Top 15 Europe Scholarships 2025: Fully Funded & IELTS-Free

Unlock your dream study abroad without IELTS in 2025!

Introduction
Ready to study in Europe without the hassle of IELTS? You’re in the right place. In 2025, dozens of fully funded scholarships are open to international students—and many waive the IELTS requirement if you can show alternative English (or host-language) proficiency.

Fully Funded Scholarships Europe 2025 for International Students

Europe leads the world in offering fully funded scholarships that cover tuition, living costs, travel, and insurance—often with no IELTS required. You’ll find government, EU, and university-level awards, plus regional schemes targeting specific countries or fields.

Each program below accepts alternative proof of language proficiency—such as a TOEFL score, medium-of-instruction letter, or in-university assessment—instead of IELTS.

Scholarships Without IELTS: Top Picks

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships

Erasmus Mundus awards full scholarships for integrated master’s programs taught by consortia of European universities.

Coverage: Tuition, monthly stipend (≈€1,400/month), travel, insurance citeturn0search3
Level: Master’s (1–2 years)
No IELTS? Yes—many programs accept TOEFL, Cambridge English, or proof of prior English-medium study citeturn0search3
Deadline: Varies by program (usually late autumn)

You apply directly to the consortium; they handle scholarship applications.

2. Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals

The Swedish Institute Scholarship targets emerging leaders from 33 countries.

Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, travel grant, health insurance citeturn0search4
Level: Master’s (1–2 years)
Language: IELTS not required—proof of English via TOEFL or degree transcript suffices citeturn0search4
Deadline: February/March annually

You must apply for a participating master’s and tick the SI scholarship box.

3. DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS)

Germany’s DAAD offers EPOS scholarships for careers in development cooperation.

Coverage: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend (≈€850), travel, insurance citeturn0search2
Level: Master’s (1–2 years)
Language: IELTS waiver if you hold a degree from an English-medium institution; DAAD also provides language courses citeturn0search10
Deadline: Varies by program (typically October)

Choose from 50+ development-focused courses at German universities.

4. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Programme

The Eiffel Scholarship by France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs covers the crème de la crème of foreign students in select disciplines.

Coverage: Monthly stipend (€1,181–€1,800), travel, insurance; tuition not covered citeturn1search0turn1search1
Level: Master’s (up to 24 months), PhD (up to 36 months)
Language: IELTS not mandated—French or English proficiency proof (e.g., TOEFL, medium-of-instruction) accepted citeturn1search1
Deadline: Jan 8, 2025 (Campus France)

You must secure admission; institutions nominate you for the Eiffel grant.

5. Government of Poland Scholarships

Poland’s Ministry offers scholarships to study in Polish institutions in English.

Coverage: Tuition, living stipend, medical insurance, Polish language course citeturn0search9
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Language: IELTS-free—universities accept TOEFL, PTE, or proof of English-medium study citeturn0search9
Deadline: Varies by university (often June–July)

Check individual Polish university portals for details.

6. Netherlands Government Scholarships

The Dutch government and universities waive IELTS for many Orange Knowledge and Holland Scholarship programs.

Coverage: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend (€1,000–€1,500), travel grant citeturn0search19
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, short courses
Language: IELTS optional—TOEFL or proof of English-medium degree accepted citeturn0search19
Deadline: January–February 2025

Apply via Dutch institutions and the Nuffic portal.

7. Finland Scholarships Without IELTS

Finland’s global scholarships fund 10+ universities offering English-taught programs.

Coverage: Tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend, travel citeturn0search13
Level: Master’s, PhD
Language: IELTS-free—accepts other certificates or a university-issued letter citeturn0search13
Deadline: Varies (mostly January)

Check each Finnish university’s scholarship page.

8. Belgium Government & KU Leuven Scholarships

Belgium’s Flemish and Wallonia regions run government scholarships; KU Leuven offers language-waiver awards.

Coverage: Tuition, living stipend (€1,000/month), insurance citeturn0search23
Level: Master’s, PhD
Language: IELTS waived—proof via TOEFL or prior English study accepted citeturn0search23
Deadline: December 2024–January 2025

Visit the Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) portal for ICP Connect options.

9. Norway Scholarships Without IELTS

Norwegian universities welcome English-taught students, many with full waivers.

Coverage: Tuition-free; living stipend via Quota Scheme (≈NOK 17,000/month) citeturn0search18
Level: Master’s, PhD
Language: IELTS not needed—provide alternative evidence or complete a university’s own test citeturn0search18
Deadline: Varies (usually Nov–Jan)

Apply through the University Admissions in Norway system.

10. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)

Hungary’s flagship scholarship covers nearly 500 programs in English.

Coverage: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend (€131–€243), travel citeturn2search5
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Language: IELTS-free—if your prior degree was in English, you’re exempt; otherwise host-institution sets criteria citeturn2search5
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025

Apply via the Hungarian consul or sending partner.

11. Czech Government Scholarships

The Czech Ministry’s development scholarships support select countries—English programs included.

Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, language prep course citeturn4search0
Level: Master’s, PhD
Language: IELTS-skipped—provide TOEFL, Cambridge, DUO certificate, or prior English study citeturn4search2
Deadline: July 20, 2024 (for 2025/26 intake)

Information and applications via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

12. Slovak Government National Scholarship Program

Slovakia’s NSP funds short-term study/research stays in Slovak institutions.

Coverage: Accommodation, food, travel allowance (€0–€1,500) citeturn5search2
Level: Bachelor’s exchange, Master’s, PhD mobility (3–10 months)
Language: No IELTS—proof via TOEFL or host-language proficiency accepted citeturn5search2
Deadline: April 30, 2025

Apply online at scholarships.sk.

13. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Switzerland’s FCS awards excellence scholarships across all cantons.

Coverage: CHF 1,920–3,500/month, travel, insurance citeturn3search0
Level: Research Fellowships (PhD, Postdoc), Art Scholarships
Language: IELTS optional—supply any certificate (TOEFL, TOEIC, etc.) citeturn3search0
Deadline: Varies by country (usually Nov)

Apply via your Swiss embassy portal.

14. Danish Government Scholarships

Danish universities award limited gov’t scholarships to non-EU/EEA students.

Coverage: Tuition waiver, living grant (varies by uni) citeturn8search0
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s
Language: IELTS not specified—institutions accept other English proofs citeturn8search0
Deadline: Check each university’s admission details

Enquire at your chosen Danish institution’s admissions office.

15. Invest Your Talent in Italy Scholarship

Italy’s “IYT” program funds top master’s students—no IELTS required.

Coverage: €9,000 total (≈€1,000/month), tuition waiver, Italian course, internship citeturn10search2turn10search3
Level: Master’s
Language: IELTS recommended but not mandatory—B2 proof via TOEFL or university letter accepted citeturn10search2turn10search7
Deadline: February 24, 2025

Apply separately to the university and the IYT portal.

Scholarships Compared: At a Glance

Scholarship	Country	Level	Coverage	Deadline
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master	EU	Master’s	Tuition, €1,400/mo, travel, insurance citeturn0search3	Varies (Autumn)
Swedish Institute (SI)	Sweden	Master’s	Tuition, living allowance, travel citeturn0search4	Feb/March 2025
DAAD EPOS	Germany	Master’s	Tuition, €850/mo, travel, insurance citeturn0search2	Varies (Oct)
Eiffel Excellence	France	Master’s, PhD	€1,181–€1,800/mo, travel, insurance citeturn1search0	Jan 8, 2025
Poland Government	Poland	All levels	Tuition, stipend, insurance citeturn0search9	Varies
Holland & OKP	Netherlands	All levels	Tuition, €1,000–€1,500/mo citeturn0search19	Jan–Feb 2025
Finland Scholarships	Finland	Master’s, PhD	Tuition waiver, stipend citeturn0search13	Jan 2025
Belgium (KU Leuven)	Belgium	Master’s, PhD	Tuition, €1,000/mo citeturn0search23	Dec 2024–Jan 2025
Norway Quota Scheme	Norway	Master’s, PhD	Tuition-free, NOK stipend citeturn0search18	Varies
Stipendium Hungaricum	Hungary	All levels	Tuition, €131–€243/mo citeturn2search5	Jan 15, 2025
Czech Gov’t Scholarship	Czechia	Master’s, PhD	Tuition, living allowance citeturn4search0	July 20, 2024
Slovak NSP	Slovakia	Short-term stays	Accommodation, travel €0–€1,500 citeturn5search2	April 30, 2025
Swiss Gov’t Excellence	Switzerland	PhD, Postdoc	CHF 1,920–3,500/mo citeturn3search0	Varies (Nov)
Danish Government	Denmark	Bachelor’s, Master’s	Tuition waiver, living grant citeturn8search0	Varies by uni
Invest Your Talent in Italy (IYT)	Italy	Master’s	€1,000/mo, tuition waiver citeturn10search2	Feb 24, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I apply without an IELTS certificate?
Absolutely. Most of these programs accept TOEFL, Cambridge English, Duolingo, or a medium-of-instruction letter in lieu of IELTS. citeturn0search13turn2search5

Q2: What counts as proof of prior English-medium study?
A transcript or certificate stating your previous degree was taught in English. Some universities issue a letter—check with your alma mater. citeturn2search5

Q3: When should I start applying?
Deadlines vary: Jan–Feb 2025 is peak for many, but Eiffel closes in January 2025, Erasmus+ in autumn, and Poland/Czech mid-year. Plan 6–9 months ahead. citeturn1search0turn4search0

Q4: How do I prepare a strong application?

Tailor your motivation letter to each scholarship’s mission
Secure 2–3 recommendation letters
Keep transcripts and language proofs ready early
Highlight leadership and impact experiences citeturn0search4

Q5: Are tuition fees always covered?
Most programs cover fees fully, but Eiffel excludes tuition (it provides a stipend instead). Always check the benefits section. citeturn1search1

Conclusion

Studying in Europe without IELTS is entirely possible in 2025. Whether you aim for an Erasmus Mundus master’s, a DAAD development course, or Italy’s IYT program, there’s a fully funded path waiting.

Research early—note deadlines and eligibility
Gather alternative proofs—TOEFL, transcripts, letters
Customize each application—speak to the scholarship’s goals
Submit on time and follow up where permitted

Europe’s best universities welcome you. Start your journey today!

—

Ready to apply? Bookmark this guide and get started on your scholarship applications now!