Studying abroad can be heavy on your pocket, but fret not – we compiled a list of international scholarships for Indian students in 2025 for top study-abroad destinations around the world. In this article, we will go over scholarships from different countries, what they entail, and their eligibility criteria for Indian students.
Scholarships to Study Abroad for International Students
The USA
The US offers a wide variety of scholarships for Indian students which include but are not limited to:
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
The US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) offers international scholarships for Indian students pursuing master’s or PhD programs. It covers the full tuition, living stipend, travel expenses, and health insurance of the student. The fellowships cover up to two years of support for students pursuing a degree at U.S. colleges and universities in a variety of areas. These include Economics, International Affairs, Journalism, Mass Communication, Women’s Studies, etc. A candidate can only apply once in a fellowship cycle and will qualify through an application and interview with the USIEF National Selection Committee.
University-Specific Scholarships
Many top US universities, such as Harvard University and Stanford University, amongst hundreds of other world-ranking institutions, offer specific merit-based scholarships and/or financial aid for international students. This includes exclusive awards for Indian students, such as the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program and the Tata Scholarship for Indian students at Cornell University. These scholarships cover full tuition, living expenses, and research costs.
The UK
International scholarship options for Indian students in 2025 to study in the UK include:
Chevening Scholarships
The United Kingdom government allots these scholarships to Indian students with leadership potential who wish to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK. These international scholarships for Indian students cover full tuition, living stipend, airfare, and additional allowances. You may pursue a degree in any subject but students will receive preference for leadership development. Upon receiving an unconditional offer from the university of your course, as per the application timeline of the scholarship, you become eligible for the same.
University-Specific Scholarships
UK universities reserve millions of pounds every year for international student scholarships. A variety of opportunities abound for Indian students, from scholarships specifically targeting cohorts in India to broader global scholarships. To give you an idea of your options, you can consider the following:
- South Asia Scholarship – University of Essex
- South Asia Scholarship – University of Lincoln
- Vice Chancellor’s South Asia Scholarship – University of Dundee
- South Asia Undergraduate Excellence Award – University of Nottingham
- South Asia Postgraduate Excellence Award – University of Nottingham
Commonwealth Scholarships
The UK Government and Commonwealth Universities offer these scholarships. They are open to all international students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including India. They cover the full tuition, airfare, living stipend, and other allowances for the scholarship recipent. It is open to UK students who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree.
Australia
Australia is host to a large number of Indian students both pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It offers multiple scholarships for international students such as:
Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship Awards
The Australian Government offers these awards to non-Australian students, including Indian students seeking to pursue postgraduate programs in Australia. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, travel allowance, establishment allowance, and a monthly stipend, reducing the financial burden on the student. The selection criteria include academic achievement, work experience, and a statement of purpose on how the scholarship will benefit the candidate as well as Australia.
University-Specific Scholarships
Many Australian universities offer their own scholarships, often reserving special international scholarships for Indian students. The University of Melbourne for instance, offers graduate research scholarships for international students, including those from India, applying for postgraduate research degrees. The Australian National University is another world-ranking institution offering exclusive scholarships for international students, including tuition fee waivers. Deakin University offers scholarships to Indian students on a merit basis who wish to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at their university. These merit scholarships are very popular among Indian students seeking education in Australia, offering generous tuition fee waivers.
New Zealand
New Zealand offers the perfect blend of quality education, safety, and work opportunities. Here are some of its international scholarships for Indian students.
New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)
Education New Zealand offers this scholarship covering the tuition fees of the candidate depending on the university they are going to. The scholarship is open for Indian students opting for either an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree in New Zealand. The scholarship evaluates students on the basis of academic merit.
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
Indian students wishing to pursue a master’s degree or a PhD program in New Zealand are eligible for the scholarship. It covers tuition, living expenses, travel, health insurance, and an establishment allowance for the student. It is one of the prestigious scholarships for international students in New Zealand.
France
France is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world and offers a multitude of scholarships for its international students to support their education and living. Some of the most sought-after international scholarships for Indian students in France are –
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
One of the most prestigious scholarships in France, it is open to international students, including Indian students who wish to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. program in France. The scholarship covers monthly stipends, as well as additional allowances. Eligible fields of study include engineering, management, law, economics, political science, and other areas. Applicants should be under 25 to apply for a master’s program and hold an exceptional academic record.
France Excellence Charpak Scholarship
The French embassy in India offers this scholarship to both students at an undergraduate as well as postgraduate level. The scholarship supports Indian students enrolling in education programs in France. It covers tuition fees, and living expenses, and provides a stipend (around €700 per month). The Charpak scholarship is available for a variety of fields from engineering to the arts.
Tips to Apply for the Best International Scholarships for Indian Students
- Organize Your Progress: Keep a checklist of scholarships, their eligibility, deadlines, and requirements.
- Research: Read thoroughly on the available scholarships and see which one is the best for your long-term goal and needs. Find the right scholarship for you.
- Start Early to Apply: The earlier you begin, the more time you have to gather the necessary documents, prepare your SOP, and submit your application for the scholarship.
- Don’t Give Up: Scholarships are highly competitive, so don’t let a rejection discourage you. Keep applying for multiple opportunities.
Concluding Remarks
Studying abroad can be an expensive affair but with the right international scholarships for Indian students, you can ease the financial burden while receiving quality education. In countries such as the US, France, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, there are various scholarships with the exclusive purpose of supporting students in different fields of study. By exploring these options, Indian students can access top-quality education at various universities. Do remember to review eligibility criteria and application deadlines to make the most of these opportunities and find the right scholarship for you.
