As someone who has received an international scholarship myself, I truly believe this is possible for you too. Studying in New Zealand through the Manaaki Scholarship changed my life in ways I never imagined. It gave me the chance to live in one of my dream countries, experience a new culture, grow professionally, and most importantly, form friendships with people from all over the world. 

What I learned along the way is this: fully funded, government-backed scholarships exist because not everyone starts from privilege. Honestly, I would not be able to afford studying in a prestigious school abroad. They exist for people like you who are willing to try, to apply despite fear, and to believe that you can make a difference in the world and that your story is worth investing in. 

These are legitimate, well-established programs offered by governments and top institutions that I dug into and researched. Each having eligibility criteria and privileges. 

Let’s begin.

Chevening Scholarship

Country: United Kingdom

What this scholarship is about:

Chevening is for people who want more than just a degree. It’s for future leaders and professionals who want to study in the UK, then return home and make a real impact in their country.

Personal note:

Chevening is very competitive. I made it to the interview stage, which was already a huge milestone for me. In the end, I chose to proceed with Manaaki instead. One practical reason was that Chevening requires reference letters, while Manaaki does not. That detail matters more than people admit.

Programs included:

Master’s degree only (1 year, full-time)

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly living allowance
• Airfare
• Visa and arrival allowances

Who can apply:

International students from Chevening-eligible countries with leadership potential

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 2 years of work experience (internships, freelancing, or volunteer work count)
• Meet the English language requirement of your chosen UK university (IELTS is common)
• Commitment to return to your home country for at least 2 years after graduation

Reference letters required:

Yes, two

Opens:

August to November

Official site 

https://www.chevening.org/resource-hub/guidance/eligibility

—

MEXT Scholarship

Country: Japan

What this scholarship is about:

MEXT is one of the most generous government scholarships available. Japan invests heavily in students with strong academic foundations, especially those interested in research, science, education, and innovation.

Personal note:

MEXT can feel intimidating because of the exams and embassy process, but it’s actually very structured. If you’re academically strong and patient with paperwork, this is one of the most solid options out there.

Programs included:

• Undergraduate
• Master’s
• PhD or research student

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend
• Airfare
• Japanese language training if required

Who can apply:

International students applying through the Japanese Embassy or partner universities

Major requirements:

• Strong academic record
• Bachelor’s degree for Master’s or PhD applicants
• English or Japanese proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL commonly required for English-taught programs)
• Written exams and interview for embassy-track applicants

Reference letters required:

Yes, number varies by track

Opens:

April to May

Official site:

https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp/en/planning/scholarships/mext-scholarships

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship

Country: New Zealand

What this scholarship is about:

This is the scholarship that changed my life. Manaaki is deeply rooted in development and giving back. It’s not just about studying in New Zealand. It’s about returning home with skills that genuinely matter.

Personal note:

One reason I committed fully to Manaaki is that it does not require reference letters. Instead, it focuses heavily on your story, work experience, and development impact. However I just learned last year that application is now concentrated for ASEAN and Pacific Countries. 

Programs included:

• Master’s
• PhD

Note: every country has different areas/fields of focus, so make sure you check this out.

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Living allowance
• Airfare
• Insurance and establishment allowance

Who can apply:

International students from eligible developing countries in ASEAN and Pacific Region

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Relevant work experience, usually two or more years
• English proficiency test (IELTS commonly required unless exempt)
• Clear development impact and return plan

Reference letters required:

No

Opens:

February

Official site:

https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Country: United States

What this scholarship is about:

Fulbright is about cultural exchange as much as academics. You’re not just earning a degree. You’re representing your country and building long-term global connections.

Personal note:

Fulbright is respected worldwide, but the process depends heavily on your local Fulbright office. Some are more competitive than others, and timelines can vary a lot by country.

Programs included:

• Master’s
• PhD (varies by country)

Benefits:

• Tuition support
• Monthly living stipend
• Airfare
• Health insurance

Who can apply:

International students applying through their country’s Fulbright office

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong academic background
• English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Leadership or community involvement
• Some programs may require GRE

Reference letters required:

Yes, usually required

Opens:

January to April, depending on country

Official site:

https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org

Australia Awards Scholarship

Country: Australia

What this scholarship is about:

Australia Awards is very similar in spirit to Manaaki. It’s development-focused and designed for people who want to return home and contribute to nation-building.

Personal note:

If you like the philosophy of Manaaki but are open to Australia, this is the closest equivalent. The emphasis is less on perfect grades and more on relevance and impact.

Programs included:

Master’s degree

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Living allowance
• Airfare
• Health cover and academic support

Who can apply:

International students from eligible partner countries

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Relevant work experience
• English language test (IELTS commonly required)
• Commitment to return home after completion

Reference letters required:

Sometimes, depends on country

Opens:

February to April

Official site:

https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Country: Multiple European countries

What this scholarship is about:

Erasmus Mundus is ideal if you want a truly international academic experience. You’ll study in two or more European countries under one joint master’s program.

Programs included:

Joint Master’s degrees only

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend
• Travel and relocation allowance
• Insurance

Who can apply:

International students worldwide

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong academic record
• English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Program-specific prerequisites

Reference letters required:

Usually yes, varies by program

Opens:

October to January

Official site:

https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters

Swedish Institute Scholarship (SISGP)

Country: Sweden

What this scholarship is about:

The Swedish Institute Scholarship is aimed at developing future global professionals who want to study in Sweden and contribute to sustainable development and leadership in their home countries.

Programs included:

Master’s degree only

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Monthly living allowance
• Travel grant
• Insurance

Who can apply:

International students from selected eligible countries

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Documented work experience (usually at least 3,000 hours)
• Strong leadership and professional background
• English proficiency (IELTS or equivalent)

Reference letters required:

Yes

Opens:

February

Official site:

Click here for swedish scholarship link

Romanian Government Scholarship

Country: Romania

What this scholarship is about:

The Romanian Government Scholarship is designed to attract international students and promote cultural and academic exchange through fully funded degree programs.

Programs included:

• Bachelor’s
• Master’s
• PhD

Benefits:

• Tuition waiver
• Monthly stipend
• Accommodation support
• Medical insurance

Who can apply:

International students from non-EU countries

Major requirements:

• Academic qualifications appropriate to the program level
• Willingness to study in Romanian (a preparatory language year is usually included)
• Basic academic eligibility

Reference letters required:

Sometimes, depending on level and institution

Opens:

January to March

Official site:

https://studyinromania.gov.ro

Slovak Government Scholarship

Country: Slovakia

What this scholarship is about:

Slovakia’s government scholarship program supports international students and researchers who want to study or conduct research in Slovak institutions.

Programs included:

• Bachelor’s
• Master’s
• PhD
• Research stays

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend
• Accommodation allowance
• Limited travel support

Who can apply:

International students and researchers

Major requirements:

• Relevant academic degree
• English or Slovak language proficiency
• Acceptance or invitation from a Slovak institution

Reference letters required:

Usually yes

Opens:

March to April

Official site:

https://www.minedu.sk/scholarships-of-the-government-of-the-slovak-republic

Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Country: China

What this scholarship is about:

The Chinese Government Scholarship is China’s main national scholarship for international students. It is designed to promote international exchange and cooperation by supporting students from around the world to study in Chinese universities.

Programs included:

• Bachelor’s
• Master’s
• PhD

Benefits:

• Full tuition
• Free on-campus accommodation or housing subsidy
• Monthly living stipend
• Comprehensive medical insurance

Who can apply:

International students applying through Chinese universities, Chinese embassies, or bilateral government programs

Major requirements:

• High school diploma for Bachelor’s applicants
• Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applicants
• Master’s degree for PhD applicants
• Good academic standing
• English or Chinese language proficiency depending on the program (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs, HSK for Chinese-taught programs)
• Meet age and health requirements set by the program

Reference letters required:

Yes, usually two for Master’s and PhD applicants

Opens:

December to April (application period varies by route and university)

Official site:

https://www.campuschina.org/content/details3_74776.html

A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)

Country: Singapore

What this scholarship is about:

The A*STAR International Fellowship is a fully funded scholarship by Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research. It is designed for high-performing international students who want to pursue advanced research and build a long-term research career in science and technology.

Programs included:

• PhD only
• Postdoctoral research (for some calls)

Benefits:

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living stipend
• Airfare grant
• Settling-in allowance
• Research support and mentorship

Who can apply:

International students with strong academic and research potential in science and technology fields

Major requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant STEM field
• Excellent academic record
• Strong research proposal aligned with A*STAR’s research areas
• English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL may be required depending on host institution)
• Meet age and health requirements set by the program

Reference letters required:

Yes, usually required as part of the research application

Opens:

Varies by fellowship call (applications are typically open once or twice a year)

Official site:

https://www.a-star.edu.sg/scholarships/home/scholarships/astar-international-fellowship

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Country: South Korea

What this scholarship is about:

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is South Korea’s official government scholarship administered by the Ministry of Education. It aims to strengthen international cooperation and global networks by supporting international students to pursue full-degree studies in Korea.

Programs included:

• Undergraduate
• Master’s
• PhD

Benefits:

• Full tuition coverage
• Monthly living allowance
• Round-trip airfare
• Medical insurance
• One-year Korean language training (mandatory for most degree students)
• Settlement allowance and completion grant

Who can apply:

International students applying through the embassy track or university track

Major requirements:

• High school diploma for undergraduate applicants
• Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applicants
• Master’s degree for PhD applicants
• Strong academic performance (typically within the top percentage of graduating class)
• English or Korean language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programs, TOPIK for Korean-taught programs)
• Meet nationality, age, and health requirements set by the program

Reference letters required:

Yes, typically required

Opens:

February to March (exact dates vary by degree level and application track)

Official site:

https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/plan/scholarship.do?tab=gks-tab1

Conclusion (Really, just an encouragement)

So that’s it! Those are some of the best fully funded, government-backed scholarships you can aim for if studying abroad is part of your dream.

Apply seriously, prepare well, and give it your best shot—but also allow yourself to believe in timing, grace, and a little bit of destiny. Beyond grades, tests, and documents, I’ve learned that sometimes things work out simply because they’re meant to.

Good luck. Manifest it. Your yes might be closer than you think.

-Bryan