Studying in a top global city like London, Tokyo, Melbourne, or Paris is an incredible opportunity, but the high cost of living can be a barrier. To attract the world’s brightest minds, governments and universities in these cities offer fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, and even travel.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, many of these programs have updated their requirements and deadlines. Below is a categorized guide to the most prestigious funding options in the world’s best student cities.
Top Fully Funded Scholarships by City (2026/2027)
| City | Top Scholarship | Level | Coverage |
| London | Chevening Scholarship | Master’s | Full (Tuition + Stipend + Flights) |
| Tokyo | MEXT Scholarship | All Levels | Full (Tuition + Stipend + Flights) |
| Melbourne | RTP Scholarship | Research | Full (Tuition + Stipend + Health) |
| Munich | DAAD Scholarship | Graduate | Full (Stipend + Health + Travel) |
| Paris | Eiffel Scholarship | Master/PhD | Full (Stipend + Health + Travel) |
| Seoul | GKS (Global Korea) | All Levels | Full (Tuition + Stipend + Language) |
| Zurich | ETH Excellence | Master’s | Partial to Full (Stipend + Fee Waiver) |
Detailed City Spotlights
1. London, UK: The Global Hub
London is the top-ranked student city, but it is expensive. The Chevening Scholarship is the most prestigious way to study here for free.
- Benefits: Full tuition waiver, monthly living allowance (approx. £1,500 in London), and return airfare.
- Application Rule: You must have 2 years of work experience and agree to return to your home country for 2 years after graduation.
2. Tokyo, Japan: The Innovation Hub
The MEXT Scholarship (Monbukagakusho) allows you to study at top schools like the University of Tokyo.
- Benefits: Full tuition, monthly stipend (¥117,000 – ¥145,000), and round-trip airfare.
- Language: While many programs are in English, the scholarship often includes 6 months of intensive Japanese language training.
3. Melbourne & Sydney, Australia: Research Leaders
The Research Training Program (RTP) is the primary government funding for Master’s and PhD students at schools like the University of Melbourne and UNSW.
- Benefits: Covers 100% of tuition and provides a living stipend of approx. AUD $37,000 per year.
- Tip: You must secure a supervisor’s invitation before applying for this scholarship.
4. Munich & Berlin, Germany: The Affordable Choice
Even though German public universities have no tuition, the DAAD (EPOS) scholarship is vital for covering the high cost of rent and insurance.
- Benefits: Monthly stipend (€934 for Master’s, €1,300 for PhD), health insurance, and travel grants.
- Deadline: Most DAAD EPOS applications for 2026 close between August and October 2025.
How to Apply: The Universal Roadmap
Regardless of the city, the “Golden Rule” of international scholarships is early preparation.
| Stage | Action Item | Timeline |
| Preparation | Research universities and find a supervisor (for Research degrees). | 12 months before start |
| Testing | Take your IELTS/TOEFL and GRE/GMAT exams. | 10 months before start |
| Drafting | Write your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and get Recommendation Letters. | 8 months before start |
| Submission | Apply for the university admission AND the scholarship. | 6–8 months before start |
Common Scholarship Barriers (and how to bypass them)
- The IELTS Hurdle: Many schools in Europe and Asia accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate if your previous degree was in English.
- The GPA Barrier: If your GPA is below 3.0, focus on the University Track (applying directly to schools) rather than the “Embassy Track,” as universities often value research potential and work experience more than raw grades.
- The “Return Home” Rule: Scholarships like Chevening and Manaaki require you to return home for 2 years. If you want to work in the host city after graduation, look for University Merit Scholarships instead of government ones.
Summary of Important Deadlines
- October – January: Main application window for UK (Chevening), Australia (RTP), and many European Masters.
- February – April: Main window for South Korea (GKS), Turkey (TBBS), and Japanese MEXT (Embassy Track).
- May – July: Last-minute university merit awards and partial scholarships.