In 2026, many countries changed their strategy to not only offer free tuition but also monthly stipends to bring in the best talent from around the world. Most of the time, these “fully funded” opportunities come from government-sponsored programs that provide tuition, flights, health insurance, and a monthly living allowance.
1. Japan (MEXT Scholarship)
Japan is one of the most reliable countries when it comes to “paying” international students to study. The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) scholarship is a top-tier award that pays for everything.
The Payment:
- For undergraduates, it’s about 117,000 yen a month.
- Master’s: About 144,000 yen a month.
- PhD: About 145,000 yen a month, or $960.
- Extras: The full cost of tuition and a round-trip flight are included.
The Plan: Between April and June 2026, apply for the 2027 intake through the Japanese Embassy in your home country.
2. Germany (DAAD Scholarships)
Public universities in Germany don’t charge tuition, but the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) provides high-achieving students a monthly stipend to help them pay for their high cost of living.
The Payment:
- Students in a master’s programme: €992 per month.
- PhD students receive between €1,300 and €1,400 a month, which will go up to €1,500 in late 2026 for some research tracks.
- Extras include health insurance, travel grants, and a one-time study allowance.
The Strategy: The EPOS programme (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) is the most popular “paid” track. It is for professionals who have been working for at least two years.
3. Saudi Arabia (KAUST and King Fahd Fellowships)
To reach its “Vision 2030” goals, Saudi Arabia is currently offering some of the highest monthly salaries in the world to STEM researchers.
The Payment:
- The KAUST Fellowship gives you an annual stipend of $20,000 to $30,000 USD (about $1,600 to $2,500 per month), depending on your level of education.
- Extras: free tuition, private housing on campus, medical and dental insurance, and help with moving.
The Plan: Master’s and PhD students in science and technology fields can get these. Usually, applications for the Spring 2027 intake open in September 2026.
4. Turkey (Türkiye Bursları)
The Turkish government offers a full “all-in-one” scholarship that is effortless for students from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to get.
The Payment:
- For undergraduates, it’s 3,500 TL a month.
- 5,000 TL a month for a master’s degree.
- 6,500 TL per month for a PhD.
- Extras: full tuition, a year of free Turkish language classes, free dormitory housing, and a ticket for a return flight.
The Plan: The application cycle for 2027 usually starts in January 2027, but you should start getting your portfolio and English/Turkish proficiency documents ready in late 2026.
5. The UK (Chevening and Commonwealth)
Through the prestigious Chevening Program, the UK government “pays” leaders and influencers to study for a year.
The Payment:
- Monthly Stipend: A set amount (about £1,300 to £1,700, depending on whether you live in London or not) to cover all of your living expenses.
- Extras include full tuition (with no limit for most programs), visa fees, and allowances for arriving and departing.
The plan is to open the application window for the 2027/2028 cycle in August 2026 and close it in November 2026.
6. Singapore (SINGA Prize)
The government of Singapore pays international students to do world-class PhD research in science and engineering.
The Payment:
- Monthly payment of S$2,700, which goes up to S$3,200 (about $2,370 USD) after passing the Qualifying Examination.
- Extras: full tuition, a one-time S$1,000 settling-in allowance, and a grant for airfare.
The plan: The deadline for the January 2027 intake is usually June 1, 2026.
Final Thoughts
If you want to make the most money after expenses, Saudi Arabia (KAUST) and Singapore (SINGA) will have the best stipends in 2026. Chevening (UK) and DAAD (Germany) are the best options if you want a leadership credential that is recognised all over the world, along with your payment. Keep in mind that “paid” scholarships often require you to keep your GPA high and, in some cases, go back to your home country for two years after you graduate.
