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
April – June
July – September
October – December
Country‑Specific Notes
How to Track
FAQs
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:
- Create a master spreadsheet with columns for scholarship, deadline, required documents, and status. Update it weekly.
- Set personal deadlines at least one week before the official date to allow for technical issues or late documents.
- Work backwards 3–4 months from each deadline to plan document preparation (transcripts, language tests, recommendations).
- Check official sites directly before applying — deadlines can shift between cycles. This calendar reflects typical 2027 windows, but always confirm with the provider.
- 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? ▼
Do scholarship deadlines change every year? ▼
Can I apply for multiple scholarships with different deadlines? ▼
What happens if I miss a scholarship deadline? ▼
Are there scholarships with rolling deadlines? ▼
How early should I request recommendation letters? ▼
Continue your scholarship journey with these related guides:

Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education, GPA systems, and study-abroad guidance for international students.Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.