Study Abroad Scholarships: The Complete Guide

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels

A study abroad scholarship is funding awarded specifically to help you study at a university or programme outside your home country. Some cover everything – tuition, living costs, flights, and health insurance. Others cover only part of the cost, leaving you to fund the rest. Understanding which type you’re looking at, before you invest weeks into an application, is the difference between a realistic funding plan and a frustrating one.

This guide covers the main types of study abroad scholarships, what they typically include, and where the well-known programmes fit – then points you toward the specific guides for actually applying.

Government-Funded Scholarships

Funded directly by a national government, usually to build diplomatic and educational ties. These are typically the most generous and the most competitive. Chevening (UK), DAAD (Germany), Fulbright (USA), and the Commonwealth Scholarship (UK, for Commonwealth citizens including Ghanaians) fall into this category, and most are fully-funded: tuition, a monthly stipend, and flights.

University-Funded Scholarships

Awarded directly by the university itself, often to attract strong international applicants. These range from full-tuition waivers to smaller merit-based discounts, and are usually listed on the university’s own financial aid or international admissions page rather than a separate scholarship body. Coverage varies widely, so always check exactly what’s included before assuming it’s “fully-funded.”

Private and NGO-Funded Scholarships

Funded by foundations, corporations, or non-profits rather than governments or universities. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the best-known examples accessible to Ghanaian students, often partnering with specific universities (such as Ashesi University) and covering the full cost of study plus additional support like mentorship and internship placement.

Field-Specific Scholarships

Targeted at students in a particular subject – nursing, medicine, engineering, law, or STEM fields generally. These are often smaller and less publicized than the big-name government scholarships, but competition can be lower simply because fewer people search for them by name. Your target university’s own department page is usually the best source for these.

Regional Scholarships: Erasmus Mundus and Others

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees, funded by the European Union, let students study across two or more European universities on one fully-funded scholarship, covering tuition, a monthly allowance, and travel costs. It’s open to students worldwide, including Ghana, and is one of the more generous multi-country options available.

What “Fully-Funded” Actually Means

The phrase gets used loosely. A genuinely fully-funded scholarship should cover:

• Full tuition fees
• A monthly living stipend sufficient for accommodation and basic costs
• Return flights
• Often, visa fees and health insurance

Some scholarships marketed as “fully-funded” only cover tuition, leaving you to fund living costs and flights yourself – always check the specific scholarship’s “what’s covered” section rather than assuming from the headline.

A Quick Snapshot of the Major Scholarships

• Chevening (UK): Fully-funded one-year Master’s scholarship, open to almost any field, funded by the UK government.
• DAAD (Germany): Fully-funded Master’s and PhD funding, with many programmes focused on STEM and engineering fields.
• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK): Fully-funded Master’s and PhD funding for Commonwealth citizens, with a strong focus on development-related fields.
• Fulbright (USA): Fully-funded Master’s and PhD funding across most academic fields at US universities.
• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: Fully-funded, often partnered with specific universities, with added mentorship and career support.
• Erasmus Mundus (EU): Fully-funded joint Master’s degrees studied across two or more European countries on one scholarship.

Last verified: September 7, 2026

Treat this as a starting shortlist, not a complete list – new scholarships and country-specific programmes are added every year, and terms change, so always confirm current details on each scholarship’s official page.

Where to Go Next

Once you understand which type of funding fits your situation, the next steps are:

• Read our step-by-step guide to applying for scholarships for the full application process, timeline, and common mistakes to avoid.
• Check our Eligibility Checker to match your profile against a starter list of well-known scholarships.
• Browse individual scholarship profiles as we publish them for detailed, scholarship-specific eligibility and deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a fully-funded and partially-funded scholarship?

A fully-funded scholarship covers tuition, living costs, and usually flights. A partially-funded scholarship covers only some of these, most often tuition alone, leaving other costs to the student.

What are the best-known study abroad scholarships for Ghanaians?

Chevening, DAAD, Commonwealth Scholarships, Fulbright, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and Erasmus Mundus are among the most established and accessible for Ghanaian applicants.

Are university scholarships harder to get than government scholarships?

Not necessarily. Government scholarships like Chevening or Fulbright are often more competitive due to name recognition and volume of applicants, while university-specific scholarships can have less competition simply because fewer people know to look for them.

Can I apply for a study abroad scholarship without an admission offer?

It depends on the scholarship. Some, like Chevening, don’t require an offer to start your application. Others require you to secure university admission first. Always check the specific scholarship’s requirements.

Related: How to Apply for Scholarships to Study Abroad · Browse all Study Abroad Guides