7 Universities Offering Scholarships for International Students in 2025

Studying abroad can be prohibitively expensive for international applicants pursuing a world-class education. Fortunately, many global universities offer scholarships that fully or partially cover tuition and living expenses for talented students.

In this article, we highlight 7 prestigious universities — from Cambridge to the University of Tokyo — that can help turn the dream of an international degree into reality through substantial financial support. 

Contents:

1. University of Cambridge (UK) — Gates Cambridge Scholarship
2. Boston University (USA) — Trustee & Presidential Scholarships
3. University of Tulsa (USA) — International Leadership Scholarship
4. Arizona State University (USA) — New American University (NAMU) Scholarship
5. University of Toronto (Canada) — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
6. University of Melbourne (Australia) — Graduate Research Scholarships
7. University of Tokyo (Japan) — Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

1. University of Cambridge (UK) — Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, founded in 1209. It consists of 31 colleges and over 150 departments and faculties spanning a wide range of disciplines. It ranks 5th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was established in 2000 through a generous $210 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation — the largest single donation ever made to a UK university. The scholarship aims to support outstanding postgraduate students from outside the UK who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to improving the lives of others.

Level: Available for a full range of postgraduate programs — including PhD, MSc, MLitt, MPhil, LLM, MASt, MBA, and others.

Number of Scholarships: Approximately 80 scholarships are awarded annually. In 2025, in honor of the program’s 25th anniversary, an additional 25 scholarships will be granted.

What it covers:

• Full tuition at the University of Cambridge
• Living stipend (~£20,000 per year)
• Airfare to and from the UK at the beginning and end of the program
• Visa fees and NHS (UK national health insurance) coverage
• Additional funding (upon application) for academic conferences, fieldwork, and other academic activities

Who can apply: Citizens of all countries outside the UK.

Selection criteria:

• Outstanding academic record
• Demonstrated leadership potential
• Commitment to improving the lives of others
• A strong match between the applicant and the chosen program

Application deadlines:

• For US citizens: usually by October
• For all other applicants: typically December or January (exact dates vary by year)

Since the program’s inception, over 2,000 students from more than 100 countries have received Gates Cambridge Scholarships. These scholars form a vibrant community committed to leadership and positive global change. The program celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025, highlighting the lasting impact of its alumni across a range of fields worldwide.

2. Boston University (USA) — Trustee & Presidential Scholarships

Boston University (BU) is one of the largest private research universities in the United States, located in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1839, BU offers more than 300 academic programs and brings together students from over 100 countries. The university is known for its academic excellence, robust research activity, and vibrant student life.

Trustee Scholarship

The Trustee Scholarship is Boston University’s most prestigious academic award, granted annually to around 20 incoming first-year students, including international applicants. This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory undergraduate fees for four years.

Level: Undergraduate (first-year students).

What it covers:

• Full tuition
• Mandatory undergraduate student fees
• Duration: 4 years

Number of scholarships: Approximately 20 per year (extremely competitive).

Who can apply: International and U.S. first-year students.

Selection criteria:

• Exceptional academic performance (often requires a perfect GPA of 4.0)
• Demonstrated leadership skills and active participation in school/community activities
• Creative thinking and intellectual curiosity

Application process:

• Submit the Common Application and all required admission materials to BU by December 1
• Write a supplemental essay (up to 600 words) in response to one of the Trustee prompts

Renewal conditions:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Live in on-campus housing at the Charles River or Fenway campuses

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is a more accessible but still highly prestigious academic award at Boston University. It offers $25,000 per year — covering approximately half the cost of tuition and student fees — for up to four years. Unlike the Trustee Scholarship, it does not require a supplemental essay.

Level: Undergraduate (first-year students).

Scholarship amount:

• $25,000 annually (up to $100,000 over four years)
• Covers approximately half of tuition and mandatory fees

Number of scholarships: No strict limit (more widely awarded than the Trustee).

Who can apply: International and U.S. first-year students.

Selection criteria:

• Outstanding academic performance (typically a GPA of 4.0 or equivalent)
• Leadership experience and extracurricular involvement
• Creativity and intellectual promise

Application process:

• Submit the Common Application and required BU admission materials by December 1
• No additional essays or forms required

Renewal conditions:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Live in on-campus housing on the Charles River or Fenway campuses

3. University of Tulsa (USA) — International Leadership Scholarship

The University of Tulsa (TU) is a private research university located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1894, TU is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, law, and the humanities.

The International Leadership Scholarship offers up to $15,000 per year and partially covers the cost of tuition. It is available to international students who demonstrate strong academic performance as well as involvement in school or community activities.

Level: Undergraduate (first-year students).

What it covers: Partial tuition support.

Scholarship amount: From $6,000 to $15,000 per year, depending on academic performance.

Who can apply: International students applying for first-year undergraduate studies.

Selection criteria:

• Academic achievement (minimum GPA of 3.0)
• Leadership experience and participation in school or community activities

Application process:

• Submit an application for admission to TU
• Provide all required admission documents
• No separate scholarship application is necessary — all applicants are automatically considered

Renewal conditions: The scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years (8 semesters), provided the student maintains good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0).

International students awarded the International Leadership Scholarship may also be eligible for additional scholarships, such as:

• Global Ambassador Scholarship — awarded to students with exceptional leadership and academic achievements. Amount: $10,000 to $20,000 per year.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship — awarded to students who have completed the full IB Diploma Programme with a GPA of at least 3.0. Amount: $3,000 per year.

These scholarships can be combined with the International Leadership Scholarship, increasing the total amount of financial support available.

4. Arizona State University (USA) — New American University (NAMU) Scholarship

Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the largest and most innovative public universities in the United States, located in Arizona. It is recognized as the most popular public university among international students in the U.S. — with over 15,000 international students from 160 countries, many of whom benefit from the university’s generous financial aid programs.

The New American University Scholarship is awarded to a select number of incoming international first-year undergraduate students based on academic merit.

Level: Undergraduate (first-year students).

What it covers: Partial tuition coverage.

Scholarship amount: Ranges from $3,000 to $10,000 per year, depending on academic credentials.

Who can apply: International students applying for first-year undergraduate admission.

Selection criteria:

• Academic achievement (including GPA and class rank)
• Leadership experience and participation in school or community activities
• Standardized test scores (ACT/SAT) are not required but may enhance the scholarship amount

Application process:

• Submit your application for admission to ASU by May 1
• Provide all required admission documents
• No separate scholarship application is needed — all admitted students are automatically considered

Renewal conditions: The scholarship is renewable for up to 8 semesters if the following requirements are met:

• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Complete at least 30 credit hours per academic year
• Continuous full-time enrollment at ASU

International students receiving the New American University Scholarship may also be eligible for additional awards such as:

• GEO International Student Scholarship — $2,000
• GEO Merit Scholarship — $2,000

These scholarships can be combined with the NAMU Scholarship, increasing the overall amount of financial support.

5. University of Toronto (Canada) — Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship

The University of Toronto (U of T) is one of the world’s leading research universities, founded in 1827. Consistently ranked among the top institutions globally, U of T is renowned for its academic excellence, innovation, and diverse student community.

U of T offers around 700 undergraduate programs in a wide range of fields — including Humanities & Social Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Music, Architecture, and many more.

The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship is the university’s most prestigious and competitive scholarship for international students entering undergraduate programs. Named after Lester B. Pearson — a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Prime Minister of Canada — this scholarship is awarded annually to approximately 37 exceptional students from around the world. Pearson Scholars also join a dedicated community with additional opportunities for engagement and leadership development.

Level: Undergraduate (first-year students).

What it covers: Full coverage of tuition, books, incidental fees, and residence costs for four years.

Who can apply: International students currently in their final year of secondary school or who graduated no earlier than June of the previous year, and who are not Canadian citizens.

Selection criteria:

• Exceptional academic achievement
• Creativity and intellectual curiosity
• Proven leadership and involvement in school and community activities

Application process:

1. The student must be nominated by their high school (each school can nominate one student per year)
2. The student must apply to the University of Toronto for undergraduate studies by the application deadline
3. Once nominated and having applied to U of T, the student will receive a personalized link to complete the scholarship application

Deadlines:

• School nomination — by November 30
• Application to U of T — by December 15
• Scholarship application — by January 15

6. University of Melbourne (Australia) — Graduate Research Scholarships

The University of Melbourne, founded in 1853, is one of Australia's top-ranking and most prestigious universities. It offers a wide range of academic programs and hosts a large number of international students. The university also provides generous scholarship opportunities, particularly for graduate research students.

The Graduate Research Scholarships are awarded to students undertaking research-based master’s or doctoral programs. These include:

• Melbourne Research Scholarship (MRS)
• Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship, funded by the Australian Government

Both scholarships are available to international students and are automatically considered when applying to an eligible research program.

Level of study: Master’s by research or PhD.

What it covers:

• Full tuition fees: Up to 2 years for a master’s program, up to 4 years for a doctoral program
• Living allowance: $38,500 AUD per year (2025 rate) — up to 2 years for a master’s, up to 3.5 years for a PhD
• Relocation allowance: $2,000 AUD for students moving from another Australian state; $3,000 AUD for international students
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC): For international students

Number of scholarships: Over 300 awarded annually.

Eligibility criteria:

• Admission to a research-based graduate program
• High academic achievement (typically a GPA above 75%)
• Demonstrated research experience (at least 25% of prior study should be research-focused)
• Research potential supported by academic publications, work experience, or other evidence

Application process:

1. Choose a relevant research program
2. Find a potential supervisor and obtain their agreement to supervise your research
3. Prepare the required documents:

• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Research proposal
• Letters of recommendation

1. Submit an online application to the selected program
2. You will automatically be considered for the scholarship upon application submission

Deadlines: Applications are accepted year-round, but for scholarship consideration, it is strongly recommended to submit your documents before the internal deadlines set by your chosen faculty or program.

7. University of Tokyo (Japan) — Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship

The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) is Japan’s most prestigious university and one of the top institutions in Asia. Founded in 1877, it offers a wide range of academic programs in both English and Japanese and actively supports international students, particularly through scholarships.

The MEXT Scholarship is a government scholarship offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT) for international students who wish to study in Japanese universities. At the University of Tokyo, the scholarship is available for:

• Research Students — those planning to enter a master’s or doctoral program.
• Undergraduate Students — those aiming to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Japan.

Level of study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral.

What it covers:

• Full tuition and enrollment fee waiver
• Monthly stipend:
• ¥144,000 for master’s students
• ¥145,000 for doctoral students
• Additional ¥2,000–¥3,000 per month for students living in certain regions
• Round-trip airfare: Economy-class ticket to Japan and back

Duration of scholarship:

• Master’s: 2 years
• Doctoral: 3 years
• Extension possible when advancing from a master’s to a doctoral program (subject to conditions)

Eligibility: Citizens of countries that have diplomatic relations with Japan.

Age limits:

• For undergraduate studies: 17 to 25 years old
• For research programs (master’s/PhD): Under 35 years old

Application methods:

1. Embassy Recommendation — apply through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country
2. University Recommendation — apply directly through the University of Tokyo
3. Application timelines and procedures vary depending on the method used

Selection criteria:

• High academic performance (GPA of at least 2.30 on a 3.00 scale)
• Language proficiency in either English or Japanese
• For English-taught programs: Proof of English proficiency at CEFR B2 level or higher (e.g., IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 72), or completion of previous education in English