International students planning to study abroad in 2027 should start researching scholarships well before application deadlines open.
This guide tracks fully funded scholarships for international students 2027, alongside major government and university scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost of Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD study.
Rather than waiting until scholarship deadlines approach, use this page to build a shortlist by degree level, destination and type of funding. We will update the guide as universities and governments publish confirmed 2027 application rounds.
Course Centrals note: Not every scholarship listed on this page is fully funded. We clearly identify partial scholarships so you can compare opportunities without confusing tuition discounts with full funding.
At a Glance
| Category | What to Look For |
| Bachelor’s | Tuition, living costs, accommodation and travel support |
| Master’s | Government scholarships, university awards and international mobility programs |
| PhD | Tuition waiver, research funding and living stipend |
| Government Scholarships | National programs funding international students |
| University Scholarships | Merit and need-based awards from individual universities |
| 2027 Status | Some awards are already confirmed, while others will open later |
What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship Cover?
A genuinely fully funded scholarship normally covers most or all of the major costs associated with studying abroad.
Depending on the program, this can include full tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, accommodation support, health insurance, travel costs and research funding.
This distinction matters. A £5,000 tuition discount can be valuable, but it should not be described as a fully funded scholarship if the student must still pay substantial tuition and living expenses.
When comparing scholarships, check the official funding terms rather than relying only on the scholarship name.
Fully Funded Scholarships for Bachelor’s Students in 2027
Fully funded undergraduate scholarships tend to be less common than postgraduate funding, but international students still have several routes to investigate.
The strongest opportunities generally fall into three groups:
- Government-funded programs can support international students as part of a country’s international education strategy.
- University scholarships may cover full tuition and, in some cases, accommodation or living expenses.
- Need-based financial aid at selected universities can potentially cover a substantial proportion of the total cost of attendance for eligible international students.
For 2027 applicants, the important step now is to identify target countries and universities rather than waiting for every scholarship application to open.
Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships for International Students 2027
Master’s students have access to a much broader scholarship landscape. Major programs typically consider academic achievement, leadership potential, professional experience, development impact or a combination of these factors.
A strong 2027 Master’s scholarship shortlist should therefore include:
- Government-funded international scholarships
- University Master’s scholarships
- Joint international degree programs
- Country-specific funding
- Subject-specific scholarships
Applications for some programs may open many months before the academic year begins, so students targeting 2027 entry should prepare academic transcripts, references, CVs and personal statements early.
Fully Funded PhD Scholarships for International Students 2027
PhD funding works differently from many undergraduate and Master’s scholarships.
Instead of receiving a simple tuition discount, successful doctoral candidates may receive a funding package containing tuition coverage plus an annual or monthly stipend. Funding can come from universities, research councils, governments, supervisors or externally funded research projects.
When searching for a PhD scholarship, check whether the funding includes: Tuition + stipend + research expenses + duration of funding.
A scholarship covering tuition alone may still leave a substantial living-cost gap over a three or four-year doctorate.
Major 2027 Scholarships Already Worth Tracking
Some universities have already published funding information specifically for students entering in 2027.
Imperial Inspires Scholarships 2027
Imperial College London has confirmed at least 300 Imperial Inspires Scholarships for 2027 entry, worth £15,000 per year for each year of study.
They are available to eligible international students paying the Overseas tuition rate across undergraduate courses and selected postgraduate taught programs.
Importantly, this is not a fully funded scholarship. Imperial describes Imperial Inspires as a partial scholarship, meaning recipients remain responsible for costs not covered by the award.
Applications for undergraduate 2027 entry can be submitted through UCAS from September 2026, while postgraduate taught applications also begin from September 2026. Eligible applicants for participating courses can then be invited to apply for the scholarship.
Heriot-Watt International Merit Scholarship 2027
Heriot-Watt University has already opened its International Merit Scholarship for international fee-paying students enrolling in January or September 2027.
The university says it is providing more than £500,000 in merit scholarships, with individual award values varying by region. The scholarship is available for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate taught study at its UK campus.
This should also be treated as partial funding rather than a fully funded scholarship. Heriot-Watt states that, in most cases, the award is applied as a partial first-year fee reduction unless the student’s offer specifies otherwise.
Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships
Durham University’s Inspiring Excellence program is another scholarship international students should monitor for the next confirmed cycle.
However, I would not currently label Durham’s £5,000 and £10,000 awards as confirmed 2027 funding. The official material I could verify relates those award amounts to the 2026/27 postgraduate cycle, where Durham offered £5,000 and £10,000 tuition-fee discounts.
We should update this section as soon as Durham publishes the corresponding 2027 entry terms.
Scholarships by Destination
Your scholarship search should not start with hundreds of individual awards. Start with destinations.
| Destination | Funding Routes to Research |
| United Kingdom | Government, university and research funding |
| United States | University financial aid, fellowships and graduate funding |
| Canada | University, provincial and research scholarships |
| Australia | Government, university and research scholarships |
| Europe | Government programs, Erasmus-related funding and university scholarships |
| Asia | Government scholarships and university international awards |
| Middle East | Government and university merit scholarships |
This makes it much easier to create a realistic shortlist based on where you actually want to study.
Government vs University Scholarships
There is an important difference between the two.
- Government scholarships are usually designed around broader national objectives and may fund students across multiple universities. Some provide comprehensive packages covering tuition, living expenses and travel.
- University scholarships are awarded directly by individual institutions. Funding can range from a relatively small tuition discount to a complete funding package.
Do not automatically assume a government scholarship is fully funded or a university scholarship is partial. Always check the official award terms.
How to Build Your 2027 Scholarship Shortlist
Instead of applying randomly, create a simple shortlist containing:
Scholarship → Country → Degree Level → Funding → Eligibility → Opening Date → Deadline → Official Link → Application Status
Then divide your opportunities into three groups:
- Priority A: Fully funded scholarships for which you are a strong candidate.
- Priority B: Major partial scholarships that would make your preferred university financially realistic.
- Priority C: Competitive or alternative scholarships worth applying for alongside your main choices.
This approach is more useful than waiting for a social-media post announcing that a deadline is only a few days away.
Documents You Can Prepare Now
Even if your preferred 2027 scholarship has not opened, you can start preparing.
- Common requirements include academic transcripts, degree certificates, passport details, CV or résumé, recommendation letters, personal statements, research proposals for some postgraduate programs and evidence of English-language proficiency where required.
- Do not write one generic scholarship essay and send it everywhere. Strong applications usually connect your academic background and goals directly to the purpose of the individual scholarship.
Course Centrals View
The best time to search for fully funded scholarships for international students 2027 is before the deadlines become urgent.
Start with your degree level and destination, identify genuinely fully funded opportunities first, and then add strong partial scholarships as backup options. Also check the definition of “fully funded” carefully. A large scholarship can still leave significant tuition or living costs.
For an example of how Course Centrals covers an individual scholarship in more detail, see our Rhodes Scholarship UAE 2027 guide, including eligibility, application preparation and key dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fully funded scholarships available for international students in 2027?
Yes. International scholarship programs are available across undergraduate, Master’s and PhD study, although individual 2027 application cycles open at different times. Students should verify each opportunity through its official provider before applying.
When should I apply for 2027 scholarships?
Preparation should begin now. Some university funding for 2027 is already being published, while other major programs will open later in the 2026/27 admissions cycle.
Can undergraduate international students get fully funded scholarships?
Yes, although fully funded undergraduate opportunities are generally more limited than postgraduate funding. Government programs, institutional financial aid and university scholarships are important places to search.
Are Imperial Inspires Scholarships fully funded?
No. Imperial has confirmed awards of at least £15,000 per year, but explicitly describes Imperial Inspires as a partial scholarship.
Is the Heriot-Watt International Merit Scholarship fully funded?
Generally, no. Heriot-Watt says these awards are typically provided as a partial tuition-fee reduction for the first year unless otherwise specified.
Will this list be updated?
Yes. This guide is designed as a living 2027 scholarship hub. As official Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD scholarship calls are announced, the list can be expanded with confirmed eligibility, funding, opening dates and deadlines.