When people think of graduate school abroad, one of the first concerns that comes up is: “How much will it cost me?” For many students and recent graduates, the dream of pursuing a master’s in Europe or Asia fades quickly when tuition, travel, and living costs start adding up.
But here’s the secret: there are fully funded master’s programs that cover it all — tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even your flight.
At Paths Unlocked, we’re on a mission to show that international education can be accessible, affordable, and even financially supported. In fact, our founder, Miranda, is living proof. She completed her master’s through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program with a full scholarship.
In this series, we’re going to spotlight some of the best fully funded master’s programs out there. Whether you’re finishing your undergrad, working and ready to go back to academia, or looking to shift your career, there’s likely a fully funded program for you.
What Does “Fully Funded” Actually Mean?
A fully funded master’s program typically includes:
- Full tuition coverage
- A monthly stipend to cover living costs (often €800–€1,200/month)
- Additional support like travel reimbursements, visa assistance, or health insurance
Some programs also offer fee waivers, merit-based bonuses, or paid internships as part of the curriculum.
Examples of Fully Funded Scholarships
MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
- Requires strong academic performance and interest in Japanese culture or research.
- Offered by the Government of Japan to international students.
- Covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and flights.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (Europe)
- Over 200+ master’s degrees are available through the Erasmus Mundus scheme.
- Most programs offers full scholarships for two-year master’s programs across multiple European countries.
- Includes tuition and a monthly stipend of €1,400
- Programs range from sustainability to public health to engineering.
New to Erasmus Mundus?
Check out this step-by-step UDEMY course where Miranda breaks down how to search for eligible programs, craft a standout application, and avoid common pitfalls.
✨ Bonus: Everyone who enrolls in the course is invited to join live group coaching sessions where you can ask questions, meet other applicants, and get expert insight on how to stand out.
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Covers tuition (where applicable), monthly living stipend, and travel allowance.
- A popular UDEMY course breaks down the application process step-by-step for beginners.
Melbourne Research Scholarship (Australia)
- For students pursuing master’s degrees at the University of Melbourne.
- Full fee offset for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree.
- A fortnightly stipend with a rate of $38,500 per year for up to two years for students undertaking a Masters by Research degree.
- A one-off relocation allowance of $3,000 for students moving from outside Australia.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Single Membership for international students who require a student visa to study in Australia.
Master Mind Scholarships (Belgium)
- Open to top international students studying in Flanders.
- Offers €9,600/year plus tuition waiver.
- Hosted by a range of top universities including KU Leuven and Ghent University.
Padua International Excellence Scholarships (Italy)
- Full tuition fee waiver plus €8,000 per year.
- Ideal for students seeking high-ranking universities in Italy with programs in English.
University of Milan Excellence Scholarships (Italy)
- Covers full tuition and offers scholarships for top-performing international students.
- Offers master’s programs across a wide range of fields.
Talents 4 UniTo Scholarships – University of Turin (Italy)
- Designed to attract outstanding international students.
- Offers tuition waivers and living allowance for selected master’s programs.