Looking for fully funded scholarships in Europe for international students this year? You’re in the right place. Europe is home to some of the world’s most generous and accessible scholarships, covering tuition, living costs, travel, and even insurance.
Whether you’re pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, this definitive guide covers:
- Top fully funded scholarships by country and degree level
- Scholarships that don’t require IELTS or GRE
- Tuition-free study options in Europe
- Eligibility, deadlines, and application tips
Let’s explore how you can study in Europe tuition-free as an international student.
Why Study in Europe as an International Student?
- Over 40 countries offering diverse academic experiences
- Many English-taught programs across all disciplines
- Post-study work visas and Schengen travel access
- Tuition-free universities in Germany, Norway, and more
- Fully funded government and university scholarships are available
Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe for International Students
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (EMJMD)
- Level: Master’s
- Coverage:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend (€1,100–€1,200)
- Travel & relocation
- Eligibility: Students from all nationalities
- Deadline: Oct–Jan (varies by program)
- Website: ec.europa.eu
Covers top programs in AI, data science, engineering, and more across 2–3 countries.
DAAD Scholarships—Germany
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage:
- Tuition-free study at public universities
- Monthly stipend (€934–€1,300)
- Travel & insurance
- Eligibility: Graduates from developing countries
- Deadline: Oct–Dec
- Website: daad.de
Germany is a top tuition-free study destination with part-time work options.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program—France
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage:
- Monthly stipend (€1,181 for Master’s, €1,700 for PhD)
- Travel & health insurance
- Eligibility: Top students under age 25 (Master’s) or 30 (PhD)
- Deadline: January
- Website: campusfrance.org
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
- Level: Master’s
- Coverage:
- Full tuition
- SEK 11,000/month stipend
- Travel grant
- Eligibility: Citizens from eligible developing countries
- Deadline: February
- Website: si.se
Holland Scholarship—Netherlands
- Level: Bachelor’s & Master’s
- Value: €5,000 one-time grant
- Eligibility: Non-EEA international students
- Deadline: May–June
- Website: studyinholland.nl
Italian Government Scholarships
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage:
- Full tuition
- €900 monthly stipend
- Deadline: Usually May–June
- Website: studyinitaly.esteri.it
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Level: Master’s & PhD
- Coverage:
- Tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend (~CHF 1,920)
- Health insurance & airfare
- Deadline: Sept–Dec
- Website: sbfi.admin.ch
VLIR-UOS Scholarships—Belgium
- Level: Master’s (Development-related fields)
- Coverage:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Travel & insurance
- Eligibility: Citizens from eligible developing countries
- Website: vliruos.be
Comparison Table—Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe
| Scholarship Program | Country | Degree Level | Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus | EU-wide | Master’s | Full tuition + stipend + travel | Oct–Jan |
| DAAD | Germany | Master’s & PhD | Tuition-free + stipend + travel | Oct–Dec |
| Eiffel | France | Master’s & PhD | Stipend + travel + insurance | Jan |
| SISGP | Sweden | Master’s | Tuition + stipend + travel | Feb |
| Holland Scholarship | Netherlands | Bachelor’s/Master’s | €5,000 one-time grant | May–June |
| Swiss Govt. | Switzerland | Master’s & PhD | Tuition + stipend + insurance | Sept–Dec |
| VLIR-UOS | Belgium | Master’s | Tuition + stipend + travel | Varies |
Scholarships in Europe Without IELTS or GRE
Yes, many European universities and scholarships accept
- Duolingo English Test
- Medium of instruction certificates
- In-house language assessments
You can apply for scholarships in Germany, Sweden, France, and Italy without taking the IELTS if you meet the other requirements.
General Eligibility Criteria
To apply for scholarships in Europe:
- Non-EU/EEA citizenship (for most programs)
- Strong academic background
- Proof of language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo)
- Motivation letter or research proposal
- University admission or a conditional offer letter
Required Documents Checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Passport bio page
- CV/Resume
- Letters of recommendation
- Language test results
- Motivation Letter/SOP
- Research proposal (if needed)
Top Application Tips
- Start early—some programs open 9–12 months in advance
- Customize your SOP for each scholarship
- Track multiple deadlines across countries
- Apply for admission and a scholarship in parallel
- Use a clean, updated resume with academic and extracurricular impact
- Target at least 3–5 different scholarships
Application Deadlines at a Glance
| Scholarship | Approx. Deadline |
| Erasmus Mundus | Oct–Jan |
| DAAD | Oct–Dec |
| Eiffel | Jan |
| SISGP | Feb |
| Holland | May–June |
| Swiss Gov’t | Sept–Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I study in Europe for free?
A: Yes! Countries like Germany and Norway offer free tuition. With scholarships, even living costs are covered.
Q: Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
A: Many scholarships accept alternatives like Duolingo or a certificate from your previous English-taught institution.
Q: Can I apply to more than one scholarship?
A: Yes—and it’s strongly recommended!
Q: Are there fully funded bachelor’s scholarships in Europe?
A: Yes. Options include MEXT (Japan), GKS (Korea), and some university-specific programs.
Q: Can I work while studying on a scholarship?
A: Yes. Most countries allow 10–20 hours/week part-time.
Related Scholarship Guides
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 2025
- DAAD Germany Scholarships—Full Guide
- No-IELTS Scholarships for International Students
- How to Apply for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2025
Final Thoughts
Europe continues to offer fully funded scholarships for international students that make world-class education affordable. From Erasmus Mundus to DAAD, Eiffel, and SISGP, the opportunities are real and life-changing.
Start shortlisting now. Customize your documents. Apply boldly.
Your dream of studying in Europe this year will be tuition-free.
