Looking to study at University in Europe for free? Although universities in the UK, US and Canada have traditionally been the higher-education destinations of choice for UAE students, English-speaking universities in Europe are becoming increasingly popular amongst the emirates’ school-leavers. As the rising cost of living tightens its grip, the continent’s blend of high-quality courses, well-established higher-education faculties and more affordable fees are sending European Universities right up to the top of the preference lists of UAE expat families. The best part? There are also numerous scholarship programs available, and international students have many opportunities to win grants for accommodation and free tuition within a University in Europe.
Here is a list of the top 5 European scholarships, prepared in collaboration with educational advisors Univibes, who specialise in assisting international students with the selection and application process for universities abroad.
DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
Higher education in Germany is currently free for everyone – even for non-nationals, meaning it’s a sure-fire way for UAE students to study at a European university without paying tuition fees, as long as you get accepted into a German university. In most programs, no fee at all is charged; students often only pay for their accommodation, with a term’s fees averaging around 100-300 euros.
Particularly promising candidates can apply for a scholarship from the DAAD organisation. This programme allocates generous monthly funding to accepted applicants, sufficient for covering living expenses and a comfortable stay.
Grants are provided for master’s, postgraduate and doctoral studies, as well as for conducting scientific research and activities. Bachelor’s degree programs are not covered by the scholarship, but schoolchildren and undergraduate students can apply for study trips to Germany. Detailed information on how to get a DAAD scholarship is available on their official website.
The DAAD grant is approved for study and research activities for up to 2 years. However, there are also short-term programs, summer courses and workshops available that may last from several weeks to several months.
The amount of payment received depends on various factors, including the scientific achievements of the scholarship holder, the DAAD program itself, the chosen discipline, the educational institution, as well as the type and scale of planned research.
On average, a student receives about 800 Euros per month, and candidates who have come to conduct scientific activities earn about 1,500 Euros per month. Since higher education in Germany is free, this money is yours to spend on accommodation, food, clothing and making the most of your studies.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program (France)
Issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1999, The Eiffel Scholarship (The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program) is the most popular grant for outstanding international students offered in France.
The Eiffel Scholarship is valid for a student’s entire academic period (from 10 to 36 months), provided that the student agrees to the requirements of the university. The amount of money a student receives for this scholarship is €1,181 a month for master’s and €1,400 a month for doctoral students.
The scholarship does not cover the cost of tuition fees at the university, but does apply to:
- Payment of travel expenses
- Payment for admission to the university
- The cost of social insurance
- Payment of accommodation
- The purchase of scientific literature
- Attending cultural and sports events
Starting each autumn, the scholarship applicant applies to master’s and postgraduate programs in the following areas:
- Engineering
- Exact and natural sciences
- Economics and management
- Law and political sciences
Scholarship applications are submitted on the candidate’s behalf by their chosen French university. Conditions for obtaining a scholarship include:
- Age up to 25 years for master’s students and 30 years for postgraduates
- High academic merit
- Application to only one university
DSU – Diritto allo Studio Universitario (Italy)
Italy is considered an ideal country for studying fashion and design. However, education there is famous not only for harnessing modern trends, but also for upholding long-standing academic traditions. Archaeology and anthropology, pharmaceutical chemistry and physiology, architecture and engineering specialties have been taught there for centuries, making the country a popular option for those wanting to study at a European University.
The most popular scholarship program for students is DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario).
International students and Italians alike apply for this scholarship. Public universities in Italy set tuition costs and the amount of funding received based on a student’s ISEE – an indicator of the economic condition of a student’s family.
This scholarship provides funding in the range of approximately 2,000-5,000€ per year, as well as offering food vouchers, discounts on hostels and accommodation and priority check-ins. Payments are made twice a year, at the end of each semester.
To receive this scholarship, you need to find the CAF (Tax Office for Foreigners) e-mail address on the website of the university you wish to study at and send them any necessary application documents. [Main picture – the beautiful Piazza di Spagna in Rome]
SISGP Scholarship (Sweden)
Higher education in Sweden is popular with students from all over the world, with 39,000 foreign students entering Swedish universities each year.
Their most popular scholarship for master’s degrees is SISGP (ex—Visby Scholarship), offered by the state organisation Swedish Institute. It awards 60 grants annually and about 6-8% of applicants receive a scholarship.
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition
- Living expenses in the amount of up to 10,000 SEK ($1,171) per month
- Travel expenses in the amount of up to 5,000 SEK ($585) for the academic year
- Insurance
To participate in the competition to receive this scholarship, you need to have citizenship in one of these 41 countries, although you do not need to be residing there.
Mandatory conditions for obtaining a scholarship include the presence of confirmed work experience and leadership experience. Leadership experience includes the managing of a team, volunteering or participating in social projects.
In the application for the SGP (ex-Visby) scholarship, you must provide:
- A motivation letter
- A of CV up to 3 pages
- Certified letters of recommendation from employers
- Confirmation of work and leadership experience
- A copy of your passport
The deadline for submitting documents is in February. The Swedish Institute determines 60 winners in April.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) Scholarship
Developed and presented by the international partnership of higher education institutions, EMJM is a free, full two-year master’s degree program.
Each scholarship involves the cooperation of at least three universities from three different countries, of which at least two must be EU member states and a third country associated with the program.
The programs included in EMJM cover an extensive range of specialties. For creative people, there are programs related to animation, dance, painting and, for people in the scientific and technical fields, there are programs related to applied mathematics, optics, robotics and nano-engineering.
The EMJM scholarship is one of the most generous in any European university, covering a full two-year period of tuition (generally around 9,000€ per year). The monthly payment a student receives amounts to 1000€.
This scholarship also covers all transportation costs and takes care of your accommodation in your new country, as well as issuing a one-time payment of 1000€. In addition, the scholarship provides free two-year medical insurance and also exempts you from monetary fees when applying for a visa.
To know what documents are needed to apply, let’s divide them into two packages.
The first essential set consists of:
- Bachelor’s degree and transcript or certificate with your expected date of graduation
- Certificate of proficiency in English
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- CV
- Passport
- Address reference
The second set of documents is optional and its necessity depends on the specialty you choose. It may include:
- School certificate
- Certificates of participation in conferences and other events
- Other language certificates
Applicants are required to be in the last year of undergraduate or graduate studies, have a suitable level of English language proficiency and have a very strong motivation to study in their chosen program.
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