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Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027

Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027

Studying abroad can transform your education and career, but international tuition fees, accommodation, flights, visa costs, food and daily expenses can make it seem impossible for many students. The good news is that there are prestigious fully funded scholarships that pay you to study abroad by covering major educational expenses and providing money for living costs. For students planning their future, Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027 are worth researching early because many applications open months before the academic year begins.

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A fully funded scholarship can mean much more than having your tuition fees paid. Depending on the programme, your award may include a monthly living allowance, accommodation, health insurance, airfare, visa-related support, research funding or other educational expenses.

This guide explains some of the strongest international scholarship opportunities for 2027, including programmes in the UK, Europe, Germany, Japan, Türkiye and the United States. You will also learn who can apply, what each scholarship covers, when to prepare your application, and how to apply through official channels.

Quick definition: A fully funded scholarship is an award designed to cover most or all major costs associated with an eligible programme of study. Some awards also provide a regular stipend that helps the recipient pay for living expenses.

What Does “Fully Funded Scholarship That Pays You” Mean?

The phrase “scholarships that pay you to study abroad” can be misleading if it sounds like students receive a salary simply for attending university.

In most cases, these scholarships provide a stipend or living allowance rather than a salary.

A comprehensive scholarship may cover:

  • Full or substantial tuition fees
  • Monthly living allowance
  • Accommodation or housing allowance
  • Health or medical insurance
  • International airfare
  • Visa-related expenses
  • Research or study allowances
  • Books and educational materials
  • Arrival or settlement allowances
  • Travel between participating countries
  • Family or dependent allowances in selected programmes

The exact package depends on the scholarship.

For example, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships can include participation costs, travel, visa and living support, while the DAAD EPOS programme provides monthly payments, insurance and travel support, with additional benefits possible in certain circumstances.

Therefore, applicants should not assume that every scholarship advertised as “fully funded” covers exactly the same expenses.

Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027

The following programmes are among the most important opportunities international students should investigate when preparing for 2027 study.

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships – Europe

Study destination: Multiple European countries
Level: Master’s
Eligible applicants: Students from around the world
Typical duration: 1–2 years
Funding: Full scholarships available for selected students

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is one of the most attractive options for students who want to study in more than one European country.

Instead of remaining at one university for the entire degree, students normally study through an international consortium of universities. An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master involves at least three higher education institutions from different countries.

This makes the programme particularly attractive for students who want both an international academic experience and exposure to different education systems.

Scholarship support can include:

  • Participation costs
  • Travel allowance
  • Visa costs
  • Living allowance

The European Commission states that students from around the world can apply and that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked candidates.

The 2027 intake is particularly important because new Erasmus Mundus programmes selected in 2026 are expected to begin accepting students for programmes starting in 2027.

How to apply: Search the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue, select a master’s programme that matches your academic background, then apply directly to the consortium running that programme.

Official application: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters

2. Chevening Scholarships – United Kingdom

Study destination: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s
Programme length: Usually one year
Eligibility: Applicants from participating countries
Funding: Fully funded

Chevening is one of the world’s best-known UK government scholarship programmes.

It is designed primarily for outstanding professionals and future leaders who want to complete a master’s degree in the UK and use their education to create positive impact in their home countries and internationally.

A Chevening award can provide substantial financial support for:

  • Tuition fees
  • Living expenses
  • Travel
  • Visa-related costs
  • Other eligible allowances

The programme is especially competitive because selection is not based only on grades. Leadership, networking, professional experience, career plans and demonstrated impact are important parts of the application.

Important 2027 update

For the 2027–28 Chevening cycle, applications opened in August 2026 and closed in October 2026. For Nigerian applicants, the official Nigeria page currently shows that the 2027–28 application period is closed.

That means students who missed this particular cycle should prepare for the next Chevening opportunity rather than submitting through unofficial websites.

How to apply: Select your country on the official Chevening website, review eligibility requirements and apply through the official application system when the relevant cycle opens.

Official application: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/

3. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships – United Kingdom

Study destination: United Kingdom
Level: Master’s
Eligible applicants: Citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries
2027/28 intake: Yes

For students from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and other eligible Commonwealth countries, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is another major opportunity.

The programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and is aimed at candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Nigeria is specifically listed among the eligible countries for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship.

The scholarship supports full-time taught master’s study and is linked to development themes.

Applicants should pay particular attention to:

  • Academic qualifications
  • Development impact
  • Employment history
  • Proposed study programme
  • How the degree will contribute to development after graduation

The 2027/28 application round is open, with the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission listing 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST as the closing date for the main Master’s Scholarship application. However, nominating agencies can have their own earlier deadlines.

This is particularly important for Nigerian applicants: do not wait until the CSC deadline if your nominating agency has an earlier deadline.

Official application: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

4. DAAD EPOS Scholarships – Germany

Study destination: Germany
Level: Primarily postgraduate/master’s programmes
Target group: Applicants from developing and emerging countries
Funding: Monthly stipend and additional benefits

The DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) programme is particularly interesting for professionals from developing countries.

Instead of applying to one generic DAAD scholarship, applicants normally select an eligible postgraduate programme from the EPOS list.

The current scholarship information includes monthly support of €992 for graduates, while doctoral-level funding is higher. The programme can also provide:

  • Health, accident and personal liability insurance
  • Travel allowance
  • Possible rent subsidy
  • Possible family allowance
  • Funding for the approved study period

Depending on the course, funding can last between 12 and 42 months.

A major requirement is relevant professional experience. The current EPOS information generally requires applicants to have at least two years of professional experience after their first degree.

This makes EPOS especially suitable for professionals who already have work experience and want to specialize in areas connected to development.

How to apply: Choose an eligible EPOS course, check its individual deadline and submit your application directly according to the course’s instructions. Do not assume that all EPOS courses use the same deadline.

Official scholarship database: https://www2.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/datenbank/en/21148-scholarship-database/

5. MEXT Scholarship – Japan

Study destination: Japan
Level: Undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and research categories depending on the route
Funding: Government-funded scholarship

The MEXT Scholarship is provided by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

It is one of the major government scholarship routes for international students who want to study in Japan.

For the 2027 intake, Japan’s official Study in Japan website has published specific information for the MEXT 2027 Embassy Recommendation route.

Applicants should understand that MEXT does not operate like a single university scholarship. There are different application routes, including embassy recommendation and university recommendation.

For the embassy route, applicants normally begin with the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country.

The official 2027 research-student information states that applicants arriving in Japan in April 2027 or September/October 2027 were recruited during the previous year’s cycle, with the exact schedule depending on the applicant’s country.

Potential support can include:

  • Monthly scholarship allowance
  • Tuition-related support
  • Travel support
  • Other benefits depending on the scholarship category

Important: Never send MEXT application documents directly to the Japanese ministry when the instructions say to apply through the embassy.

Official information: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/smap-stopj-applications-research.html

6. Clarendon Fund – University of Oxford

Study destination: United Kingdom
University: University of Oxford
Level: Master’s and DPhil
Eligibility: International applicants included
Funding: Full fees plus living grant

The Clarendon Fund is one of Oxford University’s flagship graduate scholarship schemes.

Unlike some government scholarships, Clarendon is tied directly to admission to Oxford.

The scholarship provides:

  • Full course fees
  • A grant for living expenses
  • Funding for the period of fee liability

There are no nationality restrictions, and eligible full-time and part-time Master’s and DPhil applicants can be considered.

One of the biggest advantages is the application process: applicants normally do not submit a separate Clarendon application.

Instead, you must submit your Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline for your course.

If you meet the requirements and apply by the appropriate deadline, Oxford automatically considers you for Clarendon.

The university describes the scholarship as highly competitive, so strong academic performance and evidence of academic potential are essential.

Official information: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/clarendon

7. Fulbright Foreign Student Program – United States

Study destination: United States
Level: Graduate study
Eligible applicants: International students from participating countries
Funding: Major educational and living support

The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is another major scholarship for international students.

The programme enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from participating countries to study and conduct research in the United States.

Fulbright operates in more than 160 countries, although the eligibility rules and application process can differ substantially by country.

Benefits can include:

  • J-1 visa sponsorship
  • Funding support
  • Health benefits
  • Enrichment activities
  • University placement or assistance, depending on the country and placement model

For Nigerian applicants, the official Fulbright information directs applicants to the relevant U.S. Embassy/education programme channel and provides Nigeria-specific contact information.

This is an important distinction: you should not assume that the U.S. application process is identical for every nationality.

Official application information: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/apply

8. Türkiye Scholarships – Türkiye

Study destination: Türkiye
Levels: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD
Eligibility: International students
Funding: Fully funded packages available

Türkiye Scholarships is particularly useful because it covers several academic levels.

The programme can provide:

  • University and department placement
  • Monthly stipend
  • Tuition fees
  • Accommodation
  • Health insurance
  • One-year Turkish language course
  • One-time flight ticket

The current official programme page lists monthly stipends of 6,500 TL for undergraduate students, 9,500 TL for master’s students and 13,000 TL for PhD students.

However, stipend amounts can be revised, so applicants should always check the current official figures when applications open.

Türkiye Scholarships normally has an annual application period. Applicants targeting 2027 should monitor the official application system rather than relying on old social-media posts or third-party blogs.

Official application: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/

Comparison of the Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027

Scholarship Country/Region Study Level Living Support Tuition Travel/Other Support
Erasmus Mundus Europe & partner countries Master’s Yes Yes for selected scholarship holders Travel and visa support
Chevening UK Master’s Yes Yes Travel/visa-related support
Commonwealth Master’s UK Master’s Comprehensive funding Funded Other allowances
DAAD EPOS Germany Master’s/Postgraduate Monthly stipend Programme-dependent/full scholarship support Travel + insurance
MEXT Japan Multiple categories Monthly allowance Government support Travel support
Oxford Clarendon UK Master’s/DPhil Living grant Full fees Depends on award
Fulbright USA Graduate Funding support Major funding support Visa/health support
Türkiye Scholarships Türkiye Bachelor’s–PhD Monthly stipend Yes Accommodation, insurance and flight

Note: “Fully funded” does not mean every programme pays identical expenses. Individual courses, countries, scholarship categories and university policies can change the final funding package.

Who Can Apply for These Scholarships?

There is no single profile that guarantees a fully funded scholarship.

However, successful applicants commonly demonstrate several of the following:

Strong academic record

Academic excellence remains important for highly competitive scholarships.

You do not necessarily need perfect grades, but you should be able to demonstrate that you can succeed at the proposed academic level.

Clear career objectives

Scholarship committees want to understand what you intend to do with the opportunity.

A weak application says:

“I want to study abroad because it will give me a better future.”

A stronger application explains:

  • What problem you want to solve
  • Why the proposed programme is relevant
  • What skills you need
  • How the degree fits your career
  • What you plan to accomplish after graduation

Leadership and impact

Scholarships such as Chevening place substantial emphasis on leadership and influence.

Leadership does not necessarily mean holding a senior corporate position.

You can demonstrate leadership through:

  • Community projects
  • Professional initiatives
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Volunteering
  • Student organisations
  • Research
  • Social-impact activities

Relevant professional experience

Some scholarships require work experience, while others do not.

For example, DAAD EPOS is particularly relevant to applicants with professional experience in development-related areas.

Therefore, always read the specific eligibility requirements rather than assuming all scholarships have the same rules.

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships in 2027

Applying successfully requires more than filling out an online form.

Step 1: Choose the right scholarship

Start by identifying your:

  • Academic level
  • Field of study
  • Work experience
  • Nationality
  • Preferred destination
  • Career objectives

Then shortlist scholarships that match your profile.

Step 2: Read the official eligibility requirements

Do not rely solely on TikTok videos, Facebook posts or blogs.

Go directly to the scholarship provider.

Check:

  • Age requirements
  • Degree requirements
  • GPA or academic requirements
  • Work experience
  • English-language requirements
  • Nationality restrictions
  • Eligible universities
  • Eligible programmes
  • Application deadline

Step 3: Prepare your documents early

Common documents include:

  • International passport
  • Academic transcripts
  • Degree certificate
  • CV
  • Personal statement
  • Study plan
  • Research proposal
  • Recommendation letters
  • Proof of employment
  • English-language test results, where required

Some programmes may request additional documents.

Step 4: Write a strong personal statement

Your statement should answer four basic questions:

Where are you now?

Explain your academic and professional background.

What do you want to study?

Clearly identify the programme and why it matters.

Why this scholarship?

Show why the scholarship and institution are relevant to your goals.

What will you do afterward?

Explain the measurable impact you expect to make.

Step 5: Apply through the official portal

This is one of the most important rules.

Never pay an individual or unofficial website to “secure” a government scholarship.

Legitimate scholarship programmes may have application-related costs in some circumstances, such as university admission or language testing, but the scholarship itself should be verified through the sponsoring organisation.

How to Apply — Quick Guide and Official Links

Here is the simplest process:

  1. Choose a scholarship that matches your nationality, degree level and field.
  2. Read the eligibility rules on the official website.
  3. Prepare your CV, transcripts, certificates, references and personal statement.
  4. Create an account on the official application portal.
  5. Complete the form carefully and upload your documents.
  6. Submit before the official deadline.
  7. Save your application confirmation and monitor your email.

Useful official starting points:

How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

Because fully funded scholarships are highly competitive, applying to one programme and waiting for the result is risky.

A better strategy is to create a scholarship portfolio.

For example, an applicant could apply to:

  • 2–3 European scholarships
  • 1–2 UK scholarships
  • 1 Asian government scholarship
  • 1 university-specific scholarship
  • Several eligible university funding opportunities

However, do not submit the same generic personal statement everywhere.

Your application should be tailored to the specific scholarship.

Build evidence before applications open

If you plan to apply for 2027 or later, start collecting evidence now.

Volunteer.

Develop professional experience.

Participate in meaningful projects.

Publish research where appropriate.

Take leadership responsibilities.

Build professional relationships.

The strongest applications usually have evidence behind their claims.

If you say you are a community leader, demonstrate what you actually changed.

If you say you care about education, show what you have done in education.

If you claim you want to improve healthcare, explain the problem you have observed and how your proposed degree will help you address it.

Common Mistakes Scholarship Applicants Should Avoid

Applying only because the scholarship is fully funded

Funding should not be your only reason for choosing a programme.

Your academic and career objectives need to align with the course.

Using false information

Never exaggerate employment history, leadership achievements or academic qualifications.

Scholarship organisations can verify information.

A false claim can result in rejection or withdrawal of an award.

Missing the deadline

Many scholarships close applications months before the academic year begins.

For example, students beginning study in September 2027 may need to submit scholarship applications during 2026.

This is why students should begin preparing 6–12 months before their intended start date.

Applying through unofficial agents

Be extremely careful with anyone promising a guaranteed scholarship.

No legitimate consultant can guarantee that a government scholarship committee will select you.

Submitting a generic personal statement

A strong scholarship essay should demonstrate why you, this programme, this university and this scholarship fit together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fully funded scholarships that pay you to study abroad in 2027?

Some of the strongest options include Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, DAAD EPOS, MEXT, Chevening, Oxford Clarendon, Fulbright and Türkiye Scholarships. Eligibility and funding differ between programmes.

Do fully funded scholarships really give students money?

Yes. Many fully funded scholarships include a monthly stipend or living allowance. However, the amount and eligible expenses differ by scholarship.

Can Nigerian students apply for fully funded scholarships abroad?

Yes. Nigerian students are eligible for several major international scholarships. Nigeria is specifically included among the eligible countries for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, while Nigerian applicants can also access programmes such as Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, MEXT, Fulbright and selected DAAD opportunities, subject to each programme’s requirements.

Which scholarship is easiest to get?

There is no genuinely “easy” fully funded international scholarship. Competition varies by programme, nationality, field and year.

Your chances are generally better when your academic background, professional experience, career goals and proposed programme strongly match the scholarship’s objectives.

Can I apply for multiple scholarships?

Yes. In many cases, applying to several scholarships is a sensible strategy. However, carefully check each programme’s rules regarding simultaneous funding and accepting multiple awards.

Do I need IELTS for every fully funded scholarship?

No. IELTS requirements vary.

Some universities and scholarships require IELTS or another recognised English-language test, while others may accept alternative evidence of English proficiency.

Always check the requirements of the specific university and scholarship.

Can I study for free abroad without a scholarship?

Yes, in some countries and universities tuition may be relatively low or structured differently. However, international students still need to consider accommodation, food, transportation, insurance and other living costs.

A fully funded scholarship is therefore particularly valuable because it can address both tuition and living expenses.

Final Thoughts on the Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027

The Top Fully Funded Scholarships That Pay You to Study Abroad in 2027 can make an international degree financially possible for students who would otherwise struggle with overseas tuition and living costs.

The strongest opportunities include Erasmus Mundus in Europe, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships and Chevening in the UK, DAAD EPOS in Germany, MEXT in Japan, Fulbright in the United States, Oxford Clarendon and Türkiye Scholarships.

However, the scholarship with the biggest stipend is not necessarily the best scholarship for you. Your priority should be finding the programme where your academic background, professional experience, career objectives and proposed field of study align with the selection criteria.

If you are targeting 2027 admission, do not wait until the final deadline. Start preparing your transcripts, CV, references, personal statement, language tests and programme shortlist now.

Choose at least three suitable scholarships, visit their official websites, verify the current eligibility requirements and begin your applications early. A well-prepared application submitted before the deadline can give you a genuine opportunity to earn a degree abroad without carrying the full financial burden yourself.

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