The best countries for fully funded scholarships in 2027 include the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Türkiye, New Zealand, the United States, China and Hungary. These countries offer major government-funded programs that can cover tuition fees along with living costs, airfare, accommodation or health insurance, depending on the scholarship. For 2027 applicants, the strongest choices are Australia Awards, Chevening, MEXT, Global Korea Scholarship, Türkiye Scholarships, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, Fulbright and Chinese Government Scholarship.
The important point is that “fully funded” doesn’t mean every scholarship covers exactly the same expenses. Some pay tuition, living costs and flights, while others cover tuition and provide a living allowance but may leave some personal expenses to the student.
Best Countries for Fully Funded Scholarships in 2027 at a Glance
Choosing a country becomes much easier when you compare the major scholarship programs rather than looking only at university rankings. If you’re still at the research stage, this guide on How to Find Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students can help you identify suitable programs before comparing countries.
| Country | Major Scholarship | Study Levels | Main Funding |
| UK | Chevening, Commonwealth | Master’s, postgraduate | Tuition, living costs and other major expenses |
| Australia | Australia Awards | Undergraduate, postgraduate | Tuition, airfare, living allowance, health cover |
| Japan | MEXT | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD | Tuition, monthly stipend, airfare |
| South Korea | GKS | Undergraduate, graduate | Tuition, living support and other allowances |
| Türkiye | Türkiye Scholarships | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, accommodation and other support |
| New Zealand | Manaaki | Undergraduate, postgraduate | Tuition, living costs, travel, insurance |
| USA | Fulbright | Master’s, PhD | Funding support, health benefits and related costs |
| China | Chinese Government Scholarship | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD | Tuition, accommodation, stipend and insurance |
| Hungary | Stipendium Hungaricum | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, accommodation contribution and insurance |
1. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom remains one of the strongest destinations for fully funded postgraduate scholarships. The best-known option is Chevening, the UK government’s scholarship program for international students. It supports one-year master’s degrees at UK universities and is designed for applicants who can demonstrate leadership, professional experience and a clear plan for their future work.
Students who want to compare Chevening with other funding opportunities can also explore Best Scholarships to Study in the UK, particularly if they are considering more than one university or scholarship route.
The UK also offers Commonwealth Scholarships for eligible citizens of Commonwealth countries. These programs are particularly useful for students pursuing postgraduate study in areas connected with development. For the 2027–28 cycle, applicants should check the official scholarship pages carefully because deadlines and country eligibility can differ.
2. Australia
Australia is an excellent choice for students from eligible developing countries because the Australia Awards Scholarships cover a wide range of major study expenses. The award generally includes full tuition, return airfare, an establishment allowance, a living allowance, health cover and other academic support.
Students comparing Australian funding options may also find Best Scholarships to Study in Australia useful, especially when deciding between government scholarships and university-based awards.
The 2027 intake already has published dates. For many participating countries, applications opened on February 1, 2026 and closed on April 30, 2026, although applicants must check their own country profile because eligibility and deadlines vary.
One important condition is that Australia Awards recipients normally have to leave Australia for at least two years after completing the scholarship.
3. Japan
Japan is one of the best options for students looking for government-funded scholarships through the MEXT Scholarship. The program supports several study categories, including undergraduate education, research students, teacher training and other specialist programs.
MEXT generally provides tuition exemption, a monthly scholarship allowance and round-trip airfare, although travel arrangements can depend on the recommendation route.
Japan has already published official 2027 MEXT application materials for several categories, including undergraduate, college of technology and specialized training college students.
4. South Korea
For students interested in studying in Asia, South Korea deserves serious attention because of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). The Korean government runs GKS for international students at different academic levels, with applications handled through embassy and university tracks depending on the program.
The 2027 GKS undergraduate guidelines have already been published, and the university-track application process is handled separately by participating universities.
Students should not rely on a single general deadline because the dates can differ by track, university and country. Always read the current GKS guidelines before preparing documents.
5. Türkiye
Türkiye is another strong choice because Türkiye Scholarships covers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and research programs. The program can provide university placement as well as financial support, making it particularly useful for students who need help with both admission and funding.
The scholarship is competitive and places significant importance on academic performance. Requirements vary by education level, and some merit-based categories have especially high academic requirements.
For students who want a government scholarship that can cover tuition and provide support for living and accommodation, Türkiye is worth adding to the 2027 shortlist.
6. New Zealand
New Zealand offers the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, which is aimed at eligible citizens from selected partner countries. Depending on the country and program, scholarships are available for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
A full Manaaki scholarship can cover tuition fees, living costs, establishment expenses, medical insurance, travel and travel insurance. Some postgraduate scholars can also receive help with research and thesis expenses.
Eligibility is country-specific, and applicants must meet conditions related to citizenship, residence, work experience and the expected contribution to their home country after study.
7. United States
The United States is a major scholarship destination, particularly for graduate students, through the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. Fulbright operates across more than 160 countries and supports foreign students, young professionals and artists pursuing graduate study or research in the US.
Benefits vary according to the country program, but can include funding support, health benefits and J-1 visa sponsorship. The application process and eligibility rules are not identical everywhere, so applicants should use the Fulbright information for their own country.
For students targeting a master’s or PhD, the US can therefore be one of the strongest choices, particularly when Fulbright is available in their country.
8. China
China offers the Chinese Government Scholarship, administered through the China Scholarship Council and related government channels. Full scholarship packages can cover tuition or research fees, accommodation, medical insurance, learning materials and a monthly living allowance.
The exact application route can differ. For example, some students apply through national agencies or embassies, while others apply directly to participating Chinese universities. Pakistani students should also check the current Higher Education Commission announcement when a new cycle is released.
China is particularly worth considering for students interested in engineering, sciences, technology, medicine and other fields offered by participating universities.
9. Hungary
Hungary is one of the more accessible European options through the Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship. It supports bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s and doctoral study for students from eligible partner countries.
The scholarship provides tuition-free education, a monthly stipend, accommodation through a dormitory or housing contribution, and medical insurance. However, the official program makes an important distinction: the stipend and accommodation support are contributions and may not cover every living expense, especially in more expensive cities.
That means Hungary can be a very good low-cost scholarship destination, but applicants should still prepare a small financial reserve rather than assuming every personal expense will be paid.
Is Germany a Good Option for Fully Funded Scholarships?
Germany is often included in searches for fully funded scholarships because of the DAAD scholarship system and the relatively low tuition structure at many public universities. However, Germany is different from countries such as Japan or Australia because not every DAAD award is a complete package covering every expense.
DAAD has numerous scholarship programs for international students and researchers, and some 2027 calls are already available. Students should therefore check the individual DAAD scholarship rather than assuming that studying in Germany automatically means receiving full funding.
For applicants who can combine a DAAD award with low or no tuition at their chosen institution, Germany can still be a financially attractive option.
Which Country Is Best for You in 2027?
There isn’t one best country for every applicant. Your education level, nationality, academic record, work experience, field of study and scholarship requirements should determine where you apply.
For example, Australia and New Zealand are especially useful for eligible applicants from developing countries, while Chevening is focused on one-year master’s study. MEXT is a strong option for students targeting Japan, GKS is worth considering for South Korea, and Fulbright is particularly relevant to graduate applicants seeking study in the United States.
A smart strategy is to apply to several scholarships with different eligibility requirements instead of relying on one application. Check the official call, prepare your academic documents early, and pay close attention to country-specific deadlines.
How to Choose the Best Fully Funded Scholarship
Before applying, compare what the scholarship actually pays rather than relying only on the phrase “fully funded.” A scholarship may cover tuition and living costs but still require you to pay for certain personal expenses.
If you’re comparing government-funded opportunities specifically, Government Scholarships for International Students is a useful next step because these programs often have different eligibility rules, application routes and funding packages.
Check these details carefully:
- Tuition fees and university charges
- Monthly stipend and accommodation support
- Airfare and visa-related costs
- Health or medical insurance
- Required work experience
- Age and academic requirements
- English or local-language requirements
- Return-home or scholarship service conditions
- Application deadline and nomination process
Also check whether the scholarship requires you to apply through a government agency, embassy, university or central application portal. Missing the correct route can make an otherwise strong application ineligible.
Final Thoughts
The best countries for fully funded scholarships in 2027 are those with established government programs that cover several major costs, not simply countries with inexpensive universities. Australia, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Türkiye, New Zealand, the USA and China stand out for applicants seeking broad financial support, while Hungary offers a strong European option and Germany has many scholarship opportunities through DAAD.
Because scholarship rules change by country, academic level and intake, treat 2027 deadlines and eligibility as program-specific. Start preparing transcripts, recommendation letters, language test results, a CV and your personal statement well before the application window opens.
FAQs
Which country gives the most fully funded scholarships?
There is no single country that gives the most fully funded scholarships to everyone. Countries such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, the UK and Türkiye have major government-funded programs with substantial financial support for eligible international students.
Which countries offer fully funded scholarships for international students in 2027?
The main options include the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Türkiye, New Zealand, the USA, China and Hungary. Germany also has many funded opportunities through DAAD, although funding differs by program.
Can I get a fully funded scholarship without IELTS?
Sometimes. IELTS is not a universal requirement for every scholarship. Some programs accept other English tests or proof that your previous education was taught in English, while others have specific language requirements. Always check the current scholarship rules.
Which fully funded scholarship is best for master’s students?
For master’s applicants, strong options include Chevening in the UK, Australia Awards for eligible countries, MEXT in Japan, GKS in South Korea, Türkiye Scholarships, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships and Fulbright in the USA. Your nationality and field of study will determine which programs you can actually apply for.
