Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe 2027 for International Students
Studying in Europe is a dream for many international students. But once you add up tuition fees, accommodation, food, travel, and everyday living costs, studying abroad can quickly become expensive.
Fortunately, there are scholarship programmes that can help cover some of these costs and, in certain cases, most of them.
One thing is worth keeping in mind before you start applying: “fully funded” does not mean exactly the same thing for every scholarship. One programme might cover tuition and living expenses, while another may offer a monthly allowance along with travel or insurance support.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the major scholarship opportunities international students can explore for 2027 entry, including Erasmus Mundus and DAAD. You’ll also find information about eligibility, required documents, application steps, funding, and practical tips for preparing your applications.
Important: Scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and deadlines can change. Always check the official scholarship website and the current programme call before submitting an application.
What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship Usually Cover?
A fully funded scholarship can help with several of the major costs involved in studying abroad.
Depending on the programme, funding may include:
- Tuition or participation fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Travel support
- Visa-related support
- Health or other insurance
- Accommodation support
- Research or study-related allowances
The exact benefits depend on the scholarship.
For example, official Erasmus Mundus information says that full scholarships can cover participation costs and provide contributions towards travel, visa expenses, and a living allowance.
So, don’t assume that every scholarship described as “fully funded” provides the same package. Always check the details of the specific programme you’re interested in.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) is one of the major scholarship options for international students interested in studying for a master’s degree in Europe.
These programmes are delivered jointly by universities in different countries. As a result, students may have the opportunity to study in more than one European country during their degree.
According to official Erasmus+ information, students from around the world can apply, and selected students can receive full scholarships.
What Can the Scholarship Cover?
Depending on the programme, Erasmus Mundus funding can contribute towards:
- Participation costs
- Travel
- Visa expenses
- Living allowance
The exact amount and financial package can vary, so it’s important to check the individual master’s programme before applying.
Who Can Apply?
Generally, applicants need to:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree, or
- Be in the final year of a bachelor’s degree and graduate before the master’s programme begins
Keep in mind that every programme has its own academic and subject-specific requirements.
When Are Applications Open?
According to official Erasmus+ information, applications are usually submitted between October and January for programmes beginning in the following academic year. However, individual programmes can have different deadlines.
If you’re planning to start in 2027, it’s a good idea to start checking the Erasmus Mundus catalogue and individual programme websites during 2026.
2. DAAD Scholarships in Germany
Germany is another popular destination for international students looking for scholarship opportunities.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a wide range of funding programmes for international students, graduates, doctoral candidates, and researchers.
DAAD explains that many of its scholarships are aimed primarily at graduates, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers. However, eligibility depends on the individual programme and field of study.
What Does DAAD Funding Include?
There isn’t one standard DAAD scholarship package.
Depending on the programme, funding may include:
- A monthly scholarship payment
- Travel allowance
- Insurance
- Additional financial benefits
Because DAAD offers many different programmes, you should always read the details of the specific scholarship you’re applying for.
How to Find the Right DAAD Scholarship
DAAD has an official scholarship database where international students can search for opportunities based on their background and study plans.
The database includes funding options for international students and researchers, but requirements and deadlines can vary. Always check the individual programme description for the latest information.
3. Other Scholarship Opportunities in Germany
DAAD isn’t the only place to look for financial support in Germany.
According to DAAD, international students may also find funding through:
- Universities
- Foundations
- Research organisations
- Corporate foundations
- State-level programmes
- Other funding organisations
Some of these scholarships are designed for specific subjects, student groups, or academic circumstances.
That’s why it can be useful to look beyond the most well-known scholarship programmes. Smaller funding opportunities may also be a good fit depending on your background and field of study.
4. New Erasmus Mundus Programmes for 2027
Students planning to apply for 2027 should also keep an eye on new Erasmus Mundus programmes.
In July 2026, the European Commission announced that 37 new Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters had been selected in the latest call. These programmes are expected to open for student applications in autumn 2026 and begin in September 2027.
The newly selected programmes cover a wide range of subjects, including areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Semiconductor technology
- Law and data
- Sustainable engineering
- Health
- Animation
- Environmental sciences
- Advanced microscopy
Whether a particular programme accepts international applicants and what funding it provides should be confirmed on that programme’s official website.
How to Find Fully Funded Scholarships in Europe
Finding a genuine scholarship takes a little more than searching Google and applying to the first result you see.
A more reliable approach is to work through the following steps.
Step 1: Decide Your Degree Level
First, decide what type of programme you’re looking for:
- Bachelor’s
- Master’s
- PhD
- Research
- Exchange programme
Many European scholarship programmes are designed specifically for master’s, doctoral, or research students.
For example, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are master’s-level programmes, while DAAD offers different opportunities for graduates, doctoral candidates, and researchers.
Step 2: Choose Your Field
Make a shortlist of subjects that match your academic background and interests.
For example:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business
- Economics
- Environmental Sciences
- Public Health
- International Relations
- Data Science
- Social Sciences
Once you know your field, it becomes much easier to narrow down programmes that actually fit your previous education.
Step 3: Check the Official Requirements
Before spending time preparing a full application, check the programme’s requirements carefully.
Look for:
- Academic requirements
- Degree requirements
- Language requirements
- Country eligibility
- Work experience requirements, if applicable
- Required documents
- Application deadline
Don’t rely solely on social media posts or third-party scholarship websites. They can help you discover opportunities, but the official programme website should be your main source of information.
Step 4: Check Exactly What the Scholarship Covers
This is one of the most important steps.
Don’t stop at the words “fully funded.” Look at the actual funding package and find out what is included.
Ask yourself:
- Does it cover tuition?
- Is there a monthly allowance?
- Is travel included?
- Is insurance included?
- Are visa costs covered?
- Is accommodation fully covered or only partly supported?
Checking these details early can save you from unpleasant surprises later.
Documents You May Need
Every programme has its own application requirements, but international scholarship applications commonly ask for some combination of:
- Passport
- Academic certificates
- Academic transcripts
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of language proficiency
- Study plan or research proposal, where applicable
- Portfolio for certain subjects
Try not to leave everything until the last minute.
Some documents may need official translations, verification, or signatures. Giving yourself plenty of time can make the application process much less stressful.
How to Write a Strong Scholarship Application
A strong scholarship application should explain why you are a good fit for the programme, rather than simply repeating the information already listed on your CV.
Your motivation letter should create a clear connection between:
Your background → your academic interests → your goals → the programme → your future plans
For example, simply saying:
“I have always wanted to study in Europe.”
doesn’t tell the selection committee much about you.
Instead, explain what you’ve studied, what you want to learn next, why you’re interested in that particular programme, and how it connects with your future plans.
Most importantly, keep your application specific and honest.
Avoid copying motivation letters from other applicants or using generic templates without adapting them to your own experience.
Common Mistakes Students Make
1. Applying Without Checking Eligibility
A scholarship may look perfect but still not be available to you because of your degree level, nationality, academic background, or another requirement.
Always check the eligibility criteria first.
2. Waiting Until the Deadline
Scholarship applications can involve several documents, recommendation letters, language tests, and other requirements.
Starting early gives you time to deal with unexpected delays.
3. Using the Same Motivation Letter Everywhere
A generic motivation letter usually doesn’t explain why you’re interested in a particular university or programme.
Take the time to tailor your application to each opportunity.
4. Trusting “100% Guaranteed Scholarship” Advertisements
Be careful with websites or social media accounts claiming to offer guaranteed scholarships.
A scholarship should never be considered guaranteed simply because someone online says it is.
5. Ignoring the Official Website
Third-party scholarship websites can be useful for discovering opportunities, but always go back to the official scholarship provider or university website to confirm requirements, funding, and deadlines.
Europe Scholarship Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, go through this checklist:
- I meet the academic requirements.
- My degree level matches the programme.
- My country is eligible.
- I checked the current deadline.
- My passport is valid.
- My academic documents are ready.
- My CV is updated.
- My motivation letter is original.
- Recommendation letters are ready if required.
- I meet the language requirements.
- I understand exactly what the scholarship covers.
- I’m applying through the correct official website.
When Should You Start Preparing for 2027?
If you want to start your studies in 2027, it’s better not to wait until the final application deadline.
Start building a list of suitable programmes during 2026 and check their official application pages regularly.
For Erasmus Mundus, applications for the following academic year are often submitted between October and January, although each programme can have its own schedule.
DAAD deadlines vary from one scholarship programme to another. Instead of relying on one general deadline, use the official DAAD scholarship database and check the details of each programme you’re interested in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for fully funded scholarships in Europe?
Yes. Several European scholarship programmes accept students from outside Europe. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, for example, accepts applications from students around the world.
Are all European scholarships fully funded?
No. Scholarship funding varies considerably.
Some programmes may cover tuition, while others provide living support, travel assistance, or only partial funding.
Always read the official funding details before applying.
Is Erasmus Mundus available for bachelor’s students?
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are master’s-level programmes. Applicants therefore need to meet the relevant master’s entry requirements.
Does DAAD offer scholarships for international students?
Yes. DAAD offers a range of scholarships and funding programmes for international students, graduates, doctoral candidates, and researchers.
Eligibility depends on the individual programme.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
In many cases, you can apply to multiple programmes as long as you meet their requirements. However, each scholarship has its own rules, so check the conditions before submitting multiple applications.
Are 2027 scholarship deadlines already known?
Some programmes publish their deadlines earlier than others.
For 2027 entry, check the official page of each programme rather than assuming there is one Europe-wide deadline.
Final Thoughts
Finding a fully funded scholarship in Europe takes time, research, and a bit of patience.
Instead of applying to every scholarship you come across, start by creating a shortlist of programmes that match your academic background, degree level, field, and future plans.
Prepare your documents early, keep track of deadlines, and verify important information directly through the official scholarship provider.
For students planning to study in Europe in 2027, Erasmus Mundus and DAAD are two major places to explore, but they are certainly not the only sources of funding available.
The more carefully you research each opportunity, the better you’ll understand which programmes actually fit your situation.
Official Resources
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Official Erasmus+
- DAAD Scholarships — Official DAAD
- DAAD Scholarship Database
Always use the official websites to confirm the latest eligibility requirements, funding details, and application deadlines.
