Scholarship in Europe 2026-27 for International Students

Studying in Europe may feel like a big dream, but it is more
achievable than many school students think. Every year, governments,
universities and student-aid organisations across Europe offer
undergraduate scholarships to help international
students start their bachelor’s degree. Some awards reduce tuition fees,
while others also support living costs. With early planning and a strong
application, a European degree can be within reach. This guide will help
you explore your options and take the first step with confidence.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is written for students in Grade 11 or Grade 12 (or
equivalent) who want to begin a bachelor’s degree in Europe. Many of the
best-known European scholarships, such as Erasmus Mundus, Eiffel and
Clarendon, are only for Master’s or PhD study, so they are not included
here. Every scholarship below accepts students applying straight from
school.

Government-Funded
Undergraduate Scholarships in Europe

Government and regional programmes are some of the most accessible
scholarships for international undergraduate students in
Europe. Each one has its own nationality, income or university
rules, so being an international student does not automatically make
someone eligible.

NL Scholarship
(formerly Holland Scholarship)

The NL Scholarship, previously called the Holland Scholarship, is
funded by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science together
with participating Dutch universities. It supports students from outside
the European Economic Area (EEA) who are starting a full-time bachelor’s
or master’s programme in the Netherlands.

Study level: Bachelor’s and Master’s

Funding: €5,000, paid once during the first year of
study. It is a partial award, not a full-tuition scholarship.

Who can apply: Non-EEA students applying to a
full-time programme at a participating Dutch institution, who meet that
institution’s entry requirements and do not already hold a Dutch
degree.

How to apply: There is no central application.
Students choose an eligible bachelor’s programme, apply for admission
and then follow that university’s NL Scholarship procedure. Many
universities ask for a short motivation letter.

The list of participating universities changes each year, and each
institution sets its own closing date. For the 2026–27 cycle,
applications opened on 1 November 2025, with many deadlines falling on 1
February or 1 May. Students can check participating institutions through
the official NL
Scholarship page on Study in NL.

Stipendium Hungaricum
Scholarship

Stipendium Hungaricum is the Hungarian Government’s scholarship
programme for international students. It is one of the few government
scholarships in Europe that fully supports bachelor’s study.

Study level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, one-tier
Master’s, doctoral and preparatory programmes

Funding: Tuition-free study, a monthly stipend, a
dormitory place or a housing contribution, and medical insurance.

Who can apply: Citizens of countries that have an
education agreement with Hungary, including India. Eligible fields of
study depend on the student’s country.

For 2026–27, bachelor’s students received a monthly stipend of HUF
43,700 and either a dormitory place or a housing contribution of HUF
40,000 per month. These payments help with living costs but may not
cover all expenses.

How to apply: Students apply online, choosing up to
two programmes from around 900 courses at 30 Hungarian universities.
Applicants may also need to follow a nomination process through the
scholarship authority in their home country.

The 2026–27 round closed on 15 January 2026.
Hungarian universities have indicated that the 2027–28 application
period will open in November 2026. Students should follow the Stipendium Hungaricum
application guidance for the new call and deadline.

Italy DSU Regional
Scholarships

In Italy, the right-to-study (DSU) scholarship is run by regional
agencies such as EDISU Piemonte, Lazio DiSCo, ER.GO in Emilia-Romagna
and DSU Toscana. It is based on family finances rather than marks, and
it is open to international students at public universities in each
region.

Study level: Bachelor’s, Master’s and single-cycle
degrees

Funding: Depending on the region and the family’s
financial situation, support can include a tuition exemption, a cash
scholarship, a university housing place and subsidised meals.

Who can apply: Students enrolling at a public
university in the region whose family income and assets fall below the
regional limit. International students usually prove this with an ISEE
Parificato certificate.

As one example, EDISU Piemonte set a university ISEE limit of
€26,306.25 for 2025–26, and applications for 2026–27 ran from 22 July to
4 September 2026 through the EDISU Piemonte website.
Other regions publish their own rules and dates.

How to apply: Students first secure admission to an
Italian public university, then apply to the regional agency for that
university. Family income, property and bank documents usually need
official translation and legalisation, so this paperwork should begin
several months before the deadline. From the second year onward,
students must also earn a minimum number of credits to keep the
scholarship.

Deutschlandstipendium
and Low-Tuition Study in Germany

Most public universities in Germany charge little or no tuition for
bachelor’s degrees, although some states, such as Baden-Württemberg,
charge fees to non-EU students. For many international undergraduates,
choosing a public German university is itself a major way to reduce
costs.

The Deutschlandstipendium adds to this. Half of the funding comes
from the German federal government and half from private sponsors, and
each participating university selects its own scholars.

Study level: Bachelor’s and Master’s

Funding: €300 per month, not linked to family
income, usually awarded for one year and renewable.

Who can apply: Students of any nationality who are
enrolled, or about to begin their studies, at a participating German
university. Selection considers academic results along with personal
achievements and social engagement.

How to apply: Applications go directly to the
university, usually once a year. For example, TUM accepts applications
from school graduates who will start at TUM in the coming semester, and
its next application period will take place in summer 2027. Students can
see how the process works on the TUM
Deutschlandstipendium page.

Important for school students: Some school
qualifications do not give direct entry to German bachelor’s programmes.
Depending on their board and subjects, students may need a foundation
year (Studienkolleg) or university study at home first, so they should
confirm entry requirements before planning around German
scholarships.

University
Scholarships in Europe for International Undergraduate Students

Many European universities offer their own awards to first-year
international students. These are usually tied to admission, so the
application timing matters as much as the student’s profile.

Bocconi
University Scholarships for Bachelor’s Students

Bocconi in Milan is one of Europe’s leading universities for
economics, management, finance and law. For first-year Bachelor of
Science and Law students in 2026–27, tuition and fees were set at around
€17,000 per year.

Study level: Bachelor’s and Law programmes

Funding: Under the Bocconi4Access to Education
scheme, international first-year students can receive tuition waivers
from 20% up to 100%, depending on their family’s financial situation.
Bocconi also offers full tuition exemptions to its most deserving
students.

Who can apply: International students enrolling in
the first year of a Bachelor’s or Law programme.

How to apply: Students first apply for admission.
For 2027–28, Bocconi runs Early and Winter selection sessions and
advises applying early, both for admission chances and for access to
financial aid. After enrolling, families submit a single Bocconi4Access
to Education application with financial documents, and results are
published around 10 weeks after the deadline. Full details are on the Bocconi
Bachelor and Law programmes page.

Padua International
Excellence Scholarship

The University of Padua, one of Europe’s oldest universities, offers
this merit scholarship to top international applicants for its
English-taught degrees.

Study level: Bachelor’s, single-cycle and Master’s
programmes taught in English

Funding: A full tuition waiver plus €8,000 (gross)
per year, for up to three years on a bachelor’s degree. Students only
pay the regional tax and stamp duty.

Who can apply: Non-Italian students with a foreign
secondary school certificate who apply to an eligible English-taught
programme.

Up to 69 scholarships were offered for 2026–27. The award is paid in
two instalments each year, and students must meet credit targets to keep
it. Recipients cannot hold another scholarship at the same time.

How to apply: There is no separate form. Eligible
applicants are automatically considered when they apply for an
English-taught degree, and scholarships go mainly to candidates from the
first application round. Students can review the current call on the Padua
International Excellence Scholarship Programme page.

Sciences Po Émile Boutmy
Scholarship

Sciences Po in Paris created the Émile Boutmy scholarship to attract
strong students from outside the European Union to its undergraduate and
Master’s programmes.

Study level: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) and
Master’s

Funding: For undergraduates, either a full tuition
exemption or a €9,500 reduction in tuition fees.

Who can apply: First-time Sciences Po applicants
from a non-EU country whose household does not file taxes in the EU, and
who are admitted to the undergraduate programme.

How to apply: Students must request the scholarship
in the “Financial information” section of the Sciences Po admission
application. It cannot be requested after admission, and it is lost if
the student defers entry. See the Émile
Boutmy scholarship page for current conditions.

IE University
Undergraduate Scholarships

IE University, with campuses in Madrid and Segovia, offers bachelor’s
degrees in business, technology, law, design, international relations
and other fields.

Study level: Bachelor’s

Funding: Partial tuition awards, plus a small number
of donor-funded scholarships that can cover much more for exceptional
students with financial need.

Who can apply: Admitted undergraduate students of
any nationality. IE Awards consider both merit and financial need.

How to apply: Students apply for admission first.
Once they receive an offer, they can complete IE’s online financial aid
application and select up to three awards, although only one can be
received. The deadline for IE Awards is the programme start date, but
funds are limited, so earlier applications are better. Details are on
IE’s undergraduate
awards and scholarships page.

Trinity
College Dublin Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship

Trinity College Dublin offers this scholarship to high-achieving
international students entering a full-time undergraduate degree.

Study level: Bachelor’s

Funding: Between €2,000 and €5,000 depending on the
student’s region, applied as a reduction to first-year tuition fees.

Who can apply: Students with non-EU fee status who
hold an offer for year one of an eligible undergraduate course.

Medicine, dentistry, acting, engineering, natural sciences, and
computer science and statistics are excluded from this scheme, although
school-level awards may exist for some of those courses. Trinity has
also run country-specific awards, so Indian students should confirm
which scholarship applies to them with Trinity’s regional team.

How to apply: Students apply separately after
receiving a course offer, including a short statement on how they will
contribute to the Trinity community. For 2026 entry, regional deadlines
ranged from 1 April to 15 July 2026. The current rules are on the Global
Excellence Undergraduate Scholarships page.

Lund University Global
Scholarship

Lund University in Sweden offers this merit-based scholarship mainly
to Master’s applicants, but a small number of bachelor’s programmes are
also eligible.

Study level: Mainly Master’s. At bachelor’s level,
only Development Studies, Mathematics, Physics and Physical Geography
are eligible.

Funding: Part or all of tuition fees. It
does not cover living costs.

Who can apply: Citizens of countries outside the
EU/EEA and Switzerland who must pay tuition fees and who rank the Lund
programme as their first choice.

How to apply: Students first apply through Sweden’s
national admissions website, universityadmissions.se, and pay the
application fee. They then apply for the scholarship through Lund’s
separate portal. The 2026 deadline was 16 February 2026, so 2027
applicants should watch the Lund
University Global Scholarship page for new dates.

If you’re also considering other countries, explore these study
abroad scholarships for undergraduate students to
compare opportunities in the USA, UK, Canada and beyond.

What
School Students Should Know About Undergraduate Funding in Europe

Undergraduate scholarships in Europe work differently from
postgraduate awards. Knowing these patterns early helps families plan a
realistic budget.

• Fully funded awards are rare. Most undergraduate
  scholarships reduce tuition rather than covering every cost. Stipendium
  Hungaricum, the Padua Excellence Scholarship and Italy’s DSU grants are
  among the few that also help with living expenses.

• Admission and scholarship are often linked. Awards
  at Padua and Sciences Po are decided through the admission application,
  while Trinity, IE and Bocconi’s need-based aid require an offer or
  enrolment first.

• Low tuition can matter as much as a scholarship.
  Public universities in Germany and Italy can cost far less than private
  universities, even without an award.

• Living costs still need a plan. Many student visas
  require proof of funds for living expenses, even when tuition is fully
  waived.

How
to Get a Scholarship for a Bachelor’s Degree in Europe

1. Start Planning in Grade 11

Undergraduate scholarship decisions are based largely on school
results, so Grade 10, Grade 11 and predicted or mid-year Grade 12 marks
all matter. Starting early gives students time to choose courses,
prepare for any required tests and build a strong profile.

2. Check That
Your School Qualification Is Accepted

Entry rules differ by country and university. Students with CBSE,
ISC, state board, IB or A-level qualifications should check:

• Minimum marks and required subjects for the chosen course

• Whether an entrance test such as the SAT, or a university’s own
  admission test, is needed

• English language requirements such as IELTS or TOEFL

• Whether a foundation year is needed, which is common for some
  students applying to Germany

• Recognition documents, such as a Declaration of Value or CIMEA
  statement for Italy

3. Match Scholarships to
Your Profile

Shortlist awards that fit the student’s nationality, course, marks
and family finances. Merit awards such as Padua, Sciences Po and Trinity
reward strong academic records, while DSU grants and Bocconi’s access
scheme are mainly based on family income.

4. Understand Each
Application Route

• Stipendium Hungaricum: Apply online through the
  national portal, with possible nomination from the home country.

• Padua: Considered automatically when applying for an
  English-taught degree.

• Sciences Po: Request the scholarship inside the
  admission application.

• Trinity, IE and Lund: Submit a separate scholarship
  application after applying or receiving an offer.

• Bocconi access scheme and Italian DSU: Apply after
  admission or enrolment, with family financial documents.

5. Prepare the Required
Documents

Common documents for undergraduate scholarship applications
include:

• Passport

• Grade 10, Grade 11 and available Grade 12 mark sheets

• School leaving certificate or predicted grades where required

• English test results and any required entrance test scores

• Motivation letter or personal statement

• Teacher or counsellor recommendation letters

• Certificates for activities, competitions, sports or community
  service

• Family income and asset documents for need-based scholarships

Always follow the checklist published by the awarding organisation,
since requirements differ between scholarships.

6. Apply Through the Official
Route

Scholarship listing websites can help with research, but eligibility,
deadlines and applications should always be confirmed with the
government, agency or university itself.

Indian families comparing funding options across countries can also
read the broader guide to scholarships
for Indian students to study abroad.

When
Should School Students Apply for Scholarships in Europe?

Students should begin researching universities and scholarships
during Grade 11, about 18 months before their intended
intake. The table below is a general guide for a September 2027
start.

This is a planning guide rather than one fixed calendar. Every
university and scholarship publishes its own dates, and some awards are
allocated in the earliest admission rounds.

How
Masterclass Space Can Support Undergraduate Applications in Europe

Masterclass Space helps school students shortlist European
universities and identify undergraduate scholarships that match their
academic profile, course choice and family budget. Through its admission
consulting services, students receive support with university
selection, scholarship research, application planning, personal
statements and profile building from Grade 9 onward. The team also helps
families understand whether an award is granted automatically with
admission, needs a separate application or depends on financial
documents. For students comparing Europe with other destinations, its study
abroad consultancy services support the wider university
planning process. Final scholarship decisions always remain with the
respective government, agency or university.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there scholarships in Europe for undergraduate international students?

Yes. Options include the NL Scholarship, Stipendium Hungaricum, Italian DSU regional grants, the Deutschlandstipendium, and university awards at Bocconi, Padua, Sciences Po, IE University, Trinity College Dublin and Lund University.

Are there fully funded bachelor’s scholarships in Europe?

A few awards come close. Stipendium Hungaricum provides tuition-free study with a stipend and housing support, the Padua International Excellence Scholarship combines a full tuition waiver with €8,000 per year, and Italian DSU grants can cover tuition, housing and meals for eligible families. Most other undergraduate awards are partial.

Can Indian school students apply for scholarships in Europe?

Yes. Indian students can apply for Stipendium Hungaricum, the NL Scholarship, Italian DSU grants and many university scholarships, provided they meet each programme’s academic, nationality and document requirements.

Can I apply before receiving my Grade 12 results?

Often, yes. Many European universities accept applications using Grade 10, Grade 11 and predicted or mid-year Grade 12 results, then issue a conditional offer. Final marks must usually be submitted before enrolment.

Which European country is most affordable for undergraduate study?

Germany and Italy are often the most affordable because many public universities charge low tuition. Hungary is also popular because Stipendium Hungaricum covers tuition in full. Actual costs depend on the city, university and course.

Do undergraduate scholarships in Europe cover living expenses?

Not always. Stipendium Hungaricum, Padua and Italian DSU grants include living support, but awards such as Lund, Trinity and the NL Scholarship only reduce tuition or give a fixed grant. Students should plan for living costs separately.

When should I start applying for 2027 entry?

Start researching in Grade 11. For September 2027 entry, many important admission and scholarship windows fall between September 2026 and early 2027, while need-based grants in Italy open closer to the start of classes.