Think scholarships abroad are only for straight-A students or those with sky-high IELTS scores? Think again. Because 2026 is about to shatter that myth.
Imagine this: fully funded scholarships—covering tuition, living expenses, flights, even accommodation—offered in some of the world’s most advanced countries, and guess what? You don’t need a 4.0 GPA or an IELTS band 7. All you need is above 60% marks or a CGPA of 3.0, the drive to succeed, and a solid motivation or research plan.
Yes, these scholarships exist. And not just one or two scattered opportunities—you’ll find entire national programs designed to lift average students into international classrooms, research labs, and global careers. These are your low-barrier, high-reward golden tickets to studying abroad without the pressure cooker of fierce competition.
Ready to explore 5 of the easiest-to-win scholarships in 2026 that require no IELTS, no top scores, and no elite background?
Let’s dive in.
1# China Government Scholarship (High Level Postgraduate Programmes)
Why This is the Easiest to Win:
- Over 280+ Chinese universities participate in this program.
- Each university offers 50–500 seats—a massive opportunity pool.
- English Proficiency Letter is Accepted in many universities—no need for IELTS.
- Applicants with low scores can still win if their study plan or research proposal is well-written and aligns with supervisor interest.
- Multiple funding types: Full or partial scholarships including tuition, stipend, and accommodation.
Application Period: October 2025 – March 2026 (varies by university).
Portal: https://campuschina.org/universities/index.html.
2# Türkiye Bursları Scholarship – BS, MS & PhD
Why This is the Easiest to Win:
- NO IELTS required.
- No application fee at all.
- Entire application is done online through a single portal—streamlined and beginner-friendly.
- All you need is a strong motivation letter, recommendation letters, and academic transcript.
- Scholarships include tuition, living allowance, airfare, accommodation, and health insurance.
Application Period: January – February 2026.
Portal: https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/scholarshipsprograms
3# ANSO Scholarship – MS & PhD
Why This is the Easiest to Win:
- NO IELTS required.
- No application fees to apply.
- Lower GPA students can increase their chances by getting an acceptance letter from a professor at CAS or UCAS.
- Covers full tuition, monthly stipend, travel allowance, and health insurance.
- Especially attractive for students in science, engineering, technology, and environmental studies.
Application Period: November 2025 – February 2026
Portal: http://www.anso.org.cn/programmes/ScienceProgram/
4# Chinese Provincial Government Scholarships
Why This is the Easiest to Win:
- Offered by 200+ universities at the provincial level, these scholarships are often overlooked.
- Many seats go unfilled because applicants usually focus only on CSC or ANSO.
- No IELTS, no application fee, and easy eligibility.
- Available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs.
- Less competitive, especially in provinces like Henan, Liaoning, Shandong, and Guangxi.
Application Period: February – June 2026 (varies by province and university)
5# New Zealand Manaaki Scholarship & Australia Awards
Why This is the Easiest to Win:
- Large number of scholarships available for all levels—BS, MS, and PhD.
- Moderately competitive compared to global awards like Fulbright or DAAD.
- Accepted alternative English tests or letters from previous institutions.
- Full ride scholarships covering tuition, living costs, establishment allowance, and return airfare.
- Preference for candidates from developing countries with strong community or leadership potential.
Application Period: February – April 2026.
Portal for NZ Manaaki, and Portal for Australia Awards Scholarship.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a top scorer or an IELTS champion to study abroad. What you do need is the willingness to apply, a solid plan of study or research, and a bit of strategic thinking. These 5 scholarships make it possible for average students to win big in 2026.
So don’t sit back and watch others win these life-changing opportunities. Take the leap—and who knows? This time next year, you might just be packing your bags.