Top Scholarships for Indian Students Studying Abroad (2026-27)

A scholarship can turn a study-abroad plan from a stretch into something genuinely affordable — but only if you apply to the ones your profile actually fits, with enough lead time to build a real application. Here's an honest look at the scholarships worth your attention this cycle.

UK: Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT

Chevening remains the UK's flagship fully-funded award for one-year master's programmes, and India consistently receives one of the largest Chevening allocations globally. The Commonwealth Scholarship and GREAT Scholarship are strong alternatives with different eligibility profiles. We've covered all three in full detail — exact benefits, deadlines, and eligibility — in a dedicated guide.

South Korea: The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

GKS remains one of the most comprehensive government scholarships available to Indian students — covering tuition, a monthly living allowance, airfare, and a full year of Korean language training before your degree begins. Our dedicated South Korea scholarship guide covers the complete benefit breakdown and application timeline.

Germany: DAAD

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) funds master's, research, and PhD study in Germany, with monthly stipends that vary by degree level and programme. Since German public universities already charge little to no tuition for many programmes, a DAAD scholarship on top of that can make Germany one of the most cost-effective serious study destinations available.

USA: Fulbright-Nehru

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship funds up to two years of master's study in the US, covering tuition, living costs, airfare, and health coverage, for applicants with a completed bachelor's degree and at least three years of relevant work experience. Deadlines typically fall in May each year — the most recent cycle's window has already closed, so if you're planning ahead, treat May as your working target date and confirm the exact deadline on USIEF's official site closer to the time.

EU-Wide: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's

Erasmus Mundus funds joint master's programmes taught across two or more European universities, typically covering tuition, a monthly allowance, and travel costs. It's a strong option if you want genuine multi-country European exposure within a single degree rather than committing to one university in one country.

How to Actually Improve Your Scholarship Chances

• Apply early — most of these scholarships require university admission or a parallel application well before the scholarship deadline itself.
• Write a personal statement built around specific achievements and a genuine plan, not general enthusiasm.
• Ask for recommendation letters from people who can speak to specific examples of your leadership or academic work, not generic praise.
• Apply to more than one scholarship where your profile genuinely fits — most students who win a scholarship applied to several.

How IMA Helps With Scholarship Applications

We help students identify which scholarships genuinely match their academic background and goals, then build applications and personal statements that read as specific and sincere rather than templated.