Top 10 Master Degree Scholarships 2025 (Apply for All)
icture this: You’re sipping coffee in a bustling Parisian café or attending lectures in a futuristic Tokyo skyscraper, all while pursuing your dream master’s degree without spending a fortune. Sounds too good to be true? Think again! Master’s degree scholarships offer a golden ticket to explore the world, build a global network, and advance your career—all without emptying your bank account.
The truth is, studying abroad is often a costly venture. According to recent estimates, the average tuition for a master’s program abroad can range anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 per year, depending on the country and university. Factor in living expenses, accommodation, travel, and the price tag easily skyrockets to over $60,000 annually.
But here’s the good news—scholarships are your best bet to wave goodbye to these high costs. You don’t need a bottomless wallet; just a winning application that gets you one of the top scholarships available. But before that we need you to cross check if you got everything ready to submit your application for these MS scholarships or not:
Documents You’ll Need for MS Scholarship Application Submissions
Applying for these scholarships requires a careful assembly of documents and here’s a general checklist of what most scholarships will ask for:
- Academic Transcripts – Proof of your academic achievements, typically your bachelor’s degree transcript.
- Letters of Recommendation – Usually from professors or professionals who can vouch for your academic and personal qualities.
- Statement of Purpose/Personal Essay – This is your chance to explain why you’re applying, your future goals, and why you’re the perfect candidate.
- Proof of Language Proficiency – Many scholarships require English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS, though some countries like Germany offer scholarships without this requirement.
- CV/Resume – Highlight your academic, professional, and extracurricular achievements.
- Research Proposal (for certain scholarships) – Required for research-based master’s programs.
- Passport – Valid proof of your nationality and eligibility for international study.
To help you in this quest, I’ve handpicked the Top 10 Master’s Scholarships for 2025 Spring intake, ranked from the easiest to the most competitive.
1# Ton Duc Thang University Graduate Scholarship (Vietnam)
Deadline: November 15, 2024
Benefits: Full tuition and accommodation
If you’re looking for a fully funded experience in the heart of Southeast Asia, the Ton Duc Thang University Graduate Scholarship is your ticket. Vietnam’s affordability, coupled with this scholarship’s full tuition coverage and accommodation benefits, makes this one of the easier scholarships to land, as competition isn’t as intense compared to more well-known global programs.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Apply: https://grad.tdtu.edu.vn/en/scholarship/tdtu-graduate-scholarship.
2# University of Auckland International Excellence Scholarship (New Zealand)
Deadline: October 24, 2024
Benefits: $10,000
New Zealand, with its breathtaking landscapes, offers you the chance to pursue your master’s with some financial relief through the University of Auckland International Excellence Scholarship. While it doesn’t cover all expenses, the partial funding is a significant contribution, and New Zealand’s welcoming atmosphere for international students makes this a great option for a laid-back experience.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Apply: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/university-of-auckland-international-student-excellence-scholarship-844-all.html
3# Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
Deadline: December 2024
Benefits: Full tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend
Switzerland isn’t just about chocolate and mountains—it’s also home to some of the world’s top universities. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer full funding for international students, covering tuition, health insurance, and living expenses. The country’s elite universities make this one of the more sought-after scholarships, but the rewards are well worth the effort!
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Apply: https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/scholarships-and-grants/swiss-government-excellence-scholarships.html#1658819252
4# ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship (Switzerland)
Deadline: November 30, 2024
Benefits: CHF 11,000 per semester plus tuition fee waiver
Dreaming of a career in engineering, science, or technology? ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading universities, offers a highly competitive scholarship that covers living expenses and tuition. Switzerland’s high living costs are no longer an obstacle, but getting in requires serious academic excellence.
Difficulty Level: High
Apply: https://ethz.ch/students/en/studies/financial/scholarships/excellencescholarship.html
5# Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: November 5, 2024
Benefits: Full tuition, living allowance, and travel costs
The Chevening Scholarship is prestigious, and landing one can feel like winning the lottery! Fully funded and available to students from over 160 countries, Chevening covers tuition, living expenses, and even flights. With thousands of applicants vying for a few spots, this scholarship demands strong leadership qualities and a standout academic record.
Difficulty Level: High
Apply: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/
6# Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
Deadline: October 16, 2024 (US), January 2025 (International)
Benefits: Full funding plus £17,500 annual stipend
Known for producing global leaders, the Gates Cambridge Scholarship offers full funding to pursue a master’s or PhD at the University of Cambridge. With an annual stipend and funds for academic development, this is one of the most prestigious scholarships on the list. You’ll need not just great grades, but also a vision for making the world a better place.
Difficulty Level: Very High
Apply: https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/timeline/
7# DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Deadline: October 2024
Benefits: Full tuition, living allowance, and health insurance
The DAAD Scholarship is tailored for students from developing countries and offers an excellent opportunity to study in Germany, tuition-free! With a focus on development-related fields, DAAD is a gateway to one of Europe’s most advanced education systems. The application process is straightforward but expect stiff competition.
Difficulty Level: High
Apply: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/
8# Rhodes Scholarships (UK)
Deadline: October 2024
Benefits: Full tuition, living stipend, and travel costs
For more than a century, the Rhodes Scholarship has been the gold standard for academic and leadership excellence. Offering full funding to study at the University of Oxford, Rhodes scholars join an elite global network. This scholarship is intensely competitive, but if you’re up for the challenge, it’s a life-changing opportunity.
Difficulty Level: Very High
Apply: https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/application-overview/
9# Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
Deadline: October 2024
Benefits: Full funding, living allowance, and health insurance
The Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program, designed to bring talented students to study in the States. With fully funded tuition and living expenses, it’s a dream opportunity, but the competition is fierce, and the selection process is rigorous.
Difficulty Level: Very High
Apply: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/about/foreign-student-program
10# MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Deadline: April 2025 – May 2025
Benefits: Full tuition, living expenses, and round-trip airfare
Japan’s MEXT Scholarship offers an incredible opportunity to study in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. Fully funded and covering airfare, tuition, and living expenses, this scholarship is highly competitive, attracting top-tier candidates from all over the globe.
Difficulty Level: Very High
Link: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships/.
