Your Complete Guide to 10 Fully Funded European Scholarships In 2025

The cost of studying abroad can feel overwhelming when you’re already juggling student loans and living expenses. But what if someone told you that some of the world’s most prestigious universities want to pay for your entire education, plus cover your living costs?

Fully funded scholarships in Europe do exactly that. These programs cover tuition fees, provide monthly stipends for housing and food, and often include travel allowances and health insurance. The catch? Most students don’t know these opportunities exist or miss application deadlines because they’re buried in university websites.

This guide breaks down 10 major scholarship programs across Europe that are accepting applications for 2025/26. Each program offers complete financial support, and we’ve included exact deadlines so you won’t miss your chance.

Chevening Scholarships Transform UK Dreams Into Reality

UK government scholarships through the Chevening program fund one-year master’s degrees at any UK university for future leaders worldwide. The program covers everything: full tuition fees, monthly living stipend, round-trip flights, visa costs, and additional allowances for books and warm clothing.

Recipients join an exclusive network of over 50,000 Chevening alumni, including current and former heads of government, Supreme Court justices, Nobel Prize winners, and Oscar winners. The program goes beyond funding to offer networking events, professional workshops, and career mentorship.

Chevening scholars receive approximately £1,347 per month for living expenses in London (slightly less in other UK cities), which covers accommodation, food, and personal expenses. The program also provides a one-time arrival allowance of £1,298 and departure allowance of £524.

Applications for 2026-27 entry open August 5, 2025, and close October 7, 2025, at 12:00 UTC. The selection process includes online applications, interviews at British embassies, and conditional offers from UK universities.

Eligible candidates must be citizens of Chevening-eligible countries, have at least two years of work experience, and demonstrate strong leadership potential through community involvement, professional achievements, or academic excellence.

Rhodes Scholarships Offer Oxford Access to West African Students

The Rhodes Scholarships represent one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious international scholarship programs. West African candidates compete for three fully funded positions each year to study at the University of Oxford.

Each scholarship covers all university and college fees, currently around £17,310 annually, plus a generous living stipend of approximately £19,800 per year. Additional benefits include health insurance coverage, travel costs to and from Oxford, visa fees, and thesis/dissertation expenses.

Rhodes Scholars join a community that includes 28 Nobel laureates, 3 Supreme Court justices, and numerous world leaders. The program emphasizes academic excellence combined with service to others and leadership potential.

West African applicants must be citizens of Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or The Gambia. The program targets students who have completed undergraduate degrees with first-class honors or equivalent high academic achievement.

Applications open in June 2025 and close August 28, 2025, at 23:59 GMT. The selection process involves written applications, regional interviews, and final interviews at Rhodes House in Oxford.

Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Support Advanced Research

Switzerland’s Government Excellence Scholarships provide comprehensive funding for doctoral and postdoctoral research at Swiss universities and research institutes. These scholarships promote international academic exchange and support Switzerland’s position as a global research hub.

Recipients receive monthly stipends of CHF 1,920 for PhD candidates and research fellows, with higher amounts for postdoctoral researchers. The program covers health insurance premiums, provides housing deposit assistance of CHF 300, and includes partial coverage for international travel costs.

Swiss universities consistently rank among the world’s top institutions, with ETH Zurich and EPFL leading in engineering and technology. The country’s research environment offers access to cutting-edge facilities, international collaborations, and opportunities to work with Nobel Prize winners.

Applications for 2026-27 open August 4, 2025, with country-specific deadlines typically falling between November and December 2025. Applicants must secure endorsement from a Swiss academic supervisor before applying.

The program targets early-career researchers who have completed master’s degrees and demonstrate potential for outstanding research contributions. Priority goes to candidates whose research aligns with Swiss institutional strengths.

Czech Government Scholarships Welcome Developing Nation Students

The Czech Republic offers comprehensive scholarships for master’s and doctoral studies to students from selected developing countries. This program supports international development goals while building educational partnerships between Czech institutions and emerging economies.

Eligible countries include Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigeria, Zambia, Jordan, Guatemala, and approximately 30 other nations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Recipients receive full tuition waivers at public universities, monthly living stipends, housing support, and health insurance coverage.

The program includes a one-year Czech language course for students who need it, enabling them to study in Czech and integrate more fully into local academic and social communities. Students can also choose English-taught programs without language requirements.

Czech universities offer strong programs in engineering, medicine, economics, and social sciences at a fraction of Western European costs. Prague, the capital, provides an affordable European experience with rich cultural heritage and growing international business connections.

Applications for 2026-27 are open now, with a deadline of September 30, 2025. The Czech Ministry of Education coordinates the program, and applications must be submitted through official channels with required documentation including academic transcripts and recommendation letters.

DAAD EPOS Scholarships Connect Development Goals with German Education

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) operates the EPOS program to fund development-related master’s programs for students from developing countries. This initiative supports professionals who plan to contribute to their home countries’ development after completing German education.

EPOS scholarships cover living stipends of approximately €861-1,200 per month depending on the program location, plus contributions toward health insurance and travel expenses. German public universities charge minimal fees, making the living stipend the primary funding need.

Over 40 master’s programs participate in EPOS, covering fields like environmental governance, water engineering, sustainable agriculture, public health, and international development cooperation. Programs are taught in English and designed specifically for international professionals.

Eligible applicants must have bachelor’s degrees plus at least two years of professional experience in development-related fields. They must be citizens of DAC (Development Assistance Committee) listed countries and demonstrate commitment to working in development after graduation.

Application deadlines vary by program, with most falling between August and October 2025. For example, the Environmental Governance program at University of Freiburg has a DAAD-EPOS deadline of October 15, 2025. Applicants must meet both DAAD criteria and individual program requirements.

DAAD PRIME Program Launches Postdoctoral Careers in Germany

DAAD-PRIME targets excellent young researchers seeking long-term academic careers in Germany. This postdoctoral funding program provides research stays of 6-18 months at German universities or research institutes.

The program offers monthly stipends covering living costs in Germany, with amounts varying by location and family situation. Additional funding supports research materials, conference attendance, and family allowances for accompanying spouses and children.

PRIME scholars work with established German research groups while developing independent research profiles. The program includes mentoring, career development workshops, and networking opportunities with German academic institutions.

Applicants must have completed doctoral degrees by the funding start date and demonstrate research excellence through publications and academic achievements. The program particularly welcomes researchers from underrepresented countries and fields.

The application deadline for 2026 funding is August 29, 2025, with the online portal opening in May 2025. Successful applicants typically begin their stays between June and December 2026.

Slovak National Scholarship Programme Opens Doors to Central Europe

Slovakia’s government funds semester-long study and research visits for international students and researchers through the National Scholarship Programme. This initiative promotes academic mobility and strengthens Slovakia’s international education partnerships.

Master’s students receive monthly grants of €620, while PhD candidates receive €1,025 per month. The program includes lump-sum travel allowances based on distance from home countries, and host institutions waive tuition fees for scholarship recipients.

Slovak universities offer programs in English across fields including information technology, business, natural sciences, and humanities. The country’s location provides easy access to other European destinations while offering lower living costs than Western Europe.

The program accepts applications for stays of 1-10 months, with preference given to students who have no prior experience studying in Slovakia. Research visits can be arranged with Slovak faculty members in advance.

Two application rounds occur annually. The current round for summer 2026 semester closes October 31, 2025, at 16:00 CET. Applications must be submitted through the official Slovak government portal with required academic documentation.

EDISU Piemonte Scholarships Support Study in Northern Italy

The Piedmont regional student aid agency offers comprehensive scholarships covering tuition and living costs for students at universities in Turin, Alessandria, and other Piedmont cities. These means-tested scholarships particularly benefit international students and those from outside the region.

Recipients receive cash grants plus guaranteed dormitory housing and meal vouchers covering basic living expenses. The exact amounts depend on family income levels, but scholarships typically cover most or all educational and living costs for qualified students.

Piedmont universities include the prestigious University of Turin, Polytechnic University of Turin, and University of Eastern Piedmont. These institutions offer strong programs in engineering, medicine, agriculture, and humanities with growing international student populations.

The application window for 2025-26 runs from July 25 to September 9, 2025, at 12:00 Italian time. Students must be enrolled at eligible Piedmont universities and meet income criteria established by the regional government.

Applications require detailed financial documentation, academic transcripts, and proof of enrollment. The selection process prioritizes students with the greatest financial need combined with satisfactory academic progress.

DSU Toscana Scholarships Provide Tuscan University Housing

Tuscany’s student aid agency offers housing scholarships providing free or heavily subsidized dormitory accommodation and meal plans for students at universities in Florence, Pisa, Siena, and other Tuscan cities.

Recipients live in university-managed residences with full meal plans covering three daily meals, plus exemption from regional fees. This support significantly reduces the cost of studying in some of Italy’s most expensive and culturally rich cities.

Tuscan universities include world-renowned institutions like the University of Florence, University of Pisa, and University of Siena, all offering extensive programs for international students in English and Italian.

The program particularly benefits students from outside Tuscany and those with limited financial resources. Priority goes to applicants with the lowest family incomes combined with strong academic records.

The main application deadline for 2025-26 is September 5, 2025. Students must submit detailed financial documentation through the DSU Toscana online portal along with proof of university enrollment.

University of Turin Supports Students at Risk

The University of Turin dedicates 10 scholarships worth €11,000 each annually to international students with refugee status or those under temporary protection. This “UniTo for Students at Risk” program demonstrates institutional commitment to educational equity and human rights.

Recipients can use the €11,000 annual grant for living expenses while pursuing any bachelor’s or master’s program at the university. The scholarship provides crucial financial stability for students whose educational journeys have been disrupted by conflict or persecution.

The University of Turin offers over 1,800 courses across multiple disciplines, with growing numbers of English-taught programs for international students. The university’s location in northern Italy provides access to both Alpine regions and Mediterranean culture.

Applicants must hold official refugee status or equivalent protection and be enrolling in the first year of a degree program at UniTo. The program welcomes students from all academic backgrounds and fields of study.

The application deadline is September 8, 2025, at 11:00 CEST. Required documentation includes proof of refugee or protected status, academic credentials, and a personal statement describing educational goals and circumstances.

Your Next Steps Start Now

Each of these scholarship programs receives thousands of applications for limited positions. Success requires starting early, preparing strong applications, and meeting every requirement precisely.

Begin by identifying the three programs that best match your academic background and career goals. Research the specific universities and programs available under each scholarship, then contact potential supervisors or departments to express your interest.

Prepare application materials including academic transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statements, and research proposals well before deadlines. Many programs require documents to be translated, notarized, or apostilled, which takes additional time.

Consider your housing needs once you secure funding. Platforms like AmberStudent simplify finding verified student accommodations across Europe, often bundling services like airport pickup and local SIM cards to help international students settle quickly.

Remember that rejection from one program doesn’t prevent applications to others. Many successful scholarship recipients applied to multiple programs before receiving funding. The key is persistence combined with strong preparation and early action on upcoming deadlines.

Your European education adventure starts with taking the first step today. Choose your target scholarships, mark the deadlines, and begin preparing the application that could transform your academic future.