12 Best International Scholarships to Study in Asia 2024/2025

Are you wondering if there are International Scholarships to Study in Asia? if yes then you are on the right page. South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, India, and Taiwan are fast becoming popular study destinations for international students seeking study abroad experiences.

To attract more bright students and promote bilateral relationships between nations, the governments of these countries offer generous scholarships, especially for international students from developing countries.

You will be glad you came to this page as we have listed the top international scholarships to study in Asia below.

Top International Scholarships to Study in Asia

1. Government of Malaysia International Scholarships

This is one of the top international scholarships to study in Asia. The Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS) is an initiative by the Malaysian Government to attract the best minds from around the world to pursue advanced academic studies in Malaysia.

This scholarship aims to support the Malaysian Government’s efforts to attract, motivate, and retain talented human capital from abroad.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must not be more than 45 years old at the time of application.
• You must have proof of English Language proficiency.
• Scanned copy of the original proof of English Language Proficiency such as IELTS (minimum total score of 6.0); or
• TOEFL paper-based test with a score of 500 or an internet-based test with a score of 60; or

2. Beijing Government Scholarships for Undergraduate

The Beijing Government Scholarship (BGS) was established by the Beijing Municipal Government to provide full or partial tuition fees for international students studying or applying to study in Beijing.

Its administrative office, the International Cooperation and Exchange Office of Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, is in charge of project establishment, review, acceptance, and daily management of the Beijing Government Scholarship Program.

International students applying for the Beijing Government Scholarships should normally submit relevant materials to the universities in Beijing that they hope to apply to by the end of February every year.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be non Chinese nationals in good health.
• The requirement for the applicant’s language proficiency is based on the academic program’s requirements and determined by the individual higher learning institution.

3. Schwarzman Scholars Fully-funded Masters Scholarship

Schwarzman Scholars was inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship, which was founded in 1902 to promote international understanding and peace and is designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

Blackstone Co-Founder Stephen A. Schwarzman personally contributed $100 million to the program and is leading a fundraising campaign to raise an additional $350 million from private sources to endow the program in perpetuity.

The $450 million endowment will support up to 200 scholars annually from the U.S., China, and around the world for a one-year Master’s Degree program at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Eligibility:

• Age: Applicants must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years of age as of 1 August 2024.
• Citizenship: There are no citizenship or nationality requirements.
• You must pass Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT)
• Also, applicant must pass Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
• You must be successful at the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

4. 75 UNESCO/China (The Great Wall) Co-Sponsored Fellowship

The Government of the People’s Republic of China, under the co-sponsorship of UNESCO, has placed seventy-five (75) fellowships at UNESCO’s disposal for advanced studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

These fellowships benefit developing Member States in Africa, Asia–Pacific, Latin America, Europe, North America, and the Arab region.

The fellowships, tenable at a selected number of Chinese universities, are for a duration of one year.

In most cases, these fellowships are conducted in English, but in exceptional cases, candidates may be required to study the Chinese language before taking up research/study in their fields of interest.

Eligibility:

• Applicants applying for General Scholar programs must not be older than 45 years and must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study.
• Applicants applying for Senior Scholar programs must be master’s degree holders or associate professors (or above) and not older than 50 years.
• English proficiency is required.
• Applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically.

5. Ashinaga Fully-funded Undergraduate Scholarships

Ashinaga is a Japan-based nonprofit organization that provides educational and emotional support to orphaned students.

The organization has supported over 95,000 orphans in the last 45 years, and many of its graduates are actively contributing to society in a variety of fields across the world.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must have lost one or both parents.
• You were born after 1st September, 1997.
• You must have an outstanding academic performance at high school and must be amongst the top students in your class.
• Applicant must be willing to return home, or to Sub-Saharan Africa, and contribute to society in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating from university.

6. Brunei Darussalam Government Scholarships for Foreign Students

The Brunei Darussalam Government invites foreign students to apply for scholarships to study at the University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Islam Sultan Sharif Ali University (UNISSA), Brunei Institute of Technology (ITB), and Politeknik Brunei (PB) in Brunei.

These scholarships are available to students from ASEAN, OIC, Commonwealth Member Countries, and other nations. The scholarship award usually covers the duration of the program.

Eligibility:

• Applications are open to citizens of, but not limited to, ASEAN, Commonwealth, and OIC member countries.
• Applicants should be nominated by their Government.
• Applicants must be between the ages of 18-25 for undergraduate and diploma programmes and must not exceed the age of 35 for postgraduate and master’s degree programmes.
• The award is NOT for Brunei Darussalam Permanent Residents.

7. Anhui Government Scholarship for International Students

The Anhui Government Scholarship Program for International Students is established to attract more international students to study and research in Anhui higher education institutions.

This scholarship aims to improve international student education quality, strengthen mutual understanding and friendship between Anhui people and people from the rest of the world, and expand the international influence of Anhui’s education.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be non Chinese Citizens with foreign passports and valid Chinese visas, and should be friendly to China.
• Applicants for the undergraduate program must have a senior high school diploma and be under the age of 28.
• Applicants should abide by Chinese laws, rules, and regulations of the school and have good academic performances.

8. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program Japan

The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) is open to women and men from developing countries with relevant professional experience and a history of supporting their countries’ development efforts, who are applying to a master’s degree program in a development-related topic.

However, after earning their degree, developing country scholars commit to returning to their home country to use their new skills and contribute to their countries’ social and economic development.

Eligibility:

• You must be a national of a World Bank member developing country.
• Applicant must not hold dual citizenship of any developed country.
• You must be in good health.
• You must hold a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree earned at least 3 years prior to the application deadline date.
• Also, you must have 3 years or more of recent development-related work experience after earning a Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree.

9. University of Tokyo Masters and PhD Scholarships for International Students

This is one of the top international scholarships to study in Asia. The purpose of this scholarship is twofold: to financially support Self-Supported International Students with outstanding academic performance and to increase the number of students from abroad.

Eligibility:

• All self-financed overseas students with outstanding performance who pass the entrance examination for the Master’s Program at the Graduate School of Science can apply.
• Priority is given to UTRIP (University of Tokyo Research Internship Program) participants.
• Applicants already in Japan are not eligible to apply.
• As a rule, anyone receiving or expecting to receive any other scholarship awards is excluded.
• Also, applicants of scholarships from private foundations (including provisional applicants) are not eligible.

10. Jiangsu Provincial Government Scholarships

This scholarship is provided to excellent overseas students or scholars to undertake full-time study in universities and colleges of Jiangsu.

It also includes non-degree program students and exchange students, in accordance with educational exchange agreements and MOUs between the Jiangsu Provincial Government and the governments of other states, institutions, universities, and international organizations.

China Pharmaceutical University is authorized as one of the host universities to accept international students under the scholarship.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be non Chinese citizens in good health.
• Applicants for both the college and undergraduate programs must have a senior high school diploma with a good academic performance and be under the age of 30.
• Must agree to obey the relevant laws of the PRC and meet the admission requirements of the host universities or colleges.
• Must have a good academic record.
• Cannot be recipients of other scholarships offered by the Chinese government, local governments, or other organizations simultaneously.

11. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at American University of Beirut

American University of Beirut (AUB) and The MasterCard Foundation have partnered to provide scholarships to students at the Faculty of Health.

This $9 million scholarship program enables young adults who are sensitive to their communities’ concerns and proactive in their environment to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or Medical Laboratory Sciences at AUB.

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars at AUB receive full scholarships, living expenses, intensive preparatory courses, mentoring, career counseling, and internships at institutions and organizations relevant to their field of study.

The program also includes a give-back component, encouraging students to contribute to their communities through various volunteer projects and activities.

Eligibility:

• You must be a nationals of Africa.
• Applicant must be a national of Lebanon.
• Refugees and displaced individuals living in Lebanon can apply.
• You must be financially disadvantaged.
• You must have good leadership potential.
• Also, you must have the desire to give back and return to one’s community.

12. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme for International Students

The Research Grants Council (RGC) established the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) in 2009 to attract the best and brightest students from around the world to pursue their PhD programs at institutions in Hong Kong.

This academic year, they will award about 300 PhD Fellowships. If awardees need more than three years to complete their PhD degree, the chosen institutions may provide additional support. Financial aid covers any field of study.

Candidates seeking admission as new full-time PhD students in the following eight institutions, irrespective of their country of origin, prior work experience, and ethnic background, are eligible to apply.