Scholarship Deadlines 2027: International Student Calendar

Last Updated: August 2026

Quick Answer

The scholarship deadlines for the 2027–2028 academic year are not all in 2027 — many fall between August 2026 and May 2027. For example, Chevening closes 6 October 2026, Commonwealth Master’s closes 20 October 2026, and Fulbright deadlines vary by country (May–August 2026). Some programmes, like Türkiye Scholarships, open in January 2027, and Manaaki New Zealand closes in April 2027. Use this calendar to see all major deadlines at a glance, then work backwards 3–4 months to prepare documents and secure recommendations.

Scholarship Deadlines at a Glance

The table below lists the most important international scholarships for 2027 entry, with confirmed or expected deadlines. Always verify on the official website before applying, as dates can shift between cycles.

Scholarship 2027 Intake Deadline Degree Level Region / Country Official Source
Chevening Scholarships 6 October 2026 Master’s UK Chevening
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 20 October 2026 Master’s UK (Commonwealth) CSCUK
Fulbright Foreign Student Program May–August 2026 (varies by country) Master’s, PhD USA Fulbright
DAAD Scholarships September–November 2026 (varies by programme) Master’s, PhD Germany DAAD
Australia Awards Scholarships 30 April 2026 (closed for 2027; next cycle opens Feb 2027 for 2028) Master’s, PhD Australia DFAT
MEXT Scholarship (Research) May 2026 (varies by embassy; closed for 2027) Master’s, PhD Japan MEXT
Türkiye Scholarships 10 Jan – 20 Feb 2027 Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD Turkey Türkiye Burslari
JJ/WBGSP (Window 1) 27 February 2026 (closed) Master’s Global World Bank
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships September–December 2026 (varies by country) PhD, Research Switzerland SBFI
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 10 April 2027 (expected) Undergraduate, Master’s New Zealand MFAT
Government of Ireland GOI-IES Mid-March 2027 (expected) Master’s, PhD Ireland EurIreland
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters October 2026 – January 2027 (varies by programme) Master’s Europe Erasmus+
Gates Cambridge October 2026 (expected) PhD, Master’s UK (Cambridge) Gates Cambridge
Rhodes West Africa Scholarships 27 August 2026 Postgraduate West Africa / Oxford Rhodes House
McCall MacBain Scholarship 19 August 2026 Master’s Canada (McGill) McCall MacBain

January – March 2027 Deadlines

These deadlines fall in early 2027 for programmes starting in 2027 or later. Note that many scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year already closed in 2026.

Scholarship Deadline Degree Level Official Source
Türkiye Scholarships 10 January – 20 February 2027 Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD Türkiye Burslari
Government of Ireland (GOI‑IES) Mid‑March 2027 (expected) Master’s, PhD EurIreland
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 10 April 2027 (expected) Undergraduate, Master’s MFAT

April – June 2027 Deadlines

Most deadlines in this period are for the 2028 intake, but some 2027 intake decisions are announced. Always check official sites for current cycles.

Scholarship Deadline Degree Level Official Source
Australia Awards Scholarships 30 April 2026 (closed for 2027; next window expected Feb–April 2027 for 2028) Master’s, PhD DFAT
Fulbright Foreign Student Program May–August 2026 (varies by country; closed for 2027) Master’s, PhD Fulbright

July – September 2027 Deadlines

This period typically opens applications for the next academic year (2028) and sees some late deadlines for 2027 entry.

Scholarship Deadline Degree Level Official Source
Rhodes West Africa Scholarships 27 August 2026 (closed for 2027; next cycle likely August 2027) Postgraduate Rhodes House
McCall MacBain Scholarship 19 August 2026 (closed for 2027) Master’s McCall MacBain
DAAD Scholarships September–November 2026 (varies by programme) Master’s, PhD DAAD

October – December 2027 Deadlines

The highest concentration of deadlines for the 2027/28 academic year falls in this period (August–December 2026). These deadlines are now past, but are shown here for reference. For the 2028/29 cycle, expect similar windows in late 2027.

Scholarship Deadline Degree Level Official Source
Chevening Scholarships 6 October 2026 Master’s Chevening
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 20 October 2026 Master’s CSCUK
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships September–December 2026 (varies by country) PhD, Research SBFI
Gates Cambridge October 2026 (expected) PhD, Master’s Gates Cambridge
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters October 2026 – January 2027 (varies by programme) Master’s Erasmus+

Country‑Specific Deadline Variations

Several programmes operate with deadlines that vary by country or region. If you are applying for these scholarships, check the specific deadline for your country of residence.

Scholarship Country Variation Details
Fulbright Foreign Student Program Deadlines are set by each US embassy or Fulbright commission. They typically range from May to August 2026 for the 2027 intake. Check your local Fulbright website.
DAAD Scholarships Deadlines vary by scholarship programme and country. Most close between September and November 2026. Use the DAAD scholarship database to find exact dates for your country.
MEXT Scholarship Embassy deadlines vary by country. Research students typically apply in May 2026; undergraduates March–April 2026. Contact your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships Deadlines are set by the Swiss embassy in each country. Most close between September and December 2026.

How to Track Scholarship Deadlines

Missing a deadline is the most preventable reason applications fail. Use these strategies to stay organised:

  1. Create a master spreadsheet with columns for scholarship, deadline, required documents, and status. Update it weekly.
  2. Set personal deadlines at least one week before the official date to allow for technical issues or late documents.
  3. Work backwards 3–4 months from each deadline to plan document preparation (transcripts, language tests, recommendations).
  4. Check official sites directly before applying — deadlines can shift between cycles. This calendar reflects typical 2027 windows, but always confirm with the provider.
  5. Use digital reminders (Google Calendar, Trello, or dedicated apps) to alert you 1 month, 1 week, and 1 day before each deadline.

💡 Pro Tip: Many scholarships require you to secure university admission before or alongside the scholarship application. Plan your university applications even earlier than the scholarship deadlines shown above.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start preparing for 2027 scholarship applications?
Begin at least 6–12 months before the application deadline. For most 2027 intake scholarships, this means starting in mid‑2026. This gives you enough time for research, language tests, transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statements.
Do scholarship deadlines change every year?
Yes, exact dates can shift even if the general window is consistent. For example, Chevening always opens in August and closes in early November, but the exact day varies. Always verify on the official website.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships with different deadlines?
Absolutely — and it’s strongly recommended. Applying to several scholarships that close at different times of the year spreads your risk and gives you multiple opportunities. Just ensure you can manage the workload and submit quality applications for each.
What happens if I miss a scholarship deadline?
You will not be considered for that cycle. There are no extensions for most programmes. The best approach is to set personal deadlines at least one week before the official one, and to apply to multiple scholarships to reduce risk.
Are there scholarships with rolling deadlines?
Yes, some university‑specific scholarships and smaller private awards accept applications on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. However, most government‑funded programmes have strict annual windows. Check with each provider.
How early should I request recommendation letters?
Ask at least 4–6 weeks before your first deadline. Provide your referees with your CV, personal statement, and a clear list of deadlines. Follow up politely a week before each due date.

Disclaimer: This guide is published by LearnViaHub for educational and informational purposes only. Deadlines are based on official sources and recent cycles as of August 2026, but are subject to change. Always confirm directly with the scholarship provider before applying. LearnViaHub is not affiliated with any scholarship programme mentioned.


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