20 Best International Scholarships for Indian Students
We all know that global education is nothing short of a life-changing experience, one that millions of students covet and leave their countries to study abroad every year. However, the costs can be way too high for many of them.
A scholarship is the only way for such students to achieve their dream of studying abroad.
Fortunately, there are various international scholarships available for Indian students to study abroad.
Most of the scholarships are offered for master’s and doctorate programs, but recently a lot of undergraduate scholarships have also been introduced for Indian students.
Since countries across the world are acknowledging the economic significance of international students, a number of private organizations, universities, and federal governments have put out various international scholarships for students to choose from. In spite of the easy availability of scholarships for Indian students overseas, many students are unaware of the funding options linked to them.
That’s what this article is meant to help you out with; here, I have provided the details of the best international scholarships presently available for Indian students.
Best International Scholarships for Indian Students
Let us now take a look at my picks for the best international scholarships for Indian students.
- 1. LSE Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)
- 2. Saltire Scholarship
- 3. Orange Tulip Scholarship
- 4. Campus France Charpak Scholarship for Indian Students
- 5. Cornell University Tata Scholarship
- 6. Fullbright-Nehru Research Fellowship
- 7. Ontario Trillium Scholarship
- 8. University of Calgary Graduate Award
- 9. Monash International Merit Scholarship
- 10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship
- 11. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
- 12. British Chevening Scholarships for India
- 13. Dr. Abdul Kalam International Postgraduate Scholarship
- 14. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian students
- 15. Indian Global Leaders Scholarship
- 16. University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) Future of Change India Scholarship
- 17. Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford
- 18. Heriot-Watt SML International Merit Scholarships for Indian students
- 19. University of Adelaide Ashok Khurana Scholarship for Indian students
- 20. Hinrich Full MA Scholarship in International Journalism at HKBU
1. LSE Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)
The Department for International Development (DFID), in collaboration with participating institutions, awards five scholarships to brilliant students from developing nations that are part of the Commonwealth. These scholarships aim to help them pursue a postgraduate degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, one of the UK’s most prestigious institutions.
The scholarships cover all the costs of the awardee, including the entire cost of the tuition fee, travel costs, and maintenance allowance. It is one of the most sought-after scholarships for Indian students.
LSE Commonwealth Scholarship (CSSS)
- Amount: Full tuition + travel + maintenance
- Eligibility: Students from developing Commonwealth nations
- Deadline: Check LSE website annually
- Country: United Kingdom
Fully funded scholarships for postgraduate study at the London School of Economics covering tuition, travel, and living costs.
2. Saltire Scholarship
Students who would like to pursue further studies in Scotland can apply for the Saltire Scholarship. The government of Scotland, in association with Scottish universities, provides annual scholarships worth £8,000 to fifty Indian students. These scholarships amount to the one-year tuition fee of a full-time postgraduate course.
The scheme is specially intended for students in India, China, Pakistan, the USA, Canada, and Japan who want to pursue a master’s degree in science, technology, healthcare & medical sciences, and renewable & clean energy. It aims to promote Scotland as an academic destination, and the awardees are expected to act as ambassadors of both the scholarship and the country.
Keep in mind that only students who have already been granted conditional or unconditional acceptance from Scottish universities are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
3. Orange Tulip Scholarship
This scholarship is specially designed to help bright Indian students pursue a graduate or undergraduate course in the Netherlands. It is funded by higher education institutions, government institutions, and multinationals.
Remember that not all Dutch universities offer the OTS scholarship – while some of them may offer a 100% (tuition fee) scholarship, other universities may offer a 50% or 25% reduction in the tuition fee. There are also some colleges that only offer visa fees or cover living expenses. Thus, you should always try to check individual university criteria before applying for a scholarship.
4. Campus France Charpak Scholarship for Indian Students
If you’re seeking admission in France, then you can apply for this scholarship for Indian students who are interested in pursuing a master’s program at this university. They offer a separate travel grant scholarship as well. These scholarships are all based on merit, and only students who are 30 and under can apply for one.
The two scholarships awarded here include:
- The Charpak AME Scholarship (Allocation Mensuelle d’Entretien), includes a living allowance of up to 700 euros along with a few waivers of up to 5000 euros and a waiver on a student visa and campus France fee
- The Charpak BCS (Bourse de Couverture Sociale) grants a waiver on a student visa and campus France fee, along with social security and assistance in finding affordable accommodation.
Moreover, they offer a travel grant that includes a one-way ticket from India to France in economy class and a waiver on Campus France fee and student visa.
5. Cornell University Tata Scholarship
The Tata Education and Development Trust, in collaboration with Cornell University, provides scholarships to Indian students who are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree from Cornell. It gives preference to students who have been accepted to any of the following departments of the university:
- Applied Economics
- Architecture
- College of Art and Planning
- Engineering
- Majors in “hard” sciences such as the physical and biological sciences
- Management major in Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business
The TATA fund annually donates a massive sum of $25 million towards the scholarship program, covering the fees of the undergraduate program for twenty recipients.
Cornell University Tata Scholarship
- Amount: Full undergraduate program ($25M annual fund)
- Eligibility: Indian students accepted to Cornell
- Deadline: Varies by admission cycle
- Country: United States
Tata Education Trust funds 20 Indian students annually for undergraduate study at Cornell University.
6. Fullbright-Nehru Research Fellowship
This scholarship is available for energetic individuals who possess leadership qualities, hold a bachelor’s degree, and have an experience of at least three years. It is offered to Indian students wanting to pursue a master’s degree in fields such as:
- Museum studies
- Heritage conservation
- Arts and culture management
- Environmental science and studies
- International legal studies
- Public health and administration
- Gender studies
- Regional planning
- Higher education administration
By availing of this scholarship, students will be able to cover their visa and education fees, along with living expenses. Based solely on merit, the scholarship only deems students who have completed their bachelor’s degree equivalent to a US degree eligible for application. It is one of the most sought-after scholarships for Indian students.
Fulbright-Nehru Research Fellowship
- Amount: Visa fees + tuition + living expenses
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree + 3 years experience
- Deadline: Typically June each year
- Country: United States
Prestigious merit-based scholarship for Indian professionals seeking master’s degrees in the US.
7. Ontario Trillium Scholarship
As its name suggests, The Ontario Trillium Scholarship is intended to help people who want to pursue a doctorate in the city of Ontario, Canada.
It is annually awarded to seven postgraduate students who have proved their academic brilliance by scoring 80% or more in their last two examinations (full-time degrees).
The scholarship grants a sum of CAD 40,000 to cover the expenses of tuition fees and others for a duration of four years, which can be subsequently extended and renewed based on merit. It is quite popular among Indian students who are hoping to study in Canada.
- Amount: CAD 40,000/year for 4 years
- Eligibility: 80%+ in last two full-time degrees
- Deadline: Varies by university
- Country: Canada
Canadian scholarship for doctoral students covering CAD 40,000 annually for up to four years.
8. University of Calgary Graduate Award
The University of Calgary is a popular choice for students applying abroad due to the wide range of scholarships offered across various disciplines and levels of study over there. It awards different scholarships and bursaries to international students who demonstrate an outstanding meritorious record. These scholarships are available for the high school level up to the doctoral programs.
You can visit the university’s website to view the scholarship offered for the program you are interested in. Thereafter, you can choose a scholarship or financial aid program that best serves your needs after making sure that you fulfill their eligibility criteria.
9. Monash International Merit Scholarship
Monash University offers scholarships for Indian students who are interested in pursuing graduate or postgraduate level programs from the university throughout three to five-year duration programs. Every year, they award 31 scholarships amounting to AUS $10,000 per chosen student.
The selection is based on academic merit and achievement, along with the SOP with the application form. They also judge the candidate on their potential and ability to become an ambassador for the university. Also, students who are commencing their program receive special preference.
Monash International Merit Scholarship
- Amount: AUS $10,000 per student
- Eligibility: Academic merit + strong SOP
- Deadline: Check Monash admissions
- Country: Australia
Monash University awards 31 merit-based scholarships of AUS $10,000 each to international students annually.
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship
Erasmus Mundus is an international study program launched by the European Union. It aims to increase cooperation between the EU and the rest of the world. It offers scholarships to students who are interested in pursuing a joint master’s degree from any college affiliated with the Erasmus Mundus program.
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree scholarship for Indian students to study in the UK consists of four grants that are offered to third-world countries and EU/EEA nationals. It provides all the necessary financial support for travel allowance, installation costs, monthly allowances, and participation. It is undoubtedly one of the best scholarships in the UK.
- Amount: Full tuition + travel + monthly allowance
- Eligibility: International students for joint master's
- Deadline: Varies by program
- Country: European Union
EU-funded scholarships for joint master’s degrees covering tuition, travel, and living expenses across European universities.
11. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
Offered by the New Zealand government in collaboration with the Indian government, this scholarship is meant for students from developing Commonwealth countries who are interested in pursuing postgraduate and doctoral programs in New Zealand. It is one of the most well-known scholarships that is awarded to deserving candidates with a strong background in academics and research.
Students who wish to study and do research in fields such as environmental science, climate change, food security and agriculture, governance, disaster risk management, and renewable energy should consider applying for this scholarship.
12. British Chevening Scholarships for India
This is the UK government’s worldwide scholarship program financed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). It offers rewards to exceptionally talented researchers with leadership qualities from all around the world who are considering a graduate degree in any subject at any college or university in the UK.
As of now, it covers more than 12,000 courses within 150 universities and entails an 8-12 week program that runs its courses in specified areas of science, journalism, cybersecurity, and more. It provides around 1500 scholarships globally to international students. Thus, Indian students have a good chance of getting selected after applying.
British Chevening Scholarships
- Amount: Full tuition + living expenses
- Eligibility: Talented professionals with leadership potential
- Deadline: Typically November each year
- Country: United Kingdom
UK government’s flagship scholarship program for future leaders, covering full tuition and living expenses at any UK university.
13. Dr. Abdul Kalam International Postgraduate Scholarship
The university offers scholarships to international students who possess an exceptionally bright academic record and are interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree from the Faculty of Engineering and IT at the University of Sydney. It covers 50% of the tuition fees of the awardees.
14. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowships for Indian students
This scholarship is offered to students who are pursuing a course with the intention to use their knowledge to aid in the progress of their country, i.e. India. The awardees are expected to return to India two years after the completion of their program. The scholarship is funded by the Reliance group, and five Indian students are admitted every year to the Stanford Graduate School of Business for their MBA program. Each student is granted a sum of $140,000 through the scholarship for the course.
Please note that I currently don’t have any idea whether or not this fellowship is active. Please contact Stanford University for the availability of this fellowship.
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
- Amount: $140,000 per student
- Eligibility: Indian students for MBA at Stanford GSB
- Deadline: Check Stanford GSB admissions
- Country: United States
Reliance Group-funded fellowship granting $140,000 to 5 Indian MBA students at Stanford Graduate School of Business annually.
15. Indian Global Leaders Scholarship
This is a full-tuition international scholarship for Indian students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or a coursework master’s degree within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Queensland in Australia. However, keep in mind that it does not include MBAs.
16. University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) Future of Change India Scholarship
The UNSW Sydney Future of Change India Scholarship is intended for Indian citizens who have been accepted to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree course at UNSW Sydney, Australia. As part of your application, you are required to submit a brief video of yourself discussing how the scholarship will help you achieve your dreams.
17. Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship at St. Anthony’s College, Oxford
This is an Indian government fellowship, fully funded by the Government of India, offered to Indian students who are pursuing studies at the University of Oxford’s St. Anthony’s College in the field of economics, political science, and history. As of now, it is only available to postgraduate research students with a uniformly brilliant academic record (at least 60% marks at the master’s degree level) and a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the graduate or postgraduate level.
18. Heriot-Watt SML International Merit Scholarships for Indian students
This scholarship is available for five Indian students at the postgraduate levels studying at Heriot-Watt University in the UK in a taught program within the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society. The chosen candidates are offered a scholarship amount of £2,000 as a fee abatement.
19. University of Adelaide Ashok Khurana Scholarship for Indian students
Indian students who are pursuing a postgraduate degree in selected fields at the University of Adelaide, Australia can apply for this scholarship.
20. Hinrich Full MA Scholarship in International Journalism at HKBU
These scholarships are open to citizens of India, Indonesia, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. They provide financial support to help students study for the Masters of Arts in the International Journalism program at Hong Kong Baptist University in Hong Kong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fully-funded scholarships for Indian students?
The LSE Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, British Chevening Scholarships, Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offer full funding covering tuition, travel, and living expenses for Indian students studying abroad.
Can Indian students get scholarships for undergraduate programs abroad?
Yes. The Cornell University Tata Scholarship funds undergraduate study at Cornell, and the Indian Global Leaders Scholarship covers undergraduate programs at the University of Queensland. The UNSW Future of Change Scholarship also accepts undergraduate applicants.
What is the Chevening Scholarship eligibility for Indian students?
Chevening requires Indian citizenship, a bachelor’s degree, at least 2 years of work experience, and demonstrated leadership potential. Applicants must return to India for at least 2 years after completing their studies in the UK.
How much funding does the Tata Scholarship at Cornell provide?
The Tata Education and Development Trust donates $25 million annually to fund approximately 20 Indian undergraduate students at Cornell University, covering the full cost of the program.
Are there scholarships for Indian students in Australia?
Yes. The Monash International Merit Scholarship offers AUS $10,000, the UNSW Future of Change India Scholarship provides $10,000, the Dr. Abdul Kalam Scholarship at University of Sydney covers 50% tuition, and the Ashok Khurana Scholarship at University of Adelaide is available for postgraduates.
When should I start applying for international scholarships?
Start at least 12-18 months before your intended start date. Most prestigious scholarships like Chevening and Fulbright have deadlines 6-12 months before the academic year. Gather recommendation letters, prepare your Statement of Purpose, and take required language tests well in advance.
Do international scholarships cover living expenses?
It varies. Fully-funded scholarships like Chevening, Fulbright-Nehru, and LSE Commonwealth cover tuition, travel, and living expenses. Partial scholarships like Saltire (GBP 8,000) and Monash (AUS 10,000) typically cover only a portion of tuition fees.
Can I apply for multiple international scholarships simultaneously?
Yes, you can and should apply to multiple scholarships to improve your chances. However, check each scholarship’s terms carefully. Some scholarships require you to decline others if selected, and a few may not be combined with other funding sources.
Always verify scholarship deadlines on official websites. Scholarship availability, amounts, and eligibility criteria change annually. Apply early, as most competitive scholarships close 6-12 months before the academic year begins. Prepare a strong Statement of Purpose and gather recommendation letters well in advance.
Conclusion
For the benefit of Indian students looking for opportunities to study abroad, there are diverse international scholarships offered by various governments, organizations, and universities.
I hope this guide helps you find, choose, and successfully apply for an appropriate scholarship that helps you reach your goals.