Government Scholarship Programs 2026: Japan, Turkey, Hungary, China, UK & Malaysia

Six government-backed scholarship programs are currently accepting or preparing to accept applications for the 2026 cycle, spanning undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD study. All six charge no application fee, and each has its own approach to English-language requirements — some waive it entirely with a prior-education certificate, others still require a test score. Here’s an accurate, side-by-side breakdown so you can figure out which one actually fits your profile before you apply.

Quick Comparison

1. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has funded international students since 1954, and it remains one of the most comprehensive government scholarships available anywhere.

• Degree levels: Research student, undergraduate, and specialized/technical college tracks, often leading into Master’s or PhD study
• Coverage: Full tuition, a monthly stipend (commonly cited around ¥143,000–¥145,000, though this can shift by category and year), and round-trip airfare
• Language: No IELTS or TOEFL requirement for most tracks; applicants generally need to show willingness to learn Japanese, and some English-medium graduate programs exist separately
• How to apply: Exclusively through your country’s Japanese embassy or consulate, or in some cases directly through a Japanese university — never through a third-party agent

Apply here: Study in Japan — MEXT Scholarship Portal

2. Türkiye Bursları (Turkey)

Run by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, Türkiye Bursları is one of the most comprehensive scholarship programs globally in terms of what it covers.

• Degree levels: Associate, undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD
• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a free one-year Turkish language course included for all recipients
• Language: No IELTS or TOEFL requirement — the included Turkish course prepares recipients for Turkish-medium programs, while some programs are offered in English
• How to apply: Directly online through the official portal, no agent needed

Apply here: Türkiye Bursları — Official Application Portal

3. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Hungary’s state scholarship program funds study at Hungarian universities across all degree levels and is one of the larger scholarship schemes in Central Europe by volume of recipients.

• Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and one-tier (undivided) programs
• Coverage: Tuition waiver, a monthly stipend (commonly cited around HUF 43,700), an accommodation contribution (around HUF 40,000/month), and medical insurance coverage (typically up to roughly HUF 65,000/year)
• Language: Requirements vary by program — many participating universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate confirming your prior education was in English, in place of IELTS or TOEFL, but this isn’t universal, so check your specific program
• How to apply: Through the centralized online application system

Apply here: Stipendium Hungaricum — Official Portal

4. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)

Administered by the China Scholarship Council, this is China’s primary vehicle for funding international students, distributed through several sub-programs (bilateral, Chinese university-specific, and others) and available at partner universities across the country.

• Degree levels: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and general/senior scholar tracks
• Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and comprehensive medical insurance, though exact benefits vary by sub-program and host university
• Language: Program-dependent — English-taught programs commonly accept a university-issued English-proficiency letter instead of IELTS/TOEFL, while Chinese-taught programs require HSK Chinese proficiency instead
• How to apply: Either through your home country’s Chinese embassy/Ministry of Education channel (bilateral track) or directly to a Chinese university offering CSC-funded seats (university track) — check both routes, since eligibility and deadlines differ

Apply here: CSC / Campus China — Official Portal

5. Chevening Scholarship (United Kingdom)

Chevening is the UK government’s flagship scholarship, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and is aimed specifically at early/mid-career professionals with demonstrated leadership potential — not a general undergraduate or PhD scholarship.

• Degree levels: One-year Master’s programs only — Chevening does not fund undergraduate or PhD study
• Coverage: Full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return economy airfare, an arrival allowance, and a visa application fee contribution
• Language: This is the one program on this list where an English test is generally still expected — most applicants need IELTS or an equivalent, though Chevening does grant exemptions for applicants who completed a degree taught and examined in English. Confirm your specific exemption eligibility on the official site before assuming you’re exempt
• Eligibility note: Requires a minimum of two years of relevant work experience and admission to three eligible UK Master’s courses — this is a competitive, experience-based award, not an open academic scholarship
• How to apply: Directly through the official Chevening website, free of charge

Apply here: Chevening — Official Scholarship Website

6. Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)

MIS is the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education’s flagship award for postgraduate international students, with recipient countries defined each cycle (commonly ASEAN and Commonwealth nations, among others).

• Degree levels: Master’s and PhD only, full-time study — MIS does not fund undergraduate study
• Coverage: Full tuition paid directly to the university, plus a monthly living allowance (recently cited around RM 1,500/month)
• Language: Unlike most other programs on this list, MIS does specify a standard: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550, or proof that your prior education was conducted in English — so “no IELTS” only applies if you have that English-medium proof
• Eligibility note: Restricted to citizens of MIS’s designated recipient countries for the current cycle — check the current list before applying, as it changes year to year
• How to apply: Through the Ministry of Higher Education’s online portal during the announced application window (recent cycles have opened around March–June)

Apply here: Malaysia International Scholarship — Official MOHE Portal

Important Notes Before You Apply

• “No application fee” does not mean “no requirements.” Every program above still requires transcripts, recommendation letters, and often a research proposal or motivation statement — the fee waiver just removes one cost barrier, not the competitive bar.
• “No IELTS” varies more than it appears. MEXT and Türkiye Bursları genuinely don’t require it. Hungary and China generally accept an English-medium-instruction certificate as a substitute. Chevening and MIS still expect an English test score unless you qualify for a specific exemption — don’t assume you’re exempt without checking.
• Apply only through official government or university portals. None of these six programs use third-party agents for the core application — if anyone asks for a processing fee to “help” you apply to MEXT, Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum, CSC, Chevening, or MIS, that’s a red flag, not a shortcut.
• Deadlines vary significantly and shift year to year. Always confirm the current cycle’s dates on the official portal linked above rather than relying on a static article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these scholarships doesn’t require IELTS at all? MEXT (Japan) and Türkiye Bursları (Turkey) have no IELTS/TOEFL requirement built into the core program. The others either commonly accept an alternative English-medium certificate (Hungary, China) or generally still expect a test score with limited exemptions (Chevening, MIS).

Can I get a PhD scholarship from Chevening or MIS? No — Chevening only funds one-year Master’s programs, and MIS funds Master’s and PhD but not undergraduate study. For PhD funding, MEXT, Türkiye Bursları, Stipendium Hungaricum, and CSC are the options on this list.

Is there really no application fee for any of these? Correct — all six are free to apply to directly through their official government portals. Any site or agent charging a processing fee to submit these applications on your behalf isn’t required.

How do I know I’m using the real application portal? Use only the official links listed above (studyinjapan.go.jp, turkiyeburslari.gov.tr, stipendiumhungaricum.hu, campuschina.org, chevening.org, and biasiswa.mohe.gov.my). Search results and social media posts sometimes link to unofficial mirrors — check the domain carefully.