Updated: 15 November 2026 — This guide highlights international scholarship opportunities for 2027 entry with confirmed application windows or deadlines. Each listing explains who may apply, what the award supports, the deadline and the practical steps to submit an application. Always read the official call and the chosen university’s admission rules before applying.
At a glance: upcoming deadlines
| Scholarship | Study level | Deadline | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETH Zurich ESOP | Master’s | 30 November 2026 | Switzerland |
| UBC International Scholars Program | Undergraduate | 2 December 2026, 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time | Canada |
| Yenching Academy | Master’s | 30 November 2026, 9:00 a.m. Beijing time | China |
| Hong Kong PhD Fellowship | PhD | 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong time (initial application) | Hong Kong |
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Master’s | 8 December 2026, 4:00 p.m. GMT | United Kingdom |
1. ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP) — Switzerland
Level: Master’s degree
Deadline: 30 November 2026, 11:59 a.m. Central European Time
Funding: From the 2027 autumn semester, the award provides CHF 13,500 per semester towards living and study expenses, plus a tuition-fee waiver, for the regular duration of the eligible Master’s programme. The award is competitive.
Who should consider it? Applicants with an excellent Bachelor’s academic record who are applying to an eligible ETH Zurich Master’s programme. ETH describes the expected academic performance as approximately the top 10% of the graduating class. Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree or are already enrolled in an ETH Master’s programme are not eligible.
How to apply
- Choose an eligible ETH Zurich Master’s programme and check its subject-specific admission requirements.
- Prepare the documents required for Master’s admission, including academic records, CV and any programme-specific materials.
- Develop your own Master’s thesis pre-proposal using the ETH guidelines; this is an additional ESOP requirement.
- In the online eApply system, submit the Master’s application and indicate that you are applying for ESOP. Where the programme does not request references, provide details for two professors who can submit reference letters when contacted.
- Submit the complete application before the deadline. International Bachelor’s degree holders must use the November application window; late or incomplete applications are not considered.
ESOP award, eligibility and application instructions · ETH Master’s application dates
2. Yenching Academy Scholars Programme 2027 — Peking University, China
Level: Interdisciplinary Master’s in China Studies
Deadline for international applicants: 30 November 2026, 9:00 a.m. Beijing time
Funding: The Yenching Fellowship package includes tuition, accommodation, a monthly stipend, one round-trip travel fare and field-study costs, subject to the Academy’s terms.
Who should consider it? International applicants with a strong academic record, leadership potential and a serious interest in interdisciplinary China Studies. The programme is taught in English and offers study areas across humanities and social sciences. Students and alumni of Yenching partner universities must complete their home institution’s internal pre-selection process first.
How to apply
- Read the international admissions requirements and confirm that you meet the citizenship, degree, academic and English-language requirements.
- Prepare the online application materials. The Academy’s application guidance specifies a personal statement, statement of research interest, CV, academic transcripts, degree or enrolment documents and academic recommendation letters. Check the live portal for the current word limits and accepted English-language evidence.
- Ask two suitable academic referees to provide recommendations and allow enough time for them to submit their letters.
- Complete the Yenching Academy online application and upload all required documents before 9:00 a.m. Beijing time on 30 November 2026.
- Monitor your email and the application portal for interview or selection updates.
Official Yenching Academy admissions page · Yenching Academy website and notices
3. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) 2027/28 — Hong Kong
Level: Full-time PhD
Initial application deadline: 1 December 2026, 12:00 noon Hong Kong time
Funding: The published scheme provides an annual stipend of HK$344,400 and an annual conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,400 for up to three years. Universities may provide additional support according to their own rules.
Who should consider it? High-achieving applicants of any nationality seeking full-time doctoral study at one of the participating Hong Kong universities. Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen department and university.
How to apply
- Identify a suitable PhD research area and review the participating universities’ programmes, supervisors and admission requirements. Contact potential supervisors where the department recommends or requires it.
- Submit one initial application through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme Electronic System (HKPFSES). You may select up to two programmes or departments at one or two universities.
- Save the HKPFS Reference Number generated after the initial application. Submit only one initial HKPFS application; duplicate initial applications can lead to disqualification.
- Apply separately for full PhD admission to each selected university, quoting your HKPFS Reference Number and uploading the university’s required documents. Each university may have additional forms, documents or fees.
- Complete both stages before the relevant deadlines. Do not wait until the final hours: some university application deadlines fall on the same date as the initial HKPFS deadline.
Official HKPFS how-to-apply instructions · HKPFS initial application portal · Scheme information and award details
4. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027/28 — United Kingdom
Level: Approved full-time Master’s courses only
Application window: Opened 10 November 2026
Deadline: 8 December 2026, 4:00 p.m. GMT
Funding: The award normally covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, and a living stipend, with other allowances subject to the official terms.
Who should consider it? Applicants from eligible Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, who are permanently resident in an eligible country, cannot afford UK study without the award and meet the development-impact and academic requirements. By September 2027, applicants generally need a first degree at least equivalent to a UK upper second-class (2:1); a lower second-class degree may be accepted with a relevant postgraduate qualification. Applicants must also meet the rule concerning prior study or work in a high-income country. There is no age limit stated by the Commission.
Important: The 2027/28 list of approved courses and participating universities should be checked on the Commission’s website as it is published. Applicants must apply for university admission as well as the scholarship; a scholarship application alone does not secure a university place.
How to apply
- Check the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s 2027/28 approved course list and identify a participating UK university and eligible Master’s course.
- Read the course entry requirements and submit a separate admission application to the university. Follow the university’s instructions for transcripts, references and English-language evidence.
- Create an account on CSC Central, the Commission’s online application system.
- Complete the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application, explaining how the selected course connects to development priorities and how you intend to use the skills after study.
- Upload all requested supporting documents and submit through CSC Central by 4:00 p.m. GMT on 8 December 2026. Follow any additional university selection instructions.
Official Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page, eligible countries and application instructions
More 2027 funding opportunities now open
These additional calls were checked against the scholarship provider or government institution’s published information on 15 November 2026. They cover different study and research levels; read the eligibility carefully before applying.
5. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028 — Nigeria
Destination: Switzerland • Eligible route for Nigerian applicants: Research fellowship and PhD scholarship • Deadline for Nigeria: 27 November 2026 • Funding: CHF 2,450 monthly living allowance for eligible award types; duration and other conditions depend on the scholarship category.
Who can apply? The programme is primarily for early-career researchers who already hold a Master’s degree and want to undertake research or doctoral work in Switzerland. Applicants need a Swiss academic supervisor willing to support the project. This is not a general taught-Master’s scholarship. The country list specifically gives Nigeria a 27 November 2026 deadline for Research Fellowship and PhD routes.
How to apply
- Read the Swiss Government’s country-specific Nigeria entry and confirm the research or PhD category available.
- Identify an eligible Swiss university or research institution and obtain the required academic supervisor’s support.
- Prepare the research plan, CV, degree documents, supervisor support letter and other documents listed in the official guidance.
- Register in the official GO ESKAS system and submit according to the instructions for Nigeria before 27 November 2026.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships — official programme · Official country list and Nigeria deadline
6. EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships 2027 — Switzerland
Level: Master’s • Deadline: 15 December 2026 for external applicants • Funding: CHF 10,000 per semester, for up to four semesters, plus reservation of a student-room place for external candidates. This is a competitive award and does not necessarily cover all living costs or tuition-related expenses.
Who can apply? Applicants applying to an EPFL Master’s programme may be considered. Selection is highly competitive and based on academic excellence, qualifications and motivation. Applicants who already hold a Master’s degree or are enrolled in an EPFL Master’s programme are not eligible under the published rules.
How to apply
- Choose an eligible EPFL Master’s programme and check its admission requirements.
- Complete the online Master’s application and tick the option requesting consideration for an Excellence Fellowship.
- Submit and pay for the application by 15 December 2026. Arrange recommendation letters in line with the portal’s instructions; the referee deadline may fall after the application deadline.
- Monitor the application account and email for admission and fellowship decisions.
EPFL Master Excellence Fellowships — award details · Official application steps and deadlines
7. MOPGA 2027 Visiting Fellowship — France
Level: Postdoctoral / early-career research fellowship (not a Master’s or PhD student scholarship) • Deadline: 15 December 2026 • Duration: 12 months from 2027 • Funding: €2,500 monthly allowance, €500 settling-in allowance and specified health coverage. International travel is not covered by the programme.
Who can apply? Researchers of foreign nationality who defended their PhD between December 2021 and December 2026, are seeking research mobility to France, are not resident and professionally active in France at application time, and have not previously received a MOPGA fellowship. Projects must address the published climate, sustainability, energy-transition, environmental-societal or integrated One Health themes.
How to apply
- Identify a suitable French host laboratory and research supervisor whose work matches an eligible MOPGA theme.
- Prepare the research project, publication CV, PhD evidence, supervisor support and recommendation letters.
- Complete the online application through Campus France’s official SMApply portal before 15 December 2026.
Campus France — MOPGA 2027 official call and eligibility · MOPGA 2027 application portal
8. MBZUAI Graduate Scholarships — United Arab Emirates
Level: Master’s and PhD programmes in artificial intelligence and related fields • Most graduate deadlines: 15 December 2026, 5:00 p.m. Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4) for the 2027 intake; selected programmes have later dates • Funding: MBZUAI states that most Master’s programmes for Fall 2027 are fully funded, with the Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence excluded from that statement. PhD scholarships include tuition, accommodation, healthcare, student visa and a monthly stipend, subject to university terms.
Who can apply? Applicants with the academic and programme-specific background required for the chosen AI, computer science, engineering or related graduate programme. Admission and scholarship conditions differ by programme; check the official programme page for degree, GPA, English-language and other requirements.
How to apply
- Select the Master’s or PhD programme and read its admission and scholarship conditions.
- Prepare transcripts, degree certificate, CV, statement of purpose, references and English-language evidence as required.
- Submit the online application through MBZUAI’s official admissions portal by the relevant programme deadline.
- Monitor the portal and email for assessment, interview and scholarship information.
MBZUAI official programmes, scholarships and deadlines
Documents to prepare before applying
- International passport or other accepted proof of identity.
- Degree certificate and complete academic transcript.
- Updated academic CV.
- Personal statement or motivation letter tailored to the specific scholarship.
- Research proposal or statement of research interest, where required.
- Academic or professional reference letters in the format requested by the provider.
- English-language test result or accepted proof of English-medium education, if required.
- Evidence of relevant work, leadership, volunteering or research experience where requested.
How to avoid scholarship scams
- Apply through the official university, government or scholarship-provider website linked in each listing.
- Do not pay an individual or unofficial agent who promises guaranteed admission or a guaranteed scholarship.
- Check the exact programme, intake, deadline and time zone before submitting.
- Never send passport details, bank information or payments to an unverified email address or social-media account.
- Remember that a scholarship award and a university admission offer are separate decisions unless the provider explicitly says otherwise.
More scholarship opportunities
Fexora News will continue adding verified undergraduate, Master’s, PhD and research funding opportunities as official calls open. Each new listing should include the destination, eligible study level, funding coverage, deadline, eligibility summary and a practical application guide. Deadlines and requirements can change, so always confirm the latest details on the provider’s official website before applying.
Editorial note: This is an information guide, not an admission or funding guarantee. Scholarship selection is competitive and final decisions rest with the relevant institutions. The 2027/28 Commonwealth course list and any programme-specific university deadlines should be checked directly with the Commission and participating universities.
9. University of British Columbia International Scholars Program — Canada
Study level: Undergraduate • 2027 entry: September 2027 • Application deadline: 2 December 2026, 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time (UTC−8). UBC has extended the deadline from the earlier November date. Reference submissions have a separate earlier deadline; check the official dates page and submit references by 1 December 2026, 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Award and coverage: The International Scholars Program includes several need-and-merit-based awards. Depending on the award and the student’s demonstrated financial need, support can cover the full cost of the academic program and living expenses. Award values are assessed individually; applicants should not assume that every award automatically covers every cost.
Eligibility: International students who will study in Canada on a study permit, are entering their first undergraduate degree directly from secondary school, demonstrate outstanding academic performance and leadership, and have significant financial need. Applicants must meet UBC’s English-language and admission requirements. Canadian citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for this international award stream.
Application steps: (1) Review eligible UBC degree programmes and choose first and second programme preferences. (2) Arrange a nomination from an eligible school or registered non-profit and a teacher reference. (3) Start the International Scholars Program application and invite the nominator and referee. (4) Complete the financial-need information and required written responses. (5) Submit the award application by 2 December 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time and complete the separate UBC admission application as soon as the admissions portal is available. (6) Follow UBC’s instructions for supporting documents and admission requirements after submission.
Official application links: UBC International Scholars Program • UBC dates and deadlines.