Europe has been the destination for international students who want to have high-quality education, cultural diversity, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. However, studying in Europe is very expensive, especially for international students. Scholarships can be a key to making education in Europe more accessible. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the most popular scholarships for international students in Europe, the benefits, eligibility criteria, and the application process.
Table of Contents
Erasmus+ Program
Overview
The Erasmus+ Program is one of the most competitive scholarships for international students, funded by the European Union. It supports education, training, youth, and sports in Europe and other parts of the world. EMJMDs are particularly popular, as they offer full scholarships for Master’s degrees conducted in at least two European universities.
Benefits
- Full tuition fee coverage.
- Monthly stipend (country-dependent, but usually ranges between €1,000–€1,200).
- Travel costs.
- Insurance cover.
Eligibility
- It is open to students from any country in the world.
- Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Prior to being considered for a scholarship, one must be admitted to an Erasmus Mundus program.
Application Process
- Apply directly to an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree program.
- Applications are usually made in October and end in January or February.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Overview
The DAAD offers scholarships to students from developing countries to study in Germany. It funds both Master’s and PhD programs within various disciplines.
Benefits
- Monthly stipend of €861 for Master’s students and €1,200 for PhD students.
- Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
- Travel allowances.
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree (usually completed less than six years prior).
- Relevant work experience of at least two years for most programs.
- English or German language proficiency, depending on the course requirements.
Application Process
- Select a DAAD-sponsored program and apply online through the DAAD portal.
- The deadlines vary with each program but fall in the range of October to December.
Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
Overview
The Chevening Scholarships are sponsored by the UK government to promote future leaders and decision-makers in other countries. It covers one-year Master’s courses offered in the UK.
Benefits
- Full payment of tuition fees.
- A monthly allowance for living expenses.
- Economy return airfare from home to the UK.
- Grants for any expenses incurred, which is absolutely necessary.
Eligibility
- Must be a citizen of any eligible country or territory.
- Have at least two years of work experience (equivalent to 2,800 hours).
- Return to your home country for at least two years after receiving the scholarship.
Application Process
- Online application through the website of Chevening.
- This will involve submitting the references, academic documents, among other essays.
- Applications are usually up in August and end in November.
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
Overview
The SISGP is a Master’s student scholarship sponsored by the Swedish government to foster global leaders who can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
Benefits
- Full tuition fee coverage.
- Monthly living allowance of SEK 11,000.
- Travel grant of up to SEK 15,000.
- Health insurance.
Eligibility
- Should be from an eligible country.
- A minimum of 3,000 hours of relevant work experience is required.
- Prove leadership experience.
Application Process
- Apply for a Master’s course at a Swedish university.
- File an application for scholarship at the Swedish Institute website separately.
- The applications are available in February.
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
About
The ESOP is offered by ETH Zurich, one of the Europe’s leading universities, for talented Master’s students. It is a very competitive scholarship meant for students who have exceptional academic records and have a great potential for leadership.
Benefits
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- Living cost stipend on a monthly basis (CHF 12,000 per semester).
Eligibility
- It is available for any student regardless of their country.
- Bachelor’s degree in a related course.
- Exceptional academic achievements.
Application Process
- Apply for a Master’s program at ETH Zurich.
- The scholarship application has to be made during the process of applying for the program.
- Deadlines usually fall in December.
Holland Scholarship
Overview
The Holland Scholarship is a Dutch government scholarship for international students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to study in the Netherlands.
Benefits
- A one-time grant of €5,000.
Eligibility
- Available to non-EEA students.
- Admission to a participating Dutch institution.
- Good academic records.
Application Process
- Apply directly to the Dutch university of your choice.
- Deadlines vary, but most applications close in February or May.
Government of France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Overview
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract top international talent to French universities. It covers both Master’s and PhD programs.
Benefits
- A monthly allowance of €1,181 for Master’s students and €1,700 for PhD students.
- Travel expenses abroad.
- Health insurance and cultural activities.
Eligibility
- Open to international students below 30 years (Master’s) or 35 years (PhD).
- Nominated by a French higher education institution.
Application Process
- Apply to the chosen French university for the scholarship.
- Deadlines are usually in January.
Conclusion
Europe is an attractive destination for higher education with a wealth of scholarship opportunities for international students. Each scholarship has unique features and requirements, catering to diverse academic backgrounds, professional aspirations, and financial needs. If you find out about the processes applied in the application procedures along with the deadlines, it gives you a great opportunity of finding funds for your studies on Europe. Whether it will be in Germany, Sweden or the UK, most likely a scholarship exists for that type of study.
FAQ’s
Which European country offers the most scholarships to international students?
Germany provides the most scholarships to international students through programs like DAAD, which can include tuition fees, living expenses, and more. Sweden and the UK also offer large amounts of funding for students who qualify.
Are full scholarships available in Europe?
Yes, full scholarships such as Erasmus+, DAAD, and Swedish Institute scholarships cover tuition and living expenses, making it possible for international students to study in Europe without financial burdens.
