Top Scholarships for Nepali Students to Study Abroad

Fully Funded Scholarships for Nepali Students

Studying abroad can be expensive, but many fully funded scholarships are specifically available to students from Nepal and other developing countries. Here is a comprehensive guide to the best opportunities.

Australia Awards Scholarships

The Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships funded by the Australian Government. They provide full financial support to study at Australian universities.

• Coverage: Full tuition, return airfare, living allowance (approx. AUD 3,500/month), health insurance, introductory academic program
• Eligibility: Nepali citizens who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents. Must have at least 2 years of work experience for most programs.
• Level: Masters and PhD
• Deadline: Usually April-May each year for study commencing the following January
• Competitiveness: Very competitive. Strong academic record, relevant work experience, and a clear plan to contribute to Nepal's development are essential.

Chevening Scholarships (UK)

Chevening is the UK Government's global scholarship program, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, return flights, thesis/dissertation grant, study travel allowance
• Eligibility: Nepali citizens with at least 2 years of work experience and a strong academic background
• Level: 1-year Masters programs at any UK university
• Deadline: Usually November each year
• Tips: Chevening looks for leadership potential and a clear career plan. Your essays are crucial — we help our students craft compelling Chevening applications.

MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is one of the most generous scholarships available to Nepali students.

• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly allowance of JPY 143,000-145,000 (approx. NPR 130,000/month), return airfare
• Eligibility: Nepali citizens under 35 years old (research students) or under 25 (undergraduate)
• Level: Undergraduate, Research Student, Teacher Training, Japanese Studies
• Application Route: Embassy recommendation (apply through the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu) or University recommendation
• Deadline: April each year for Embassy recommendation

Korean Government Scholarship (GKS/KGSP)

South Korea's fully funded scholarship program for international students from partner countries including Nepal.

• Coverage: Full tuition, monthly allowance of KRW 900,000-1,000,000, return airfare, medical insurance, settlement allowance, 1 year of Korean language training
• Eligibility: Nepali citizens under 25 (undergraduate) or under 40 (graduate)
• Level: Undergraduate, Masters, PhD
• Deadline: Usually February-March each year

Fulbright Scholarships (USA)

The Fulbright Program offers scholarships for Nepali students to study in the United States.

• Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, airfare, health insurance
• Eligibility: Nepali citizens with a strong academic record and leadership experience
• Level: Masters and PhD
• Deadline: Usually April each year

University-Specific Scholarships

Beyond government scholarships, many universities offer their own merit-based funding:

• USA: Many universities offer graduate assistantships (teaching or research) that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend. STEM PhD programs frequently offer full funding.
• Australia: Most universities have international merit scholarships ranging from AUD 5,000 to 50% tuition waiver. Apply early as spots are limited.
• UK: Universities like Edinburgh, Bristol, Warwick, and others have country-specific scholarships for students from South Asia.
• Canada: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships for PhD students (CAD 50,000/year for 3 years). University-specific entrance scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students.

How StudyPath Nepal Helps with Scholarships

Our counselors are experienced in scholarship applications and have helped hundreds of students secure partial and full scholarships. During your free counseling session, we assess your scholarship eligibility and create an application strategy. We help with essay writing, recommendation letter guidance, and interview preparation for competitive scholarships like Chevening and MEXT.