How Can I Find European Scholarships as a Non-EU Student?

Which European countries offer scholarships to non-EU students?

Scholarships for non-EU students are available across European destinations, but the rules are set by each country, institution and award. The European Education Area’s funding guide identifies country-specific schemes and directs applicants to country profiles; it does not provide one Europe-wide eligibility rule.

Start with the destination country’s official profile and scholarship pages, then check the university pages for the degree you want. A country scheme can have citizenship restrictions even when its universities admit international applicants. Read the award’s eligible-country list and study-level requirements before investing time in an application.

For a concrete example, the Swedish Institute’s Scholarship for Global Professionals is open to citizens of 34 specified countries and supports eligible full-time master’s studies lasting one or two years. Applicants must meet citizenship and programme requirements, be liable for Swedish tuition fees, and show work and leadership experience. These are award-specific conditions, not a template for every Swedish or European scholarship.

Compare opportunities by source of funding. Government awards often define eligible nationalities and policy goals; university awards are tied to institution or programme criteria; regional and joint programmes can involve study across several countries. Erasmus Mundus is open to students from anywhere in the world, while Chevening serves eligible applicants from participating countries seeking a one-year master’s degree in the UK.

Can a scholarship cover both tuition and living costs?

Yes, some European scholarships cover tuition and provide living support, but coverage differs by award and is not guaranteed by the word “scholarship.” The European Education Area says some schemes cover part of tuition, while others cover all tuition and support living costs too.

Read the funding terms as separate line items. Look for tuition or participation fees, monthly living allowance, travel grant, visa costs, duration, payment timing and any expenses left to the student. Erasmus Mundus full scholarships cover programme participation costs and contribute to travel, visa and living expenses. The wording matters: a contribution toward living costs is not a promise to pay every expense.

The Swedish Institute lists full tuition coverage, a monthly living allowance of SEK 12,000, and a one-time travel grant of SEK 15,000—or SEK 10,000 for specified countries. The fee is paid directly to the Swedish university each semester. Check the current scholarship page for the rules that apply to your citizenship and application cycle.

DAAD offers another useful distinction. Its guidance says master’s scholarship holders typically receive €992 per month, while warning that payments may not cover all living costs, especially in high-rent university towns. A monthly stipend is a defined contribution, not proof that a student’s full budget is funded.

Use this comparison to shortlist, not to assume identical terms across years or programmes. The official scholarship call is the final source for what is paid and what remains your responsibility.

Where can I find scholarships for a master's degree in Europe?

For master’s funding, begin with official programme and government pages, then use scholarship databases to widen the search. The European Education Area points applicants to Erasmus Mundus, university scholarship pages, EURAXESS for research and doctoral funding, and scholarship databases. It reports more than 1,000 Europe-and-beyond opportunities listed in Scholarshipportal, searchable by study level, home country and destination.

For Erasmus Mundus, search the programme catalogue and confirm the course’s own admissions page. The European Commission says programmes involve at least three higher education institutions in at least three countries and last one to two academic years (60, 90 or 120 ECTS). Applicants need a bachelor’s degree or must be in their final year and graduate before the programme starts. Apply directly to the institution running the programme; most application periods fall between October and January for courses starting the following academic year.

For Germany, use DAAD’s scholarship listings and read the individual call closely. Eligibility can depend on country of origin, current residence, time since the last degree and programme conditions. Language proof also depends on the call: check which evidence it accepts rather than assuming one test or document works for every programme.

For Sweden, the scholarship and university applications run on distinct timelines. For the listed 2027/28 cycle, applications to master’s programmes through University Admissions run from 16 October 2026 to 15 January 2027; the SI scholarship portal opens from 8 to 24 February 2027. Applicants must be admitted or conditionally admitted to an eligible programme on the university admissions announcement date. Verify dates on the official pages for the cycle you are applying to.

Chevening applicants should use the official course finder and its separate eligibility, work-experience and timeline guidance. Its requirements depend on the applicant’s participating country and the award’s current rules. Across all routes, make a calendar that includes course admission, scholarship opening and closing dates, document preparation and any required decision date. A strong application submitted after the deadline is still late.

Build the application around the call, not around a generic checklist. First confirm nationality, degree level, graduation timing, programme eligibility and language requirements. Then gather only the requested evidence and leave time to secure official records. The Swedish Institute lists a CV and work and leadership evidence among its materials; DAAD says its call specifies documents. These examples show why checking each list matters.

Scholarship search is a process of matching, not collecting. A short list of awards whose nationality, study level, admission sequence and funding terms fit your situation is more useful than a long list of unverified links.