying abroad but give up, believing:
“Studying abroad is only for rich people.”
This is simply not true. In 2025, Indian students have access to numerous fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, flights, health insurance, books, and research costs. These scholarships are available for:
Bachelor’s (Undergraduate)
Master’s
PhD / Doctorate
The real barriers are awareness and strategy, not money. With proper planning, studying abroad for free is achievable.
Most scholarships go unused every year because students:
Don’t know they exist
Assume eligibility is too strict
Lack a clear application strategy
A student with purpose, leadership, and impact often beats one with perfect marks and generic applications. That’s why scholarships evaluate clarity, consistency, impact, and career vision.
Here’s a curated list of top scholarships for Indian students at the undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels.
Best For: Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded
Countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe
What It Covers:
Full tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Books & study materials
Research allowance
Round-trip airfare
Visa & contingency expenses
Eligibility:
SC, Denotified Tribes, Landless Labourers & Traditional Artisan backgrounds
Family income under ₹8 lakh/year
Admission in a top-ranked foreign university
Note: NOS does not fund undergraduate programs. Check official notifications for yearly updates.
Best For: Master’s, Research & PhD (3+ years of work experience)
Funding: Fully Funded
Focus Areas: Leadership, Public Policy, Education, Technology, Social Impact
What It Covers:
Tuition fees
Monthly living expenses
Travel
Health insurance
Books
Eligibility Tips:
Strong leadership & professional experience matter more than perfect marks
Master’s applicants require 3+ years of experience
Best For: Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded
Covers:
Tuition
Monthly living allowance
Airfare
Research grants
Strong Fields: Public Policy, Education, Sustainability, Technology, Healthcare, Economics
Best For: Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded
Medium: English programs available
What It Covers:
Tuition
Monthly living allowance
Round-trip airfare
Japanese language foundation course
Accommodation support
Highlights: No Japanese required for many English-taught programs; ideal for undergraduates.
Best For: Bachelor’s Only
Eligibility: Indian Citizens
Funding: Fully Funded (Need-Based)
Covers:
Tuition, room & food
Books
Personal expenses
Why It’s Unique: Need-based, not marks-based; low-income students can pay zero tuition.
Best For: Bachelor’s
Funding: Up to 100%
Universities Include: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, MIT, Stanford, Amherst, Dartmouth
Covers: Tuition, room, food, books, health insurance. Only admitted students are eligible.
Best For: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Funding: Partial to High Coverage
What It Covers: Living allowance, tuition support, visa fee waiver, health insurance, sometimes travel support
Note: Coverage varies by track.
Best For: Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded (Living + Travel)
Covers: Monthly stipend (~€1,181 Master’s), travel allowance, health insurance, cultural activities
Note: Tuition is usually not included.
Best For: Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded
Covers: Tuition (often free), monthly living allowance (~€934–€1,300), travel allowance, health insurance, research grants
Languages: English or German
Best For: Bachelor’s, Master’s & MBA aspirants
Funding: Partial tuition-based (10%–70% fee waiver)
What It Covers:
Tuition fee reduction
Merit-based financial aid
Diversity & leadership scholarships
Special India-focused awards
Who Can Apply:
Indian citizens applying to IE University
Strong academic record
Leadership & extracurricular profile
Demonstrated financial need (for need-based awards)
Best For: Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded
Unique Feature: Study in 2–3 countries during one degree
Covers: Tuition, monthly stipend (~€1,000+), travel, visa costs, health insurance
Best For: STEM undergraduates
Funding: Full Tuition + Stipend (~350,000 KRW/month)
Highlights: Automatically awarded to admitted international students
Best For: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
Funding: Fully Funded
Covers: Tuition, accommodation, health insurance, 1-year Turkish course (if needed), monthly stipend, flights
Best For: Bachelor’s at Sciences Po
Funding: Tuition grants (€6,500–€14,720/year)
Why It’s Good: Merit-based for non-EU international students
Best For: High-achieving STEM students / Olympiad medalists
Funding: Full Tuition + Living Allowance (HK$30k–60k/year)
16. GKS Scholarship(KGSP) - South Korea
Best For: Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD
Funding: Fully Funded
What it Covers:
Full tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
1-year Korean language training (if required)
Medical insurance
Research & thesis support (for PG)
Round-trip airfare
Settlement allowance
Who Can Apply:
Strong academic record (≈ 80%+)
UG: Under 25 years
PG/PhD: Under 40 years
Medically fit
Apply via Embassy Track or University Track
17. Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program
Best For: Master’s only (Development-focused fields)
Funding: Fully Funded
Countries: Study in USA, UK, Europe, Japan, Australia & select partner universities worldwide. Applicants from World Bank developing countries (India eligible)
What it Covers:
Full tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Round-trip airfare
Travel allowance
Basic medical insurance
Who Can Apply:
Citizens of World Bank–listed developing countries
Bachelor’s degree completed
Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience after graduation
Employed in a development-related role
Admitted to a JJ/WBGSP partner Master’s program
No prior World Bank scholarship funding
18. ADB–Japan Scholarship Program
Best For: Master’s in development-related fields (Economics, Engineering, Public Policy, Environment)
Funding: Fully Funded
What it Covers:
Full tuition fees
Monthly living/subsistence allowance
Housing support
Books & study materials
Medical/accident insurance
Round-trip airfare
Thesis/research allowance (if applicable)
Who Can Apply:
Nationals of ADB developing countries
Bachelor’s degree with strong academic record
Minimum 2 years of work experience
Age under 35 years
Medically fit
Must secure admission at an ADB-JSP partner university
Must return home after graduation
19. Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC)
Best For: Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD in China
Funding: Fully Funded
What It Covers:
Full tuition fees
On-campus housing / housing allowance
Monthly living stipend (~CNY 3,000–3,500)
Medical/health insurance
Books / study materials
Travel/settlement allowance (in some cases)
Who Can Apply:
Bachelor’s: high-school graduate, <25 yrs
Master’s: bachelor’s degree, <35 yr
PhD: master’s degree, <40 yrs
Apply via embassy or approved university
20. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – University of Toronto, Canada
Best For: Undergraduate (all disciplines)
Funding: Fully Funded (~37 international students/year)
Covers: Full tuition, books, incidental fees, housing for 4 years
21. Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students HEST
Best For: Indian students planning to study abroad (UG, PG, MBA)
Funding: Up to ₹3,00,000 (partial scholarship)
What It Covers:
Part of tuition or study expenses
Supports education loan applicants
Who Can Apply:
Indian citizens
55%+ in academics
Planning overseas study within 12 months
Not fully self-funded
22. David Thompson Scholarship at University of Melbourne - Australia
Best For: Students (domestic or international) enrolled in an engineering program at University of Melbourne who demonstrate financial need.
Funding: One-time award of up to AUD 270.
What It Covers:
A small cash grant (i.e. modest financial aid) — not a full tuition waiver or living-cost scholarship.
Who Can Apply:
Students (domestic or international) currently enrolled full- or part-time in an Engineering course at University of Melbourne.
Must be able to show financial hardship / need.
23. Global Achievement Scholarship at Full Sail University - USA
Best For: International (non‑US) students applying for a campus degree program at Full Sail University.
Funding: Up to USD 5,000 toward tuition.
What It Covers: Part of the tuition cost for the chosen campus degree program at Full Sail
Who Can Apply:
Must be a non‑US citizen / non‑permanent resident.
Must apply for a Full Sail campus degree program (bachelor’s level).
Must complete and submit the Global Achievement Scholarship application and a 250‑word essay on “How My Full Sail Education Will Help Me Achieve My Career Dream” before the first day of class.
24. Vice-Chancellors International Scholarships at Newcastle University - England
Best For: International students (including from India) — undergraduate or postgraduate — seeking to study at Newcastle University.
Funding:
For undergraduate students: £7,000 off tuition fee (per year) for 2026‑27 entry
For postgraduate (Master’s) students: £8,000 off tuition fee for 2026‑27 entry
What It Covers: Tuition‑fee reduction.
Who Can Apply:
Must be assessed as an international student for fee purposes.
Must have received an offer for an eligible degree programme at Newcastle University’s city‑centre campus for the relevant academic year.
For undergraduate entry: applicants from certain countries (including India) are eligible.
25. University of Toronto Scholars Program - Canada
Best For: High‑school (secondary school) students — domestic and international — applying for first‑year undergraduate studies at U of T.
Funding: CA $10,000 (one‑time award in the first year)
What It Covers:
Reduction of tuition / credited toward your fee account — after your fees are calculated; any leftover amount is disbursed to you.
Who Can Apply:
Outstanding high‑school students entering first‑year undergraduate studies (direct‑entry) at U of T.
Both domestic (Canadian) and international applicants are automatically considered — no separate application required.
Students must be entering university directly from secondary school (i.e., those who have previously attended a post‑secondary institution aren’t eligible).
26. Academic Merit Scholarship At University Of Wollongong Dubai
Best For: Students at UOWD
Funding:
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s): 15% – 50% tuition‑fee waiver each trimester.
Master’s: 15% – 25% tuition‑fee waiver per trimester.
What It Covers: Reduction or waiver of tuition fees only.
Who Can Apply:
Students of any nationality (international or domestic) eligible to enroll at UOWD.
For new Bachelor’s applicants: must meet specified academic thresholds (e.g. high school or equivalent grades as per UOWD’s curriculum) to qualify for 50%, 25%, or 15% waiver.
For continuing students (undergraduate): typically need a minimum cumulative Weighted Average Mark (WAM) (for example, ≥ 75) and a minimum number of completed credits.
27. Pure Family Scholarship At Kelley School Of Business - USA
Best For: Incoming first‑year business students at Kelley (direct‑admit freshmen).
Funding: Variable — “partial funding” / scholarship amount varies by recipient.
What It Covers: Tuition (or part of tuition) / general scholarship aid for business undergraduates.
Who Can Apply:
Incoming freshmen admitted directly into Kelley School of Business for a business major.
Automatic consideration — no separate application needed.
Must maintain academic and degree‑progress standards if the scholarship is renewed.
28. The City Law School Deans Scholarship For Academic Excellence - UK
Best For:
Postgraduate or professional‑law students (masters or conversion/entry programmes) at The City Law School.
Funding: Full‑fee scholarship — tuition fees covered.
What It Covers: Full waiver of tuition fees for eligible courses.
Who Can Apply:
Applicants (home or international fee status) who hold an offer (conditional or unconditional) for one of the eligible courses at The City Law School.
Must have at least an upper‑second class (2:1) degree or equivalent
Can be full-time or part-time students.
Eligible Courses:
LLM (Master of Laws)
Graduate Entry LLB (GE‑LLB)
Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) full‑time or part‑time
Solicitors’ Practice Programme (SPP)
29. Exeter Excellence Scholarships At The University Of Exeter - England
Best For: International students (self-funded) — undergraduate or postgraduate (taught Master’s) — who have received an offer to study at Exeter.
Funding:
Undergraduates: £3,000 or £5,000 per year, payable as a reduction in international tuition fees each eligible year.
Postgraduate Taught (Masters): £3,000, £5,000 or £10,000 — as a discount on the first‑year international tuition fees (non‑recurring).
What It Covers:
Tuition‑fee reduction (partial scholarship). Not a full fee waiver or living‑cost grant.
Who Can Apply:
International fee‑status students
Must hold a conditional or unconditional offer for an eligible undergraduate or eligible postgraduate taught programme (depending on entry cycle).
Must be self-funded (i.e. scholarship does not apply if tuition is financed by an external sponsor/agency).
30. Michael Fagan Scholarship At Kelley School Of Business - USA
Best For: Incoming first‑year undergraduates at Kelley who have direct admission and plan to study business.
Funding: Partial funding — the amount varies depending on the recipient.
What It Covers: A partial tuition (or scholarship aid) — helps reduce the overall cost of the Business degree.
Who Can Apply:
Students admitted as freshman (direct‑admit) into a business bachelor’s program at Kelley.
All nationalities are eligible (i.e. open to international students).
No separate application needed — eligible incoming students are automatically considered.
31. Gary And Pamela Whitlock Scholarship At Kelley School Of Business - USA
Best For: Incoming first‑year business students at Kelley (direct‑admit freshmen in a business major).
Funding: Partial scholarship — amount varies by recipient.
What It Covers: Reduction in tuition (or partial scholarship aid) for eligible business undergraduates.
Who Can Apply:
Must be an incoming freshman directly admitted to Kelley.
Must major in business at Kelley.
No separate application — consideration is automatic if criteria are met.
Scholarship is renewable, subject to meeting any required conditions.
Clarity: Why this degree? Why now? Why abroad?
Consistency: Steady academic/work record
Impact: Leadership, volunteering, research, social projects
Career Plan: How will the degree change your future?
A student with purpose and vision beats a student with 98% marks and generic applications.
Yes — if they plan carefully. With early research, strategic applications, and strong purpose, most of these scholarships can cover all major expenses, from tuition to living costs.
Key Takeaway: Money is not the barrier — awareness and planning are.
Every year, billions in scholarships go unclaimed simply because students don’t apply.
Q1: Are there scholarships for Indian undergraduates abroad?
Yes, programs like MEXT (Japan), Tata Cornell (USA), Lester B. Pearson (Canada), KAIST (South Korea), Türkiye Bursları (Turkey), and Charpak (France) are fully funded options.
Q2: Do I need work experience for all scholarships?
No. Undergraduate scholarships generally do not require work experience. Fellowships like Fulbright or JJ/WBGSP require 2–3 years of professional experience.
Q3: Can scholarships cover living expenses?
Yes, most fully funded scholarships provide a monthly stipend, accommodation support, and health insurance.
Q4: How do I improve my chances?
Focus on:
Leadership roles
Volunteering & social impact projects
Strong essays showing clarity and purpose
Consistent academic/work record
Q5: Are there scholarships for PhD students?
Yes — NOS, Fulbright, DAAD, MEXT, Eiffel Excellence, and CSC support doctoral studies.
Studying abroad for free is entirely possible, but it requires strategy, research, and planning. Explore scholarships, build a strong profile, and start your applications early.
Explore more resources and expert guidance on KaranGupta.com for international admissions and scholarships.
ASK OUR CHATBOT 
