There are many reasons to consider studying at a university in Europe, including the inspiring architecture, thrilling culture and incredible cuisine European countries are known for. Another reason is the incredible wealth of scholarships available for studying in Europe.
European higher education institutions are known both for their high academic standards and the significant financial investments from local governments, making them an incredibly cost-effective option for students. The fact that scholarships are widely available for foreign students only make these universities even more appealing.
On this page you can browse some of the best scholarships currently available for international students at European Universities. Before applying for a grant, make sure you have permission to travel to Europe as a student. If you are only planning to study-short term in Europe, you may be able to travel to your destination country without a visa. Check here
European government scholarships for foreign students
While the European Union offers scholarships for Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, each country in Europe has its own scholarship programme overseen by its government.
While there is more of a focus on grants for Masters students, there are also many undergraduate scholarships available in a number of European countries. Some of the best countrywide scholarships in Europe in 2022/23 are listed below.
Denmark: Danish Government Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students
The Danish Ministry of Education offers scholarships every year for highly qualified and motivated international students from outside the EU/EEA who want to pursue full-time study in Denmark. The scholarship is offered at several participating universities in Denmark and can be awarded as full or partial tuition fee waivers and/or grants towards living costs.
France: Eiffel Excellence scholarship programme
To help French higher education institutions attract the best foreign students for master's and PhD programs, the Eiffel scholarship program for France was created by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Scholarship holders receive a monthly allowance, health insurance and cultural activities, but tuition fees are not covered by the Eiffel scholarship.
Germany: DAAD scholarships with relevance to developing countries
A range of postgraduate scholarships at German universities with special relevance to developing countries are offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). These scholarships are specifically designed for international students and young professionals from developing countries such as Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Central and South America and Central and Eastern Europe.
There are a variety of full and partial scholarships offered by the DAAD to support selected programs. The VLIR-UOS Scholarship Awards in Belgium and the Swedish Institute Study Scholarships also offer study grants with a focus on students from developing countries
Italy: Italian government bursaries
Foreigners and Italians living abroad are both eligible to receive scholarships from the Italian Government for studying in Italy. You may apply for three, six, or nine month scholarships. Scholarships can be applied for university degrees, advanced vocational training, art and music courses, master's degrees, PhD courses, etc.
Switzerland: Swiss government excellence scholarships
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships offer grants that cover monthly allowance, tuition fees, health insurance, lodging expenses, and more. They are available to graduates from around 180 countries at any public funded university or recognized institution in Switzerland, for doctoral or postdoctoral research in any academic field.
Individual university scholarships for studying in Europe
If you already have a good idea which specific university you’d like to study at in Europe, you can directly apply for a scholarship at that institution. Some of the best scholarship programs at universities in Europe can be found in the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland. Some of the most notable are listed below.
Amsterdam Excellence Scholarships
The AES offers full scholarships of €25,000 covering tuition and living expenses at the University of Amsterdam. The scholarships are offered to gifted students from outside the EU for eligible english-taught Masters programmes in the following faculties:
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Child Development and Education
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Communication
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Economics and Business
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Humanities
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Law
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Psychology
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Science
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Social Sciences
Similar scholarships are also offered at these other universities in Holland:
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Leiden University
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Radboud University
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University of Groningen
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University of Maastricht
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University of Twente
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Utrecht University
Grants awarded with these scholarships vary, from € 6,000 per year to a full scholarship covering all tuition fees and living expenses.
Bologna University Study Grants for International Students
This Italian university awards deserving international students a study grant of €11,059.
for 1 academic year. It is available for the University of Bologna’s First Cycle (Bachelors), Second Cycle (Masters) or Single Cycle Degree Programmes.
ETH Excellence Scholarships
There are two scholarship programs at ETH Zurich for excellent students seeking a Master's degree: the Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) and the Master Scholarship Programme (MSP). In addition to covering living and study expenses (CHF 11,000 per semester), the Excellence Scholarship waives tuition fees.
There is a partial stipend for living and study expenses (CHF 6,000 per semester) along with a waiver of tuition fees for the Master Scholarship Programme. A similar Master’s Grant for Foreign Students is also available at Switzerland’s University of Lausanne.
Lund University Global Scholarships for Non-EU/EEA Students
Targeted at gifted students from outside the European Union and European Economic Area, the Lund University Global Scholarship Programme may cover either 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of total tuition fees. This Swedish grant is available for either Bachelor’s or Master's Degree students.
