Studying medicine, public health, nursing, global health, epidemiology or another healthcare-related discipline abroad can be expensive. Tuition, accommodation, insurance, travel and everyday living costs can place international study beyond the reach of many students.
The good news is that several universities, governments and international organizations offer scholarships that can substantially reduce or, in some cases, cover the cost of postgraduate study.
For 2026 and upcoming 2027 intakes, international students can explore opportunities in the United Kingdom, Germany, Europe, the United States and other destinations.
Importantly, not every scholarship below is exclusively for healthcare students. Some are broader international scholarships that can fund eligible healthcare-related master's or doctoral programs.
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
Official Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship information
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme is one of the major European scholarship routes for international students.
Students from around the world can apply for participating master's programmes. Individual programmes cover different academic fields, including areas relevant to health, public health, epidemiology and related sciences.
The European Commission states that available full scholarships can contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs. Students normally study at multiple institutions in different countries as part of the joint programme.
Best for: International students seeking master's-level study in Europe.
Funding: Full scholarships are available for selected students, with travel, visa and living support.
Important: You apply directly to the specific Erasmus Mundus programme rather than submitting one general scholarship application.
2. DAAD EPOS Scholarships for Development-Related Master's Programmes
Official DAAD EPOS scholarship information
Germany's DAAD EPOS programme supports graduates from eligible developing and newly industrialized countries who want to pursue development-related postgraduate education in Germany.
Healthcare professionals can find particularly relevant programmes in fields such as global health and public health.
For example, the published Global Health programme information describes training in health systems, disease prevention, health protection and health promotion. Applicants considering an EPOS scholarship generally need at least two years of relevant professional experience.
DAAD states that EPOS scholarships can include monthly payments, insurance and a travel allowance, with additional benefits possible under certain circumstances.
Best for: Healthcare professionals and graduates with relevant work experience.
Study level: Primarily postgraduate study.
Location: Germany.
3. Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
Official Commonwealth Master's Scholarships page
The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is designed for talented candidates from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who would otherwise have difficulty financing postgraduate study in the United Kingdom.
Healthcare is directly represented among the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's development priorities. Its current development themes include “Improving population health, health systems and capacity.”
Eligible countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi, Sierra Leone and several other Commonwealth countries.
This makes the programme particularly relevant to African applicants interested in public health, health policy, health systems and related disciplines.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the CSC states that applications are scheduled to open on September 8, 2026, with the closing date listed as October 20, 2026.
Best for: Students from eligible Commonwealth countries.
Location: United Kingdom.
4. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Official Commonwealth Shared Scholarships information
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships support students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries pursuing selected one-year master's programmes at participating UK universities.
The scholarships are jointly supported by the UK government and participating universities. The programme focuses on courses with development relevance.
Healthcare applicants should examine the approved course list each year for master's programmes connected to public health, global health, health systems, nutrition or related areas.
Best for: Students from eligible Commonwealth countries who want a one-year UK master's.
Important: The scholarship is available only for approved courses at participating universities.
5. Chevening Scholarships
Official Chevening application portal
Chevening is the UK government's international scholarship programme for master's-level study.
Healthcare professionals can potentially use the scholarship for eligible master's programmes in areas such as public health, global health, healthcare management, health policy and related disciplines.
The application system allows prospective applicants to select their country or territory and view the awards available to them. The current application page lists the 2026 deadline as October 6, 2026, at 11:00 UTC for the countries displayed.
Because Chevening is not limited to healthcare, applicants need to choose an eligible UK master's course that fits their career plans.
Best for: Future healthcare leaders, public health professionals and other professionals seeking a UK master's.
Study level: Master's.
6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
Official Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides opportunities for international students, young professionals and artists to pursue graduate study or research in the United States.
The programme operates in more than 160 countries, although eligibility and application procedures vary by country.
Official Fulbright information says the programme provides approximately 4,000 grants annually and can support master's and doctoral study as well as research.
Benefits can include funding support, health benefits and J-1 visa sponsorship, depending on the specific award.
Healthcare applicants can investigate eligible programmes in areas such as public health, epidemiology, health policy, biomedical sciences and related fields.
Best for: International students seeking graduate study in the United States.
Important: Applications are normally handled through the Fulbright office, commission or U.S. Embassy in the applicant's country.
7. University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
Official Oxford Clarendon Scholarship information
The Clarendon Fund provides fully funded graduate scholarships at the University of Oxford.
The scholarship is open to international students and is available across Oxford's eligible master's and DPhil programmes, meaning healthcare applicants can potentially use it for qualifying programmes in medicine, public health and related disciplines.
Oxford states that Clarendon scholarships cover course fees and provide a grant for living expenses. Applicants who apply for eligible graduate courses by the relevant funding deadline are automatically considered.
Best for: High-achieving international students targeting Oxford graduate programmes.
Study level: Master's and DPhil.
Funding: Course fees plus living-cost support.
8. University of Cambridge International Scholarships
Official Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
The Cambridge Trust International Scholarship provides full-cost support for selected international postgraduate applicants at the University of Cambridge.
The scholarship can be used in any eligible subject, meaning students applying to qualifying healthcare, medical or health-related postgraduate programmes can potentially be considered.
The Cambridge Trust states that the award can cover the international tuition fee, annual maintenance, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, together with additional benefits.
Applicants do not submit a separate scholarship application; consideration is connected to the Cambridge admission and funding process.
Best for: International students with strong academic and research records.
Study level: Master's and PhD, subject to programme eligibility.
9. Cambridge Africa Changemakers Scholarship
Official Cambridge Africa Changemakers Scholarship
African students looking for doctoral funding should also investigate the Cambridge Africa Changemakers Scholarship.
The programme provides full-cost scholarships for PhD applicants from any African country. The scholarship can cover international tuition, maintenance, visa costs, the Immigration Health Surcharge, travel and research costs.
The research area must contribute to the development of Africa and to climate-resilient and sustainable futures.
Healthcare researchers could potentially explore topics connecting public health with climate change, infectious diseases, health systems, environmental health, nutrition or other relevant areas.
Best for: African students pursuing eligible PhD research.
Study level: PhD.
10. TDR Postgraduate Training Scholarships
Official WHO TDR postgraduate training information
The WHO-hosted Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, known as TDR, supports postgraduate training focused on implementation research involving infectious diseases of poverty.
This is particularly relevant to students and professionals interested in global health and public health research.
TDR reported in January 2026 that its postgraduate training scheme provides a full academic scholarship toward a Master of Public Health degree, with training focused on implementation research addressing infectious diseases of poverty.
The programme works with selected public health institutions in low- and middle-income countries.
Best for: Public health professionals and researchers interested in infectious diseases and implementation research.
Study level: Primarily MPH-level postgraduate training.
How to Choose the Right Healthcare Scholarship
Not every scholarship is suitable for every student.
Before applying, examine five important factors.
Your academic level
Some opportunities are designed for master's students, while others are specifically for PhD researchers.
For example, the Cambridge Africa Changemakers Scholarship is specifically a doctoral opportunity, while Erasmus Mundus primarily offers master's programmes.
Your country
Some scholarships have nationality restrictions.
Commonwealth awards, for example, are restricted to eligible Commonwealth countries, while Cambridge's International Scholarship is open to applicants from countries other than the UK and Ireland.
Your professional experience
Some programmes favor or require professional experience.
DAAD EPOS, for example, generally requires applicants seeking EPOS funding to have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Your intended healthcare specialization
Do not search only for scholarships called “medical scholarships.”
Look for programmes in:
- Public health
- Global health
- Epidemiology
- Health economics
- Health policy
- Health systems
- Tropical medicine
- Infectious diseases
- Nutrition
- Environmental health
- Biomedical sciences
- Health data science
- Healthcare management
The actual funding package
Always distinguish between:
Fully funded: Tuition and major living expenses are covered, sometimes with additional travel or insurance support.
Partially funded: Only some expenses are covered.
Tuition-free: Tuition may be waived, but living expenses remain your responsibility.
The exact benefits should always be confirmed on the official scholarship page.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Start preparing several months before the deadline.
Your application may require:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Research proposal
- Recommendation letters
- Proof of English proficiency
- Evidence of professional experience
- Passport or identification documents
- University admission documents
Healthcare applicants should also highlight practical experience.
For example, you might discuss research, clinical exposure, community-health projects, health campaigns, laboratory work, data analysis, volunteering or previous public-health initiatives.
Build a Healthcare-Focused Profile
A strong application is easier to develop when your education and experience tell a consistent story.
A public health applicant might combine:
Academic training + community-health experience + research skills + clear career objectives.
A medical researcher might emphasize:
Clinical experience + research methodology + publications + proposed research project.
A healthcare-management applicant could emphasize:
Healthcare experience + leadership + health systems knowledge + measurable organizational impact.
Beware of Scholarship Scams
International scholarships attract scammers, so applicants should verify every opportunity.
Be cautious when someone:
- Guarantees a scholarship before reviewing your application
- Requests money through a personal account
- Promises a visa in exchange for payment
- Uses an unofficial email address
- Claims to represent a university without evidence
- Asks for sensitive documents unnecessarily
The safest approach is to start with the official university, government or organization website.
Conclusion
International healthcare scholarships can open doors to advanced education in public health, medicine, epidemiology, global health, health policy and related disciplines.
The opportunities listed above are not identical. Some are master's scholarships, some support doctoral research, and others depend on specific programmes or participating universities. Funding, eligibility and deadlines can also change from one academic year to another.
For African applicants, particularly those from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, the Commonwealth, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Cambridge, Oxford, Mastercard Foundation and TDR routes are worth investigating alongside country-specific opportunities. The current Commonwealth list, for example, explicitly includes Nigeria and several other African countries.
The best strategy is to identify your desired healthcare specialization first, find eligible degree programmes, then match those programmes to scholarships.
Most importantly, always apply through the official scholarship or university website and check the current year's eligibility, funding and deadline before submitting an application.
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