8 Fully Funded MBA Scholarships for International Students in 2027
By Cristina Miceli
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), back in 2020, the average MBA program cost students approximately $31,267 (€27,485) per year. This included $17,058 (€15,032) of tuition and fees and about $14,209 (€12,521) of non-tuition expenses, such as books, supplies, and housing costs (Forbes, 2025).
Since most MBA programs last two years, students pursuing this degree would need to budget over $62,500 (€55,000). Luckily, there are several scholarships helping students fund their studies. Below are eight fully funded MBA scholarships for international students wanting to work in the business sector.
1. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship has helped over 1,200 students from more than 140 countries cover their master’s degree fees. Those interested can use Chevening’s Course Finder to view the full list of available MBA courses in the UK.
Candidates with financial constraints should explore as many options as possible to drastically increase their chances of being awarded a scholarship to fund their studies.
To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship, students must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory, commit to returning to their home country for a period of at least two years following graduation, and have at least two years’ work experience acquired after completing their undergraduate degree. The deadline is currently set for October 6, 2026, at 11:00 UTC.
2. Oxford Saïd Skoll Scholarship
The Oxford Saïd Skoll Scholarship provided by the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford Saïd covers full course fees, along with a £21,805 bonus for living costs. This scholarship is intended for those whose career goal is to drive more effective social change in business.
Eligibility criteria include at least three years of experience building and leading a social venture. The deadline for the Oxford Saïd Skoll Scholarship application is currently set to January 6, 2027.
3. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust
Supported by the University of Oxford, the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust was established in 2015 to mark the 95th birthday of Lord Weidenfeld, a British publisher, philanthropist, and newspaper columnist.
This scholarship helps students from low- and middle-income countries cover 100% of their Oxford University course fees while also providing a grant for living costs of at least £21,805.
Applicants must return to their country of residence after completing the course and, during the application process, will be asked to explain how their professional work will help improve public life in their country of origin.
4. Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship
The Oxford-Pershing Square Graduate Scholarship gives students the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford together with a one-year Oxford MBA. Five scholarships are awarded each year, and applicants must be admitted to both a 1+1 MBA partnering program and the MBA to be considered for this opportunity.
The scholarship covers both the Master’s degree and MBA program, along with £21,805 per year for living expenses. MBA deadlines are currently set for 6 January 2027, while Master’s degree deadlines are available on the Graduate Admissions website.
5. Jefferson Fellowship
The Jefferson Fellowship awarded by the Jefferson Scholars Foundation enables international students to pursue an MBA at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Successful applicants will receive full tuition and fees, health insurance, a $20,000 living stipend, and a $7,000 bonus to cover specific costs such as a research-related activity and required supplies.
6. SDA Bocconi
The SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan offers scholarships and tuition waivers ranging from 10% to 100% of the total program cost. Every year, € 1,500,000 is allocated for these awards, helping countless students fund their studies. Funding is available for citizens of several European countries along with students from the following nationalities: Canada, U.S., Peru, Venezuela, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
7. Laidlaw Scholarship
Every year, HEC Paris MBA, through the HEC Foundation, in partnership with the Laidlaw Foundation, offers up to 10 full-tuition scholarships per graduating class. This opportunity is only open to female students and does not cover living costs.
Applicants must first confirm their place in the HEC Paris MBA program and pay a €5,000 deposit, which will then be reimbursed. Applicants have only a week after admission to HEC Paris to be considered for this scholarship.
8. Esade
Esade Business School is a private business school located in Barcelona, Spain, associated with the Ramon Llull University. Every year, eligible students with outstanding track records but limited financial means can receive a scholarship covering between 60% and 100% of their tuition fees. Lodging grants for students living outside Barcelona province, living grants, and other forms of financial aid are also available.
Top European MBA Programs and Scholarships
In addition to the scholarships above, many universities partner with various organizations to help students cover part of their fees.
1. London Business School
London Business School’s MBAs are among the best in the world, and the Financial Times has ranked these programs fourth worldwide. Countless scholarships are available for those wanting to study at this institution. For instance, both the Mary Ferreira Scholarships and the 30% Club Scholarship MBA offer up to a 50% discount on all tuition fees, though the latter is open only to female applicants. More opportunities are available on the London Business School’s official website.
2. HEC Paris
Ranked 6th globally by the Financial Times, HEC Paris is one of the most popular Business schools in France. Those wanting to enroll in its MBA can apply for the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, which can cover up to 35% of tuition fees, or the CMA-CGM Excellence Fund for Education, whose budget is decided on an individual basis by the scholarship jury. More opportunities are available on HEC Paris’ official website.
3. IMD
Located in Lausanne, Switzerland, IMD Business School is the most published institution in Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. Getting a scholarship at this institution is relatively easy, since 48% of students receive some form of financial support throughout their academic career, thanks to the many awards available. Options include the MBA5 Scholarship (CHF 50,000), the Nestlé Scholarship for Women (CHF 40,000), and the IMD MBA Merit Scholarships (up to CHF 40,000). More opportunities can be found at IMD’s official website.
4. IESE Business School
IESE is one of Europe’s leading business schools and was ranked 2nd in Europe for 2026 by the Financial Times. Students accepted to this MBA program can also apply for several scholarships, such as the IESE Excellence Scholarship (awarded to the top 7-10% of students) and the IESE Trust Scholarship (awarded to 20 to 30 students). More opportunities are available on IESE’s official website.
5. Rotterdam School of Management
The Financial Times awarded the Rotterdam School of Management 1st place in Europe for business research impact, as well as 1st place for MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs in the Benelux. Applicants who submit an MBA application for this institution are automatically considered for scholarships by the RSM MBA Awards Committee, including the RSM Fellows Award, which gives three students of exceptional academic excellence 50% tuition scholarships. More opportunities can be found on the Rotterdam School of Management’s official website.
6. University of Cambridge
The Cambridge MBA program was ranked 1st in Europe and 5th globally in the 2027 QS Global MBA Rankings. Those wanting to study here have a wide selection of scholarships and loans to help fund their studies.
For instance, the Wolfson Scholarship for Women Entrepreneurs is worth between £25,000 and £53,000 and is open to women from developing economies who intend to return home after their studies. In addition, the Cambridge MBA Bridge to Business Scholarship covers up to 50% of tuition fees and is awarded to five candidates working in non-traditional sectors, such as NGOs, culture, and the arts. More opportunities are available on the University of Cambridge’s official website.
7. Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1925, Trinity Business School was ranked the No. 1 MBA program in Ireland and 21st in Europe by the Financial Times. This institution offers a limited number of scholarships to talented applicants, such as the Trinity MBA Merit Scholars, which average €8,000. In addition, the 30% Club Scholarship for Women in Leadership offers two female applicants a scholarship valued at €18,000, covering nearly the entire cost of the MBA. More opportunities are available on Trinity College Dublin’s official website.
These full and partial scholarships give students worldwide the opportunity to study at some of the world’s leading business schools. With a wide range of funding opportunities available, candidates with financial constraints should explore as many options as possible to drastically increase their chances of being awarded a scholarship to fund their studies.
