Yes, Indian students can get scholarships to study abroad, but eligibility, funding, and competition vary by scholarship. There is no single application that works for every award. Getting one comes down to matching your academic profile to the right scholarship, meeting its specific eligibility criteria, and applying early with strong documents.
Quick Answer: Find scholarships that match your course, university, and academic profile. Check eligibility carefully, since criteria vary by programme. Prepare strong documents, including your SOP, LORs, and transcripts. Apply early, since scholarship deadlines are often earlier than admission deadlines. Apply to multiple suitable scholarships rather than relying on one.
Most Indian students search too broadly and miss scholarships that actually match their profile. A more reliable process:
Scholarships differ by funding basis and by source, and the two are not the same thing.
By funding basis: merit-based (academic performance, test scores, achievements), need-based (demonstrated financial need), or merit-cum-need, common among private Indian foundations.
By source:
Related terms are often used loosely: a grant typically funds a specific purpose like research; a fellowship is usually for postgraduate or research-level candidates; a tuition waiver covers fees only, not living costs; a fully funded scholarship generally covers tuition plus living expenses, and sometimes travel or insurance, though this varies by programme.
Eligibility criteria vary significantly by scholarship. Depending on the programme, you may be assessed on:
These details change by intake year, so confirm current eligibility on the scholarship’s official website before applying.
Different scholarships value different qualities, so there is no universal profile that guarantees selection. Depending on the award, committees may consider consistent academic performance, leadership roles, volunteering or social impact work, research experience or publications (mainly for postgraduate and PhD scholarships), relevant internships, and a clearly defined career goal connected to your course.
You do not need to collect every activity on this list. Merit-based awards weigh academics and test scores more heavily, while leadership-focused scholarships like Chevening place more weight on professional impact and future plans. Start building a relevant profile at least a year before you plan to apply.
Requirements vary, but commonly requested documents include:
Write a fresh SOP for each scholarship rather than reusing your university application essay. Reviewers can tell when an SOP has been generalized, and it is a common reason strong applicants get rejected.
A “100% scholarship” does not automatically mean every study-abroad expense is covered. Coverage depends entirely on the specific programme:
Fully funded scholarships are highly competitive, and there is no guaranteed way to secure one. Strengthen your chances with a strong academic record, English scores well above the minimum, genuine leadership or research experience, and an early application. Always read the “what this covers” section on the official page, since two programmes that both call themselves “fully funded” can cover different things.
| Scholarship | Provider | Study Level | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office | Master’s (one year) | Tuition, living costs, travel, and visa fees |
| DAAD | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Master’s, PhD, research stays | Varies by programme; often includes a stipend, insurance, and travel allowance |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (UK) | Master’s, PhD | Varies by category; most categories are fully funded |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | European Commission (Erasmus+), via university consortium | Master’s (multi-country) | Varies by programme; typically tuition, living allowance, and travel contribution |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | Master’s, MPhil, PhD | Tuition, living costs, and related expenses, up to a capped amount |
| University-specific scholarships | Individual universities | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Varies by university; often partial |
DAAD is not one scholarship but a group of more than two dozen funding programmes, each with its own eligibility and structure. Requirements and funding vary by programme and intake, so check the official provider website before applying.
Most scholarships Indian students receive are partial, not fully funded. If your scholarship covers tuition but not living costs, or only part of the fees, the remaining amount still needs to be funded somehow.
This is where a Study Abroad Education Loan is commonly used to bridge the gap. The two are not the same:
Many Indian students combine a partial scholarship with an Education Loan for Abroad Studies to cover the remaining tuition and living costs. Students without a co-applicant or collateral to offer can also look into an Education Loan Without Collateral, depending on eligibility.
Important: Scholarship eligibility, funding, and deadlines can change by programme and academic year. Always verify current information with the official scholarship provider or university before applying.
Getting a scholarship to study abroad is a research-heavy process, not a one-time application. Shortlist scholarships that genuinely match your profile, apply to more than one, and confirm exactly what each award covers before you plan your budget around it. If a scholarship covers only part of your costs, speak with a Wecare Capital education-loan advisor to understand how an education loan can cover the rest.
Match your profile to scholarships that fit your course and study level, then apply with a strong SOP, LORs, and transcripts before the deadline. Applying to more than one scholarship improves your overall chances.
Qualification depends on the scholarship but generally involves academic marks, English test scores, sometimes work experience, and for need-based awards, proof of family income. Check each scholarship’s official eligibility page.
Check your shortlisted universities’ financial aid pages, official government databases like DAAD’s scholarship search or the Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission websites, and private foundations relevant to your field.
It is possible but highly competitive. Fully funded scholarships like Chevening or Erasmus Mundus exist, but selection depends on academic strength, leadership, and programme fit. There is no guaranteed path to a full scholarship.
It depends on the programme. Most cover tuition and living expenses, and some also include travel, visa fees, or insurance. Always check the specific coverage on the scholarship’s official page.
Some undergraduate scholarships exist for students applying straight after school, usually offered directly by universities. Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships fund postgraduate study, not undergraduate admissions.
Commonly requested documents include academic transcripts, SOP, LORs, English scores, a passport copy, and financial documents for need-based scholarships. Some also require a confirmed admission offer.
You can use an education loan for the remaining tuition and living costs. A scholarship and a loan are not the same: one generally doesn’t require repayment, the other does.
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