Medical and health degrees are some of the most expensive—and the longest—programs you can take. Between tuition, clinical fees, health insurance, and living costs, the bill can feel impossible. The good news: there are excellent medical scholarships for studying abroad that can fully or largely fund degrees across medicine (MBBS/MD), nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, global health, and biomedical sciences. The trick is knowing which awards actually cover clinical programs (many don’t), which focus on public health or research, and how to time your application to win.
In this guide, you’ll find a curated list of the best medical scholarships for studying abroad by region and degree type, what each typically covers (tuition, stipend, insurance, housing), eligibility rules, and a 90‑day application plan. You’ll also get a verification checklist to confirm coverage before you accept, country‑specific notes for clinical degrees, and FAQs on licensure, insurance, and recognition.
What you’ll learn:
- Top fully funded and full‑tuition medical scholarships abroad (clinical and non‑clinical)
- The difference between MBBS/MD/clinical awards vs. public health/biomedical research awards
- Eligibility, deadlines, and documents you need
- How to verify coverage (tuition, stipend, insurance, housing)
- Strategies to stack awards and maximize your chances
Note: Scholarship policies change. Always verify the current year’s rules on the official scholarship and university pages, and get a written award letter before relying on coverage.
What counts as a “medical scholarship” (and what doesn’t)
Medical scholarships abroad typically fund one of three pathways:
- Clinical degrees (longest and costliest)
- MBBS/MD, BDS/DDS, PharmD, Nursing (BSN/MSN), Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Veterinary Medicine (often separate).
- Many government scholarships restrict or exclude long clinical programs (due to high cost/length).
- Public/global health and health policy (taught master’s)
- MPH, MSc Global Health, MSc Epidemiology, Health Informatics, Health Data Science, Health Economics, Immunology/Vaccinology (non‑clinical).
- These are widely funded by international schemes (Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Australia Awards, etc.).
- Biomedical and life sciences (research)
- MSc, MRes, PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Translational Medicine.
- Commonly funded by national research councils and university fellowships.
Coverage levels you’ll see:
- Full tuition + stipend + travel/insurance (best case)
- Full tuition only (you cover living expenses)
- Partial tuition or living allowance (stackable with other aid)
Clinical eligibility caveat:
- Many global schemes explicitly exclude medicine/dentistry clinical training or programs over 12 months. Always read the “eligible programs” section carefully.
Best Medical Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Quick map: medical scholarships for studying abroad (by type)
| Scholarship Type | Good For | Clinical Medicine Eligible? | Typical Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government bilateral scholarships (e.g., Türkiye Bursları, CSC, Stipendium Hungaricum) | MBBS/MD, Dentistry, Nursing, Allied Health (varies) | Sometimes (varies by country) | Tuition + stipend + housing/insurance | Turkey & Hungary often include clinical medicine; China varies—verify |
| International master’s schemes (Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD EPOS, Australia Awards, Erasmus Mundus) | MPH/Global Health, Epidemiology, Health Data, Health Econ | Usually No (clinical excluded); Yes for public health | Full or near-full tuition + stipend | Chevening: no programs with >50% clinical; EPOS funds public/global health |
| University full‑tuition waivers (Karolinska, Imperial, KCL, UCL, UdeM, KIT, KU Leuven) | MSc/MPH/PhD in health/biomed | Yes (non‑clinical), No (clinical) | Tuition waivers; some add stipends | Great for research tracks |
| Multilateral/development (ADB‑JSP, JJ/WBGSP, TDR/WHO) | Public/global health; implementation science | No (clinical) | Full tuition + stipend + travel | Target LMIC applicants; development outcomes |
| Philanthropy/donor awards (Rhodes, Gates Cambridge, Skoll—health adjacent) | Biomedical research, public health, leadership | Rarely clinical | Full tuition + stipend | Highly competitive; fit matters |
| University need/merit (WCM‑Q, KSA/KSU institutional, private med schools) | MD/MBBS/BSN within institution | Sometimes | Partial to full tuition; need-based | Limited seats for internationals; confirm recognition/licensure |
Best medical scholarships for studying abroad: by region
Below are high‑credibility programs where international students can secure full or substantial funding. Verify current details each cycle.
Europe (UK, EU, EEA)
Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Coverage: Full tuition + stipend + travel + fees for 1‑year master’s.
- Eligible: Public health, global health, health policy, health data science; clinical programs with >50% patient contact are not eligible.
- Strategy: Apply Aug–Nov; secure early university offers; align essays to impact.
Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
- Coverage: Master’s/PhD tuition + stipend + travel.
- Eligible: Public/global health, epidemiology, health systems; clinical medicine/dentistry typically excluded.
- Notes: Priority to development impact and eligible Commonwealth citizens.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EU)
- Coverage: Full tuition + monthly stipend + travel; study across 2–3 EU universities.
- Health examples: Europubhealth+ (Public Health), IDOH (Infectious Diseases & One Health), Health Data Science–related tracks (varies by cycle).
- Notes: Highly competitive; mobility is mandatory.
DAAD EPOS (Germany)
- Coverage: Monthly stipend, tuition (if charged), insurance, travel.
- Eligible: Development‑oriented master’s—International Health (Heidelberg/Charité/tropEd network), MPH, Epidemiology.
- Notes: 2+ years’ professional experience often required.
Swedish Institute (Sweden)
- Coverage: Tuition + stipend + insurance + travel.
- Eligible: Health and life‑science master’s at Swedish universities; clinical tracks typically excluded.
- Uni‑specific: Karolinska Institutet Global Master’s Scholarships (tuition waivers) for Public Health, Bioentrepreneurship, Biomedicine.
Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
- Coverage: Tuition + monthly stipend + dormitory place or housing allowance + insurance.
- Eligible: Includes General Medicine (MBBS), Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy at universities like Semmelweis.
- Notes: Excellent for clinical medicine—confirm quotas and English‑taught seats.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland)
- Coverage: Monthly stipend + insurance + (some) housing allowance; tuition policies vary.
- Eligible: PhD/Postdoc/Research in biomedical fields; clinical training usually excluded.
Orange Knowledge Programme (Netherlands, mid‑career)
- Coverage: Tuition, travel, insurance for short courses/MSc.
- Eligible: Public health, sexual and reproductive health, health systems (e.g., KIT Royal Tropical Institute programs).
- Notes: For professionals from OKP‑eligible countries.
North America (USA, Canada)
Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
- Coverage: Tuition + stipend + travel + insurance (varies).
- Eligible: MPH, MS/PhD in biomedical/public health; MD/DO programs generally not funded.
- Notes: Country quotas and local commission rules apply.
Knight‑Hennessy Scholars (Stanford, USA)
- Coverage: Up to 3 years’ tuition + stipend + travel for any Stanford graduate degree.
- Eligible: MD, MS, PhD, MPH at Stanford (note: MD exceeds 3 years; coordinate funding with School of Medicine).
- Notes: Leadership and civic vision are central; global applicants welcome.
Vanier CGS (Canada, PhD)
- Coverage: CAD$50,000/year × 3 years.
- Eligible: Doctoral research in health/biomed; not clinical training.
- Notes: Requires Canadian institutional nomination.
Provincial/university awards (Canada)
- Examples: Ontario Trillium, UBC Four Year Fellowship (PhD), CIHR for health research.
- Eligible: Biomedical/health research; limited clinical funding.
Asia-Pacific
Australia Awards (Australia)
- Coverage: Full tuition + OSHC health insurance + stipend + travel.
- Eligible: Public health, health leadership, health policy; not clinical medicine.
- Notes: Return‑to‑country commitment common.
New Zealand Manaaki Scholarships
- Coverage: Tuition + stipend + insurance + travel.
- Eligible: Public/global health and allied health master’s (clinical often excluded).
- Notes: Country eligibility and development focus.
MEXT (Japan)
- Coverage: Tuition exemption + monthly stipend + airfare.
- Eligible: Master’s/PhD in medical/life sciences; clinical medicine typically not funded at taught level.
- Notes: University‑recommended track is common for medical sciences.
Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
- Coverage: Tuition + stipend + on‑campus accommodation or allowance + insurance.
- Eligible: Master’s/PhD in clinical medicine/life sciences; MBBS funding varies by university and cycle—verify English‑taught MBBS eligibility and licensure recognition.
- Notes: Check WFME‑recognized accreditation (important for ECFMG).
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
- Coverage: Tuition + monthly allowance + settlement + insurance.
- Eligible: Master’s/PhD in health/biomedical fields; majors vary by host. Clinical degree funding is limited—verify.
- Notes: Embassy/university tracks; competitive.
Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları)
- Coverage: Tuition + monthly stipend + public dorm accommodation or allowance + one‑off flight + insurance.
- Eligible: MBBS, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health (check current program list).
- Notes: One of the most generous options including clinical medicine.
TDR (WHO) Postgraduate Training in Implementation Science (LMIC candidates)
- Coverage: Full tuition + stipend + research support at partner universities (e.g., University of the Witwatersrand, University of Ghana, University of Zambia, University of Antioquia).
- Eligible: MPH/MSc focused on implementation science for infectious diseases.
Middle East (selected)
King Abdulaziz University (KSA) Scholarships
- Coverage: Monthly stipend, accommodation, health care, travel; tuition support.
- Eligible: Postgraduate health sciences (clinical availability varies by department).
- Notes: Confirm English‑taught programs and professional recognition.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar Foundation)
- Coverage: Tuition waivers + stipends (varies by program).
- Eligible: Biological and biomedical sciences; not clinical MD.
- Notes: Strong research focus.
Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar (WCM‑Q)
- Funding: Need‑based aid for admitted students (not a scholarship scheme per se).
- Eligible: MD only; extremely competitive.
Country‑specific notes for clinical medicine (MBBS/MD)
United States MD/DO (international students)
- Very few seats and limited institutional aid; federal aid not available unless you’re an eligible noncitizen.
- Alternatives: Fund a non‑clinical MPH or research MSc/PhD in the U.S., then apply to MD with improved profile (still highly competitive), or pursue MBBS elsewhere with scholarships.
United Kingdom MBBS/BMBCh
- Many external scholarships exclude clinical medicine; some universities offer limited international bursaries.
- Strong funding exists for MPH/MSc/PhD rather than MBBS.
Hungary & Türkiye
- Among the best options for fully funded or heavily subsidized MBBS via Stipendium Hungaricum and Türkiye Scholarships.
China
- CSC coverage for MBBS has varied; many awards prioritize master’s/PhD over English‑taught MBBS. Confirm with host university and ensure WFME‑recognized accreditation for future licensing.
Recognition & licensing
- Verify home‑country and destination‑country licensing rules (e.g., ECFMG’s WFME accreditation requirement for international med grads, UK GMC/PLAB/UKMLA changes, USMLE/Residency eligibility).
- Studying abroad in medicine requires planning for licensing exams, internships, and language requirements.
Application essentials: eligibility, documents, and tests
Academic requirements
- Clinical (MBBS/MD): Strong secondary grades (A‑levels/IB or equivalent), prerequisite sciences; admissions tests (e.g., UCAT for UK; BMAT discontinued; MCAT for US MD).
- MPH/MSc: Bachelor’s with relevant background; 2:1 or equivalent is typical.
- Research (MSc/PhD): Strong GPA, research experience, publications preferred; supervisor interest is critical.
Tests
- English proficiency: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo (waivers sometimes available).
- Admissions: UCAT (UK undergrad medicine), GAMSAT (grad‑entry medicine in some countries), MCAT (US MD), GRE/GMAT (rare for health; some programs request GRE for research degrees).
- Note: BMAT has been discontinued—UK schools shifted to UCAT/GAMSAT/own assessments.
Documents
- Academic transcripts & degree certificates
- CV/resume (2 pages max; highlight clinical exposure, research, leadership)
- Statement of Purpose (impact‑focused, program‑specific)
- Research proposal (for MRes/PhD)
- Recommendation letters (2–3)
- Passport, proof of citizenship/residency
- Scholarship essays (development impact, leadership, return intent)
- Proof of professional experience (for DAAD/OKP/Australia Awards)
90‑day plan to win a medical scholarship abroad
Days 1–7: Shortlist & verify
- Choose 6–10 programs (split clinical vs. public health/biomed as needed).
- Match each with 2–3 scholarships (country, university, or multilateral).
- Email to confirm clinical eligibility and coverage (tuition, stipend, insurance).
Days 8–21: Prep documents & tests
- Draft an impact‑driven SOP; create a 1–2 page academic CV.
- Book English test (if needed); schedule admissions tests (UCAT/MCAT/GAMSAT) if clinical.
- Line up referees; share your CV and bullet points.
Days 22–45: Apply early
- Submit university applications and scholarship forms; prioritize early cycles (funds are front‑loaded).
- For DAAD/OKP/Australia Awards/Schengen/Erasmus: track country‑specific cycles and embassy steps.
Days 46–70: Interviews & stacking
- Prepare for scholarship and admission interviews (leadership, motivation, case scenarios).
- Apply for secondary awards (faculty, regional, alumni) and small bursaries; they add up.
- Ask your employer/ministry about sponsorship if you’re in public service.
Days 71–90: Offers & visa readiness
- Compare net offers (tuition, stipend, housing, insurance, duration, clinical components).
- Request an award letter detailing coverage for visa/immigration proof.
- Plan housing and health insurance gaps (if needed), and schedule travel.
How to verify coverage in 10 minutes (don’t skip this)
- Find the official scholarship page + PDF handbook.
- Check that your exact program/degree is eligible (e.g., MBBS listed? MPH allowed?).
- Confirm coverage amounts and items (tuition, stipend, insurance, housing, travel, books).
- Note duration limits (e.g., 12 months only; no extensions for clinical rotations).
- Look for country/field exclusions (many schemes exclude pure clinical).
- Email the scholarship or admissions office:
- “Can you confirm that [scholarship] covers 100% tuition (and stipend/insurance) for the [program] starting [term]? Please send a PDF summary for visa proof.”
- Save PDFs/emails for your visa and onboarding.
Standout programs by degree category (examples)
Clinical (MBBS/MD/dentistry/nursing):
- Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary): Semmelweis, University of Debrecen (MBBS/Dentistry/Pharmacy/Nursing).
- Türkiye Scholarships: Medicine and allied health across Turkish public universities.
- Select KSA/KSU/KAU institutional scholarships: Health sciences (confirm clinical components & language).
- Limited MBBS via CSC (varies; verify current policy).
Public Health / Health Policy / Epidemiology:
- DAAD EPOS: MSc International Health (Heidelberg; Charité via tropEd), Epidemiology/Global Health.
- Chevening (UK): MPH/Global Health/Health Data Science (non‑clinical).
- Erasmus Mundus: Europubhealth+, IDOH (Infectious Diseases & One Health), Public Health in Disasters.
- Australia Awards/Manaaki NZ: MPH/health leadership (eligible countries).
Biomedical / Life Sciences (research):
- Gates Cambridge (UK): MPhil/PhD in Biomedical Sciences; tuition + stipend (no clinical).
- Swedish Institute + Karolinska tuition waivers: Biomed, Public Health Sciences.
- Swiss Government Excellence: PhD/Postdoc in life sciences.
- Vanier CGS (Canada): PhD in health sciences.
Implementation Science / LMIC‑focused:
- TDR (WHO): MPH/Implementation Science at partner institutions; full funding.
- JJ/WBGSP & ADB‑JSP: Development‑oriented master’s (some health management/leadership).
Tips to win (what selectors really want)
- Quantified impact
- Replace “volunteered at clinic” with “Coordinated 12‑member vaccination team; improved coverage from 67% to 89% in 6 months across 14 villages.”
- Mission alignment
- DAAD/OKP/Australia Awards: development outcomes and return intent. Chevening: leadership and influence. TDR: implementation for infectious disease control.
- Verified exposure
- Clinical shadowing, community health projects, research posters/pubs, lab internships—show real experience.
- Academic readiness
- Strong grades in science/math; for data‑heavy programs, show coding/stats (R/Python, Stata/SAS, SQL).
- Strong referees
- Ask people who can cite concrete examples of your impact, not just your character.
- Early, clean applications
- Many awards are first‑come (within rounds). Follow instructions precisely; sloppy applications lose out.
Cost of living, insurance, and housing (plan the gaps)
- Scholarships covering tuition only
- Budget for living costs: rent, food, transport, books, visa/fees, health insurance. Some programs let you work part‑time; check visa rules.
- Health insurance
- Many awards include national/student insurance (UK IHS, OSHC in Australia, NZ Studentsafe) or private coverage (DAAD, CSC).
- Housing
- Government awards like Türkiye and Stipendium Hungaricum often include dorm housing or a housing allowance. University scholarships may offer guaranteed accommodation.
FAQs: Best Medical Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Q: Do fully funded scholarships exist for clinical medicine (MBBS/MD) abroad?
A: Yes, but they’re rarer than for public health or research. Strong options include Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary) and Türkiye Scholarships (Turkey), and some institutional awards in Saudi Arabia. China’s CSC sometimes supports medical programs (verify MBBS eligibility and accreditation). Many global schemes (Chevening, DAAD EPOS, Australia Awards) fund public health and research, not clinical medicine.Q: Which scholarships cover both tuition and living expenses?
A: Türkiye Scholarships, Stipendium Hungaricum, ADB‑JSP, JJ/WBGSP (select health/management programs), Swiss Government Excellence (PhD), TDR (implementation science), and some university fellowships cover tuition plus monthly stipends. Chevening and Australia Awards also include living stipends for eligible 1‑year master’s (non‑clinical).Q: Does Chevening fund MBBS or clinical degrees?
A: Chevening funds 1‑year master’s and typically excludes programs with heavy clinical components. It’s excellent for MPH, Global Health, Health Data Science, and health policy.Q: Can I get a scholarship for a U.S. MD as an international student?
A: Funding is extremely limited; most U.S. med schools provide little or no institutional aid to international students. Consider fully funded public health or biomedical research degrees first, or MBBS in countries like Hungary/Turkey. If aiming for U.S. MD, plan for substantial self‑funding and a very competitive profile.Q: What about Erasmus Mundus for medical studies?
A: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s programs fund public health/One Health/health data science and related fields—not MBBS/clinical medicine. They’re fully funded (tuition + stipend) and highly competitive.Q: Will my foreign medical degree be recognized back home?
A: Recognition depends on your country’s medical council and the destination’s accreditation. For U.S. residency via ECFMG, from 2024 forward your med school must be accredited by an agency recognized by WFME. In the UK, check GMC rules (PLAB/UKMLA). Always verify licensure pathways before committing.Q: Do scholarships include health insurance?
A: Many do. Examples: Chevening covers the UK IHS fee (for NHS access); Australia Awards include OSHC; DAAD includes insurance; CSC and Türkiye include insurance. If not included, plan to buy a compliant student policy.Q: Can I work part‑time while studying on a scholarship?
A: Often yes, within visa restrictions (e.g., UK Student Route limits weekly hours; Australia/NZ have set limits; EU rules vary). Check your award’s conditions—some restrict outside work.Q: How competitive are these scholarships?
A: Very. Present quantified impact, strong academics, clear alignment to the funder’s mission, excellent references, and early applications. For Erasmus/DAAD/Chevening, acceptance rates are low but attainable with a compelling profile.Q: What if my program is not explicitly listed as eligible?
A: Email the scholarship office and the program admissions team with your course title and ask for written confirmation. Programs and lists change year to year.Fund your medical degree abroad—strategically
The best medical scholarships for studying abroad fall into two lanes: (1) fully funded or full‑tuition awards for public health and biomedical research, and (2) a smaller but real set of opportunities for clinical medicine (notably in Hungary and Turkey, with selective options elsewhere). Start by deciding whether you’re pursuing a clinical or non‑clinical track, build a shortlist across countries, verify eligibility in writing, and apply early with an impact‑driven application. Stack university, government, and multilateral awards—and confirm recognition for your licensure plans—so your medical education abroad is both outstanding and affordable.