Studying abroad has always been an attractive option for Ukrainian students, but the high cost of living and tuition often makes it unaffordable. However, there are many programs that provide grants to make quality education abroad more accessible to talented young people. In this article, we will look at some of the opportunities for obtaining grants for studying abroad and provide advice to prospective students who dream of an international education.
Studying abroad: what you need
Studying abroad seems unaffordable to many due to its high cost and conditions. But there are many programs that offer grants to make quality education more accessible to talented young people. Funds can be allocated by both governments of countries, foundations and universities or other institutions. Sometimes the grant covers the cost of tuition or living expenses (housing, food, travel). You can receive funds for different periods, depending on the program - from a month to 3 years.
At the same time, among the conditions for receiving the grant are language skills and high academic results. You can assess your chances according to the following criteria:
- academic performance at school or at previous levels of higher education
- knowledge of the local language and the foreign language of instruction at a higher education institution in the chosen country;
- scientific papers on the topic of future specialization;
- the persuasiveness of the goal for studying with a scholarship.
Where to look for government study abroad programs
Germany
Higher education in Germany is free for both local and international students. The state agency DAAD annually provides up to 60 thousand scholarships and grants for studying in Germany in various specialties. On the organization's website you can find a large number of study programs and help with paperwork and taking entrance exams.
Those who are already students at one of the Ukrainian universities but want to continue their studies in Berlin, Hamburg or Munich can use the Copernicus Stipendium .
France
In France, graduates of Ukrainian universities can receive scholarships for master's or postgraduate education programs. Preference is given to engineering specialties. Grants for such education can be obtained through the state programs Campus France . There is also the service ÉTUDIANTS, where scholarship program offers are periodically updated.
For master's and doctoral students, it is worth visiting the Association Bernard Gregory , which collects relevant study programs. There you can find offers mainly from French universities and announcements from Belgian or German higher education institutions.
Czech Republic and Poland
These countries have the largest number of students from Ukraine. Higher education there is affordable and of high quality. Studying at universities in the Czech Republic is free, provided you know the Czech language and pass exams successfully.
In the Czech Republic, you can receive a study grant from the Visegrad Fund or Erasmus Mundus .
Grants for study in Poland can be obtained within the framework of programs for young scientists, the humanitarian program Gaude Polonia or the Kirkland program for economic specialties, cultural studies.
Great Britain
Since tuition fees are high in the country, grants are mostly a discount on tuition. Living expenses will have to be paid for on your own. Despite this, many young people choose grants in Britain under the Chevening and others.
China
In this country, government scholarship programs often include a year of language study. The scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, insurance, and living expenses. It is also possible to receive a grant for only half a year or a year of language study. It is also possible to apply directly through the university. More about scholarships can be found on the Chinese Government Scholarship .
Portals for searching for scholarship programs
Erasmus Mundus , Erasmus+ – scholarships under these programs cover the costs of participation in the program, accommodation and travel. The Erasmus Mundus program provides many grants for all possible specialties, a significant part of which is long-term, with the possibility of obtaining an EU diploma or postgraduate education.
Global Scholarships is a platform for international students to search for scholarships around the world. On the website, students can filter the criteria in the scholarship search system: degree, subject, nationality and scholarship deadlines.
Scholarshipportal is a database of over 1000 scholarships available in Europe and beyond. You can select the level of study and the place where you want to study to see scholarships that match your profile.
EURAXESS website contains information about funding schemes in Europe for research positions, scholarships and doctoral studies.
Many universities, research institutes, and higher education institutions also offer their own scholarships and financial support. This information can be found on the websites of the educational institutions.

