Masters Scholarships for International Students

Planning to pursue a masters degree abroad but concerned about costs? 

Don’t worry, there’s good news! Masters Scholarships can help ease the financial burden and make your dreams of studying in another country a reality. Studying abroad offers valuable experiences beyond just academics, including specialized knowledge and cultural immersion that are highly regarded by international employers. However, tuition fees and living expenses can be significant considerations.

Fortunately, various scholarship options are available for international students pursuing graduate degrees, specifically designed to assist students in pursuing advanced education in the United States. Securing a scholarship requires strategic planning and research to explore different programs, eligibility criteria, and application processes. By obtaining a Masters Scholarship, you can alleviate your financial burden and focus on your studies and personal growth. Take advantage of these opportunities to unlock your potential for academic and career growth.

Types of Master Scholarships

When it comes to pursuing a Masters degree as an international student, the cost of tuition and living expenses can be a significant barrier. However, there are various types of Master Scholarships available to help alleviate the financial burden and make your dreams of advanced education a reality.

Fully-funded Masters Scholarships:

Fully-funded masters scholarships cover your entire cost of studying abroad, including tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even travel. They’re super competitive and based on things like academic excellence, research potential, or other impressive achievements. Here are some of the top ones:

• Erasmus Mundus (EU): For joint masters programs at multiple European universities. Criteria vary but generally require top grades and language skills.
• Fulbright (USA): Funded by the US government for masters/PhD studies at American universities. Requires academic excellence, leadership potential, and English proficiency.
• Rhodes (Oxford, UK): One of the most prestigious scholarships for outstanding students to study at Oxford. Looks for academic brilliance, character, leadership, and community service.
• Chevening (UK): Offered by the UK government for a one-year master’s at any UK university. Needs strong academics, leadership, and commitment to engaging with the UK.
• Melbourne Research (Australia): For research-based master’s and PhD programs at the University of Melbourne. Evaluated on academics, research proposals, and potential contributions to the field.
• Endeavour (Australia): Funded by the Australian government for master’s or PhD studies in Australia. Consider academics, leadership, and promoting cultural understanding.
• Vanier (Canada): Highly competitive scholarships for international doctoral or combined master’s/doctoral students at Canadian universities. Focuses on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership abilities.

Partial Masters Scholarships:

Partial masters scholarships are a great way to get some financial support for your graduate studies abroad. While they don’t cover everything, they can still help with a portion of your expenses, like tuition fees or living costs. Check out these examples:

1. Developing Solutions Master’s Scholarship (University of Denver, USA): Covers 35% of tuition fees for international students in select master’s programs.
2. KU Leuven Master’s Scholarships (KU Leuven, Belgium): Offers tuition fee waivers ranging from 25% to 100% for outstanding international students.
3. Boustany Graduate Scholarship (Cambridge University, UK): Covers tuition fees and living expenses for Lebanese students at Cambridge.
4. Utrecht Excellence Scholarships (Utrecht University, Netherlands): Provides tuition fee waivers and a monthly stipend for highly talented international students.
5. MEXT Scholarships (Japan): Covers tuition fees, a monthly allowance, and more for international students pursuing master’s degrees in Japan.
6. Swiss Excellence Scholarships (Swiss Government): Provides tuition fee waivers and living allowances for international students in Switzerland.
7. Eiffel Excellence Scholarships (French Government): Covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and other benefits for outstanding international students in France.

When it comes to partial scholarships for masters degrees, it’s important to keep in mind that each scholarship has its own specific eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. By researching and applying for multiple scholarships, you can increase your chances of receiving funding to cover a significant portion of your master’s degree expenses. Good luck in your scholarship search!

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based masters scholarships are all about rewarding the top students— those who’ve excelled academically, shown amazing achievements, and have a ton of potential. These competitive scholarships recognize high achievers who’ve crushed it with top grades, leadership skills, strong research abilities, or other exceptional talents.

Check out some of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships out there for international master’s students:

1. Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants (USA): The U.S. government’s top grants for outstanding graduate studies at accredited American universities. They focus on academic excellence, leadership potential, and a passion for cultural exchange.
2. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK): Cambridge’s way of attracting the best students. They want academic stars, future leaders, and people driven to make a positive impact.
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships (EU): The European Union’s scholarships for excelling in joint master’s programs across Europe. Strong academics, language skills, and cultural understanding are key.
4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany): Germany’s scholarships for top talent at their universities. They value academic superstars, research potential, and language skills.
5. Clarendon Scholarships (UK): Oxford’s way of attracting the crème de la crème. They seek academic powerhouses, promising researchers, and future leaders.
6. Melbourne International Research Scholarships (Australia): Melbourne’s approach to recruiting brilliant minds for research-based master’s and doctorates. They prioritize academic excellence, research potential, and the ability to contribute to your field.
7. Jardine Scholarships (UK): Cambridge’s scholarships are for select countries, looking for academic stars, leadership potential, and a commitment to bridging cultural gaps.

Scoring one of these is seriously competitive, though. You’ll need an outstanding application with stellar transcripts, test scores, research proposals, personal statements, and glowing recommendations. Start preparing early and craft an application that truly stands out!

Country-Specific Masters Scholarships:

Let’s talk about country-specific masters scholarships. These are financial aid opportunities offered by governments or organizations within a country to bring talented international students to their universities. It’s a good deal, right?

These scholarships promote cultural exchange, make education accessible for international students, and strengthen ties between nations. They often prioritize certain study fields or regions that are important to the host country.

Let’s give a rundown of some top country-specific master’s scholarships for popular study destinations:

United States:

• Fulbright Foreign Student Programs
• Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programs
• Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Programs

These are great opportunities, but they are really competitive. The Fulbright ones are probably the most well-known international study grants.

United Kingdom:

• Chevening Scholarships: Sponsored by the UK government, are pretty prestigious.
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarships: Good options if from Commonwealth countries.
• Marshall Scholarships (for U.S. citizens): These ones allow Americans to study in the UK.

And there are plenty more options for other countries too. Just keep in mind that each program has its own eligibility requirements, application requirements, and deadlines. So thorough research is needed on the ones that seem like a good fit.

University and Organization-Specific Scholarships

University-specific masters scholarships are financial aid opportunities offered directly by individual universities. They’re a great way for universities to attract talented students to their graduate programs.

These scholarships are really advantageous for several reasons:

1. Prestigious: Many top universities offer prestigious scholarships that not only provide financial support but also add significant value to your academic profile and future prospects.
2. Program-Specific: Scholarships are often tailored to specific master’s programs, allowing you to secure funding directly aligned with your chosen field of study.
3. Streamlined Application: Applying for scholarships through the university you plan to attend can simplify the process. You might only need to submit one application for multiple opportunities.
4. Additional Resources: Scholarship recipients may gain access to exclusive resources like research facilities, mentorship programs, or professional development.

Let’s talk about some top scholarships from well-known institutions:

1. Harvard Graduate Prize Fellowships (USA): These competitive fellowships cover full tuition, health fees, and a stipend for living expenses.
2. Oxford Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships (UK): Offered by Oxford, they cover tuition, living expenses, and focus on developing leadership skills.
3. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars (USA): Provides full funding for tuition, living, and academic enrichment, emphasizing leadership and interdisciplinary learning.
4. MIT Presidential Graduate Fellowships (USA): Cover full tuition, monthly stipend, and give access to professional development.
5. University of Toronto Connaught International (Canada): For outstanding international students, – covers full tuition, fees, and a living allowance.
6. Cambridge Gates Scholarships (UK): Covers tuition, maintenance allowance, and extra funding for academic development.

Just remember, these are highly competitive. The application process sometimes requires extra materials or interviews. Early preparation and a strong academic record help increase your chances.

Business School Masters Degree Scholarships

Top business schools offer a bunch of scholarship opportunities to attract diverse, talented students. These prestigious institutions understand the importance of a diverse student body, so they provide merit-based, need-based, and specialized scholarships.

• Chicago Booth has Global Innovator Fellowships for students driving impactful innovation. Kellogg partners with organizations for scholarships like the Diversity Scholarship and Kellogg Finance Network Scholarship, promoting inclusivity and financial excellence.
• Wharton provides the Whitney M. Young Fellowship to students from the African American MBA Association community, fostering diversity and academic excellence. MIT Sloan offers the Legatum Fellowship for entrepreneurial ventures aiming to positively impact low-income countries, encouraging social responsibility.
• Harvard Business School’s RISE Fellowship supports students committed to serving marginalized communities, promoting equity and social justice. These scholarships cultivate an inclusive learning environment, nurturing leaders who’ll shape business and society’s future.

External Scholarships for Women pursuing Masters Degree in USA

There are quite a few awesome scholarship opportunities out there for women looking to further their education. Let’s take a quick look:

AAUW International Fellowships:

• Funds graduate/postdoctoral studies in US for non-US citizens/permanent residents
• Requirement to return home after program

Margaret McNamara Education Grants:

• Assists women from developing countries
• Seeking graduate degrees in US or Canada

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship:

• Supports international women (excluding US and Canada)
• Pursuing graduate degrees in US or Canada
• Condition of returning to home country upon completion

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships:

• Empowers women academics in science and engineering fields

The American India Foundation’s William J. Clinton Fellowship:

• Targets Indian women between 21 and 31 years old
• For academic advancement

So, there you have it, a quick overview of some great scholarship options for women pursuing higher education. Of course, be sure to research and check all the requirements before applying.

Tips for Applying for Masters Scholarships

If you’re an international student planning to pursue a Masters degree in the US, applying for scholarships can be a total game-changer when it comes to managing those hefty tuition fees. Here are some awesome tips to boost your chances of scoring a sweet scholarship:

1. Get your research game on: Start hunting for scholarship opportunities early on. Check out university websites, scholarship databases, and government programs specifically designed for international students like yourself.
2. Craft a killer application: Make sure you tick all the boxes for eligibility requirements. Gather your transcripts, test scores, and language proficiency certs. Put together a stellar resume that highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
3. Nail that personal statement: This is your chance to shine! Express your unique personality, aspirations, and why you’re the perfect fit for the program. Explain how a Master’s degree will propel your career forward and showcase your passion for the field.
4. Line up some solid recommendations: Choose recommenders who can vouch for your academic prowess, work ethic, and potential to excel in your chosen field. Give them the lowdown on your resume, personal statement, and scholarship requirements. A friendly reminder before the deadline won’t hurt either.
5. Stay organized, my friend: Create a calendar with all the scholarship deadlines, required docs, submission methods, and any additional steps like interviews or essays. Start early to avoid last-minute scrambling and have enough time for proofreading and polishing.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to securing that scholarship and making your Masters dream a reality. Tailor each application to showcase your unique awesomeness and aspirations. Best of luck!

Conclusion

Masters scholarships are a total game-changer for international students looking to pursue higher education in the US. These scholarships don’t just ease the financial strain; they also open up a world of academic and career opportunities.

Scoring a Masters Scholarship means you get to attend top-notch universities and gain access to world-class education without breaking the bank. The financial support allows you to focus on your studies instead of stressing over tuition fees and living costs. And to get started, why not get a free profile evaluation? 

Our experts can assess your candidacy and provide personalized guidance to maximize your scholarship chances. Just drop us a line, and let’s make that Master’s dream a reality!