Europe is home to many of the world’s most prestigious universities, known for academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and global outlook. But the good news is, international students don’t have to break the bank to study at these institutions. Many top-ranked European universities offer fully funded or partially funded scholarships for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs.
Whether you’re aiming for Oxford, ETH Zurich, or the University of Amsterdam, this 2025 list outlines the best scholarship opportunities across leading European universities that welcome talent from around the globe.
🌍 Why Choose a Top European University?
Studying at a top-tier university in Europe comes with major benefits:
Global recognition of degrees
Access to world-class faculty and facilities
Multilingual, multicultural environments
Research and internship opportunities across Europe
High employability after graduation
Generous scholarship and funding options for non-EU students
Let’s explore where you can apply in 2025.
🎓 Scholarships at Top European Universities (2025 Edition)
1. University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
Scholarship: Clarendon Scholarships
Level: Master’s and DPhil (PhD)
Coverage:
Full tuition and college fees
Annual grant for living expenses (~£17,668)
Eligibility: All nationalities; automatic consideration when applying to eligible courses
Deadline: December 2024 – January 2025
Oxford also offers Reach Oxford Scholarships for undergraduate students from low-income countries.
2. ETH Zurich (Switzerland)
Scholarship: Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
Level: Master’s
Coverage:
Full tuition fee waiver
Living allowance of CHF 12,000 per semester (~$13,000)
Eligibility: Excellent academic record, non-EU students eligible
Deadline: December 2024
ETH Zurich consistently ranks in the Top 10 global universities and is highly sought after for engineering, technology, and science.
3. University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)
Scholarship: Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Level: Postgraduate (Master’s & PhD)
Coverage:
Full tuition
Maintenance allowance (~£20,000/year)
Airfare and academic development funding
Eligibility: Open to non-UK citizens
Deadline: October – December 2024
Cambridge also offers the Cambridge International Scholarships for top-ranked PhD candidates.
4. Sciences Po (France)
Scholarship: Émile Boutmy Scholarship
Level: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Coverage:
Up to €13,000 per year (Bachelor’s)
Up to €12,200 per year (Master’s)
Eligibility: Non-EU international students
Deadline: February 2025
Sciences Po is one of Europe’s leading universities for political science, international relations, and social policy.
5. KU Leuven (Belgium)
Scholarship: Science@Leuven Scholarships
Level: Master’s (Science and STEM fields)
Coverage:
Up to €10,000 per year
Covers tuition, insurance, and part of living costs
Eligibility: Strong academic background, international students
Deadline: February 2025
KU Leuven is Belgium’s highest-ranked university and a leader in research and innovation.
6. University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Scholarship: Amsterdam Merit Scholarship (AMS)
Level: Master’s
Coverage:
Up to €25,000, covering tuition and living expenses
Eligibility: Non-EU students with outstanding academic results
Deadline: January – March 2025 (varies by faculty)
The university also participates in Orange Tulip Scholarships and Holland Scholarships.
7. LMU Munich (Germany)
Scholarship: DAAD Scholarships + LMU Funding
Level: Postgraduate and Doctoral
Coverage:
Tuition-free programs
Monthly stipend (€934–€1,200)
Health insurance, travel allowance
Eligibility: Based on academic merit and motivation
Deadline: November 2024 (DAAD)
LMU Munich is consistently ranked among the top universities in Europe for life sciences, humanities, and medicine.
8. University of Helsinki (Finland)
Scholarship: University of Helsinki International Scholarship
Level: Master’s
Coverage:
Full tuition fee waiver
€5,000–€10,000 grant for living expenses
Eligibility: Non-EU students
Deadline: January 2025
Finland also offers tuition-free PhD programs with funded research positions.
9. Bocconi University (Italy)
Scholarship: Bocconi Merit and International Awards
Level: Bachelor’s & Master’s
Coverage:
Full tuition fee waiver
Up to €12,000–€15,000 annual stipend (for top awards)
Eligibility: Outstanding international students
Deadline: January–April 2025
Ideal for students pursuing business, economics, and finance.
10. University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
Scholarship: Danish Government Scholarships (via universities)
Level: Master’s
Coverage:
Full or partial tuition waiver
Monthly living grant (DKK 6,000–9,000)
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students
Deadline: February–March 2025
Denmark is known for its strong academic structure and high quality of life.
✅ Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
Apply Early: Deadlines often fall between October and March for autumn 2025 intake.
Tailor Your Motivation Letter: Show alignment with the university’s values and your long-term goals.
Secure Strong References: Academic or professional recommendations that highlight leadership and critical thinking.
Meet Language Requirements: Most programs require IELTS or TOEFL (minimum 6.5–7.0 for Master’s).
Explore University Funding Pages: Many institutions offer multiple tiers of funding for international students.
📍 Programs That Are Often Fully Funded in Top Universities
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Law and Public Policy
Medicine and Global Health
Economics and Business
Sustainability and Environmental Sciences
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.