Scholarships in Europe for international students

Europe has dozens of scholarships for international students, but only a handful pay a monthly stipend large enough to live on. This page compares the main ones side by side so you can see, in one place, which country pays what, at which degree level, and where to read the full guide.

The biggest monthly payment is not always the best deal. Stipendium Hungaricum pays only about EUR 110 a month in cash, but it also covers tuition and helps with housing. Eiffel pays EUR 1,200 a month to master’s students, but does not cover tuition. Read what each one covers before you decide.

Main European Scholarships Compared

Scholarship	Country	Level	Monthly money	Worth knowing
Erasmus Mundus	2+ countries	Master’s	EUR 1,400	Also covers programme costs and travel
Eiffel Excellence	France	Master’s, PhD	EUR 1,200 / EUR 2,000	Tuition not covered; university must nominate you
Swiss Government Excellence	Switzerland	PhD, research	CHF 2,450	Not for taught master’s degrees
Swedish Institute (SISGP)	Sweden	Master’s	SEK 12,000	Covers tuition; work experience required
Stipendium Hungaricum	Hungary	Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD	HUF 43,700 (about EUR 110)	Free tuition plus housing support
DAAD	Germany	Master’s, PhD	Under EUR 1,000 for master’s	Many separate programmes, each with its own rules
Ernst Mach Grant	Austria	Research stays	EUR 1,300	For research visits, not a full degree

How to Choose the Right One

You have work experience: look at the Swedish Institute scholarship and DAAD EPOS courses first. Both value professional experience.
You have strong grades but no work experience: Erasmus Mundus and Eiffel are the stronger fits.
You want a bachelor’s degree: your realistic options are Stipendium Hungaricum and Italy’s DSU grant. Full bachelor’s scholarships are rare in Europe.
You want a PhD: start with the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship and Eiffel’s doctoral track.

Browse by Degree or Country

By degree: bachelor’s scholarships, master’s scholarships, PhD scholarships.

By country: Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, Austria.

Common Questions

Which European scholarship pays the most?

Among the ones above, the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship pays the most per month: CHF 2,450 for doctoral students from 2026. But Switzerland is also one of the most expensive countries to live in, so compare the stipend with local rent before deciding.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Usually yes, you can apply to several. But most scholarships do not let you hold two government scholarships at the same time. If you win two, you will normally have to choose one.

Are these scholarships open to students from Pakistan, India and Africa?

Most are, but not all. VLIR-UOS, ARES and the Swedish Institute scholarship are limited to a list of eligible countries. Check the country list in each guide before you start.

Figures checked October 2026. Always confirm amounts and deadlines on the official scholarship website.