by Quick answer: The best-known fully funded masters scholarships for international students are Chevening and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships in the UK, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in Europe and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the USA. Each pays the main costs of a master’s degree, but each has its own eligibility rules and deadline.
This guide compares these fully funded masters scholarships, explains what they cover and shows how students from Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan, India and other countries can apply.
Last verified: 4 October 2026 against official scholarship websites.
What does “fully funded” mean?
A fully funded master’s scholarship covers your tuition and also gives you money to live on. Most also pay travel. But the exact list varies, so always read the “what is covered” page. For example, Chevening pays:
- tuition fees.
- economy travel to and from your country for you only.
- arrival and departure allowances.
- the cost of your visa application.
- a monthly living allowance, at London or non-London rates.
Fully funded masters scholarships compared
| Scholarship | Where | Who can apply | Next deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK, one-year master’s | Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries with 2,800 hours of work experience | 6 October 2026, 11:00 UTC |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK, one-year taught master’s | Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries | CSC closes 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST; national agencies close earlier |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe, 1 to 2 years | Students from all over the world | Set by each programme |
| Fulbright Foreign Student | USA, graduate study | Graduate students and young professionals from 160+ countries | Set by each country’s Fulbright office |
Chevening Scholarships
Chevening funds one-year master’s degrees at UK universities. First, to qualify, you must be a citizen of an eligible country and agree to return home for at least two years after your award. You need an undergraduate degree, at least two years’ work experience and an unconditional offer from one of three UK course choices by 8 July 2027.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
These awards pay for a taught master’s in the UK. They pay approved tuition fees, return airfare and a living stipend of £1,712 (one thousand, seven hundred and twelve pounds) a month, or £2,000 (two thousand pounds) in the London area. You apply through your national nominating agency or a selected NGO, not directly to the CSC.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters last one to two years. The scholarship covers participation costs and contributes to travel, visa and living costs. Instead of a central portal, you apply directly to each programme, which you can find in the Erasmus Mundus catalogue. Also, you need a bachelor’s degree, or you must be in your final year.
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Fulbright supports graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study in the USA. However, binational Fulbright Commissions or US Embassies run selection, so rules and dates differ by country. For this reason, check your country’s page on the Fulbright website.
Fully funded masters scholarships for Pakistani, Nigerian and Indian students
All four schemes above accept applicants from these countries, as long as they meet each scheme’s rules, so the choice comes down to your goals. In particular, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, India and Pakistan are among the Commonwealth countries eligible for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. So, if you are from one of them, check your national nominating agency’s deadline first.
How to improve your chances
- First, start about a year before your course begins.
- Apply to more than one scheme in the same cycle.
- Secure university offers early.
- Finally, write each essay for the specific scheme.
For the full process, read how to get a scholarship to study abroad and our scholarship deadline timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Which country gives the most fully funded masters scholarships?
There is no official ranking, and award numbers change each year. So check each scheme’s website for the current number of awards.
Do fully funded masters scholarships require IELTS?
Each university sets English requirements for its own courses. So check the language rules for every course you apply to.
Can I bring my family on a fully funded master’s scholarship?
Chevening’s list of covered costs applies to you only. Therefore, plan to fund any family costs yourself.
Official sources
- Chevening: What a scholarship covers
- Chevening: Eligibility
- CSC: Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- European Commission: Erasmus Mundus
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program
This is general information. Always confirm rules and dates on the official website before you apply.
