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Top Five Europe scholarships for international students

Updated: Jul 3

Are you ambitious about studying abroad and worried about expenses?


Relax! Scholarships are a wonderful way to finance your education, and many top study destinations make it simple to do so.

 

However, how can one apply for a scholarship? Which ones are the best for overseas students, and what qualifications are necessary? There are a lot of questions everyone has in their mind. To clear all these complications We've compiled a list of the top five Europe scholarships for international  students in this blog.


To make it easier for you to fulfil your dream of studying abroad, we'll break down each one, outlining the advantages and important information about these scholarships. 


Top Five Europe scholarships for international  students 


1. GREAT Scholarships (UK)

Top Five Europe scholarships for international students

The British Council and UK institutions collaborated to create the GREAT Scholarship Program UK, which aims to support and draw in international students seeking higher education in the country. 


GREAT Scholarship offers receipts that allow students to undertake their postgraduate degrees at participation across the UK.


For further details it is necessary that we must have knowledge about what a GREAT scholarship is. So let's delve into the details of the GREAT Scholarship.


What is a GREAT Scholarship?


GREAT Scholarships are sponsored by the Great Britain Campaign of the British Government, the British Council, and the associated British higher education institutions. With the GREAT Scholarships, students from fifteen different countries can apply for a variety of one-year taught postgraduate courses and receive £10,000 for their tuition.

There are 210 scholarships available in total for the 2024–2025 academic year, which are split among 71 universities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. 


Scholarship Offering Country

UK


Countries Eligible for this Scholarship 


The Students from following countries are eligible to apply for these scholarships:


 You can visit the complete list of universities that provide the scholarship from the respective lists of each country given above. Details of courses are also available there. 


How To Apply?


To apply for a GREAT Scholarship, Go to the relevant university page indicated above to learn more before applying for a GREAT Scholarship. The university's website can then be accessed by clicking the provided link.


  • Next, submit an application for a particular scholarship by following the guidelines provided on the scholarship pages of each university.

  •  It's important to remember that each university has a different application deadline for GREAT Scholarships. 

  • For information about the institution's particular deadlines, visit their website.

  • The universities that accept successful applications will notify the applicants of their results. Successful students will get funding for their scholarships from their chosen universities after registering.


Terms and Conditions For GREAT Scholarship


Before applying for this Scholarship You must the follow the following terms and conditions:


  • The scholarships are exclusively available to passport holders from the specified target countries, and for China, only mainland passport holders are eligible.

  • The scholarship funds can only be applied to cover tuition fees.

  • UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are expected to grant the scholarships by 30 June 2024. However, application deadlines may vary for each institution.

  • Any additional scholarships awarded to a GREAT scholar during the same academic year must be reported to the Study UK team.

  • Refer to the provided profile of a GREAT scholar for scholarship requirements and use it as a reference.



2. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships


Top Five Europe scholarships for international students

Another best European scholarship for international students is  Erasmus Mundus Scholarships.


Based on the 1987-founded Erasmus Program, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships are a famous European scholarship program. The European Union (EU) is funding this student exchange initiative, which consists of three main actions:

  • Joint programs

  • Partnerships

  • Attractiveness projects


The Erasmus Mundus Scholarships offer financial support for Master's and Ph.D. programs in a variety of academic fields at European universities to students worldwide, including both EU and non-EU applicants. For individuals seeking academic brilliance and a distinctive cultural immersion in diverse European environments, it is an enticing opportunity.


Visit scholarships.af to learn more about the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for 2024.


Country

UK


Institute

University of Gothenburg.


Degree Level

Masters and Ph.D


Financial Coverage


This scholarships covers monthly allowance of a 1000€ monthly allowance and up to 7000€ for travelling costs.


How To Apply?


Application procedures and compliance with entry requirements are overseen by the University of Gothenburg's services. The admission process is managed by the Joint Admission Committee of the EMHRPP, which comprises conveners and administrative coordinators based in Gothenburg. This committee evaluates candidates according to predetermined criteria.


The ranking process consists of three components:


  1. Academic competence, including assessment of English proficiency based on submitted documents.

  2. Motivation letter.

  3. Work experience and recommendation letters.


Each component contributes to a maximum score of 100 points. Candidates are ranked based on their final scores, from highest to lowest.


Equal opportunity measures are implemented to encourage participation from students belonging to disadvantaged groups.


Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Scholarship:


  1. Hold a first degree equivalent to 180 credits or 180 ECTS from a globally recognized university or college.

  2. Have a minimum of two years of practical experience in the field of human rights, which may include regular employment, internships, or voluntary work.

  3. Achieve a minimum English language proficiency equivalent to English B/English 6 at the upper secondary level, as determined by internationally recognized tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or other alternatives specified in the yearly application guidelines provided by the University of Gothenburg.


Selection Criteria


In addition to meeting entry requirements, applicants must submit the following documents for evaluation by the Joint Admission Committee:


  1. Official transcript of records in English.

  2. Motivation letter in English, demonstrating clear structure and concise language.

  3. Curriculum Vitae (CV).

  4. Two letters of recommendation.

Further details regarding document submission and evaluation can be found in the application checklist.



3. The University of Amsterdam (UvA), The Netherlands


Top Five Europe scholarships for international students

Another European Scholarship for International Students (AMS), which covers a wide range of courses from economics and law to medicine and psychology, is offered by the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in the Netherlands.


Interested candidates should submit their applications to the Graduate School Admissions Offices, where they will get comprehensive details on the requirements for eligibility, the application procedure, and guidelines for applying to this foreign student scholarship for Europe.


The objective of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is to attract highly skilled students to its international academic community. Outstanding students from non-EU/EEA territories are eligible to apply for an Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS).


Country

Netherlands 


Institution Name

the University of Amsterdam (UvA


Degree level

Master/ Phd 


Financial Coverage

Fully Funded


Subject



Eligibility Criteria


An Amsterdam Merit Scholarship is available to applicants with non-EU/EEA passports who have applied to the University of Amsterdam for a degree program.


How to Apply


Those who wish to apply for the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS) must send their applications to the Graduate School admissions offices.


The AMS deadlines differ according to the faculty or graduate school. The websites of each Faculty or Graduate School contain specific information about eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and application methods.


Examples of these websites are as follows:





4. LUND University, Sweden


Top Five Europe scholarships for international students

Every year, more than 100 European Scholarships for International Students are awarded by renowned European university Lund University in Sweden.


The fact that more than 40 countries were represented among the scholarship recipients highlights the university's dedication to global diversity.


These European scholarship opportunities are intended exclusively for students who do not reside in the European Union or the European Economic Area. Program-specific grants like the Söderberg Scholarship, the Lund University Global Scholarship Program, and the Ingvar Kamprad Scholarship are among them.


Lund University further sets itself apart by providing scholarships tailored to the needs of students from countries including Indonesia, Colombia, Chile, Russia, and Uruguay.


Country

Sweden


Institution Name

Lund University


Degree level

 Bachelor's / Master's degree


Financial Coverage


  • Scholarship grants get a yearly budget of about SEK 20 million, which is equal to €1.7 million or US $1.8 million. 

  • These merit-based, selective scholarships are intended to recognize and assist exceptional academic students from non-EU/EEA territories.


Subject


 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for a scholarship, you have to meet the requirements listed below:


Citizenship: You must be required to pay tuition fees and be a citizen of a nation outside of the EU/EEA (as well as Switzerland).


Application: If you were interested in pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree at Lund University, you were required to submit a thorough application during a standard application round. 

In your application at universityadmissions.se, it's important to make it clear that the Lund University program for which you are applying for a scholarship must be your top choice.


How to Apply


To apply for a Global Scholarship from Lund University, consider the following:


  • During the application season, apply to the program of your choice at Lund University by visiting www.universityadmissions.se.

  • You can then apply for the scholarship after completing the application and paying the required amount.

  • Keep in mind that the national application portal and the scholarship application portal are not the same.

  • During the application time, the website will provide a link to the scholarship application.

  • You will receive an email with information on when and how to apply for the scholarship whether you are applying for Fine Art or Music, or if it is during the March–April cycle.

  • In the online scholarship application, send in a scholarship motivation letter' (no more than 600 words) outlining your qualifications for the award based on your academic record and your decision to attend Lund University.



5. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships


Top Five Europe scholarships for international students

Government Excellence Scholarships are awarded by the Swiss Confederation each year to promote scientific cooperation and international interaction between Switzerland and more than 180 other countries. Recipient selection is handled by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS). These scholarships are intended for international artists with a bachelor's degree and young researchers who have completed a master's or doctoral program overseas.


Country

Switzerland


Institution 

Cantonal Universities, Swiss federal institutes of technology, public teaching and research Institutes. 


 Degree level

  • Bachelors

  • Masters

  • Phd 


Financial Coverage 

Monthly payments, exemption of fees, health insurance, airfare, housing allowance, etc. 


How to Apply


  • Using the information on your passport, determine the country you are originally from, then research the different scholarship opportunities, qualifying standards, and domestic application dates. Use the contact information listed in the contacts list  for further information and questions.

  • Select the country of origin according to your passport. 

  • Get the Application Guidelines, open the Application Package, and follow the directions. Before the deadline, assemble your application and send two complete copies to the relevant office in your home country, as indicated in the contacts list.


Selection criteria


Swiss diplomatic representation or relevant national authorities conduct an initial screening as part of the selection procedure. The Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), which eventually makes the final decision, then reviews the applications that have been shortlisted.


The FCS uses three main standards to assess scholarship applications:


  • The profile of the candidate.

  • The calibre of the creative or research endeavour.

  • Synergies and the possibility of further scientific collaboration.

  • The FCS, which is made up of professors from public institutions in Switzerland, grants scholarships based on academic and scientific merit.



FAQs


1. Which European country offers the most scholarships to international students?


Among the top three countries known for their generous scholarship offerings to international students in Europe, Germany stands out as an exceptional choice. With a plethora of scholarship opportunities available, Germany provides a welcoming environment for students seeking financial aid to pursue their studies abroad. France also emerges as a notable destination, offering numerous scholarships to support international students. Additionally, Sweden is recognized for its commitment to education and offers significant scholarship options to students from around the world.


2. What are the eligibility criteria for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the top undergraduate scholarships for international students in the UK?


To be eligible for the Rhodes Scholarship, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world. They must also be between the ages of 18 and 24 and have completed at least two years of undergraduate study with excellent academic standing.


3. How does the Gates Cambridge Scholarship support undergraduate studies for international students in the UK?


The Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers full funding for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. It covers tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, airfare, and other discretionary funding. Additionally, scholars become part of a vibrant community of Gates Cambridge Scholars, where they can engage in leadership development and networking opportunities.


4. What distinguishes the Commonwealth Scholarships in the UK as a top choice for international undergraduate students?


The Commonwealth Scholarships offer opportunities for talented students from Commonwealth countries to study in the UK. They cover full tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs, enabling students to pursue undergraduate studies at top UK universities. Recipients also benefit from being part of the wider Commonwealth network, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange.




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