Eligibility Criteria to Get Scholarships for Masters in Abroad

Pursuing a master's degree at top universities in the USA can be costly for international students. However, several partially or fully funded scholarships abroad for master's degree programs are available to help manage educational expenses.

Fulbright Scholarship for Master's Degree to Study Abroad

The Fulbright Scholarship and Fellowship is available in over 160 countries, offering coverage for tuition, living costs, travel, and health insurance. Funding varies by country, and application deadlines typically run from mid-May to August. Eligibility for this scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, as well as doctoral and post-doctoral programs, varies by degree level.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Fulbright Scholarship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Residency: Must be residing in India at the time of application.

• Academic/Professional Excellence: Must have an outstanding academic or professional record.

• English Proficiency: Must have a strong command of English to successfully complete the program and adapt to life in the U.S.

• Interview: Must be available for an interview at the USIEF office in Delhi.

• Commitment to Return: Must provide an undertaking to return to India after completing the fellowship.

• Restrictions: Must not be applying for U.S. permanent residency (green card).

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships for Master's Degree to Study Abroad

The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships offer students from developing countries the chance to study abroad in the US, Canada, the UK, France, and Portugal. These scholarships are awarded as a 50% grant and 50% loan, primarily supporting master’s programs. Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle will open in early January 2025. This is an excellent opportunity for those seeking a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree.

Eligibility criteria

• Residency: Open to students from countries where the Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Education Service, or Aga Khan Education Board has a local office.

• Eligible Countries: India, Pakistan, Kenya, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mozambique, Uganda, and Madagascar.

• Citizenship: Only students from the above countries are eligible to apply.

• Age Limit: Preferably under 30 years of age.

AAUW International Fellowship to Study Abroad

The AAUW International Fellowship program supports international women pursuing full-time research studies at U.S. universities, including graduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral programs. For those seeking a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, there are five fellowships available that can be renewed for a second year, with details provided during the fellowship year. The application deadline is November 15, 2024.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the AAUW International Fellowships, applicants must:

• Be an international student with a U.S. student visa.

• Hold a bachelor's degree from a U.S. or globally recognized university.

• Begin a full-time graduate or doctoral program at a U.S. institution.

• Have a degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree completed by November 15, 2022.

• Plan to return to their home country for a professional career.

• Submit TOEFL scores of 550 (PBT) or 79 (iBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5.

Tata Scholarship for Indian Student to Study Abroad

The Tata Education and Development Trust offers a scholarship for Indian undergraduate students at Cornell University, supported by a $25 million endowment. This need-based financial aid, which provides a comprehensive scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, covers the entire duration of the student’s undergraduate studies and benefits around 20 scholars annually.

Eligibility criteria

• Nationality: Indian citizen/resident.

• Education: Completed senior secondary school in India.

• Financial Need: Must qualify for need-based financial aid.

• English Proficiency: TOEFL iBT score of 100 or IELTS score of 7.0.

• Admission: Must have an offer letter from Cornell University.

Germany offers a range of master's degree scholarships for international students, making it an attractive destination for higher education. 

DAAD Scholarships

The DAAD awards over 100,000 scholarships annually, allowing German and international students to pursue master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies at minimal cost. For those seeking a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, DAAD scholarships offer a monthly allowance of at least €934 (USD 1,050), with PhD recipients receiving €1,200 (USD 1,348). In 2024, Indian students can apply for one of the 25 DAAD scholarships available from 188 programs. The application deadline for DAAD scholarships is October 20, 2024.

Eligibility criteria

• Language Skills: Excellent English (IELTS 6.5); German is recommended but not required.

• Academic Grades: Minimum 8.5 CGPA or 85%.

• NOC: Required for exchange or short-term research programs.

• Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant experience.

• Documentation: Submit a 500-1000 word research proposal or SOP; CV may be accepted in some cases.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships to Study in Germany

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, funded by the European Commission, offer fully-funded opportunities for international students to study master's or doctoral programs at European universities. This prestigious program provides a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, allowing winners to study in 3 to 4 European countries, and includes the option to undertake an internship.

Eligibility criteria

• English Proficiency: IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent (e.g., TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE).

• Education: Must have completed 16 years of education.

• Transcripts: Provide transcripts of previous qualifications.

• Test Scores: GMAT/GRE not required.

• GPA: Low GPA applicants are also eligible.

• Documents: Submit a letter of motivation (800 words), 2 letters of recommendation, a residency certificate, and an essay on a study plan or research project.

Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship for Study in Germany

The Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship, offered by the Bayer Science and Education Foundation, supports students from German-speaking and other countries who wish to study abroad. This scholarship abroad for a master’s degree covers expenses for study projects, internships, summer courses, and postgraduate programs in Germany. 

Eligibility criteria 

• Eligibility: Open to international students and those from German-speaking countries.

• Field: Teacher training students in Biology or Chemistry.

• Commitment: Must be dedicated to research and internships.

• Project: Submit an innovative research project proposal.

Australia offers a variety of master’s degree scholarships for international students, providing substantial financial support to pursue advanced studies in this dynamic and diverse country. 

Global Academic Excellence Scholarship

The University of Adelaide offers the Global Academic Excellence Scholarship to international students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate programs. For those seeking a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, this scholarship provides a 50% reduction in tuition fees for the full duration of the degree.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Application: Considered upon application or enrollment in UG or PG programs at the University of Adelaide.

• Admission Requirements: Must meet all course admission requirements and submit a complete, error-free application.

• Academic Criteria:

  • UG Level: Raw ATAR of 98 or 95%

  • PG Level: GPA of 6.8 on a 7.0 scale or equivalent

Australia Awards Scholarship

The Australia Awards Scholarship provides full funding for students from developing countries to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies at top Australian universities and TAFE institutions. For those seeking a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, it covers 100% of tuition fees, a single economy class airfare, an establishment allowance, living expenses, and Overseas Student Health Cover.

Eligibility for scholarships for masters abroad 2024

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen and resident of a participating country (e.g., India, Bangladesh).

• Residency: Not a permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.

• Age: Over 18 years old as of February 1 of the scholarship year.

• Language Proficiency: Recent IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL iBT score of 78, or PTE score of 58.

• University Entry: Must meet the entry requirements of the chosen Australian university.

• Visa Requirements: Must fulfill Australia visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs.

Eligibility for scholarships for masters abroad 2024

When applying for a scholarship abroad for a master’s degree, several common eligibility criteria are usually required. Below are the typical eligibility requirements for scholarships for a master's degree abroad:

• Academic Excellence: A bachelor’s degree with a strong GPA (usually 3.0 or higher).

• Test Scores: Valid GRE/GMAT scores and English proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL.

• Relevant Field of Study: Your master’s program should align with the scholarship’s focus area.

• Nationality: Some scholarships are country-specific, so check if you are eligible.

• Work Experience: Required for some professional programs, especially an MBA.

• Leadership & Extracurriculars: Active involvement in leadership roles and community service.

• Recommendations: Strong letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.

• Personal Statement: A compelling essay outlining your goals and reasons for the scholarship.

These are general guidelines; specific scholarships may have additional or unique requirements.

Q1. What are bursaries? 

Answer - Bursaries are financial awards given to help students afford their education. They are often based on financial need and do not usually require repayment. 

Q2. Which country should I study in with a Great Wall Scholarship?

Answer - With a Great Wall Scholarship, you should study in China. The program offers fellowships for undergraduate or postgraduate studies in China, fully funded for one year.