Government scholarships for international students in 2027 can cover major study costs such as tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance, or accommodation, depending on the programme. Some of the best-known options include Chevening in the UK, Australia Awards, MEXT in Japan, Türkiye Scholarships, DAAD programmes in Germany, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, and Stipendium Hungaricum in Hungary.
The important point is that these scholarships don’t all follow the same rules. Some are designed for master’s students, while others accept undergraduate or doctoral applicants. Eligibility may also depend on nationality, academic background, work experience, field of study, or nomination by a government or university. Students who are still at the research stage can also learn How to Find Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students before choosing specific programmes.
If you’re planning to study abroad in 2027, start checking the official scholarship pages early. Several 2027 application rounds begin many months before the academic year starts, and some programmes have country-specific deadlines.
Best Government Scholarships for International Students in 2027
The table below gives you a quick comparison of major government-funded or government-backed scholarship programmes. Always check the current official call before applying because deadlines, eligible countries, study fields, and award amounts can change.
| Scholarship | Country/Region | Main Study Levels | Typical Funding | Application Route |
| Chevening | UK | Master’s | Tuition, living allowance, travel and other eligible costs | Online application |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Undergraduate/Postgraduate, depending on country | Tuition, airfare, living support, health cover and other benefits | Country-specific |
| MEXT | Japan | Undergraduate, Master’s/Research, PhD and other categories | Tuition exemption, stipend and travel support | Embassy or university recommendation |
| Türkiye Scholarships | Türkiye | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, accommodation, insurance and travel | Online application |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Mainly Master’s/postgraduate | Monthly funding, insurance, travel support and possible allowances | Course-specific |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | Master’s | Participation costs, travel, visa and living allowance for selected scholars | Programme-specific |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD | Tuition support, stipend and other allowances | Online + sending partner |
These programmes differ considerably, so the scholarship with the largest list of benefits isn’t necessarily the right one for you. Your nationality, degree level and intended subject should come first when creating a shortlist.
If you’re not sure which destination offers the strongest funding opportunities for your profile, comparing the Best Countries for Fully Funded Scholarships in 2027 can help you narrow down your options before applying.
1. Chevening Scholarships in the UK
Chevening is one of the best-known UK government scholarships for international students. It mainly supports one-year master’s degrees at UK universities and is aimed at applicants who can demonstrate leadership potential, professional experience and a clear reason for studying in the UK.
For the 2027–28 intake, the official Chevening timeline shows applications opening in August 2026 and closing in October 2026. Shortlisted applicants are expected to be invited for interviews in early 2027, with studies beginning in September or October 2027.
That means students targeting 2027 entry shouldn’t assume they can wait until the middle of 2027 to apply. For many applicants, the scholarship application happens nearly a year before the course begins.
Best for: International students seeking a fully funded master’s degree in the UK.
Important: Chevening has specific eligibility rules, including work-experience requirements and a commitment to return to your home country after the scholarship.
2. Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are funded by the Australian Government and provide study opportunities for people from participating developing and Indo-Pacific countries.
Benefits generally include full tuition fees, return economy airfare, an establishment allowance, living support, health insurance and other eligible assistance. The exact package depends on the programme and country.
For the 2027 intake, dates are country-specific. For example, the published Australia Awards schedule shows Pakistan’s 2027 intake opening on February 1, 2026 and closing on April 30, 2026.
Students considering other popular destinations may also want to compare these opportunities with the Best Scholarships to Study in Canada, especially if Canada is among their preferred study destinations.
Best for: Students from eligible developing countries who want undergraduate or postgraduate study in Australia, depending on their country programme.
3. MEXT Scholarship in Japan
The MEXT Scholarship is the Japanese Government scholarship programme administered through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. It covers several categories, including research students, undergraduate students, teacher training students, Japanese studies students and other study routes.
International applicants can generally apply through either embassy recommendation or university recommendation, although the available categories and requirements differ. For embassy recommendation, applicants may need to complete written examinations and interviews depending on the scholarship category.
The official MEXT information lists tuition exemption, travel support and monthly scholarship payments among the benefits, with amounts depending on the category.
Best for: International students interested in undergraduate, graduate, research or specialised study in Japan.
For the 2027 cycle, check the latest MEXT guidelines and the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country because recruitment schedules can differ.
4. Türkiye Scholarships
Türkiye Scholarships is a government-funded scholarship programme that accepts international students at bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels.
The programme can include university and department placement, tuition fees, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, Turkish language training and a one-time flight ticket.
The official application calendar normally places the general application period between January 10 and February 20, followed by evaluation, interviews and results later in the year.
Best for: International students looking for bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral study in Türkiye with substantial financial support.
Because academic and language requirements can differ by study level, read the criteria for your specific programme before preparing the application.
5. DAAD Scholarships in Germany
The DAAD scholarship system offers several funding routes for international students and researchers. One important option is Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), which supports selected graduates from developing and emerging countries.
EPOS is mainly aimed at postgraduate study in Germany. Applicants generally need a relevant bachelor’s degree, strong academic performance and at least two years of professional experience. The programme supports selected master’s and, in some cases, doctoral study.
For the 2027/28 cycle, the DAAD database already lists postgraduate courses with application deadlines for 2027/28. The exact deadline depends on the course rather than one single nationwide date.
Best for: Graduates with relevant professional experience who want postgraduate study in Germany.
DAAD also has other scholarship programmes, so don’t limit your search to EPOS if your profile doesn’t fit its requirements.
6. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is funded through the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme and offers scholarships to highly ranked students from around the world.
Selected scholarship recipients can receive support for participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs. Programmes usually last between one and two academic years and involve a consortium of universities.
Most programmes accept applications between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year, although each master’s programme sets its own requirements and deadline.
For students who want to compare Erasmus Mundus with other funding options across the continent, the guide to Best Scholarships to Study in Europe provides a broader look at scholarship opportunities available in European countries.
Best for: Students seeking an international master’s experience involving universities in more than one European country.
Because Erasmus Mundus is programme-specific, you’ll need to compare individual master’s programmes rather than submit one general application for every course.
7. Stipendium Hungaricum in Hungary
Stipendium Hungaricum is Hungary’s major scholarship programme for international students and supports bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies through participating institutions.
The application process involves the online scholarship system and, for many applicants, a sending partner in the applicant’s home country. Sending partners can have their own requirements and deadlines, so checking both sides of the application process is important.
For 2027/28, applicants should watch the official programme website for the new call and timeline. The previous cycle closed in January, while information published by a Hungarian university indicated that the next application period was expected to begin in November 2026.
Best for: International students seeking bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral study in Hungary.
What Do Government Scholarships Usually Cover?
A government scholarship can be fully funded, partially funded or limited to certain study expenses. Never assume that the word “government” automatically means every cost will be paid.
The exact package depends on the scholarship, country and degree programme. Common benefits include:
- Full or partial tuition fee coverage
- Monthly living allowance
- Accommodation or housing support
- Airfare or travel allowance
- Health or medical insurance
- Visa-related support
- Language or preparatory courses
- Research or study-related allowances
For example, Australia Awards lists tuition, airfare, living support, health cover and other benefits, while Türkiye Scholarships lists tuition, accommodation, health insurance, a stipend and travel support.
Who Can Apply for Government Scholarships in 2027?
Eligibility depends on the scholarship rather than simply being an international student. A programme may be open to applicants from dozens of countries but restrict certain degrees, fields or age groups.
Academic results are usually important, but many government scholarships also look at work experience, leadership, research interests, professional goals, community involvement or the development needs of the applicant’s home country.
Before starting an application, check these points:
- Your nationality or country of residence
- Degree level and previous qualification
- Age requirement, if applicable
- Academic grades
- Work experience
- English or local-language requirements
- Eligible subject or research field
- University admission requirements
- Return-home or scholarship service conditions
For example, DAAD EPOS generally requires at least two years of relevant professional experience, while MEXT has different age and education rules depending on the scholarship category.
When Should You Apply for 2027 Government Scholarships?
For 2027 entry, the safest approach is to start preparing during 2026. Many major scholarships open months before classes begin, and some have deadlines well before the start of the academic year.
The timing also varies widely. Chevening’s 2027–28 application process begins in 2026, Australia Awards’ 2027 intake also had country-specific deadlines in 2026, while Erasmus Mundus programmes commonly accept applications from October through January.
A simple preparation schedule can help. First, shortlist scholarships based on your nationality and degree level. Then prepare your academic records, CV, recommendation letters, language test results and personal statements. Finally, check the official deadline again immediately before submitting.
Documents You May Need for a Government Scholarship
Most scholarship applications require a combination of academic, personal and professional documents. The exact list varies, so don’t prepare documents blindly.
Common requirements include:
- Passport or national identification document
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement or motivation letter
- Study or research plan
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of employment or work experience
- English-language test results where required
- University admission documents, where required
- Research proposal for relevant master’s or PhD programmes
Some scholarships also require medical forms, country-specific documents, proof of residence or an official nomination.
How to Choose the Right Government Scholarship for 2027
Start with eligibility, not the size of the scholarship. A programme that pays every major expense is still a poor choice if your degree, nationality or professional background doesn’t meet its requirements.
Next, compare the degree level, subject availability, application method, deadline and funding package. If you’re still deciding where to study, comparing the Best Countries for Fully Funded Scholarships in 2027 can help you assess destinations alongside individual scholarship programmes.
Students who are choosing between regions can also compare specific opportunities, such as the [Best Scholarships to Study in Canada] and [Best Scholarships to Study in Europe], before making a final shortlist.
Finally, read the official scholarship guidelines from the government or programme administrator. Third-party scholarship lists can help you discover opportunities, but the official source should be your final reference for deadlines, eligibility and funding.
Final Thoughts
Government scholarships for international students in 2027 offer some of the strongest routes to study abroad with major financial support. Chevening is particularly relevant for master’s study in the UK, Australia Awards serves students from participating countries, MEXT covers several study categories in Japan, Türkiye Scholarships supports bachelor’s through PhD study, and DAAD offers several routes for postgraduate students in Germany. Erasmus Mundus and Stipendium Hungaricum add further options across Europe.
The key is to check eligibility and deadlines early. Since many 2027 scholarship applications are submitted during 2026 or early 2027, waiting until the academic year begins can mean missing the opportunity altogether.
FAQs
Which government scholarship is best for international students in 2027?
There isn’t one best scholarship for everyone. Chevening, Australia Awards, MEXT, Türkiye Scholarships, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus and Stipendium Hungaricum are strong options, but the right choice depends on your nationality, degree level, field and eligibility.
Are government scholarships for international students fully funded?
Some are fully funded, while others cover only selected expenses. Funding can include tuition, living costs, travel, accommodation and insurance, but the exact benefits depend on the programme.
Can undergraduate students apply for government scholarships in 2027?
Yes. Some government scholarship programmes accept undergraduate applicants. MEXT and Türkiye Scholarships, for example, include undergraduate routes, while other major programmes focus mainly on postgraduate study.
When should I start applying for 2027 scholarships?
Start preparing at least six to twelve months before your intended study start date. Several 2027 scholarship rounds have application deadlines during 2026, while others open in late 2026 or early 2027. Always confirm the current deadline on the official programme website.
