Are you in your final year of study and planning to study abroad, there’s no better time than now to prepare for some of the best fully-funded international scholarships that don’t require the IELTS exam and are opening in 2025 for the 2026 intake. From Asia to Europe and beyond, these prestigious programs not only waive language test requirements but also offer comprehensive financial support including tuition, stipends, travel, and living expenses.
List of Fully-funded Scholarships for 2026 Session Without IELTS
Here’s your early-access guide to 8 upcoming fully-funded scholarships in 2026 without an IELTS requirement that are perfect for final-year students to prepare for now:
1# China Government, Provincial & University Scholarships – Spring 2026
Launch Window: November 2025
Location: China
IELTS Requirement: Waived at many universities; Medium of Instruction (MOI) English certificate accepted.
Why Apply?
China offers hundreds of fully funded scholarships via the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC), provincial government scholarships (like Jiangsu or Guangdong), and top university-specific scholarships (e.g., at Zhejiang, HIT, or BIT). These scholarships cover tuition, free accommodation, monthly stipends, and insurance.
Eligibility:
- Final-year undergraduate or postgraduate students
- MOI English certificate often accepted instead of IELTS
- Excellent academic records and research potential (for postgrads)
⚠️ TIP: Start identifying Chinese universities offering Spring 2026 intakes (admissions open Nov–Jan) and prepare required documents including notarized transcripts, recommendation letters, and MOI proof.
2# Türkiye Bursları Scholarship 2026
Launch Date: January 10, 2026
Location: Turkey
IELTS Requirement: Not mandatory; medium of instruction certificate accepted.
Why Apply?
Türkiye Bursları is one of the most generous scholarships globally—covering full tuition, return airfare, monthly stipend (~1600 TL/month), health insurance, and Turkish language training. It’s open for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs at top Turkish universities.
Eligibility:
- Applicants from all nationalities
- Final-year students and graduates
- Proof of English-medium instruction often replaces IELTS
✅ Prepare your statement of purpose, academic transcripts, and reference letters well in advance. Competitive applicants often submit additional documents like awards, internships, or publications.
Ref – https://www.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr/
3# Maastricht University NL-High Potential Scholarships
Opening Date: October 2025
Location: Netherlands
IELTS Requirement: Waived for some programs if your previous education was in English and certified by the university.
Why Apply?
This scholarship is part of the NL-High Potential program, offering €30,000 per year, covering tuition, living allowance, insurance, and visa costs for talented international students pursuing Master’s degrees.
Eligibility:
- Non-EU/EEA applicants
- Excellent academic records
- Must meet program’s English requirement (some waive IELTS with MOI)
4# TaiwanICDF Scholarship Program 2026
Expected Opening: December 2025
Location: Taiwan
IELTS Requirement: MOI certificate accepted by several partner universities.
Why Apply?
A fully-funded opportunity for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in engineering, agriculture, business, public health, and more. It includes tuition fee coverage, round-trip airfare, monthly stipend (NT$12,000–18,000), and insurance.
Eligibility:
- Citizens of eligible developing countries
- Strong academic background
- Must apply through a participating university and your country’s designated office
Ref – https://www.icdf.org.tw/wSite/np?ctNode=31561&mp=2.
5# Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship 2026
Application Window: Expected to open in December 2025
Location: Hungary
IELTS Requirement: Not always required. Many universities accept MOI certificates or conduct their own online interviews.
Why Apply?
This scholarship by the Hungarian Government offers tuition fee waivers, accommodation contribution, monthly stipend (~HUF 43,700), and health insurance. Available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Eligibility:
- Students from partner countries
- Strong academic profile
- English-taught programs (IELTS may be waived)
Visit stipendiumhungaricum.hu/apply for partner universities and application guides for 2026 intakes.
6# Mexican Government Scholarship 2026
Application Window: July to August 2025
Location: Mexico
IELTS Requirement: Waived; Spanish or English language proficiency based on program language.
Why Apply?
Fully-funded scholarship including monthly stipend of MXN 9,800–12,251, tuition waiver, round-trip airfare, and medical insurance. Open to international students for Master’s and PhD programs in various fields.
Eligibility:
- Final-year undergraduates, graduates
- English or Spanish medium of instruction accepted
- Good academic standing.
7# Kazakhstan Government Scholarship 2026
Expected Application Window: March 30 to May 31, 2026
Location: Kazakhstan
IELTS Requirement: Not mandatory at some universities; MOI or institutional tests accepted.
Why Apply?
This government-backed program supports international students with tuition fee coverage, monthly stipend, and accommodation. Available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees across universities in Kazakhstan.
Eligibility:
- Final-year students from eligible countries
- Academic merit and MOI certificate accepted
- Programs available in English or Russian
Kazakhstan is an underrated destination with high-quality education, affordable living, and increasing international collaboration.
Ref – https://bolashak.gov.kz/en/scholarship-program
8# AIT Scholarships – Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand
Next Intake Deadlines:
- For January 2026 intake: 20 December 2025
- For August 2025 intake: 20 July 2025
Location: Thailand
IELTS Requirement: Waived if applicant submits AIT EET score (5.0 or above for Master’s, 5.5 for PhD)
Why Apply?
AIT offers partial to full tuition coverage, and students only cover living and registration costs (~11,500–15,000 Baht/month and 20,000 Baht/semester respectively). AIT is a globally recognized institution for engineering, development, and management programs.
Eligibility:
- Open to all nationalities
- Must meet AIT English requirement via EET or IELTS
- CGPA: 2.75+ for undergrad, 3.50+ in Master’s for PhD