🎓 Hidden Scholarships for Indian Students in Non-English Speaking Countries

When Indian students think of studying abroad, countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia are often top of the list. But what many don’t realize is that non-English speaking countries—like Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, and the Nordic nations—offer generous scholarships, often covering tuition, accommodation, and even travel.

The best part? Many of these scholarships are underpublicized or overlooked, making the competition less intense.

In this blog, we’ll uncover some of the best hidden scholarships in 2025 for Indian students in non-English speaking countries, along with tips on how to apply.

🌍 Why Consider Non-English Speaking Countries?

✅ Lower tuition fees or even free education

✅ High-quality universities with global recognition

✅ English-taught programs available at the Master's & PhD levels

✅ Government-backed scholarships with living stipends

✅ Unique cultural experiences and work opportunities

🥇 Hidden Scholarships You Should Know About

🇩🇪 Germany – DAAD Scholarships

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers fully-funded scholarships for Indian students pursuing:

• Master’s programs
• Doctoral research
• Short-term internships or summer schools

💰 What it covers: Tuition (if any), monthly stipend (~€934), health insurance, travel allowance

🔗 www.daad.de

Bonus: Many German public universities have no tuition fees, even for international students!

🇫🇷 France – Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

Offered by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs for students in:

• Engineering
• Law
• Economics & management
• Political science

💰 What it covers: Monthly allowance (~€1,200), international airfare, health insurance, cultural activities

🔗 www.campusfrance.org

Bonus: Many Grandes Écoles and French universities offer programs entirely in English.

🇯🇵 Japan – MEXT Scholarship

The MEXT (Monbukagakusho) scholarship is provided by the Japanese government for:

• Undergraduate, Masters, and PhD programs

💰 What it covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend (~¥117,000), airfare to/from Japan

🔗 Apply via the Japanese Embassy in India

🔗 studyinjapan.go.jp

Pro Tip: No Japanese language required for many STEM and research programs.

🇰🇷 South Korea – GKS (Global Korea Scholarship)

For Indian students applying to undergraduate and graduate programs at Korean universities.

💰 What it covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend (~KRW 1,000,000), airfare, language training, research support

🔗 www.studyinkorea.go.kr

Bonus: South Korea is investing heavily in attracting global talent, and Korean universities rank high in STEM fields.

🇳🇱 Netherlands – Holland Scholarship

For non-EU students (including Indians) enrolling in Bachelor’s or Master’s programs at Dutch universities.

💰 What it offers: €5,000 one-time grant in the first year

🔗 www.studyinholland.nl

Note: Many Dutch universities offer 100% English-taught programs in engineering, design, and social sciences.

🇨🇳 China – CSC Scholarship (Chinese Government Scholarship)

Covers undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD studies at selected Chinese universities.

💰 What it covers: Tuition, accommodation, monthly allowance (~CNY 3,000+), insurance

🔗 www.campuschina.org

Note: Many programs are now offered in English, especially in medicine, engineering, and international relations.

🇸🇪 🇳🇴 🇫🇮 Nordic Countries – Tuition-Free + Scholarships

Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark offer:

• Tuition-free education (Norway, even for non-EU students in some cases)
• Government or university-level scholarships

Examples:

• Swedish Institute Scholarships – for Master’s degrees
• EDUFI Finland Fellowship – for doctoral students
• BI Presidential Scholarships (Norway) – for business students

💰 What it covers: Tuition + monthly living grants (~€900–1,200/month)

🔗 studyinsweden.se, studyinnorway.no

💡 Tips to Find and Apply for These Scholarships

🔍 1. Start with Embassy or Education Board Websites

Many of these scholarships are advertised by embassies (e.g., Japanese or Korean embassies in India).

🗂️ 2. Shortlist English-Taught Programs

Most non-English speaking countries offer degrees in English—focus on those to avoid language barriers.

📅 3. Apply Early (6–12 Months Before Intake)

Government scholarships often close months before university deadlines.

✍️ 4. Tailor Your SOP and Recommendation Letters

Highlight why you’re choosing that country, your academic fit, and your global aspirations.

🎓, 5. Apply to Multiple Scholarships

Some countries allow you to combine government + university scholarships for maximum coverage.

🧭 Final Thoughts

You don’t need to limit your dreams to English-speaking countries. From tuition-free education in Germany to fully-funded scholarships in Japan and South Korea, the world is full of hidden opportunities waiting to be explored.

With fewer Indian applicants, these scholarships are often less competitive—giving you a higher chance of acceptance with the right preparation.

🎒 Looking to study abroad in a non-English speaking country?

Check out AbroadSaathi.com for exclusive scholarship lists, country guides, and expert help for Indian students abroad.