Europe is filled with beautiful sceneries and has a rich history and culture, surely bringing together a great study abroad experience! Being the home of many prestigious and high-performing institutions, the region of Europe has been a consistent top choice for international students pursuing their studies.

As moving abroad and taking up your education there can get quite costly, different scholarships are made available for international students provided by universities, governments, and other organizations.

European universities are generous with their scholarships, offering awards for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. There are entrance awards, as well as scholarships that are intended for specific study programs. Aside from university scholarships, different governments within the region have scholarship programs available. There are also external scholarships by foundations, private organizations and the like, which offer financial support. It is even possible that the government and external scholarships you may come across have a bigger scholarship coverage.

Numerous scholarship and funding opportunities are made available, so make sure to read on to find the best scholarship that is meant for you!

Best External Scholarships in Europe

1. Study a Master’s in Europe Scholarship

Offered by educations.com, a platform that provides opportunities for those who wish to study abroad, the Study a Master’s in Europe award gives international students a chance to study any degree they want at the university they prefer. Students of any nationality can apply, as long as they are not a citizen or are not current residents of the country they wish to study at!

2. Sustainability Scholarship Award

The Sustainability Award has only one recipient, but don’t worry! This scholarship is opened annually. Students who plan to take up a Master’s program that promotes sustainability can apply for this scholarship. The best part is, there are no restrictions on the universities or countries you can apply to, so you can pick your desired school or location!

3. Times Law Awards

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Varying scholarship amounts
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

This scholarship award is done through an essay competition wherein the applicants are given the chance to speak up on a topic related to the criminal justice system. The Times Law Awards are given to 6 winners with varied scholarship amounts, depending on the competition results. Aside from having multiple scholarship awardees, there are also no restrictions for eligible nationalities!

4. The Ziegert Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: €2,000
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

This annual award focuses on your scholarship application, and not on your previous grades or academic performance. To make it even more interesting, your application is mainly a presentation of your idea and insights about the certain topic to be stated in the scholarship details. This may sound easy, but you have to make sure you give it your best as there can only be one scholarship winner for each year!

5. Future Legal Mind Award

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: £1,500
  • Eligible Degree: Undergraduate and postgraduate law

Students who wish to take up a career in law should take this opportunity to receive a scholarship, especially as studying law can get quite expensive. Along with the scholarship amount, the winners of this award will also be given the chance to have a mentoring session and a placement opportunity for legal work!

Best Government Scholarships in Europe

6. DAAD Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Varied amount of allowance for living costs, possible extra financial aid for travel or healthcare, and more
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

As you probably have heard of this scholarship before, this particular scholarship in Europe focuses on Germany. The country is located deep in the heart of Europe and is a center for culture and the arts throughout the continent. They are very open to international students and are even encouraging exchange programs with countries worldwide. Their scholarships often go beyond that of school fees. They also provide funds to students for their travel expenses, groceries, and even health insurance.

The best thing about the DADD Scholarships is that they cover a lot of ground. Their programs are available to undergraduates, as well as those pursuing their post-graduate degrees. It is probably one of the best European scholarships, so read more about it in the linked article!

7. Swiss Government Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Monthly stipend, housing allowance, flight tickets, transportation card
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s, PhD

Switzerland is a great country to study in. Swiss scholarships are funded by their government and offer a lot more perks than fully paying your school fees. They can also provide housing and a stipend for daily living expenses.

These European scholarships are available, but they can be quite selective and only cover specific areas. Swiss universities most commonly offer Art and Research scholarships. Another obstacle in their scholarships is that it is rare for them to offer undergraduate degree scholarships. They mostly cover doctorates and post-doctorate courses. This can be very helpful for graduate students trying to bolster their credentials. Interested undergraduates, however, can always apply for DAAD scholarships.

8. Chevening Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition or course fees, travel allowance, monthly personal allowance, and more
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s

Another leading scholarship program in Europe is the Chevening Scholarship. This is intended for foreign students who wish to pursue studies or fellowships in the United Kingdom. With that, there are two types of awards: the Chevening Fellowship and the Chevening Scholarship.

There are different program options for both types of awards that you can apply for. Aside from course fees, the benefits may also include a monthly stipend and allowance that can be allotted for visa, travel, accommodation, and living expenses. However, after receiving the award, the scholars must return to their respective home countries to practice their skills and knowledge in their communities.

Best University Scholarships in Europe

9. Amsterdam Merit Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition fees and allowance
  • Eligible Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s at the University of Amsterdam

The Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is offered by the University of Amsterdam to both undergraduate and Master’s students, including their international students.

This scholarship award is competitive as it is given to top-performing students based on the evaluation of their applications. To apply for this award, undergraduate students submit through their Admissions Office, while Master’s students may still have additional documents needed. The coverage of the scholarship also varies for Master’s students, while full fees and allowance are given to undergraduate students.

10. University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Up to 100% tuition fee coverage and other fees
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s students at University of Helsinki

For those looking at Finland as a possible destination, this may be for you. The University of Helsinki is one of the top schools on the entire continent. Studying here can give you a lot of leverage when entering the job market.

For international Master’s students, they are eligible to be awarded with the university’s Scholarship Programme. The inclusions of the award are full tuition fee coverage, Student Union membership fee that has different benefits, and health services provided. Application is not much of a hassle as you can apply through the same application form of admission in the Master’s program of your choice.

11. Reach Oxford Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fees, living expenses grant, and one return airfare annually
  • Eligible Degrees: Bachelor’s at University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is a highly-distinguished institution in the United Kingdom and all over the world, thus many international students also wish to take up their education here. Good news is that the university is generous with scholarships!

Incoming undergraduate students can try applying for the Reach Oxford scholarship, but before this, you must have applied for university admissions first. Being a prestigious institution, the fees can get costly that is why this award will be of great help. Aside from the course fees coverage, students will also get a grant for their living costs, and a roundtrip airfare for each year! For high chances of receiving the scholarship, make sure that your academic record and application is outstanding as only 2 to 3 awards are given annually.

12. Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fee waiver, living and study costs
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich located in Switzerland is best known for its high performance in the fields of science, research and technology. With that, it is among the top 10 institutions all over the world.

Over the years, the university has grown even more popular among international students, resulting in an increasing number of applicants and students. Those who want to take up further studies through a Master’s degree can apply for the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme. This scholarship award will cover the tuition fees, living and study expenses of the awardee throughout the regular duration of the Master’s program. Applications are also easy as it is done online through the link found on the scholarship page. Do take note that they factor in your Bachelor’s degree performance in the selection process.

13. The Karolinska Institute Global Master’s Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full or partial tuition fees
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at Karolinska Institute

With a high number of applicants for admissions at Karolinska Institute, there is also a strong competition when it comes to this scholarship’s application. Around 1500 international applicants are trying out for this scholarship each year, and only a maximum of 10 is awarded.

The award may cover up to full tuition fees of the student depending on the evaluation. To make it even better, the university allows you to apply for another funding that will cover your other expenses even if you are a receiver of the Global Master’s Scholarship. However, this award is only available for incoming first-year Master’s students at the university. You can check out other scholarships at their website if you are a currently enrolled student.

14. Uppsala University Global Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition coverage
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at Uppsala University

This scholarship award is intended for international students who will be taking up their Master’s program at Uppsala University. With that, it is required that you apply for admission in your desired Master’s program first before you apply for the scholarship. There are minimal requirements for the Global Scholarship as you would only need your admissions and scholarship applications, along with proving that you possess academic talent and are interested in being in the educational environment!

15. Utrecht Excellence Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Up to tuition fees with living expenses
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at Utrecht University

Just like some of the other university scholarships mentioned above, the Utrecht Excellence Scholarship requires you to apply for admissions to be eligible for the scholarship application. The institution has a list of Master’s programs that you can choose from, so be certain of your desired course and start preparing your application!

The selection for this scholarship factors in the previous academic performance of the applicant, as well as the goals that will be reflected on the required motivation letter for the chosen Master’s program. Recipients of the award is also limited yearly, so prepare well to be one of the awardees!

16. University of Twente Holland Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: € 5000
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at University of Twente

The University of Twente is another highly-recognized prestigious university, belonging to the top 200 universities worldwide. For international students who wish to take up their studies here, the school has the Holland Scholarship for incoming Master’s students.

This scholarship has a specific value given at € 5,000, and it is meant to support additional study costs of the awardee. It is up to the student on how they will spend the amount that will be given through this scholarship. Keep in mind that those who have a Dutch study grant are not eligible anymore for the Holland Scholarship.

17. Science@Leuven

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Up to € 10000, basic health insurance coverage
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at KU Leuven

KU Leuven is known as a center of academic excellence and a distinguished research university in Europe. With a variety of programs for both undergraduates and graduate students, many international students are also interested in studying at this university.

Those in the science field would know that the programs can get expensive, what more for those taking up their graduate studies! Fortunately, KU Leuven offers the Science@Leuven scholarship. The value provided can be used for the course expenses of the student, and can be renewed for the following year of study as long as the requirements are met. Application is also not a hassle as you just need to send in the necessary documents through the KU Leuven application tool found on their website.

18. Excellence Fellowship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: CHF 10000 per semester
  • Eligible Degrees: Master’s at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, or more commonly referred to as EPFL, is a top global university located in Switzerland. The school offers programs ranging from architecture, engineering, and the sciences, all of which are taught with a high standard in academics.

For students who have excellent records and are planning to pursue graduate studies, the Excellence Fellowship will be helpful for their study expenses. Applications are separated into internal and external applicants, providing a good chance as well for those who have not studied at the institution yet. Those who will receive the fellowship have the freedom to choose where the funds will be used.

We hope this article on the different European scholarships was helpful and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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