We've done the deep dive so you don't have to. This guide covers the top fully-funded Master's scholarships for women across the USA, UK, Europe, Asia, and beyond - with direct application links, eligibility requirements, and insider tips to help your application stand out.
Let's get you funded. 💪
What Does "Fully Funded" Actually Mean?
Before we dive in, let's be clear on what fully funded means, because not all scholarships are created equal. A fully funded scholarship typically covers:
- ✅ Tuition fees (100%)
- ✅ Monthly living stipend
- ✅ Round-trip airfare
- ✅ Health insurance
- ✅ Books & research allowance
Some even include language training, family allowances, and networking trips. These are the ones we've focused on below.
The Ultimate List: Fully-Funded Master's Scholarships for Women (2026)
1. Chevening Scholarships - United Kingdom
Who it's for: Outstanding women (and men) from 160+ countries with leadership potential
Covers: Full tuition + living allowance + flights + visa fees
Duration: 01 year Master's at any UK university
Open to women? Absolutely - Chevening actively encourages women applicants and has strong gender equity goals
Deadline: Typically November each year
Chevening is one of the UK government's most prestigious awards. It's not just a scholarship - it's a lifelong fellowship that opens doors to global networks, alumni events, and influential communities.
🔗 Apply here: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/
💡 Tip: Chevening looks for leadership stories. In your essays, focus on specific moments where you led change - not just titles you held.
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program - USA
Who it's for: Women from outside the USA pursuing graduate study or research
Covers: Tuition + living stipend + airfare + health insurance
Duration: 1-2 years (Master's or PhD)
Open to women? Yes -many country programs prioritise women in STEM and public policy
Deadline: Varies by country (typically June - October)
Fulbright is arguably the most recognised academic exchange program in the world, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Alumni include heads of state, Nobel Prize winners, and global innovators.
🔗 Apply here: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/host-institutions/foreign-student-program/visiting-student-researchers
💡 Tip: Apply through your home country's Fulbright commission - each country has its own process and deadlines.
3. AAUW International Fellowships - USA
Who it's for: Women who are not US citizens or permanent residents, pursuing full time graduate study in the US
Covers: $18,000 - $30,000 per fellowship year
Duration: 1 academic year
Open to women? Women-only ✨
Deadline: November annually
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been funding women's education since 1888. Their International Fellowship is one of the most respected women-only awards in the world.
🔗 Apply here: www.aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/current-opportunities/international
💡 Tip: AAUW values women who are committed to giving back to their communities. Make your community impact the hero of your application.
4. Gates Cambridge Scholarship - University of Cambridge, UK
Who it's for: Outstanding applicants from outside the UK for postgraduate study at Cambridge
Covers: Full tuition + maintenance allowance + airfare + family allowance
Duration: Full duration of postgraduate program
Open to women? Yes - Gates Cambridge has strong commitments to gender equity
Deadline: October - December (varies by course)
Gates Cambridge is one of the most competitive scholarships in the world, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Scholars are chosen not just for academic excellence but for their commitment to improving lives globally.
🔗 Apply here: https://www.gatescambridge.org/programme/the-scholarship/
💡 Tip: Your leadership and social impact story matters as much as your GPA here. Think big picture.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees - Europe
Who it's for: Students worldwide (including women from developing countries - prioritised)
Covers: Full tuition + monthly stipend (~€1,000) + travel costs + insurance
Duration: 1–2 years (study in 2–3 European countries)
Open to women? Yes - women from underrepresented regions are actively encouraged
Deadline: January - February annually
Erasmus Mundus lets you earn a joint degree from multiple European universities. It's a unique experience that combines academic excellence with genuine multicultural immersion.
💡 Tip: Each Erasmus Mundus program has its own application portal - explore the catalogue to find a program matching your field.
6. Australia Awards Scholarships
Who it's for: Women and men from eligible Indo-Pacific, African, and Middle Eastern countries
Covers: Full tuition + return airfare + living allowance + health cover + pre-course English training
Duration: Full duration of Master's program
Open to women? Strongly encouraged - Australia Awards prioritises gender equity
Deadline: February - April (varies by country)
Australia Awards are funded by the Australian Government and are one of the most generous scholarship programs in the world. Many programs specifically reserve spots for women applicants.
🔗 Apply here: https://www.australiaawardspng.org/scholarships
💡 Tip: Check if your country has a dedicated women's quota under Australia Awards - some do, which significantly improves your odds.
7. Korean Government Scholarship Program - South Korea
Who it's for: International students including women, from eligible countries
Covers: Full tuition + round-trip airfare + monthly stipend + Korean language training + health insurance
Duration: 1 year language training + 2 years Master's
Open to women? Yes
Deadline: February-April annually
South Korea is rapidly becoming a global education powerhouse, and KGSP is your ticket in - fully paid. The program includes intensive Korean language training before your degree begins.
🔗 Apply here: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/in/plan/scholarship.do
💡 Tip: You can apply through both your home country's Korean embassy AND directly through universities - apply through both channels to double your chances.
8. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
Who it's for: Mid-career professionals from select countries (many in Africa, Asia, Latin America)
Covers: Full tuition + monthly living allowance + travel grant + insurance
Duration: Full Master's program (1 - 2 years)
Open to women? Yes - women are actively encouraged, especially in leadership fields
Deadline: February annually
Sweden consistently ranks among the top countries for gender equality, and this scholarship reflects those values. It's ideal for women already working in leadership roles who want to level up.
🔗 Apply here: www.si.se/en/apply/scholarships/swedish-institute-scholarships-for-global-professionals
💡 Tip: You must already have 3,000+ hours of professional experience. This one's for women who've already been doing the work.
9. DAAD Scholarships - Germany
Who it's for: International students and researchers worldwide
Covers: Monthly stipend (~€850-€1,200) + health insurance + travel allowance + tuition (at public universities = free!)
Duration: Varies (Master's programs typically 1-2 years)
Open to women? Yes - women in STEM especially encouraged
Deadline: Varies by program and university (typically October - November)
Germany's public universities charge little to no tuition, making DAAD one of the most financially powerful scholarships on this list. Add their generous stipend and you're truly studying for free.
🔗 Apply here: www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships
💡 Tip: Start learning basic German even before you apply. DAAD values cultural integration and it shows genuine commitment.
10. Commonwealth Scholarship -UK (For Commonwealth Nations)
Who it's for: Citizens of Commonwealth countries applying to UK universities
Covers: Tuition + airfare + living allowance + thesis grant
Duration: 1-3 years
Open to women? Yes - specific quotas for women and people with disabilities
Deadline: October - December annually
If you're from a Commonwealth nation, this is one of your most powerful options. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) specifically targets candidates from low- and middle-income countries.
🔗 Apply here: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply
11. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program - USA
Who it's for: Mid-career professionals (women especially encouraged) from designated countries
Covers: Tuition + living stipend + airfare + health insurance + professional development funds
Duration: 10 months
Open to women? Actively encourages women applicants
Deadline: Varies by country (typically June - August)
This U.S. State Department program is for women who are already making an impact in fields like public health, education, law, and journalism. It's less academic, more transformational.
🔗 Apply here: https://www.humphreyfellowship.org/how-to-apply/eligibility/
12. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship - USA
Who it's for: Women from outside the USA and Canada pursuing graduate study in the US or Canada
Covers: Up to $12,500 per year
Duration: Renewable annually
Open to women? Women-only 💜
Deadline: December 15 annually
P.E.O. is a sisterhood of women supporting women in education since 1869. This scholarship is specifically and exclusively for international women, and it's renewable.
🔗 Apply here: https://www.peointernational.org/educational-support/scholar-awards/
🎯 How to Make Your Application Stand Out (Especially as a Woman)
Getting shortlisted isn't just about grades. Here's what actually moves the needle:
1. Own Your Story Scholarship committees read thousands of generic applications. The women who win are the ones who share specific, personal stories - the challenge they faced, how they responded, and why this degree is the next chapter.
2. Quantify Your Impact Don't just say "I worked with a nonprofit." Say: "I coordinated a team of 12 volunteers that reached 3,400 women in rural communities." Numbers make your story real.
3. Apply to Multiple Scholarships Simultaneously Most women apply to just one or two. Apply to five or more - the effort of applying multiplies your chances far more than perfecting a single application.
4. Get Your Recommendation Letters Right Choose recommenders who have seen you in action - not just impressive titles. A mid-level professor who watched you lead a project is more valuable than a dean who barely knows your name.
5. Start 6 Months Before the Deadline The strongest applications are built over months, not weeks. Research, draft, get feedback, revise - give yourself that time.
💬 Final Thoughts: Your Education Is Worth Fighting For
The women who win these scholarships aren't necessarily the smartest or the most privileged. They're the ones who showed up, applied, and told their truth.
Every single scholarship on this list was designed with one goal: to get more talented, driven women into positions of global influence and leadership. That's you.
Share this blog with a woman in your life who needs to see it. And then - apply.
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