In 2026, history scholarships are more and more interdisciplinary, and they prefer candidates who link historical research to modern policy, digital humanities, or global identity. The “Full-Ride” cycles for the 2027 intake are starting to open, even though the 2026 intake windows are closing.
1. Fully Funded Top “Full-Ride” Prizes
These are the best programs because they pay for all of your tuition, let you travel abroad, and give you a monthly living allowance.
Chevening Scholarships in the UK
- The prize is full funding for a one-year master’s degree in history or a related field in the humanities.
- Applications for the 2027/2028 cohort will be accepted from August 5, 2026, to October 7, 2026.
- You need to have worked for at least two years (2,800 hours). It counts if you do volunteer work in museums or archives.
- Strategic Tip: Look at “Strengthening Global Peace, Security and Governance” or “Inclusive Societies” from a historical perspective.
Fulbright Graduate Study Programme in the United States
- The Prize: Full funding for a Master’s or PhD in history at one of the best U.S. history departments, like Yale, Stanford, or Princeton.
- The competition is now open in many areas as of March 2026, which is the start of the 2027–2028 cycle.
- National Deadlines: Different countries have different deadlines. For instance, the U.S. Embassy in Serbia has a deadline of May 20, 2026, while others close in October 2026.
- Requirement: Applicants must show how their study of history will help people in the U.S. and their home country understand each other better.
DAAD: Scholarships for All Fields of Study (Germany)
- The prize is a monthly stipend of €992 (for a master’s degree) or €1,300+ (for a PhD), health insurance, and money for travel.
- Germany is a world leader in modern European history and classical studies.
- 2027 Intake: Applications for the 2027 cycle usually open in June 2026 and close in September or October 2026.
2. Awards for Elite Universities (for the 2027 intake)
Gates Cambridge Scholarship in the UK
- The prize is the full cost of a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge.
- Applications for the 2027 intake usually open in September 2026.
- Due dates:
- People in the US: October 2026.
- All other applicants: December 2026 or the first week of January 2027, depending on the course.
- Selection: Based on having a high level of intelligence and a desire to make other people’s lives better.
Oxford Clarendon Scholarship in the UK
- The Prize: Full tuition and a large grant for living expenses at the University of Oxford.
- Applications for the 2027 intake open in September 2026.
- Selection: All eligible applicants who apply for their course by the January 2027 deadline are automatically considered.
3. Erasmus Mundus: An Important Update for 2026
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters in History and Culture (like Euroculture) is currently going through a change in status.
- 2026–2027 Status: There are no Erasmus Mundus scholarships available for the current intake, which starts in late 2026, while the consortia wait for the results of the funding re-selection.
- 2027 Outlook: Full scholarships (about €1,400/month) are expected to come back for the September 2027 intake. The public will receive the results of the re-selection in mid-2026. Portals will open in late 2026.
4. How to Avoid IELTS for History in 2026
History is a subject that requires a lot of reading and writing (IELTS 7.5+), but you can skip formal tests by:
- Medium of Instruction (MOI): If you got your bachelor’s degree in history and it was taught in English, a lot of German (DAAD) and UK (Commonwealth) universities will accept an official MOI letter.
- The University of Glasgow and some US and UK history departments now accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a faster, $59 alternative to the IELTS.
- Professional Waiver: Some UK master’s programmes may not require the test if you have worked for an international cultural heritage organisation (like UNESCO) for at least three years where English is the main language.
5. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- The deadline for the Fulbright (Serbia) 2027 cycle is May 20, 2026.
- The Chevening (UK) portal will open on August 5, 2026, for the 2027 intake.
- The Gates Cambridge, Oxford Clarendon, and DAAD portals will open in September 2026 for 2027.
- The deadline for Chevening (UK) 2027 is October 7, 2026.
Final Thoughts
The Chevening and DAAD programmes offer the best financial security for master’s relocation in 2027. Starting this September, the Gates, Cambridge, and Oxford Clarendon programs are the best places for top researchers to apply. Put your application in for Digital Archives or Transnational History. The 2027 committees are searching for candidates who can use new technologies to keep the past alive and understand it.
