Scholarships for Indian students studying abroad are crucial for several reasons. They provide financial assistance to students who may not otherwise afford the costs associated with international education, including tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses. This helps promote diversity and inclusivity in higher education by enabling students from various socio-economic backgrounds to access opportunities abroad. Scholarships for study abroad contribute to academic and personal growth. They enable students to access top-quality education and cutting-edge research facilities, expanding their knowledge and skill set.
Here are the list of top 20 scholarships for study abroad :
Table of Contents
1) Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan:
This scholarship is the UK government’s scheme. It was organized for the students from Commonwealth countries, and also students from India for their masters in the UK.
Eligibility :
- Indian citizen with a UG degree
- Merit Based Scholarship
- Essential criteria differ according to different universities and nations.
Grants : The scholarship covers full tuition fees, living expenses, airfare to and from the UK, and other allowances.
Here’s the list of few commonwealth nations eligible for this scholarship.
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- Cyprus
- India
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- United Kingdom
List of few universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- United Kingdom (UK):
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- Imperial College London
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- University of Glasgow
- Australia:
- Australian National University (ANU)
- University of Melbourne
- University of Sydney
- University of Adelaide
- Canada:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- University of Waterloo
- University of Ottawa
- New Zealand:
- University of Auckland
- University of Otago
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Lincoln University
- Singapore:
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
- Malaysia:
- University of Malaya
- University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
India (for Commonwealth Scholarship recipients from other Commonwealth countries):
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- University of Delhi
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- University of Mumbai
- University of Calcutta
2) Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships:
The foundation, USIEF, a US educational foundation, is an establishment that provides the Indian students who want to pursue the Master’s Degree in the USA with scholarship support.
Eligibility :
- Indian citizen
- An Undergraduate Degree in any field from a recognised university
- Proficiency in English
- Effective leadership skills and strong communication is preferred ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Ivy League universities such as Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, and Columbia University.
- Public research universities such as the University of California system, University of Michigan, University of Texas system, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Private research universities such as Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and University of Chicago.
- Liberal arts colleges such as Williams College, Amherst College, Pomona College, and Swarthmore College.
- Specialized institutions such as the Juilliard School, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
- State universities and colleges across various states in the United States.
3) Erasmus Mundus Scholarships:
The EU governments can grant scholarships for Indian students for joint master or doctoral degrees under the Erasmus Mundus program funds at the European Commission to ease the burden of pursuing higher education for such students.
Eligibility :
- Detailed specifications depend on the different universities.
- They must have a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Merit Based Scholarship
.Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of the European Nations where Indian Students can study using this scholarship :
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Russia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- University of Bologna (Italy)
- University of Barcelona (Spain)
- University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Lund University (Sweden)
- University of Groningen (Netherlands)
- University of Warwick (UK)
- University of Glasgow (UK)
- University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
- University of Helsinki (Finland)
- University of Vienna (Austria)
- University of Warsaw (Poland)
4) Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships:
This is a university scholarship program that offers Indian students who want postgraduate degrees abroad for a better opportunity in all fields of study.
Eligibility :
- The age range is not more than 30 years.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required
- A consistent academic performance is preferred. ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Grants: The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Harvard University, USA
- Yale University, USA
- Stanford University, USA
- Columbia University, USA
- University of Oxford, UK
- University of Cambridge, UK
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK
- University College London (UCL), UK
- Imperial College London, UK
- University of Edinburgh, UK
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- University of Sydney, Australia
- University of Tokyo, Japan
- National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore
- University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
5) British Chevening Scholarships:
While in India, the program is financed by the UK government. The Chevening Scholarships are designed for outstanding Indian students coming to the UK to do a one-year master’s degree there.
Eligibility :
- Indian citizen
- Generally, a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent of this qualification is necessary.
- Proficiency in English (you may need to provide the IELTS or TOEFL scores as a part of your application) ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs to and from the UK, an arrival allowance, a homeward departure allowance, the cost of one visa application, and a travel grant to attend Chevening events in the UK.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- University of Oxford
- University of Cambridge
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Manchester
- University of Bristol
- University of Warwick
6) Rhodes Scholarship:
One of the oldest and bearers of a great mission is the Rhodes Scholarship among the international scholarship programs. It fosters two-way cultural and intellectual understanding through full-time scholarships for exceptional Indian students undertaking postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.
Eligibility :
- Indian citizen
- Outstanding academic achievement ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Grants : The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses, and airfare to and from the UK.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- All Souls College
- Christ Church
- Corpus Christi College
- Harris Manchester College
- Hertford College
- St Anne’s College
- St Antony’s College
- St Catherine’s College
- St Edmund Hall
- St Hilda’s College
- St Hugh’s College
- Trinity College
- University College
7) Gates Cambridge Scholarship:
This specific program is targeted for international students studying for a standard Post Graduate course in the University of Cambridge. They will be the candidates that will perform exceptionally in their fields.
Eligibility :
- Indian citizen
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- The candidate must have a reputation for confidentiality, a love for humanity and the ability to manage people as the most important character traits. ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Grants : The scholarship covers full tuition fees, a stipend for living expenses, airfare to and from the UK, and other allowances.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- University of Cambridge
8) Adelaide Scholarships International:
The availability of a multitude of scholarships that are merit-based awarded by the prominent global universities like Adelaide University in Australia has led to a surge in top-quality talent influx from the whole world. While plenty of this fresh infusion originates from India, countries from other parts of the world make up a sizable share.
Eligibility :
- Restricted to specific universities and course ( UG/PG )
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- University of Adelaide
9) Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Scholarships:
Our scholarship will support agricultural and agricultural science students to continue their research in Master of Research or PhD field. Indian and international students will have an opportunity to be attained through the Australia Awards program. ( Department Scholarships )
Eligibility :
- English as the medium of instruction is considered, which is usually the case in most developed schools in both primary and secondary levels.
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, establishment allowance, monthly stipend, health insurance, and other expenses.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Melbourne
- The Australian National University (ANU)
- The University of Queensland
- The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
- The University of Western Australia (UWA)
- Monash University
- The University of Adelaide
- The University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
- Griffith University
- The University of South Australia (UniSA)
- The University of Tasmania
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
10) New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA):
The New Zealand government provides these scholarships , among several others, to encourage top performing Indian university students with undergraduate or postgraduate studies in New Zealand. ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Eligibility :
- International and Indian students are eligible.
- On PhD eligibility criteria the variables are different for the separate universities and programs.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel expenses, and other allowances.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- University of Auckland
- University of Waikato
- Massey University
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Canterbury
- Lincoln University
- AUT University (Auckland University of Technology)
- University of Otago
11) DAAD Scholarships:
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has a number of scholarships that are made known to Indian students for the purpose of them studying bachelors, masters or doctorate degrees in Germany.
Eligibility :
- May differ based on the program.
- The most valid eligible Indian candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree or other relevant equivalent qualifications will be assessed for the same in accordance with the unique scholarship scheme. ( Merit Based Scholarship )
Grants : The scholarship may cover tuition fees, travel expenses, monthly stipend, health insurance, and other allowances, depending on the specific program.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich)
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich)
- Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH Aachen University)
- Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (Humboldt University of Berlin)
- Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (Heidelberg University)
- Technische Universität Berlin (Technical University of Berlin)
- Universität Bonn (University of Bonn)
- Universität Stuttgart (University of Stuttgart)
- Universität Freiburg (University of Freiburg)
12) Japanese Government Scholarships:
These commissions by the government of Japan are given to Indian students who are able to take up bachelors, postgraduates or research studies in Japan.
Eligibility :
- The Indian citizens’ 12 years of education is sufficient.
- Indian students with a Bachelor’s degree are eligible.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- The University of Tokyo
- Kyoto University
- Osaka University
- Tohoku University
- Nagoya University
- Kyushu University
- Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Hokkaido University
- Keio University
- Waseda University
13) Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA):
A*STAR, NUS, and NTU collaborated in SINGA which is a strategic multi-agency initiative of the Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR). Provision of educational scholarships to Indian students while they are in a PhD program in Singapore is an inbuilt characteristic of the new campus.
Eligibility :
- Students from all over the world, including India, who have finished their bachelor degree are eligible for enrollment.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly allowance for living expenses, travel expenses, and other allowances.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
14) Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships:
These funds are granted by the Swiss Government to ensure international exchange as well as to try and bring together researchers from different parts of the world. They recruit Indian students for postgraduate studies in Switzerland.
Eligibility :
- An Indian citizen who has already obtained a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent would be the fundamental scholarship criterion.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and airfare to and from Switzerland.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich)
- EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)
- University of Zurich
- University of Geneva
- University of Basel
- University of Bern
- University of Lausanne
- University of St. Gallen
- University of Fribourg
- University of Neuchâtel
- University of Lugano (USI – Università della Svizzera italiana)
- University of Lucerne
15) Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP):
The Grant-in-Aid for the Scholarship Scheme for the Economic and Social Development of the Asia-Pacific Area, which is administered by the Asian Development Bank, offers funding for postgraduate studies for promising Indian students in the fields of economics, management, science and technology by supporting them to participate in graduate programs offered in some select Asian and Pacific Rim countries. ( Department Scholarships )
Eligibility :
- Indians with a Bachelor’s degree in economics, management, sciences and technology are free to work in the USA under this policy.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly allowance for living expenses, housing, books, and other allowances.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- University of Tokyo, Japan
- Kyoto University, Japan
- Osaka University, Japan
- Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
- International University of Japan, Japan
- National University of Singapore, Singapore
- Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
- University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Seoul National University, South Korea
- National Taiwan University, Taiwan
16) Ireland Government Scholarships:
The government in Ireland awards scholarships to Indian students via the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme, thereby allowing them to carry out graduate studies into Ireland.
Eligibility :
- Graduates or students who hold a Bachelor’s degree are eligible, based on the scholarship programs.
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
- National University of Ireland, Galway
- University of Limerick
- Dublin City University
- Maynooth University
- Technological University Dublin
- Cork Institute of Technology
- Dublin Institute of Technology (now part of Technological University Dublin)
17) Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP):
They are funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as such open for professionals from developing countries, including India who executive relatively short courses, continuing education to get an academic degree like the Master’s degree, and PhD studies, all of them in the Netherlands.
Eligibility :
- Bachelor’s degree from a reputed university
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, living allowances, and other costs associated with studying in the Netherlands.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Delft University of Technology
- Wageningen University & Research
- Leiden University
- University of Groningen
- Erasmus University Rotterdam
- Utrecht University
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- Radboud University
- Maastricht University
- University of Twente
18) Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP):
A scholarship at the Master’s level has been reserved for Indians who are enrolled at full-time related programs in Sweden.
Eligibility :
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Grants : The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Lund University
- Stockholm University
- Uppsala University
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Chalmers University of Technology
- Linköping University
- University of Gothenburg
- Karolinska Institute
- Umeå University
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
19) Canada-India Research Center of Excellence (CIRCE):
This program provides scholarships for Indian students to pursue doctoral studies in Canada in the fields of water, energy and food. ( Department Scholarships )
Eligibility:
- Indian doctoral students preferring to study in Canada under water, energy and food department
- Must have UG and PG degree from a recognized Indian university.
Grants : The scholarship amount varies depending on the specific research project and university.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
Canada:
- University of Toronto
- University of British Columbia
- McGill University
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- McMaster University
- York University
- University of Ottawa
- University of Waterloo
- University of Saskatchewan
India:
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
- University of Delhi
- University of Mumbai
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur
20) Tata Scholarships at Cornell University:
This scholarship helps Indian students from low-income backgrounds pursue undergraduate degrees at Cornell University, USA.
Eligibility:
- Indians from economically weaker sections ( Need-Based Scholarships )
Grants: The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel expenses, and a monthly stipend.
List of universities whose students can avail this scholarship :
- Cornell University in New York, USA
Scholarships for Indian students studying abroad play a vital role in promoting accessibility, diversity, intercultural competence, academic excellence, and personal growth among students, making them indispensable for individuals aspiring to pursue education beyond their home countries. Moreover, scholarships for going abroad contribute to academic excellence by enabling students to access world-class educational institutions and research opportunities. This exposure to cutting-edge research and diverse academic environments enhances their academic growth and fosters innovation and creativity. Hope this article will benefit you in availing the best scholarship opportunities that your profile deserves.
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