Scholarship for Studying Abroad for Indian Students (2025)

Last Updated on December 13, 2024

For Indian students, studying abroad is a dream everyone wishes to pursue once in their lifetime. However, the increasing education costs in foreign lands could become an obstacle to this aspiration. This is where fully funded scholarships can act as a guiding light, allowing students to pursue their academic goals without heavy financial worries. Indian students’ choice to study in different countries has become very popular. According to recent reports, the number of Indian students who decided to study overseas increased to almost 1 million in 2024, and it’s predicted that this growth will be somewhere around 1.5-2 million students studying abroad from India within the upcoming years. This article will discuss some of the best scholarships available for Indians looking for undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral programs at international universities.

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Types of Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students 

• Partially funded: Some study abroad scholarships are partially supported. These scholarships grant students a set amount of money or pay 10 to 70% of the candidate’s tuition or living expenses in the other country.
• Fully Funded – A few study abroad scholarships cover the candidate’s entire tuition and living expenses such as housing, transportation, airfares, settling costs, dependent allowances, and so on, in addition to a monthly stipend. 

Scholarships Listed by the Indian Government 

The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of India, has highlighted a few top international student scholarships. Candidates may prefer these scholarships because they are more numerous and provide more support. 

Commonwealth Scholarships

• Commonwealth Scholarships are UK study abroad scholarships provided by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. 
• They are given to candidates from Commonwealth nations. 
• India is a Commonwealth country, so all Indian students are eligible. 
• These fully financed scholarships allow Indian students to pursue master’s or PhD degrees in the United Kingdom. 

Chinese Government Scholarships

• With the study abroad scholarships given by the Chinese Scholarship Council, students can study in China.
•  The candidate can apply to any of the 274 Chinese universities with this scholarship for study abroad. 
• To qualify for these Chinese government scholarships, you must not live in China and must fulfil the age requirements related to the applied degree. 
• The age limit for UG courses is 25; for masters, it’s 35, and doctoral programs are up to 40.
•  The candidate applying for this scholarship must also fulfil the university admission requirements.

MFA Scholarships

• The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives these scholarships to international students who want to study in Israel. 
• Candidates can take complete academic courses such as MA, PhD, Doctorate or International programs and Hebrew Language Programs.
• Scholarships are partially funded, and summer language courses are fully supported, with tuition fees included. 
• Eligible candidates could have a BA or BSC degree or any higher qualification with an age of 35 or less. Only some specific international countries, such as India, Netherlands, Taiwan, etc., can apply to the listed countries by the Israeli government. 

 Global Korea scholarships

•  Any student wishing to study in Korea should apply for the Global Korea scholarships. 
• This is an international scholarship to study in Korea, and the scholarship pays 900,000 KRW per month.
•  UG and PG studies in Korean universities are possible through the GKS scholarship programmes for students to study in Korea. 
• The candidates to qualify for these scholarships should be from NIIED countries and between the ages of 25 and 40, depending on the course. 
• The criterion used to determine students with academic eligibility is 80/100. 
• One can apply for the scholarship through the Korean Embassy in New Delhi.
•  This is the best scholarship for Indians to study in foreign countries, especially Korea. 

 MEXT Scholarships 

• There are Japanese scholarships for students who want to study in Japan. 
• Any international candidate with a relevant academic background can apply, provided they have a 65-70% academic percentage.

How to Apply for a Scholarship for Abroad

Any candidate interested in study abroad scholarships must note certain essentials. In contrast, while a few scholarships can be applied for before getting an admission letter, others must be used after receiving the university admission letter. The scholarship application procedure is typically initiated at least one year before admission because most scholarship deadlines will be closed earlier in the new academic year. 

 Hence, while applying for scholarships to study in other countries, certain factors that should be put into consideration – 

1.  Begin your search for scholarships, including those from the government, universities, and other colleges. 
2.  Eliminate the options based on the specified criteria. 
3.  Verify if the scholarship must be claimed before enrolling at or after joining the university. 
4.  Prepare all the documents, such as education certificates, financial status, and English proficiency tests (if applicable). 
5.  Most scholarships do not demand an exam or essay writing to meet the selection criteria.
6. Please check with them and submit a study abroad scholarship application through the scholarship portal, university website, or embassies, as per their specifications. 

Scholarship Requirements 

• Documents: Gather all the required documents such as academic records, degree proofs, passport replicas and financial statements. 
• Statement of Purpose (SOP): Write an engaging SOP that clearly expresses your study and professional objectives and how the scholarship will benefit you in accomplishing them.
• Professional Experience: Some scholarships demand professional experience. Emphasize your job history and link it to the area you are studying.
• Research Proposal: They might ask for a detailed research proposal if you apply for doctoral programs. Ensure your plan is well-researched and matches the interests of the institution where you want to study.
• Application Fees: Check for possible application fees and plan your budget accordingly. Specific scholarships might provide fee exemptions.

Tips to get the Best Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students 

1. Start Early: It is recommended that you start your scholarship search and application one year before the intended start date of the course. As mentioned, most scholarship application deadlines are several months before the students start their classes.
2. Thorough Research: Thoroughly checking the details and conditions of any scholarship is essential before applying for any scholarship. This will help you meet all the requirements before investing time and effort into the application process.
3. Strong Application: A well-prepared application package, including a compelling personal statement, a detailed CV, and strong letters of recommendation, can significantly enhance your chances of securing a scholarship.
4. Academic Excellence: The grade point average must be high, and the extracurricular activities that can be done should show leadership and active participation in the community.
5. Prepare for Interviews: Interview sessions are one of the requirements for some scholarships. Pretend to be in an interview and ensure you prepare good answers regarding your goals, accomplishments and why you should be given the scholarship.
6. Language Proficiency: Ensure you meet the language proficiency level of the country you are interested in studying. This usually implies sitting for exams such as the TOEFL or IELTS for English-speaking countries.

Conclusion 

Indian students can pursue their academic goals overseas with fully funded scholarships and free from monetary limitations. The many scholarships available for everything from undergraduate to PhD degrees serve various academic subjects and nations. By fulfilling the requirements and exhibiting their academic and leadership abilities, Indian students can advance their studies and establish prosperous professions in the global arena. 

FAQs 

How can I achieve the ideal scholarship?

First, look at scholarships that fit your academic interests, professional aspirations, and unique situation. Some useful resources are university websites, scholarship databases, and educational consultants.

Which study abroad scholarships are entirely funded?

The majority of international scholarships offered by governments are fully supported. A few nations that provide completely paid study abroad scholarships are China, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

What role does a Statement of Purpose (SOP) play in studying abroad?

An SOP is essential for your application because it lets you explain your educational and career goals and how the scholarship would help you achieve them.

What is the percentage needed to be eligible for a master’s scholarship?

Each scholarship has a different academic merit requirement. However, students must receive at least 50–75% of the possible points to apply for the scholarships. There are a few merit-based scholarships where the requirements can be as high as 80–90%.

Tanishka Goel

Tanishka Goel is a content writer who is extremely passionate about academics and desires to help students around the world make the perfect choice for their careers and has obtained substantial expertise in the realm of content writing by working in various organizations.