List of Top Scholarships for Indian Students in 2024

Last Updated on August 29, 2024

The number of students choosing to study in foreign countries is rising. As per the Indian Ministry of Education, there was a 68% increase in those who went abroad for education in 2022. Studying overseas has always been appealing, but one aspect that continues to present difficulty is the cost involved. Scholarships for studying abroad can provide significant monetary assistance. However, we are here to quash numerous myths surrounding scholarships! In this blog, let’s discuss the top scholarships for Indian students and how you can fulfil your dream of studying abroad. 

Types of Fully Funded Scholarships Abroad

There are three main types of fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad:

1. Government Scholarships

Government-sponsored scholarships are competitive, and often awarded based on merit. They provide extensive coverage, including tuition fees, monthly stipends for living expenses, health insurance, accommodation, and travel allowances. 

2. University Scholarships

Universities abroad offer full scholarships based on their specific criteria. These criteria often include academic performance, work experience, participation in extracurricular activities, and financial need. A strong application is crucial, as it is the primary opportunity to impress the university’s scholarship committee and stand out among other applicants.

3. External Scholarships

Businesses, charities, and education organisations abroad offer numerous scholarship opportunities to further the cause of accessibility in education. They often use parameters like tests and past academic records to select promising students. A unique feature of many external scholarships is that they may conclude with a job or internship offer upon completion of the awardee’s degree or diploma program.

List of Top 15 Top Scholarships for Indian Students

Here is a list of popular scholarships that can help you dream of studying abroad. If you wish to study overseas, aim for the following top scholarships for Indian students: 

Scholarship Name	Country
1. Fulbright Scholarship	United States
2. Amsterdam Excellence Scholarship	Netherlands
3. Commonwealth Scholarship	Various Commonwealth countries
4. MEXT Scholarship	Japan
5. Chevening Scholarship	United Kingdom
6. Vanier Scholarship	Canada
7. ACI Foundation Scholarship	United States
8. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship	Switzerland
9. Hungary Government Scholarship	Hungary
10. DAAD Scholarships	Germany
11. Ontario Trillium Scholarship	Canada
12. Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship	Nigeria
13. Rhodes Scholarship	United Kingdom
14. GREAT Scholarship	United Kingdom
15. Marshall Scholarship	United Kingdom
16. Scotland Saltire Scholarships	Scotland
17. Gates Cambridge Scholarship	United Kingdom
18. Clarendon Scholarships	United Kingdom
19. Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarships	United Kingdom
20. Australia Awards Scholarships	Australia
21. British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM	United Kingdom

Details of the Top 5 Scholarships for Indian Students 

Let’s explore the best scholarships for Indian students in detail: 

Fulbright Scholarships 

Fully Funded Scholarships: Fulbright Scholarships, an excellent opportunity for Indian students seeking to study overseas, are 100% scholarships that pay the entire cost of your tuition at college. These scholarships are managed by US Embassies or binational Fulbright Commissions/Foundations in more than 160 countries under the Fullbright Foreign Student Program. This scholarship supports over 4000 students annually and is considered one of the world’s most extensive educational scholarship programs.  For detailed information, prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF) website. 

Country	USA
Courses Covered	UG, PG and Research
Type of Scholarship	Fully funded Scholarship
Scholarship Grants	Complete Tuition Fees Airfare Health Insurance Living Costs Accident and Sickness Coverage
Duration	Variable as per the course duration.
Eligibility	The student must:Be a citizen of India.Have a bachelor’s degree from a good Indian university with a minimum of 55% marks (if applying for a master’s degree).
Application Deadline 2024	Varies for different fellowships

GREAT Scholarship 

The GREAT scholarships are a collaborative initiative between the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and participating UK higher education institutions. These scholarships are specifically designed for Indian students pursuing master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. Currently, there are 26 postgraduate GREAT scholarships available for eligible candidates.

Country	UK
Courses Covered	1-year-long PG courses
Type of Scholarship	Dedicated Amount Provided, significant towards the whole fees of the applied course
Scholarship Grants	£10,000 towards tuition fees.
Duration	1 year
Eligibility	The student must:Be a citizen of India. Have a bachelor’s degree.Meet the English language requirement for the UK.
Application Deadline 2024	Varies for different universities (general application window – 01 November 2023 to 31 May 2024).

Rhodes Scholarship 

The Rhodes Scholarship program began offering awards to Indian students in 1947. Since its inception, over 200 Indian scholars have benefited from this prestigious opportunity. Each year, five Rhodes Scholarships are allocated specifically for Indian students. These scholarships are available to Indian candidates who aspire to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Country	UK
Courses Covered	PG courses
Type of Scholarship	Fully funded Scholarship
Scholarship Grants	Complete tuition fees. Annual Stipend: the stipend for AY 2023-24 was £19,092 per annum (approx. £1,591 per month). The stipend for AY 2024-25 is yet to be announced. Oxford University Application FeesInternational Health Surcharge FeeStudent Visa FeeEconomy class flight tickets to travel to and from the UK are to be availed at the beginning and end of the studies at the University of Oxford.A settling-in allowance is available upon arrival in the UK.
Duration	Varies as per the chosen degree program.
Eligibility	The student must:Be an Indian citizen and an Indian passport holder. PIO or OCI card holders do not satisfy the criteria for Indian citizenship. Received formal education for a minimum of 4 years in India over the last 10 years. If you have completed a bachelor’s degree before July 2024, first-class degree holders will be given priority. Meet the English language requirement for the UK.
Application Deadline 2024	Closed

Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarships target promising students from Commonwealth nations who demonstrate the potential for global impact but need more financial means to study in the UK. These awards are granted to 700 students annually, supporting their pursuit of master’s programs at UK universities. The scholarships aim to nurture talent that might otherwise go untapped due to financial constraints, fostering international cooperation and development.

Country	UK
Courses Covered	PG courses
Type of Scholarship	Fully funded Scholarship
Scholarship Grants	Complete tuition feesAirfare to travel to and from UK.Living Allowance
Duration	For the course of the degree you are pursuing.
Eligibility	The student must:Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country. OR, be a refugee or British-protected person.Have a UG honours degree of a minimum of upper second class, i.e. 2:1 for applying to a master’s degree.Have a relevant master’s degree for applying for a PhD degree. Need help to afford your education in the UK.
Application Deadline 2024	Closed

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

The British Council has launched an innovative program targeting women from South Asia who wish to pursue master’s degrees in STEM fields at leading UK universities. This initiative was developed in response to a UNESCO study revealing that women comprise less than 30% of researchers in STEM disciplines worldwide. The scholarship aims to address this gender disparity by providing opportunities for women to advance their education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Country	UK
Courses Covered	PG degree in STEM courses
Type of Scholarship	Fully funded Scholarship
Scholarship Grants	Complete tuition feesLiving Stipend Traveling Costs Fees for Visa and Health CoverageRefund of IELTS exam fees if needed.
Duration	For the course of the degree you are pursuing.
Eligibility	The student must: Have a relevant bachelor’s degree. Have a desired level of proficiency in English for UK universities. Be active in the field of study they are applying to and have some work experience. Demonstrate the need for financial support. Not hold a dual British citizenship.
Application Deadline 2024	Vary depending on the institution.

How to Achieve Top Scholarships for Indian Students

In order to aim for some of the top scholarships for Indian students, students must plan in advance. This means maintaining an impeccable academic record, focusing on extracurriculars, preparing for standardised tests, and submitting a comprehensive personal essay. Some quick tips to ensure you are able to follow the said points are: 

1. First things first, boost your academics by working on your overall CGPA/percentage. Take every test seriously so as to maintain an excellent academic transcript. 
2. Prepare well in advance for standardised tests like IELTS, GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, etc., so that you can aim for the perfect score. 
3. Ensure that you pay heed to extracurriculars in order to develop holistically. Participate in events, contribute to societal causes, and boost your hobbies! 

Conclusion

Having discussed some of the top scholarships for Indian students, you must be wondering how exactly to aim for these scholarships and succeed with flying colours. The answer is simple- contact Team Admissify, a one-stop solution to all your academic and professional needs. Our team of counsellors have a vast catalogue of scholarships and university shortlistings that will help you fulfil your academic ambitions! 

FAQs

Can I get a fully-funded scholarship to study abroad? 

Yes, you can find fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad. To improve your chances of getting a 100% scholarship, it is a good idea to apply early and make sure your application matches what the university and scholarship want. It also helps if you show off your achievements and work experience related to the field you are applying for.

Is GRE mandatory to get a scholarship? 

While the GRE is not mandatory to study abroad, many universities and scholarship committees require GRE scores. Therefore, the GRE is an important determinant. 

What is the best scholarship in the world? 

Some of the best scholarships in the world are the Chevening Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, GREAT Scholarships, Endeavour Postgraduate Awards, and Gates Cambridge Scholarship. 

Is it possible to study abroad for free? 

While it is not possible to study abroad for absolutely free, it is possible to benefit from a fully-funded scholarship that covers your tuition fee and living expenses. Also, aim for countries like Germany that have a public education system.