Studying in Europe can cost tens of thousands of euros when tuition, accommodation, health insurance, flights and everyday living expenses are added together.
But some international students pay almost none of those costs themselves.
Across Europe, governments and international organizations offer competitive scholarships that can provide:
- Full tuition coverage
- Monthly living stipends
- Travel allowances
- Health insurance
- Accommodation support
- Visa-related support
Some even allow recipients to study at multiple universities across different European countries.
Here are seven of the strongest scholarships in Europe for international students seeking tuition-free scholarships with a stipend.
Important: As of August 2026, several 2026–27 application cycles listed below have already closed. The information remains useful for students planning the next intake, but always check the next official call before applying.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship
Countries: Multiple European Countries
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship is one of Europe’s most prestigious international scholarship programmes.
Instead of studying at only one university, students on many Erasmus Mundus programmes study at multiple universities.
An Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programme normally involves at least three higher-education institutions from three countries.
Students must complete study periods in at least two countries.
What Does Erasmus Mundus Cover?
Full scholarships are available to the best-ranked applicants worldwide.
They cover participation costs and contribute toward:
- Living expenses
- Travel
- Visa expenses
The current EU individual scholarship contribution is:
€1,400 per month
for up to 24 months depending on programme length.
Who Can Apply?
Students from around the world can apply.
You normally need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualifications appropriate to the master’s programme.
Each Erasmus Mundus consortium sets its own:
- Academic criteria
- English-language requirement
- Documents
- Application deadline
When Do Applications Open?
The European Commission states that students usually submit Erasmus Mundus applications between October and January for programmes beginning the following academic year.
Best For
Students who want:
- Full master’s funding
- International mobility
- Multiple university experiences
- European networking
- A generous monthly stipend
2. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
Country: Sweden
The Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals, often called the SI Scholarship, is one of Scandinavia’s strongest fully funded opportunities.
It supports eligible professionals from selected countries pursuing one- or two-year master’s programmes in Sweden.
For the 2026 cycle, the scholarship was available to citizens from 34 countries, including:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Ethiopia
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- Zambia
among others.
What Does the SI Scholarship Cover?
Current scholarship benefits include:
100% tuition coverage
plus:
SEK 12,000 per month for living expenses
and a one-time travel grant generally worth:
SEK 15,000
with a lower travel-grant amount applying to certain countries.
Recipients also join the SI Network for Global Professionals.
Who Is It Best For?
Unlike scholarships focused only on grades, SI strongly emphasizes professional and leadership experience.
For many eligible countries in the 2026 cycle, including Nigeria, applicants needed at least:
3,000 hours of work experience
before February 2026.
Leadership experience was also required.
Application Process
You first apply to eligible Swedish master’s programmes through Sweden’s University Admissions system.
Then you submit a separate SI Scholarship application.
For 2026–27, the scholarship application portal ran from February 9 to February 25, 2026.
3. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship
Country: Hungary
The Hungarian Government’s Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme has become one of Europe’s most popular government scholarships.
It supports studies at:
- Bachelor’s level
- Master’s level
- One-tier master’s level
- Doctoral level
- Certain non-degree programmes
There are more than 900 study programmes available across approximately 30 Hungarian universities and colleges in the current system.
What Does Stipendium Hungaricum Cover?
For bachelor’s and master’s students, current benefits include:
- Full tuition exemption
- HUF 43,700 monthly stipend
- Free university dormitory OR
- HUF 40,000 monthly accommodation contribution
- Medical insurance
The programme openly warns that the accommodation contribution may not cover the full rental cost, particularly in Budapest.
Does It Cover PhD Students?
Yes.
Doctoral students receive different stipend amounts.
Application Fee
The official application is free.
Stipendium Hungaricum specifically advises candidates not to pay unauthorized agencies to submit applications on their behalf.
2026 Deadline
The 2026–27 application deadline was:
15 January 2026
with successful candidates beginning studies in September 2026.
Future applicants should monitor the next application round.
4. VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships
Country: Belgium
Students from eligible African, Asian and Latin American countries should pay close attention to VLIR-UOS ICP Connect Scholarships in Belgium.
The 2026–27 programme offered full scholarships across 20 eligible programmes.
What Does VLIR-UOS Cover?
VLIR-UOS confirms that ICP Connect scholarships cover:
- Tuition
- Travel
- Insurance
- Living expenses
- Board and lodging
for the full duration of the qualifying programme.
The scholarship framework currently uses a study allowance of approximately:
€1,400 per month
with the allowance structured to cover living costs and other applicable scholarship expenses.
Return economy travel is also supported under the scholarship framework.
Who Can Apply?
The 2026–27 ICP Connect scholarships accepted candidates from 29 eligible countries across:
- Africa
- Asia
- Latin America
Eligibility includes country-of-nationality and residence requirements.
Age restrictions also apply.
For example, applicants for bachelor’s or initial master’s programmes generally cannot be older than 35 at the beginning of the intake year, while advanced-master candidates face a different limit.
Application Fee
ICP Connect scholarship programmes do not charge applicants an application fee.
5. Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
Country: Ireland
The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship, or GOI-IES, supports high-achieving international students pursuing postgraduate studies in Ireland.
The programme awards approximately:
60 scholarships per year
for one year of full-time study at master’s, postgraduate-diploma or PhD level.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Each successful applicant receives:
€10,000 stipend for one year
plus:
a full tuition-fee waiver
from the participating Irish higher-education institution.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants generally need to have their domiciliary of origin outside:
- EU
- EEA
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
Candidates must first receive a conditional or final offer for an eligible programme before applying for the scholarship.
Selection Factors
Ireland looks for applicants with:
- Outstanding academic achievement
- Excellent communication ability
- Extracurricular involvement
- Strong long-term goals
- A persuasive reason for studying in Ireland
2026 Deadline
The 2026 application deadline was:
March 12, 2026
with results expected in early June.
6. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Country: United Kingdom
Although the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union, it remains geographically European and is one of the world’s most important international study destinations.
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is a fully funded UK government-backed programme for eligible students from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
For the 2026–27 cycle, eligible countries included:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- Pakistan
- India
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Zambia
- Cameroon
and many others.
What Does Commonwealth Cover?
The current package includes:
- Full approved tuition fees
- Return airfare
- Living stipend of £1,452 per month
- Living stipend of £1,781 per month for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area
- Warm-clothing allowance where applicable
- Study-related travel support
- Certain child allowances for eligible single parents
Does Commonwealth Require IELTS?
Interestingly, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission itself states that it does not require applicants to take IELTS.
However, the university may impose its own English-language admission requirements.
Core Eligibility
For the 2026–27 Master’s cycle, applicants generally needed:
- Citizenship or qualifying status in an eligible Commonwealth country
- Permanent residence in an eligible country
- A first degree normally equivalent to at least UK 2:1 honours, or qualifying 2:2 plus postgraduate credentials
- Inability to afford UK study without the scholarship
Applications for the 2026–27 Master’s cycle are currently closed.
7. Romania Government MFA Scholarship
Country: Romania
Romania offers a government scholarship programme through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs for qualifying non-EU citizens.
The programme supports:
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral studies
The 2026–27 application cycle was open to foreign citizens from non-EU countries, subject to specified exclusions and eligibility conditions.
What Does the Romania Scholarship Cover?
The scholarship currently includes:
- Tuition financing
- Monthly scholarship payments
- Financing toward university-dormitory accommodation within programme limits
- A funded Romanian-language preparatory year where applicable
Important Language Requirement
For bachelor’s and master’s programmes funded through the main MFA scholarship, Romanian-language study requirements are important.
Students who do not already speak Romanian can generally receive a preparatory language year.
Doctoral programmes can have different language arrangements depending on the programme.
2026 Deadline
The 2026–27 scholarship deadline was:
31 March 2026
The official portal reported almost 88,800 applications from 152 countries for that cycle, demonstrating just how competitive government scholarships have become.
Quick Comparison: Top European Scholarships
| Scholarship | Destination | Tuition | Living Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus | Multiple countries | Covered for scholarship holders | €1,400/month |
| Swedish Institute | Sweden | Full | SEK 12,000/month |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Full | HUF 43,700/month + accommodation support |
| VLIR-UOS ICP Connect | Belgium | Covered | Scholarship allowance/living support |
| Government of Ireland | Ireland | Full waiver | €10,000/year |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK | Full | £1,452–£1,781/month |
| Romania MFA | Romania | Full | Monthly stipend + accommodation support |
Which Scholarship Is the Most Generous?
It depends on what you need.
Best for Multiple Countries
Erasmus Mundus
You may study at more than one European university while receiving a substantial monthly scholarship.
Best for Experienced Professionals
Swedish Institute Scholarship
It strongly values work and leadership experience.
Best for Bachelor’s Students
Stipendium Hungaricum
Many prestigious international scholarships are postgraduate-only. Hungary offers undergraduate opportunities too.
Best for Development-Focused Students
VLIR-UOS and Commonwealth
Both emphasize development impact.
Best One-Year Postgraduate Package
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
The €10,000 award plus full fee waiver is very attractive.
Documents You Should Start Preparing Early
Competitive scholarships commonly require:
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Recommendation letters
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Statement of purpose
- Work-experience evidence
- Leadership evidence
- English-language evidence where applicable
- University admission application
Some documents can take weeks or months to obtain.
Do not wait until the scholarship portal opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study in Europe for free?
Potentially, yes.
Fully funded scholarships can cover tuition and provide living support, although competition is extremely high.
Which European scholarship pays the highest stipend?
Direct comparisons are difficult because living costs vary widely. Erasmus Mundus currently provides €1,400 monthly, while Commonwealth provides £1,452 monthly outside London and £1,781 in the London metropolitan area.
Are European scholarships available to Nigerians?
Yes.
Nigeria is currently eligible for programmes including the Swedish Institute Scholarship and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, while eligibility for Erasmus Mundus depends principally on the individual programme rather than Nigerian nationality alone.
Do I need IELTS?
It depends on the scholarship and university.
For example, Commonwealth itself does not require IELTS, but the receiving university may have its own English requirement.
Are these scholarships open now?
Several 2026–27 cycles are already closed as of August 2026. Applicants should use the current information to prepare for the next application window rather than assume an old deadline remains valid.
Final Thoughts
Seven of the strongest scholarships in Europe offering tuition support and living stipends are:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
- Stipendium Hungaricum
- VLIR-UOS ICP Connect
- Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
- Romanian Government MFA Scholarship
The biggest mistake applicants make is discovering scholarships only days before the deadline.
Start months earlier.
Prepare:
academic documents + CV + references + motivation essays + English evidence + university research
before applications open.
That gives you enough time to focus on what matters most: producing an application strong enough to win.
Disclaimer: Scholarship amounts, deadlines, participating universities, eligible countries and application requirements can change annually. Always check the official scholarship website for the next application cycle before submitting an application.