This comprehensive guide compiles official government-run portals for international student admissions across developed countries worldwide. Each portal provides authentic information about universities, programs, scholarships, visa requirements, and application procedures.
Quick Reference: Tuition-Free/Low-Cost Countries
Countries with Free or Low-Cost Higher Education
| Norway |
Tuition-free for ALL international students at public universities |
| Germany |
Mostly tuition-free at public universities (small semester fees only) |
| Finland |
Free for EU/EEA students; Non-EU €5,000-18,000/year with scholarship opportunities |
| Sweden |
Free for EU/EEA/Switzerland students; Non-EU €7,500-25,500/year |
| Czech Republic |
Tuition-free programs taught in Czech language |
Asia-Pacific Region
Asia-Pacific Region Admission Portals
| South Korea |
Study in Korea |
NIIED / Ministry of Education |
GKS scholarships; Online application system; Korean language programs; 400+ programs in English |
| Japan |
Study in Japan |
JASSO / MEXT |
MEXT Government Scholarships; 7 program types; EJU admission exam; 1,200+ English programs |
| Australia |
Study Australia |
Austrade |
CRICOS registered courses; Australia Awards scholarships; Post-study work rights (2-4 years) |
| New Zealand |
Study with New Zealand |
Education New Zealand |
NauMai NZ support; NZ Excellence Awards; Post-study work visa (up to 3 years) |
| Singapore |
MOE International Students |
Ministry of Education |
ASEAN Scholarships; MOE Tuition Grant; SINGA PhD program; EduTrust certified institutions |
| Taiwan |
Study in Taiwan |
MOE Taiwan |
Taiwan Scholarship; TaiwanICDF Scholarships; Huayu Enrichment Scholarship; 150+ English programs |
| Malaysia |
Education Malaysia |
EMGS / Ministry of Higher Education |
Official visa gateway; ISAC arrival service; Graduate Pass for employment; Affordable tuition |
| Israel |
Study in Israel |
Council for Higher Education |
Excellence Fellowship; Startup Nation innovation ecosystem; 350+ English programs |
North America
North America Admission Portals
| United States |
EducationUSA |
U.S. Department of State |
430+ advising centers in 175+ countries; Fulbright Program; Free guidance and resources |
| United States |
Study in the States |
DHS / SEVP |
SEVIS system information; F-1 and M-1 visa guidance; OPT work authorization |
| Canada |
EduCanada |
Government of Canada |
Designated Learning Institutions; Post-Graduation Work Permit; Provincial nominee programs |
Western Europe
Western Europe Admission Portals
| United Kingdom |
Study UK |
British Council |
UCAS application (up to 5 universities); Chevening Scholarships; Graduate Route (2-year work) |
| Germany |
Study in Germany |
DAAD |
Mostly tuition-free public universities; DAAD scholarships; 1,800+ international programs |
| France |
Campus France |
Campus France |
Études en France procedure; Eiffel Excellence Scholarships; CampusArt for arts programs |
| Netherlands |
Study in NL |
Nuffic |
Studyfinder database; Orange Tulip Scholarship; Holland Scholarship; 2,100+ English programs |
| Switzerland |
Study in Switzerland |
swissuniversities |
Excellence scholarships; World-class research; Multilingual environment |
| Austria |
Study in Austria |
OeAD |
Ernst Mach Grant; CEEPUS network; Affordable living costs |
| Belgium |
Study in Belgium |
Wallonie-Bruxelles International |
ARES scholarships; Flanders scholarships; EU institutions hub |
| Ireland |
Education in Ireland |
Enterprise Ireland |
Government of Ireland Scholarships; Strong tech sector; English-speaking |
| Italy |
Study in Italy |
Uni-Italia |
DSU regional scholarships; Universitaly portal; Rich cultural heritage |
Nordic Countries
Nordic Countries Admission Portals
| Norway |
Study in Norway |
DIKU |
Tuition-free for all; Quota Scheme scholarships; Erasmus+ |
| Sweden |
Study in Sweden |
Swedish Institute |
SI scholarships; universityadmissions.se portal; 1,000+ English programs |
| Denmark |
Study in Denmark |
Danish Agency for Higher Education |
Government Scholarships; High quality of life |
| Finland |
Study in Finland |
Finnish National Agency for Education |
Studyinfo.fi admissions; Finland Scholarships; 600+ English programs; Free for EU/EEA |
Central & Eastern Europe
Central & Eastern Europe Admission Portals
| Poland |
Study in Poland |
NAWA / Ministry of Education |
NAWA scholarships (Banach, Poland My First Choice); 500+ English programs; Affordable living |
| Czech Republic |
Study in Czechia |
DZS |
Tuition-free in Czech language; Government scholarships; 55,000+ international students |
| Hungary |
Study in Hungary |
Tempus Public Foundation |
Stipendium Hungaricum (fully funded); 600+ programs; 94 partner countries |
Major Government Scholarship Programs
Below are some of the most prestigious fully-funded scholarship programs available to international students:
Major Government Scholarship Programs
| Fulbright Program |
USA |
Full funding for graduate study, research, and teaching |
| Chevening Scholarships |
UK |
Fully-funded master’s degrees for future leaders |
| DAAD Scholarships |
Germany |
Extensive scholarships and grants for all levels |
| GKS/KGSP |
South Korea |
Tuition, living costs, and airfare covered |
| MEXT Scholarships |
Japan |
Government scholarships via embassy or university |
| Stipendium Hungaricum |
Hungary |
Tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipend |
| Swedish Institute Scholarships |
Sweden |
SISGP for master’s students from developing countries |
| Erasmus Mundus |
EU |
Joint master’s degrees at multiple European universities |
| Australia Awards |
Australia |
For students from participating Asia-Pacific countries |
| TaiwanICDF Scholarships |
Taiwan |
Full funding for students from partner countries |
| NAWA Scholarships |
Poland |
Banach and Poland My First Choice programs |
Centralized Application Systems
Several countries offer centralized application portals that streamline the admission process:
Centralized Application Systems
| Sweden |
universityadmissions.se |
Apply to up to 4 programs through one portal |
| UK |
UCAS |
Apply to up to 5 universities through unified system |
| Finland |
studyinfo.fi |
Central admissions for polytechnics and universities |
| Denmark |
optagelse.dk |
Apply to up to 8 programs in priority order |
| France |
Études en France |
Campus France platform for up to 7 programs |
| Italy |
Universitaly |
Mandatory pre-enrollment portal for all international students |
| Malaysia |
EMGS |
Official gateway for all student visa applications |
All URLs included are official government or government-authorized portals verified as of 2025. Application timelines differ by country and program, but most require submission 3–12 months before the intended start date. Many destinations accept standard English proficiency tests such as IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL iBT (80–100). Scholarship deadlines often fall earlier than general admission deadlines, so applicants should plan accordingly. Most developed countries also offer post-study work permits lasting 1–4 years, depending on local immigration policies. Because requirements can change, applicants should always verify the most current information directly on the official portals before applying.
Last Updated: December 2025