Universities offering Scholarships for Social Sciences Abroad

Are you considering applying for a scholarship to study social sciences abroad, and do you wish to know the universities that offer such opportunities? We have compiled five options of higher institutions that make it easier for international students to pursue undergraduate, Master, or PhD programs under partly and fully funded scholarships. Booklab24 will provide guidelines on application procedure, eligibility, and requirements to help boost your chances of securing the funding you need.

1. Swansea University Scholarship

Swansea University in the United Kingdom offers the International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES), open to international PhD and Professional Doctorate applicants in Humanities and Social Sciences who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.

The courses are as follows: Ancient History, Applied Linguistics, Classics, Development Studies, Egyptology, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Social Policy, and Sociology.

Applicants are expected to have a 1st class or second-class upper (2:1) United Kingdom undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification) and a Distinction in a United Kingdom master’s degree (or international equivalent).

This program is coordinated with partial funding and is open to international students of all nationalities. The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between global and UK tuition fees for the PhD or Professional Doctorate program duration. Successful recipients will pay the UK tuition fee rate each year. For the 2024/25 calendar year, it is £4,786.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must be accepted into an eligible PhD or Professional Doctorate program at Swansea University.

Eligible programs within the Humanities and Social  Sciences include:

• Ancient History, PhD
• Applied Linguistics, PhD
• Classics, PhD
• Development Studies, PhD
• Egyptology, PhD
• Philosophy, PhD
• Politics and International Relations, PhD
• Social Policy, PhD
• Sociology, PhD

NB: Master’s level students, those undergoing PhD or Professional Doctorate programs (including returning or transfer students), and candidates fully sponsored by a third party are not eligible.

2. Government Of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship

The Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme 2025 is fully funded and applies to all universities in Ireland. All subjects are available to study at the institution, and the scholarship program welcomes candidates from the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, as well as international students globally looking to do a Master’s and PhD.

Successful applicants are entitled to a stipend of up to €22,000, a tuition fee – of €5,750, and research Expenses – of €3,250 per year for eligible direct research costs.

Eligibility Criteria:

All applicants must complete and pass a preliminary eligibility quiz before accessing the full application form. However, the Irish Research Council reserves the right to verify applicant eligibility at any stage of the application process. It is important to note that there is no age limit.

Applicants should be affiliated with an eligible Irish higher education institution or research-performing organization. For applications to be considered, they must be submitted in either Irish or English.

3. University of Queensland Vice Chancellors Scholarship

The University of Queensland in Australia offers partial funding scholarships to domestic and international students in all subjects for undergraduate programs.

Partial funding of up to $12,000 per year is available for this scholarship. To be eligible, one must achieve a minimum ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) of 99.90 (or equivalent). The candidate should be an Australian citizen, Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa holder, Australian Permanent Resident, New Zealand Citizen, or international student who has completed or is completing Years 11 and 12 in Australia.

How to Apply for the University of Queensland Vice Chancellors Scholarship

The first step is to visit the University of Queensland application portal. You can save your application and return to it at any time before submission. Fill in the necessary information to initiate your application and get your QTAC Application number.

Application tip: Clearly outline the nature of your leadership roles and community service activities. Try to use numbers or metrics to illustrate the scope of your achievements. More importantly, align your examples with the specific program or course you are applying for.

4. Netherlands Scholarships

The Netherlands offers scholarships to international students seeking to study in the Bachelor, Master, and PhD fields at all universities in the country. It is both partially and fully funded, depending on the institution.

Benefits of the Netherlands Scholarship:

1. Holland Scholarship

Degree Level: Bachelor’s or Postgraduate
Award: €5,000 for your first year of study
Eligibility: Non-EEA students enrolling at a participating Dutch university

2. Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)

Degree Level: Bachelor’s or Master’s (varies by country and university)
Award: Partial tuition waiver and living expenses
Eligibility: Varies by country

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM)

Degree Level: Master’s (with study in multiple European countries)
Award: Full tuition coverage, monthly allowance, and travel/insurance
Eligibility: Open to students worldwide; must apply to a specific EMJM program.

4. Fulbright-Radboud Scholarships

Degree Level: Master’s, PhD
Award: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, and travel costs
Eligibility: US citizens with a bachelor’s degree

IELTS is optional to qualify for The Netherlands scholarship, as many Dutch universities accept other English language tests.

5. University of Oxford Clarendon Scholarship

The University of Oxford in the UK offers fully funded sponsorship under the Clarendon Scholarships to international students, and applicants can undertake Masters or PhD level programs.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. One must have a first-class honors degree or equivalent for one’s application to stand a high chance of being approved.

Successful candidates will receive full tuition coverage and a living allowance for their studies. Clarendon Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic achievements and potential, and the process is highly competitive.

Application Procedure:

Choose the Appropriate Deadline: Depending on your course of study, you should check which deadline is relevant to your program.

Offer Letter: Once the shortlist is confirmed, the Clarendon Fund Administrator will contact successful Clarendon candidates. You will receive a scholarship offer letter and a ‘CB1’ letter. This offer secures your funding, provided you meet the conditions of your offer of a place to study at Oxford.

When approved and accepted, each student will receive a funding breakdown letter, a ‘CB2’ letter, outlining the funding arrangements. Successful Clarendon scholarship candidates will receive notifications via email.