A Complete Guide to Scholarships for Foreign Students in Europe (2024 Edition)

Nina Tsenova
Mar 3
3 min read

Author: Irion Dekov

Studying in Europe remains a vivid dream for some international students. Unfortunately, higher tuition costs, alongside a high cost of living, often prevent many students from realizing their dreams. Luckily, there are many scholarships that cater to these needs. Some of these aids are issued by governments, universities, and even some private entities. Additionally, scholarships create a more focus-driven environment, whereby students don’t need to overly worry about their finances. In this guide, we will review the best scholarships available in Europe for international students in 2024.

1. Merit-Based Scholarships

International students with phenomenal academic records can take advantage of merit-based scholarships. Programs like Erasmus+ provide funding to foreign students for studying in multiple European countries. Furthermore, DAAD scholarships in Germany support international students with outstanding academic records as well. The Chevening Scholarship in the United Kingdom helps future leaders obtain a world-class education. These programs are designed to help students achieve talent recognition and motivate them to perform even better academically.

2. Need-Based Scholarships

Some scholarships only focus on students with financial hardship. Most European universities and governments provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford tuition. A good example is the Amsterdam Merit Scholarship, which specifically targets students facing severe economic difficulties. For instance, the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships, in their country-specific format, provide full tuition waivers to students from developing nations, thus removing any financial barriers that could prevent these students from achieving their goals.

3. Country-Specific Scholarships

The majority of European nations have individual scholarship schemes for foreign students. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship in France funds high-achieving foreign students pursuing their master's and doctorate in the country. The Swedish Institute Scholarships offer tuition fee grants and living expenses grants in Sweden. Norway's Quota Scheme funds students from specific nations. Therefore, country-specific scholarships can be identified through research.

4. Subject-Specific Scholarships

Specific scholarships are offered to students pursuing particular areas of study. For instance, STEM scholarships include the ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship, which supports gifted science and engineering students. In the field of business, the IMD MBA Scholarships support future leaders, whereas talented musicians benefit from the DAAD Music Scholarships to pursue studies in Germany. Such scholarships challenge gifted students to contribute to their specializations.

5. Specific University Scholarships

Most of the top European universities offer exclusive scholarships for foreign students. At Oxford University, the Clarendon Fund covers complete tuition and living costs for graduate students. The ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) is available for exceptional master's students. Scholarships at the University of Bologna provide bursaries for undergraduate and postgraduate students. These scholarships are the best for recruiting talent in Europe's highest institutions.

6. Private & Ngo-Funded Scholarships

There are also numerous private institutions and NGOs providing scholarships to fund international students. The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program funds students from developing nations. The Rotary Foundation Global Grant provides scholarships for graduate-level studies. Additionally, the Wellcome Trust Scholarships support health-related students. All these widen opportunities for students from various backgrounds.

Conclusion

Scholarships make studying in Europe more attainable for international students. Based on merit, financial need, course, or country, many funding options are available. Furthermore, private organizations and institutions continue to invest in education abroad. As a result, researching and applying for various scholarships boosts your chances. Start today and secure funding for your European education.