Top 15 Game Changing Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students

Studying abroad can undoubtedly be expensive; however, there are quite a few scholarships available that can make it a reality for Indian students. Unveiling the magic of studying abroad with Uscholars can help! Are you still confused about how to apply for scholarships while dreaming of studying abroad? Here, you can find more details and guidance on navigating the scholarship application process.

Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students 

Are you aware that the average monthly cost of living for an individual living alone in the US is between $2,500 and $3,500, while it is between £1000 and £1500 in London? The first thing that comes to one's mind is always money when making plans to study abroad. Apart from school tuition, living expenses are quiet expensive. Thus, even after you have made a decision to start earning money while studying via student-earning apps, you actually need a huge amount of financing. Many study-abroad scholarships are available to individuals just like you who wish to continue their education abroad. Many study-abroad scholarships are available to individuals just like you who wish to continue their education abroad.

Do you want to know how to enrol in a foreign institution with a full scholarship? Let's examine the top 15 scholarships available to Indian students, together with all relevant details.

Study Abroad Scholarships for USA  

1. Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships:

Official Website: https://www.usief.org.in/

Offered by: US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)

Available in which country?: United States of America (USA)

Percentage of Fees Covered: 

• Full tuition
• Living stipend
• Health insurance
• Airfare
• Other program-specific costs

Available for which course/specialisation: Economics, Environmental Science, Public Health, and Gender Studies 

How to Apply: 

Online application submission through the USIEF website

• Visit the USIEF website.
• Look for the "Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships" section.
• When the application opens (usually around March/April), you'll find information about eligibility requirements, application materials, and deadlines there.

What are the Terms and Conditions: 

• Be an Indian citizen.
• Possess a bachelor's degree equivalent to a U.S. degree.
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in your field.
• Display your leadership qualities and your commitment to returning to India once you are done with your studies.

Study Abroad Scholarships for UK  

1. Commonwealth Scholarships: 

Official Website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/

Offered by: The UK government's Department for Education

Available in which country? United Kingdom

Percentage of Fees Covered: Full tuition fees, plus living allowance and return airfare

Available for which course or specialisation: 

Master's and PhD study in any subject, aligned with the six CSC development themes

• Science and technology for sustainable development
• Strengthening health systems and capacity
• Promoting global prosperity
• Strengthening governance and social development
• Access, equity and inclusion
• Peace and security

How to Apply:

• The application process is entirely online and handled through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) Online Application System (OAS).
• Applications typically open in September and close in October of the preceding year.
• Specific deadlines and instructions can be found on the scholarship website and application portal.

What are the terms and conditions:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start your studies in the UK by the start of the academic year (usually September).
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• Demonstrate a strong academic background and potential for future leadership.
• To afford to study in the UK without a scholarship.
• Meet the eligibility criteria of the chosen university programme.

2. Chevening Scholarships: 

Official Website: https://www.chevening.org/

Offered by: UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)

Available in which country?: UK

Percentage of Fees Covered: Full tuition fees + living expenses

Available for which course or specialisation: One-year postgraduate degree in any subject offered by a UK university

How to Apply: 

• Apply online through the Chevening Scholarship website, https://www.chevening.org/ 
• Submit the required documentation, including academic transcripts, references, personal statement and a university application form for relevant postgraduate programs in the UK

What are the terms and conditions:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country https://www.chevening.org/.
• Have an undergraduate degree that would qualify you for postgraduate studies in the UK.
• Have at least two years of work experience (though this may vary by field of study).
• Meet the English language requirements.
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a strong academic background.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarships:

Official Website: Gates Cambridge Trust: https://www.gatescambridge.org/

Offered by: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in partnership with the University of Cambridge

Available in which country?: United Kingdom

Percentage of Fees Covered: Full tuition fees

• College fees
• Living expenses
• Economy single airfare at the beginning and end of the course
• Visa costs

Available for which course or specialisation: 

• PhD (full-time or part-time)
• MPhil (full-time)
• One year postgraduate courses (full-time) in any subject offered by the University of Cambridge. 

How to Apply: 

• Applications have to be made by filling in forms and submitting them through the University of Cambridge's online application system.
• You'll be requested to submit a research proposal, letters of recommendation, as well as any other supportive documents.
• More instructions on how to apply will be found on the Gates Cambridge website:

What are the terms and conditions: 

• To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a country outside the United Kingdom. 
• You must also be applying to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge. 
• The Gates Cambridge website has a few other eligibility requirements, so do ensure you check it out for details.

4. Rhodes Scholarships:

Official Website: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/the-rhodes-scholarship/

Offered by: The Rhodes Trust

Available in which country? University of Oxford, UK

Percentage of Fees Covered: Full tuition and fees, plus a living stipend

Available for which course or specialisation: Any postgraduate degree offered by the University of Oxford

How to Apply: 

The application process varies by country. See the website for details.

What are the terms and conditions: 

Must be a citizen of a Rhodes Scholarship constituency (which includes most Commonwealth countries, the United States, and Germany), aged 19-26 years old, with exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to service

Study Abroad Scholarships for European Countries

1. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: 

Official Website: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters 

Offered by: Erasmus+ programme of the European Union
Available in which country? Varies (multiple European countries)

Percentage of Fees Covered: Percentage of Fees Covered: Varying—up to 100% of tuition fees, plus a monthly living allowance

Available for which course or specialisation: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMs) in various fields

How to Apply:

• Explore the various programs on the Erasmus Mundus website and choose the one that matches your academic interests and career goals.
• Note that each EMJM program may have specific eligibility criteria and application process. See details on the program website or contact the program coordinator.
• Applications are usually submitted through the university page online. You must submit your application on time and have all supporting documents ready.

What are the terms and conditions:

• The terms and conditions are different depending on the university one chooses.
• In general, scholarship recipients are to be in the EMJM program, full-time enrolled, and demonstrate high academic excellence.
• There are certain factors like your nationality, residency, and previous academic background on which the scholarship depends.

2. Erasmus+ Scholarships:

Official Website: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/

Offered by: Erasmus+ Programme (European Union)

Available in which country?

• Erasmus+ Programme Countries (EU Member States and some other European countries)
• Partner countries: Those countries outside Europe with which the EU is in partnership.

Percentage of Fees Covered:

Not a fixed percentage. Erasmus+ grants contribute to living and travel expenses. The amount varies depending on:

• The difference in living costs between your home country and the destination country
• Number of students applying for grants
• Distances between countries
• Availability of other grants

Available for which course or specialisation:

• Prestigious international master's degrees known as Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJMs) are provided by a group of European universities. They frequently offer full or partial financial aid.

How to Apply Procedure:

• For Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: apply directly to the institution coordinating the chosen programme.
• For Regular Exchanges: apply through your home university's Erasmus+ office.

What are the terms and conditions:

• Terms and conditions will vary depending on the specific programme and university.
• Some programs may have specific academic requirements or language proficiency requirements.

Study Abroad Scholarships for Australian Country

1. Australian Awards Scholarships: 

Official Website: https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-scholarships

Offered by: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia

Available in which country?: Australia

Percentage of Fees Covered: Full tuition fees

Available for which course or specialisation: Undergraduate or postgraduate studies in a field relevant to Australia's development needs

How to Apply: 

Apply online through the Online Australia Scholarships Information System (OASIS) (https://oasis.dfat.gov.au/)

What are the terms and conditions: 

• Applicants must sign a contract with the Commonwealth of Australia agreeing to comply with the scholarship conditions, including returning to their home country for a minimum of two years after completing their studies. 
• Failure to do so will result in a debt for the total cost of the scholarship.

Study Abroad Scholarships for DAAD Scholarships:

Official Website: https://www.daad.de/stipdb-redirect/

Offered by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Available in which country? Germany

Percentage of Fees Covered: Varies (depending on the specific scholarship programme)

Available for which course or specialisation: Scholarships are available for a wide range of courses and specialisations. 

You can find details in the DAAD scholarship database.

How to Apply: 

• The application procedure varies depending on the specific scholarship programme. 
• In the scholarship database for the programme you're interested in, there are application procedures.

What are the terms and conditions: 

• The terms and conditions also vary depending on the specific scholarship programme. 
• You can find more information on the DAAD scholarship database.

Study Abroad Scholarships for New Zealand Students

Official Website: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/international-students/meet-our-international-students/scholarship-student-stories/nzea-scholarships.html 

Offered by: Education New Zealand (ENZ) in collaboration with New Zealand's eight universities

Available in which country? New Zealand

Percentage of Fees Covered: Up to NZ$20,000 (financial benefits may vary) for undergraduate or postgraduate studies

Available for which course or specialisation:

• Business
• Science
• Technology
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Fashion 

How to Apply: 

• Applications are typically accepted between August and October. 
• For more information, check out the Education New Zealand website. 

What are the terms and conditions: 

• The required minimum GPA for Indian citizens
• An acceptance letter from a New Zealand university
• Meeting New Zealand immigration requirements is one of the general conditions.  

Study Abroad Scholarships for Japanese Countries

Official Website: https://www.mext.go.jp/en/ 

You can find more information on the websites of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) and the Japanese Embassy in your home country.

Offered by: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Available in which country? Japan

Percentage of Fees Covered: The scholarship covers a monthly stipend and school fees. The amount of the stipend varies depending on the programme and your academic level.

Available for which course or specialisation: 

• Scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and research students in a wide range of fields. 
• Some scholarships are focused on specific areas of study, such as Japanese studies or engineering.

How to Apply Procedure: 

• You can submit an application via the Japanese consulate or embassy in your nation of origin.
• You can also submit a direct application for the scholarship to the Japanese university.

What are the terms and conditions: 

• You must be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with Japan.
• You must meet the academic requirements of the scholarship programme.
• You may be required to return to your home country after completing your studies in Japan.

Study Abroad Scholarship Provided by India for International Studies

Wondering how to get a scholarship to study abroad in India? Let’s check the list of Indian scholarships that provide scholarships for your foreign studies:

1. Tata Scholarships for Cornell University

Official Website: There isn't a dedicated website for the Tata Scholarship.  

Offered by: Tata Education and Development Trust

Available in which country? India (for Indian Citizens)

Percentage of Fees Covered: Covers full tuition fees 

Available for which course or specialisation: undergraduate programmes only.

How to Apply Procedure:

• Apply to Cornell University for undergraduate admissions.
• Complete the CSS (College Scholarship Service) profile during the application process.

What are the terms and conditions:

• Be an Indian citizen.
• Demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.
• Show proof of financial need.
• The award is for up to eight semesters (four years), except for the five-year architecture programme (eligible for ten semesters).
• Not applicable for double majors, dual degrees, or additional semesters beyond the programme length.
• Renew annually based on academic performance and financial need.

2. Inlaks Scholarships

Official Website: https://www.inlaksfoundation.org/scholarships/

Offered by: The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

Available in which country?  To fund studies at top universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.

Percentage of Fees Covered: The Inlaks Scholarships cover full tuition fees.

Available for which course or specialisation: 

• The scholarships are available for full-time Master's
• M.Phil 
• Doctoral programmes in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, ecology, conservation, field biology, fine arts, performing arts, and literature.

How to Apply Procedure:  

• The application process for the Inlaks Scholarships is typically conducted online through the official website of the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation. 
• It's recommended to visit the website for the most up-to-date information and application procedures.

What are the terms and conditions: 

• Specific terms and conditions for the Inlaks Scholarships can be found on the scholarship's official website.  
• Some general eligibility requirements include being an Indian citizen and having a strong academic record. 
• It's important to refer to the official website for the most recent information.

3. Santoor Women's Scholarship:

Official Website: https://www.santoorscholarships.com/

Offered by: Wipro Cares and Wipro Consumer Care & Lighting Group Santoor Women's Scholarship

Available in which country? India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Chhattisgarh) 

Percentage of Fees Covered: Up to INR 24,000 per year for the duration of the applicant's degree programme 

Available for which course or specialization: Full-time graduate programme (minimum 3 years) in any field 

How to Apply Procedure: 

• Applications are typically accepted between September 1st and September 30th. 
• Applicants must submit a completed application form along with the required documents to the specified address.  

What are the terms and conditions: 

• Applicants must be Indian women from underprivileged backgrounds who reside in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, or Chhattisgarh. 
• They must have passed Class 10 from a local government school and Class 12 from a government school/junior college. 
• They must also be enrolled in a full-time graduate programme starting in the year they are applying.  

 Conclusion

Education overseas is an experience that can change the course of one's life, seriously altering their future. At present, there are numerous scholarships available for Indian students, with no barrier of financial problems. Opportunities remain open for the willing: be it government-sponsored projects, university-specific bursaries, or foreign programs.