Studying abroad is a dream shared by millions of Indian students, but the high cost often turns this dream into a distant fantasy. The good news? You don’t need crores — or even ₹10 lakhs — to make it happen. There are powerful, fully-funded or high-coverage scholarships that allow you to study in top global universities with a total budget of under ₹5 lakhs.
Yes, you read that right.
This guide shares the top scholarships for Indian students where your out-of-pocket expenses can be kept low, without compromising on quality or global exposure.
For many Indian families, a budget of ₹5 lakhs is the absolute maximum they can invest in international education. But this amount can go a long way when you:
Win a full or partial tuition scholarship
Get monthly stipends or accommodation grants
Choose countries with low living costs (Germany, Norway, Turkey, etc.)
Apply smartly and early to maximize chances
Let’s explore the best options — backed by real data.
Coverage: Full tuition + living expenses + travel
Level: Master’s & PhD
Ideal Budget: ₹2–3 lakhs (primarily for initial travel + visa)
Why it’s great: Public universities in Germany have no tuition fees. With a DAAD scholarship, your entire cost is covered, and you even get a monthly stipend of €934 (₹85,000+).
✅ Apply at least 9–12 months before your course starts.
Coverage: Full tuition + monthly stipend + airfare + visa
Level: Master’s
Ideal Budget: ₹3–5 lakhs (for initial expenses; reimbursed later)
Chevening is the UK Government’s flagship global scholarship, awarded to leaders and change-makers. With a strong SOP and leadership profile, even a mid-income student can win it.
Coverage: 100% tuition + accommodation + health insurance + stipend
Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
Budget Range: ₹2–4 lakhs (for travel and settlement)
You can study in English at top universities in Budapest or Szeged completely tuition-free. It’s especially popular among Indian STEM students.
Coverage: Tuition fees + living costs + travel grant
Level: Master’s
Approx Budget: ₹4–5 lakhs (mostly for initial documentation, visa)
Sweden offers world-class education, and the Swedish Institute scholarship makes it accessible. Plus, most programs are in English!
Coverage: Tuition + dorm + airfare + health insurance + stipend
Level: UG, PG, PhD
Budget: ₹1–2 lakhs (initial expenses only)
Living costs in Turkey are low, and the universities are rising rapidly in global rankings. Great for students from arts, humanities, and international relations backgrounds.
Coverage: Tuition + €10,000 stipend
Level: Master’s
Budget Range: ₹4–5 lakhs (for additional living expenses)
Ireland is a growing hub for tech, pharma, and AI – making this scholarship a gateway to great jobs post-study.
Coverage: Tuition + travel + living allowance
Level: Master’s
Budget Range: ₹3–5 lakhs (pre-departure)
Open for students from developing countries (including India) studying development-related programs. It’s one of the easiest UK scholarships to apply for — and no separate application fee.
👉 Ankita from Pune wanted to pursue a Master’s in Data Science in Germany. She applied via Scholarshipfinder.in and shortlisted 3 DAAD-partnered courses.
She spent ₹1.2 lakhs for IELTS, visa, health insurance, and initial travel. She now studies tuition-free with a monthly stipend.
✅ Total expense: ₹1.2 lakhs📍 Country: Germany🎓 University: University of Mannheim
Start Early: At least 9–12 months before intake.
Target Fully-Funded Opportunities: Filter scholarships accordingly on platforms like Scholarshipfinder.in.
Shortlist Countries with Low Tuition Fees: Like Germany, Norway, Hungary, Turkey.
Write a Winning SOP: Highlight your story, goals, and impact.
Prepare in Advance: IELTS, Passport, LORs, etc.
✅ Scholarshipfinder Tool – Search scholarships based on budget, course, and country.
✅ IELTS Practice Resources – British Council’s Free IELTS Kit
✅ Budget Estimator Tool – Try Numbeo to estimate cost of living in different countries
❌ Applying to only 1-2 scholarships❌ Not having a backup country or course❌ Underestimating initial expenses❌ Submitting SOPs that are too generic❌ Missing scholarship deadlines
Q: Can I study abroad for free as an Indian student?Yes! With scholarships like DAAD, Turkey Burslari, or Hungarian Government, you can reduce total costs to almost zero.
Q: Is ₹5 lakhs enough to study in the US or UK?Not without scholarships. But with Chevening or Commonwealth support, it’s very possible for UK. For US, you need to explore merit-based aid from universities directly.
Q: Where can I find all these scholarships in one place?➡️ Visit www.Scholarshipfinder.in – India’s only curated marketplace for active global and Indian scholarships!
Don’t let budget hold you back. There are dozens of students each year from modest-income families who go abroad — not because they’re rich, but because they were well-informed and applied smartly.
✨ You can be next.
👉 Explore 500+ active scholarships now on Scholarshipfinder.in