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Top 10 Scholarships for International MBA Students in 2026
An MBA remains one of the most powerful credentials for advancing a global career, yet the cost continues to rise at an unprecedented pace. For international students, tuition fees combined with living expenses, relocation costs, and visa requirements can push the total investment well beyond $100,000 USD. This financial barrier often discourages highly qualified candidates from pursuing top-tier business schools.
Harvard Business School operates one of the most generous need-based fellowship programs in the world. More than half of its MBA students receive financial support.
Scholarships play a critical role in closing this gap. They not only ease financial pressure but also provide access to elite academic environments, influential alumni networks, and leadership development opportunities. This article presents a carefully curated list of the most credible and impactful MBA scholarships available to international applicants for the 2026 intake. Each scholarship has been selected based on funding value, institutional reputation, global accessibility, and long-term career outcomes, with all information sourced directly from official university, foundation, and government websites.
1. Harvard Business School MBA Fellowship Program
Offered by
Harvard Business School
Amount
Average award of $46,000 USD per year
Target group
International and domestic MBA students
Eligibility
Admission to the Harvard MBA program
Demonstrated financial need
Application deadline
Aligned with MBA application rounds
Why it stands out
Harvard Business School operates one of the most generous need-based fellowship programs in the world. More than half of its MBA students receive financial support, reinforcing the school’s commitment to access and leadership development regardless of background.
Apply here
https://www.hbs.edu/mba/financial-aid/
2. Stanford Graduate School of Business Need-Based Fellowships
Offered by
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Amount
Up to full tuition
Target group
International MBA students
Eligibility
Admission to the Stanford MBA program
Financial need assessment
Application deadline
With MBA admission rounds
Why it stands out
Stanford fellowships are awarded purely on financial need rather than academic ranking. This approach enables students to pursue entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact careers without the burden of excessive debt.
Apply here
https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/mba/tuition-financial-aid
3. INSEAD MBA Scholarships
Offered by
INSEAD
Amount
Up to €40,000 depending on scholarship
Target group
International students including women leaders and emerging market candidates
Eligibility
Admission to the INSEAD MBA
Merit, leadership profile, diversity background, or financial need
Application deadline
Varies by intake and scholarship
Why it stands out
INSEAD offers one of the largest and most diverse MBA scholarship portfolios globally. Approximately 40% of MBA students receive financial assistance, reflecting the school’s strong emphasis on international diversity and leadership potential.
Apply here
https://www.insead.edu/financial-aid/scholarships
4. Oxford Saïd Skoll Scholarship
Offered by
Skoll Foundation and University of Oxford
Amount
Full tuition plus living expenses
Target group
Social entrepreneurs and impact-driven leaders
Eligibility
Admission to the Oxford MBA
Demonstrated leadership in social or environmental initiatives
Application deadline
January 2026 expected
Why it stands out
The Skoll Scholarship is one of the most prestigious MBA awards globally. It supports leaders who use business as a force for positive social change and provides access to a powerful international network of impact driven innovators.
Apply here
https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/skoll
5. London Business School Fund Scholarships
Offered by
London Business School
Amount
Up to £50,000
Target group
International MBA students
Eligibility
Admission to the LBS MBA
Merit and or demonstrated financial need
Application deadline
Rolling alongside MBA admissions
Why it stands out
London Business School offers a broad range of scholarships designed to support leadership, academic excellence, and diversity, complemented by one of the strongest alumni networks in global business.
Apply here
https://www.london.edu/masters-degrees/mba/fees-financing-and-scholarships
6. IMD MBA Scholarships
Offered by
IMD Business School Switzerland
Amount
Between CHF 10,000 and CHF 50,000
Target group
International professionals with leadership experience
Eligibility
Admission to the IMD MBA
Strong professional and leadership background
Application deadline
With MBA application
Why it stands out
IMD scholarships emphasize leadership readiness and real world impact, aligning with the school’s intensive one year MBA designed for experienced managers and executives.
Apply here
https://www.imd.org/mba/financing/scholarships/
7. Chevening Scholarships
Offered by
UK Government Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
Amount
Full tuition plus living allowance, travel costs, and visa support
Target group
International students from Chevening eligible countries
Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree
Minimum two years of work experience
Demonstrated leadership potential
Application deadline
November 2025 expected
Why it stands out
Chevening is one of the most competitive government funded scholarship programs in the world and has produced heads of state, senior policymakers, and global business leaders.
Apply here
https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/
8. Fulbright Foreign Student Program MBA Track
Offered by
United States Government
Amount
Full or partial funding including tuition and living expenses
Target group
International students
Eligibility
Undergraduate degree
Academic excellence and leadership experience
Application deadline
Varies by country
Why it stands out
Fulbright is globally recognized for promoting cross cultural exchange and leadership development, supporting MBA students committed to long term international collaboration.
Apply here
https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/
9. SDA Bocconi MBA Scholarships
Offered by
SDA Bocconi School of Management
Amount
Partial to full tuition
Target group
International MBA candidates
Eligibility
Admission to the SDA Bocconi MBA
Strong academic performance and leadership potential
Application deadline
With MBA application
Why it stands out
Bocconi scholarships offer meaningful financial support within one of Europe’s leading business schools, particularly known for excellence in finance, economics, and strategic management.
Apply here
https://www.sdabocconi.it/en/mba/fees-and-financial-aid
10. NUS Business School MBA Scholarships
Offered by
National University of Singapore
Amount
Up to full tuition
Target group
International MBA applicants
Eligibility
Academic excellence
Leadership potential
Application deadline
With MBA admission rounds
Why it stands out
NUS Business School offers a globally respected MBA program with deep connections to Asia Pacific markets, making it an attractive choice for candidates pursuing leadership roles in fast growing economies.
Apply here
https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/mba/fees-financing/
Honorable Mentions
Forté MBA Fellowship — Provides partial to full tuition for women pursuing an MBA at partner schools and includes leadership programs.
HEC Paris MBA Scholarships — Offers up to 50 percent of tuition for international MBA students based on merit or financial need.
IE Business School MBA Scholarships — Provides partial to full tuition for candidates with leadership or entrepreneurial potential.
IESE MBA Scholarships — Offers merit and financial need based awards for international students pursuing ethical leadership.
DAAD Scholarships for Business and Management — Provides monthly stipend and travel support for students from developing and emerging economies.
Practical Tips for MBA Scholarship Applicants
Tailor your essays to the values of each scholarship
Apply early since many funding deadlines precede admissions
Target multiple scholarships including diversity and region specific awards
Highlight leadership, purpose, and long term career impact rather than test scores alone
Final Thoughts
An MBA should not be limited to those with financial privilege. With the right scholarship strategy, international candidates can access world class business education and global leadership opportunities. By preparing early, applying strategically, and telling a compelling story, your 2026 MBA journey can be both attainable and transformative.
