Top Scholarships for Bangladeshi Students in 2026
Studying abroad can be expensive, but scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of international education. For Bangladeshi students, several governments, universities, and international organisations offer scholarships covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel, accommodation, or other study-related costs.
Here are some of the important scholarship opportunities students should consider in 2026:
1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme offers scholarships for international students to study master's programmes delivered by a consortium of European universities. Scholarships can include tuition, travel, and living support. Bangladesh has been among the countries represented among Erasmus Mundus scholarship recipients.
2. Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious UK Government scholarship for outstanding emerging leaders. It supports one-year master's study in the UK and is fully funded. Applications for the 2027–28 intake are currently open for eligible Bangladeshi applicants, with the deadline listed as 6 October 2026.
3. Commonwealth Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships support talented students from Commonwealth countries who may not otherwise be able to afford postgraduate study in the UK. Depending on the specific award, funding can include tuition fees, airfare, and a living allowance. Bangladesh is included among the eligible Commonwealth countries.
4. GREAT Scholarships
The GREAT Scholarships programme provides opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue postgraduate study in the UK. For the 2026–27 academic year, seven scholarships are available through participating UK universities, with each scholarship providing at least £10,000 toward tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.
5. Stipendium Hungaricum
The Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme provides opportunities for Bangladeshi students to study in Hungary at bachelor's, master's, one-tier master's, and doctoral levels. Bangladesh is an official sending partner, with full-degree and partial-study opportunities available across different levels.
For the 2026/27 cycle, the programme offered tuition-free education together with benefits such as a monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, and medical insurance. The application deadline was 15 January 2026, so students planning for future intakes should monitor the next official call.
6. Other Scholarship Opportunities
Bangladeshi students can also explore scholarship opportunities supported by governments, universities, and international organisations. Bangladesh's Ministry of Education maintains scholarship announcements covering opportunities such as MEXT (Japan), Egyptian Government Scholarships, Al-Azhar Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarships, and other international programmes.
How to Improve Your Scholarship Chances
To increase your chances of receiving a scholarship:
- Start researching opportunities early.
- Check the eligibility requirements carefully.
- Maintain strong academic records.
- Prepare a compelling personal statement or scholarship essay.
- Highlight leadership, volunteering, research, and professional experience where relevant.
- Prepare recommendation letters in advance.
- Ensure all documents are accurate and complete.
- Apply before the official deadline.
- Choose programmes that match your academic background and career goals.
Start Planning Early
Scholarship applications can be highly competitive, and each programme has its own eligibility criteria, documents, deadlines, and selection process. Students should always check the official scholarship website and current call for applications before submitting an application.
With proper preparation and early planning, Bangladeshi students can explore valuable opportunities to pursue higher education internationally with reduced financial costs.
