Can Indian Students Get Scholarships to Study Abroad?
Yes — and more than most students realise. While Indian students have historically relied on personal savings or education loans, there are over 200 scholarships specifically available to Indian nationals for overseas study. The top ones listed below are competitive but not impossible — the Chevening scholarship alone received 1,800 applications from India in 2025 and funded 90 students. Here are the 20 most valuable.
UK Scholarships
1. Chevening Scholarship
Worth: Full tuition + living allowance + flights + visa fee
For: 1-year master's at any UK university
Eligibility: 2+ years work experience, undergraduate degree, leadership potential
Deadline: November (for the following September intake)
Number funded from India: ~80–100 per year
Selection: Highly competitive; 2-round process with shortlisting essays + interview
Key tip: Chevening explicitly looks for future leaders. Your SOP must articulate specific leadership roles and a clear plan to use your UK education to create impact in India.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
Worth: Full tuition + living allowance + flights
For: Master's and PhD programs at UK universities
Eligibility: Indian citizens, strong academic record, development-oriented career goals
Deadline: October–December
Focus: Development impact — best for students in public health, education policy, sustainable development
3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Worth: Full cost of studying at Cambridge (tuition + living + flights)
For: Any master's or PhD at University of Cambridge
Eligibility: Non-UK citizens; outstanding academic achievement + leadership
Number globally: ~90 per year; very competitive
Key tip: Must apply through Cambridge's admissions system simultaneously
Germany Scholarships
4. DAAD Scholarship (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
Worth: €934/month stipend + health insurance + travel allowance
For: Master's and PhD programs at German universities
Eligibility: Bachelor's degree with above-average grades, 2 years work experience for some programs
Deadline: October–November for the following intake
Note: Germany already has free/low tuition at public universities, so DAAD covers your living costs on top
5. Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarship
Worth: €850/month + tuition support
For: Master's and PhD students with a focus on ecology, democracy, human rights
Eligibility: Strong academic record, civic engagement, German language skills preferred
Australia Scholarships
6. Australia Awards Scholarships
Worth: Full tuition + living allowance + flights + OSHC health insurance
For: Undergraduate, master's, and PhD programs at Australian universities
Eligibility: Indian citizens; typically for candidates from underprivileged backgrounds or development sectors
Deadline: April each year
Return requirement: Must return to India for at least 2 years after completing studies
7. University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
Worth: Full tuition fee waiver + AUD 32,000/year stipend
For: PhD and master's by research
Eligibility: Strong academic record (GPA equivalent of First Class Honours)
USA Scholarships
8. Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
Worth: Full tuition + living + flights + health insurance
For: Master's programs at US universities
Eligibility: Indian citizens, bachelor's degree, 3 years work experience
Deadline: May 15 each year
Focus: Arts, culture, social sciences, public administration, STEM
9. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Worth: Up to USD 100,000 for the duration of study
For: Students admitted to top 30 US universities, top UK universities, or top EU universities
Eligibility: Indian citizens under 30, outstanding academic and personal achievement
Europe Scholarships
10. Erasmus+ Scholarships
Worth: €1,000–€1,400/month + tuition waiver
For: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degrees — 2-year programs across 2–3 European countries
Note: India has one of the highest Erasmus+ acceptance rates globally; strong STEM and social science options
11. DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme
Worth: €1,200/month stipend + tuition coverage
For: Public policy and good governance master's programs in Germany
Canada Scholarships
12. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Worth: CAD 50,000/year for 3 years
For: PhD students at Canadian universities
Eligibility: Academic excellence + research potential + leadership
13. University of Toronto International Excellence Award
Worth: CAD 10,000–40,000
For: International master's and PhD students at UofT
Note: Awarded automatically on admission based on merit
Ireland Scholarships
14. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
Worth: €10,000 one-time award
For: International students studying in Ireland
Deadline: April
15. Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarships
Worth: €18,500/year + tuition fees
For: PhD and research master's students at Irish HEIs
University-Specific Scholarships
16. UCL Global Masters Scholarships (UK)
Worth: £5,000–£15,000
For: International master's students at UCL
17. Edinburgh Global Research Scholarships
Worth: Full tuition fee waiver
For: PhD students at University of Edinburgh
18. Monash International Merit Scholarship (Australia)
Worth: AUD 10,000/year for the duration of study
For: International students with 85%+ equivalent GPA
19. McGill University Fellowships (Canada)
Worth: CAD 3,500–15,000
For: Graduate students; awarded on admission merit
20. QS Scholarships
Worth: Various — USD 5,000–10,000
For: Indian students applying through QS platform to partner universities worldwide
How StudyFar Helps You Find and Apply for Scholarships
StudyFar's scholarship database includes 200+ scholarships for Indian students, filtered by destination country, degree level, field of study, and eligibility. Our counselors help you prioritise scholarships that match your profile and review your scholarship essays. Explore scholarships free.