10 Top Scholarships Helping Asian Students Achieve Academic Excellence

Education is the most effective means of individual development and world advancement. It provides access to limitless possibilities whether it's creating a fulfilling career, acquiring new skills, or giving back to the community. Yet for most students in Asia, the expense of tertiary education particularly studying abroad can be daunting. Fees, accommodation, travel, and other living costs mostly discourage gifted students from realizing their academic aspirations. This is where scholarships help create life-altering opportunities.

Luckily, there are several philanthropic and well-organized scholarships offered exclusively for Asian students. They are not simply defraying tuition fees they usually give full financing covering monthly living stipends, flight tickets, medical insurance, and sometimes even language or cultural training. They are intended to lighten the financial load and permit students to dedicate themselves to learning, research, and self-improvement.

What makes these scholarships more unique is that they are given by the world's leading universities and governments of nations such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. These countries understand the value of investing in international talent and facilitating educational exchange across borders.

Regardless of whether you are interested in studying engineering in Singapore, social sciences in Japan, or advanced technology in Korea, there is a scholarship that can make your dreams come true. In this article, we have compiled the top 10 scholarships that are opening doors for Asian students to attain academic excellence and become the next leaders in the world.

1. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)

One of the best-known scholarships in Asia, the MEXT Scholarship is offered by the Ministry of Education of Japan and is open to international students at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or training levels.

Eligibility

• Open to international students from countries with diplomatic ties to Japan.
• For Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and Specialized Training programs.
• Must meet academic and age requirements:
  • Undergraduate: 12 years of schooling.
  • Master’s/PhD: Relevant previous degrees.
• Basic English or Japanese proficiency required.

Coverage

• Full tuition, monthly stipend (approx. JPY 117,000–147,000), and airfare.
• Includes medical insurance and optional preparatory education.
• Regional allowance (JPY 2,000–3,000) may be added.

Application Deadline

• May 2025
• Apply via:
  • Embassy Recommendation
  • University Recommendation
• Deadlines may vary by country.

2. POSCO Asia Fellowship (South Korea)

The POSCO Asia Fellowship is provided by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation and grants funding to promising Asian students wishing to pursue master's or PhD studies in fields of STEM in South Korea.

Eligibility

• Open to Asian students pursuing Master’s or PhD degrees in STEM fields.
• Applicants must have excellent academic records and strong potential for leadership and research.
• Must be accepted or applying to a South Korean university.

Coverage

• Full tuition and monthly living expenses.
• Settlement allowance, health insurance, and online Korean language classes.
• Includes participation in cultural and community activities for easier integration and networking.

Application Deadline

• May 31, 2025
• Apply directly through the POSCO TJ Park Foundation website.
• Selection includes document screening and interviews.

3. SWJTU Silk Road Scholarship (China)

This scholarship is for students from Belt and Road Initiative countries who wish to pursue a Master’s or PhD at Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) in China.

Eligibility

• Open to Master’s and PhD students from Belt and Road Initiative countries.
• Applicants must meet academic qualifications and admission requirements of Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU).
• Fields of study include engineering, transportation, science, and related areas.

Coverage

• Full tuition waiver.
• Free on-campus accommodation.
• Monthly stipend:
  • 3,000 RMB for Master’s
  • 3,500 RMB for PhD
• Comprehensive medical insurance included.

Application Deadline

• May 20, 2025
• Apply through SWJTU's official admissions portal or via the Chinese Government Scholarship (Type B).

4. Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)

SINGA is a prestigious award for international students who want to do a PhD in science and engineering fields. It is a partnership between Singapore’s top institutions like A*STAR, NUS, NTU, and SUTD.

Eligibility

• Open to international students pursuing PhD studies in science and engineering.
• Must have a strong academic background and interest in research.
• Degree awarded by partner universities: NUS, NTU, SUTD, or SMU, in collaboration with A*STAR.

Coverage

• Full tuition fees.
• Monthly stipend: SGD 2,000 (increases to SGD 2,500 after passing the qualifying exam).
• One-time airfare and settling-in allowance.
• Access to world-class research labs and mentorship.

Application Deadline

• June 1, 2025
• Apply online through the SINGA portal on A*STAR’s official website.

5. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

This fellowship is for excellent students from around the world who want to pursue a PhD at universities in Hong Kong. It offers a yearly stipend of HKD 322,800 (around USD 41,400), travel and conference grants, and covers tuition fees.

Eligibility

• Open to outstanding international students pursuing a PhD in any academic field.
• Applicants must demonstrate strong research potential and academic excellence.
• Must be applying to a Hong Kong university under the scheme.

Coverage

• Annual stipend: HKD 322,800 (approximately USD 41,400).
• Tuition fees are fully covered.
• Conference and research travel allowance.
• Additional funding for research-related activities.

Application Deadline

• Deadline: December 2025 (exact dates may vary annually).
• Apply through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme website by selecting participating universities.

6. Taiwan Government Scholarships

The Taiwan Government Scholarships support international students at undergraduate, master's, and PhD levels. Funded by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education, these scholarships cover tuition fees, provide a monthly stipend, and sometimes include travel and other allowances.

Eligibility

• Open to undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students from all around the world.
• Applicants must meet the academic requirements of the Taiwanese university they wish to attend.
• Some programs may require proficiency in English or Mandarin, depending on the course language.

Coverage

• Full tuition fees.
• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses.
• Additional allowances for travel or health insurance may be included depending on the scholarship package.
• Offers students the chance to study at top universities in Taiwan.

Application Deadline

• Varies by university (usually between April and July).
• Apply through the Taiwan Ministry of Education or directly to the selected university.

7. Korean Government Scholarship Program (GKS)

The GKS (also called KGSP) is a fully funded scholarship provided by the South Korean government. It’s open to undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world.

1. Eligibility

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students from countries with diplomatic relations with South Korea.
• Applicants must meet specific academic and age requirements based on the level of study.
• Proficiency in English or Korean may be required depending on the program.

2. Coverage

• Full tuition fees.
• Monthly living allowance.
• Airfare, settlement allowance, and health insurance.
• Students study at top Korean universities across a variety of fields.

3. Application Deadline

• Varies by year and embassy (typically between February and March).
• Apply through the Korean Embassy or directly to a Korean university.

8. Malaysia International Scholarships (MIS)

MIS is a great opportunity for students from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies in Malaysia.

Eligibility

• Open to postgraduate students (Master’s and PhD) from around the world.
• Applicants must meet academic requirements and demonstrate a strong academic background.
• English proficiency may be required depending on the program.

Coverage

• Full tuition fees.
• Monthly living allowance.
• Travel grants and health insurance.
• Offers students a chance to study at Malaysian universities, a country known for its multicultural environment and affordable living costs.

Application Deadline

• Deadline: July 2025
• Apply through the Malaysian government or the selected university.

9. Anhui Government Scholarship (China)

The Anhui Government Scholarship supports international students who wish to study in Anhui Province, China.

Eligibility

• Open to undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students from all countries.
• Applicants must meet academic requirements and be accepted by an Anhui university.
• Some programs may require proficiency in English or Chinese depending on the course language.

Coverage

• 50 percent to 100 percent tuition fee waivers based on the applicant’s academic qualifications and performance.
• May include additional benefits like partial living allowances depending on the university.

Application Deadline

• June 2025
• Apply directly through the Anhui University or through the Chinese Government Scholarship system.

 

10. AIT AAPICO Master’s Scholarship

Eligibility

• Open to international students pursuing a Master’s degree in fields related to engineering, technology, or management.
• Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential.
• The scholarship is offered in collaboration with AAPICO Hitech, a leading automotive parts manufacturer in Thailand.

Coverage

• Full tuition fees for the duration of the Master’s program.
• Monthly stipend to cover living expenses.
• Job placement with AAPICO Hitech upon successful completion of the program, providing practical industry experience.
• Additional benefits may include health insurance and research funding, depending on the specific terms of the scholarship.

Application Deadline

• June 1, 2025
• Apply through the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) scholarship portal.

Conclusion

With these scholarships, Asian students have incredible opportunities to study at top institutions across Asia and beyond without the burden of financial stress. Whether you’re dreaming of doing groundbreaking research in Singapore, exploring ancient culture in China, or joining vibrant student life in Korea or Thailand, there's a scholarship out there for you.

Start early, prepare your documents carefully, and never hesitate to apply. Education should never be limited by cost so let these scholarships open the door to your academic future!