Scholarships for Study Abroad: Eligibility Criteria, University and Country-wise

Studying in Australia can be costly, so international students should plan for both educational and living expenses. However, with its top-ranking universities, excellent courses, and strong job market, Australia offers numerous opportunities. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best study-abroad scholarships available for Australia, along with the scholarships for studying abroad eligibility criteria.

Australia Awards Scholarship

The Australia Awards Scholarships provide students from developing countries the chance to study full-time at leading Australian universities and TAFE institutions. Administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, these scholarships aim to support the development needs of Australia’s partner countries.

Eligibility for Australia Awards scholarships to study abroad

Applicants must:

• Be citizens and residents of a participating country (e.g., India, Bangladesh).

• Not be a permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand.

• Be at least 18 years old by February 1 of the scholarship year.

• Have recent English proficiency scores:

  • IELTS: 6.5

  • TOEFL-iBT: 78

  • PTE: 58

• Meet the entry requirements of the chosen Australian university.

• Comply with Australian visa regulations.

Endeavour Scholarship to Study in Australia:

The Endeavour Scholarship and Fellowships, funded by the Australian Government, offer up to AU$ 272,500 (INR 1.49 Cr) for study, research, or professional development in Australia and worldwide. The Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship supports international students pursuing Master’s or PhD degrees in any discipline in Australia, covering up to two years for Master’s and four years for PhD studies.

Eligibility for Endeavour scholarships to study abroad

The Endeavour Scholarship is for international students pursuing Master’s or Doctoral studies in Australia. To qualify:

• Applicants must be from participating regions (e.g., Americas, Asia, Africa).

• Leadership activities must be conducted outside their country of citizenship.

• They must not be Australian citizens, dual nationals, or permanent residents.

• Candidates should be citizens or permanent residents of a participating country, aged 18 or older.

• They must start the program between January and November and should not have previously received an Endeavour Scholarship.

• Other Australian Government scholarships or fellowships should not be held concurrently.

Destination Australia Scholarship to Study in Australia:

The Destination Australia Scholarship Program supports meritorious students wishing to study in regional Australia. Funded by Australia’s Department of Education, the program offers financial aid to both domestic and international students. For 2023, over 400 scholarships were awarded, providing AUD 15,000 plus AUD 1,500 for one academic year, with renewals based on academic performance. The scholarship covers tuition and living expenses. 

Eligibility for Destination Australia scholarships to study abroad

To qualify for the Destination Australia Scholarship, international students must:

• Enroll full-time in an eligible program at a partner institution in regional Australia

• Be a full fee-paying, non-sponsored student

• Have at least 75% in previous education

• Hold a valid Australian student visa

• Maintain residency in regional Australia

Studying in the UK can be costly, so many international students seek financial support. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships available to help Indian students make their study abroad dreams in the UK a reality. We’ve listed some of the premier study-abroad scholarships for the UK, including crucial details on the eligibility for scholarships to study abroad.

Chevening Scholarship to Study in UK

The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious, fully-funded program for international students pursuing a one-year master’s degree at a UK university. It covers tuition fees, travel, and accommodation costs.

Application Timeline for 2024-2025:

• Applications open: August 2024

• Deadline: November 2024

Eligibility for Chevening scholarships to study abroad

To be eligible for the Chevening UK Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country

• Have an undergraduate degree and at least a 2:1 honors or equivalent

• Receive an unconditional offer from a UK university

• Return to their home country for at least two years after the scholarship

• Have at least two years of work experience

• Meet English language and any additional entrance exam requirements

Rhodes Scholarship to Study in UK

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully-funded program for international students starting postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. It covers the entire duration of the Oxford program. Each year, 100 Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to first-time students in the UK. The Rhodes Scholarship application deadline for India was August 01, 2024. 

Eligibility for Rhodes scholarships to study abroad

To qualify for the Rhodes Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a citizen of India or a refugee/asylum seeker in India, with proof of citizenship.

• Have studied at an educational institution for at least 4 of the last 10 years.

• Have completed the school leaving exam (10th or 12th grade) and an undergraduate degree in India, with a minimum GPA of 3.70/4.0 or equivalent.

• Be aged 18-23 on October 1, 2024, with the upper age limit set at 27 years on that date.

Commonwealth Scholarship to Study in UK

The Commonwealth Scholarship is available to students from Commonwealth countries, including India, Malaysia, and Bangladesh, for studying in New Zealand, Singapore, or the UK, with the UK being the most popular choice. This scholarship supports master’s or doctoral programs and covers travel expenses, tuition fees, and other allowances for the duration of the degree. It does not extend financial aid for additional semesters. The application deadline for the Commonwealth Scholarship is October 17, 2024.

Eligibility for Commonwealth scholarships to study abroad

Master's Degree Programs:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country.

• Be under 40 years old.

• Not currently enrolled in another Master’s program.

• Have a bachelor’s degree.

• Score at least 60% in Social Sciences or 65% in Science.

• Previous experience abroad is acceptable.

Ph.D. Programs:

• Hold a master’s degree or be in the final year of a master’s program.

• Not applied for a Ph.D. or MPhil elsewhere.

• Score at least 60% in Social Sciences or 65% in Science.

• Be a Commonwealth citizen.

• Afford to study in the UK.

• Have admission to a university in any Commonwealth country.

• Be under 40 years old.

Q1. Who is eligible for a scholarship to study abroad?

Answer: Eligibility for scholarships to study abroad generally depends on factors such as academic performance, financial need, and specific program requirements. Applicants usually need to be enrolled or accepted into a recognized institution and may need to meet citizenship or residency criteria. For detailed eligibility for scholarships to study abroad, check the specific scholarship guidelines.

Q2. Who is eligible for a national overseas scholarship?

Answer: To meet the scholarships for studying abroad eligibility criteria for the National Overseas Scholarship, candidates must be

• Aged 35 or younger as of April 1st in the academic year.

• From Scheduled Castes, denotified tribes, semi-nomadic tribes, landless agricultural laborers, or traditional artisans.

• Have a family income of INR 8,00,000 or less.

• Achieve valid scores in tests like IELTS, PTE, GMAT, or GRE (minimum scores vary by university).

• Not already residing abroad or applying for a bachelor’s degree.

Q3. Eligibility for scholarships to study abroad from India?

Answer: Eligibility for scholarships to study abroad from India generally includes strong academic performance, relevant work experience, active participation in extracurricular activities, community service, and notable achievements.