Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it can be costly. Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships available for Indian students who wish to pursue higher education abroad. These scholarships are offered by governments, universities, private organizations, and foundations, providing financial support to help with tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. Here are some of the top scholarships for Indian students looking to study abroad:

1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)

• Offered By: UK Government
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students with a strong academic background.
  • Must have at least two years of work experience.
  • Must demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to return to India after completing studies.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, airfare, accommodation, and a living stipend.
• Courses: Master’s degrees in various fields.
• Website: Chevening Scholarships

2. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (USA)

• Offered By: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students who wish to pursue master’s or doctoral degrees.
  • Applicants must have a strong academic record, leadership potential, and a commitment to India’s development.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, travel costs, stipend for living expenses, and insurance.
• Courses: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in various fields.
• Website: Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship

3. Inlaks Scholarships (USA, UK, and Europe)

• Offered By: Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students with an excellent academic record and strong extracurricular achievements.
  • Applicants must have an undergraduate degree and plan to pursue a full-time program.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
• Courses: Master’s programs, including business, arts, and sciences.
• Website: Inlaks Scholarships

4. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

• Offered By: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students who wish to pursue post-graduate and doctoral studies in Germany.
  • Strong academic record and a clear research plan for doctoral students.
• Coverage: Full or partial tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodation, and living expenses.
• Courses: Master’s, Ph.D., and research programs in various fields.
• Website: DAAD Scholarships

5. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (EU)

• Offered By: European Commission
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students applying to select joint Master’s and Doctoral programs offered by universities in multiple EU countries.
  • Strong academic record and the required language proficiency.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, travel costs, monthly living stipend, and insurance.
• Courses: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in a variety of fields.
• Website: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

6. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)

• Offered By: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students wishing to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. at a UK university.
  • Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and the potential for leadership.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, and allowances.
• Courses: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in various fields.
• Website: Commonwealth Scholarship

7. Tata Scholarship for Cornell University (USA)

• Offered By: Tata Education and Development Trust
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students who wish to study at Cornell University in the USA.
  • Applicants must be from low-income families with excellent academic credentials.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees and living expenses for up to four years.
• Courses: Undergraduate programs in various fields.
• Website: Tata Cornell Scholarship

8. Clarendon Fund Scholarships (UK)

• Offered By: University of Oxford
• Eligibility:
  • International students applying for full-time graduate courses at the University of Oxford.
  • Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees and a generous living stipend.
• Courses: Master’s and doctoral programs in various fields.
• Website: Clarendon Fund

9. University-Specific Scholarships (Global)

Many universities around the world offer their own scholarships for international students. Some of the most prominent ones include:

• University of Melbourne International Scholarships (Australia): For undergraduate and graduate students.
• Stanford University Graduate Fellowships (USA): For postgraduate students, especially in research-oriented programs.
• University of Toronto International Scholar Award (Canada): For undergraduate international students.

10. MEXT Scholarships (Japan)

• Offered By: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students who wish to pursue undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degrees in Japan.
  • Applicants must have a strong academic record and a clear plan for future contributions to their home country.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, travel costs, living expenses, and a monthly stipend.
• Courses: Undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. programs in various fields.
• Website: MEXT Scholarship

11. The Rhodes Scholarships (UK)

• Offered By: Rhodes Trust, University of Oxford
• Eligibility:
  • Indian students with exceptional academic and leadership achievements.
  • The scholarship is for those applying for graduate studies at the University of Oxford.
• Coverage: Full tuition fees, living expenses, and airfare.
• Courses: Graduate and postgraduate programs, primarily at Oxford University.
• Website: Rhodes Scholarships

12. Indian Government Scholarships for Study Abroad

• Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarships (for students studying in the USA).
• National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (for postgraduate students).
• MEA Scholarship Scheme (for study in various countries).

These scholarships typically have specific eligibility criteria and are offered to students from marginalized backgrounds, SC/ST communities, and economically weaker sections.