Studying abroad is exciting—but it can get expensive fast when you add required student health insurance on top of tuition and living costs. Good news: there are scholarships that include full health insurance for international students, so you don’t have to buy a separate policy or worry about surprise medical bills. The challenge is knowing which programs truly offer comprehensive medical coverage (not just limited accident benefits), what the coverage includes, and how to qualify.
In this guide, you’ll find a curated, up-to-date list of top scholarships that include full health insurance for international students, regional comparisons, coverage checklists, and application tips. You’ll also see exactly how to verify what “full” means in each country, how dependents are treated, and how to avoid common pitfalls like limited accident-only plans.
What you’ll get:
- A vetted list of scholarships with comprehensive health insurance or equivalent national coverage
- Coverage tables by region with degree level, benefits, and notes
- How “full health insurance” differs from limited or accident-only coverage
- Step-by-step verification checklist before you accept an award
- Application timelines, competitiveness tips, and high-value CTAs to apply and compare
Note: Benefits vary by year and host institution. Always confirm the official scholarship page or award letter for the most current coverage details.
What does “full health insurance” mean for international scholarships?
“Full health insurance” typically means coverage that satisfies a host country’s legal/visa requirements for international students and functions like a comprehensive plan (inpatient, outpatient, emergency, prescriptions, and often mental health). In some countries, this is delivered via:
- A national system funded by the scholarship (e.g., UK’s Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access)
- A mandated student health plan paid by the scholarship (e.g., Australia’s OSHC)
- A private group policy arranged by the scholarship (e.g., DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Swedish Institute, CSC)
What is not “full” (but often advertised as “insurance”):
- Accident-and-sickness benefit plans with low limits
- Accident-only or travel assistance plans
- Reimbursement programs with many exclusions and low caps
Look for words like: comprehensive, national health insurance, OSHC, NHS/IHS, “health, accident and liability insurance,” “comprehensive medical insurance,” or “medical insurance for the duration of the award.”
At-a-glance: scholarships that include full health insurance for international students
The list below highlights well-known programs that include full health insurance (or the equivalent) for awardees. Always verify current terms.
Europe and the UK
| Scholarship/Program | Host Country | Degree Levels | Health Insurance Included? | What’s Typically Covered | Dependents? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | United Kingdom | Master’s | Yes: Chevening pays the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) → NHS access | NHS services during stay; visa-linked | Usually not included; verify IHS for dependents |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | United Kingdom | Master’s/PhD | Yes: IHS covered → NHS access | Comprehensive NHS access during award | Dependents support varies by scheme |
| Gates Cambridge | United Kingdom | Master’s/PhD | Yes: visa costs incl. IHS covered | NHS access via IHS | Limited support; check dependent policy |
| Rhodes Scholarships | United Kingdom | Master’s (2nd BA)/PhD | Yes: IHS covered | NHS access via IHS | Some support; see official guidance |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Multiple EU | Master’s | Yes: consortium-provided insurance meeting EU standards | Medical, accident, sometimes liability; EU minimums | Usually scholars only |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany | Master’s/PhD/Postgrad | Yes: health, accident, and personal liability insurance | Comprehensive coverage via DAAD-appointed insurer | Generally scholar only |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | France | Master’s/PhD | Yes: social security + complementary health insurance for non-EU | Comprehensive student health coverage | Scholar only |
| Swedish Institute (SISGP) | Sweden | Master’s | Yes: comprehensive insurance via Kammarkollegiet | Medical, accident, liability, property during period | Scholar only |
| Swiss Government Excellence | Switzerland | PhD/Postdoc/Research | Yes: health insurance for non-EU/EFTA | Comprehensive plan meeting Swiss law | Usually scholar only |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: health care services + supplementary medical insurance | Public health services + extra coverage | Scholar only |
| Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) | Netherlands | Short courses/Master’s | Yes: insurance for program duration | Health and accident coverage | Scholar only |
Asia-Pacific
| Scholarship/Program | Host Country | Degree Levels | Health Insurance Included? | What’s Typically Covered | Dependents? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Awards | Australia | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | Comprehensive OSHC for visa duration | Dependents in some cases; confirm |
| New Zealand Manaaki | New Zealand | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: medical insurance | Comprehensive student health coverage | Usually scholar only |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | South Korea | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: National Health Insurance contributions + additional medical support | NHI participation plus top-ups | Scholar; dependents limited |
| Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) | China | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: Comprehensive Medical Insurance for International Students | Hospitalization, medical services per CSC policy | Scholar only |
| Schwarzman Scholars | China (Tsinghua) | Master’s | Yes: program-provided health insurance | Comprehensive coverage during program | Scholar only |
| Yenching Academy | China (PKU) | Master’s | Yes: medical insurance provided | Comprehensive plan during study | Scholar only |
| ANSO (CAS/USTC) | China | Master’s/PhD | Yes: medical insurance | Comprehensive medical plan per host | Scholar only |
| MEXT (Monbukagakusho) | Japan | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Mixed: access to Japan’s National Health Insurance; some universities add student schemes | NHI reduces costs; some add-on coverage | Scholar; confirm local details |
| OIST PhD | Japan | PhD (employee status) | Yes: employee health insurance | Full employee health plan | May include family; confirm |
| TaiwanICDF | Taiwan | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: accident and medical insurance; NHI after ARC issuance | Comprehensive coverage + NHI | Scholar only |
| Brunei Government Scholarship | Brunei | Diploma/Bachelor/Master’s | Yes: medical insurance | Comprehensive coverage per terms | Scholar only |
Middle East
| Scholarship/Program | Host Country | Degree Levels | Health Insurance Included? | What’s Typically Covered | Dependents? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KAUST Fellowship | Saudi Arabia | Master’s/PhD | Yes: medical and dental insurance | Comprehensive plan via university | Family coverage available |
| KFUPM Scholarship | Saudi Arabia | Master’s/PhD | Yes: free medical care | University medical services | Scholar; check dependents |
| Qatar/Doha Institute & HBKU awards | Qatar | Master’s/PhD | Often yes: medical insurance | Comprehensive student plan | Varies; confirm with program |
| Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) | Türkiye | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: health insurance | Comprehensive public or private plan | Scholar only |
Africa and the Americas (selected programs)
| Scholarship/Program | Host Country | Degree Levels | Health Insurance Included? | What’s Typically Covered | Dependents? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) | Asia-Pacific + selected | Master’s | Yes: medical insurance | Comprehensive medical during study | Scholar only |
| JJ/WBGSP (World Bank) | Multiple | Master’s | Often yes: medical insurance as per program | Medical insurance meeting host requirements | Scholar only |
| IsDB Scholarships | Multiple | Bachelor/Master/PhD | Yes: health insurance | Comprehensive coverage where available | Scholar only |
| Rotary Peace Fellowships | Multiple | Master’s/PDG | Insurance arrangements via host (varies) | Health insurance often included | Scholar only |
| Fulbright (Foreign Student) | United States | Master’s/PhD | Limited: ASPE is not full health insurance | Accident & sickness benefits (caps) | Not comprehensive; add-on often needed |
Tip: In the UK, programs covering the IHS give you NHS access, which is effectively full health coverage during your studies. In Australia, OSHC is mandatory and comprehensive; when a scholarship pays OSHC for you, that checks the “full cover” box.
Scholarships vs. “limited benefit” plans: know the difference
Some awards advertise “insurance” but only offer limited accident or sickness benefits with low caps and exclusions. For example:
- Limited plans: per-incident caps (e.g., $50,000), no chronic condition coverage, no dependents, exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
- Full coverage: national or comprehensive private plan, inpatient and outpatient care, preventive care, prescriptions, emergency, and sometimes mental health.
When in doubt, ask for the policy certificate and check:
- Annual/lifetime maximums
- Inpatient/outpatient/ER coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Mental health benefits
- Waiting periods and exclusions
- Whether it satisfies visa/university requirements
How to verify “full health insurance” before you accept
Use this 10-minute checklist for scholarships that include full health insurance for international students:
- Request documents
- Policy certificate or insurance summary (PDF)
- Award letter section on benefits
- University’s student insurance requirement page
- Confirm compliance
- Does it meet the host country’s visa/university minimums (e.g., UK IHS/NHS, Australia OSHC, EU standards)?
- Check coverage components
- Inpatient hospitalization, outpatient visits, prescriptions, mental health, emergency services, maternity, repatriation
- Verify duration and start date
- From arrival to program end (including orientation)? Any waiting periods?
- Dependents
- Is spouse/child coverage included or available at scholar rates?
- Claims and networks
- Local hospitals/clinics in-network? 24/7 support? Claim timelines?
- Gaps and top-ups
- If dental/vision/mental health are limited, can you buy a top-up policy?
Pro tip: Keep PDFs in a “Scholarship Insurance” folder on your phone for visa interviews, enrollment, and any medical visits.
Top programs: quick profiles and application cues
Below are brief overviews of standout scholarships that include full health insurance for international students, plus application timing and competitiveness tips.
Chevening (UK)
- Coverage: Pays IHS → full NHS access; tuition, stipend, travel.
- Notes: 1-year master’s; leadership focus.
- Timeline: Applications open Aug–Nov for next academic year.
- Tip: Showcase leadership impact and network-building.
Commonwealth (UK)
- Coverage: IHS → NHS; tuition plus stipend and travel.
- Notes: Multiple schemes (ACU administered); development goals.
- Timeline: Varies; usually Sept–Dec window.
- Tip: Align proposal with home-country development priorities.
DAAD (Germany)
- Coverage: Health, accident, and personal liability insurance.
- Notes: Broad portfolio: EPOS, Research Grants, Helmut-Schmidt, etc.
- Timeline: Program-specific; many deadlines Aug–Dec.
- Tip: Strong match to host supervisor/institute is essential.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)
- Coverage: Insurance meeting EU minimums; tuition, travel, monthly stipend.
- Notes: Study in 2–3 countries; cohort-based.
- Timeline: Typically Oct–Jan for the next intake.
- Tip: Tailor motivation letter to the specific program’s academic fit.
Australia Awards (Australia)
- Coverage: OSHC for visa duration; tuition, stipend, travel.
- Notes: Development-focused; specific eligible countries.
- Timeline: Usually Feb–Apr depending on country.
- Tip: Emphasize how skills transfer back home.
Swedish Institute (SISGP)
- Coverage: Comprehensive insurance via Kammarkollegiet; tuition, stipend.
- Timeline: Around Feb; aligns with Swedish university admissions.
- Tip: Highlight leadership and sustainability contributions.
CSC (China)
- Coverage: Comprehensive Medical Insurance for International Students.
- Notes: Multiple pathways (Bilateral Program, University Program).
- Timeline: Usually Dec–Apr; depends on channel.
- Tip: Secure a pre-admission letter to strengthen your application.
GKS (Korea)
- Coverage: Health insurance (NHI contributions + medical support); tuition, stipend, settlement.
- Timeline: Feb–Apr (varies by embassy/university track).
- Tip: Embassy track competition is intense—submit polished research/study plan.
Swiss Government Excellence
- Coverage: Health insurance for non-EU/EFTA; stipend, tuition waivers.
- Timeline: Country-specific calls; generally Aug–Nov.
- Tip: Early connection with a Swiss supervisor boosts odds.
Türkiye Scholarships
- Coverage: Health insurance; tuition, housing, stipend, Turkish course.
- Timeline: Annual call typically Jan–Feb.
- Tip: Strong motivation letter and program alignment matter.
Full coverage vs. partial coverage: table of common cases
| Scholarship | Full Health Insurance | Partial/Limited | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening (UK) | Yes (IHS → NHS) | — | Dependents’ IHS usually not covered |
| Commonwealth (UK) | Yes (IHS → NHS) | — | Scheme-specific terms |
| DAAD (DE) | Yes (comprehensive) | — | Health + accident + liability |
| Erasmus Mundus (EU) | Yes (EU standard) | — | Private group policy |
| Australia Awards | Yes (OSHC) | — | Visa-compliant OSHC |
| Swedish Institute | Yes | — | Kammarkollegiet policy |
| Swiss Excellence | Yes (non-EU/EFTA) | — | Meets Swiss law |
| CSC (China) | Yes | — | CSC Comprehensive plan |
| GKS (Korea) | Yes | — | NHI + support |
| Knight-Hennessy (US) | Varies by program | — | Health insurance often covered by the graduate program; verify specifics |
| Fulbright (US) | — | Yes (ASPE limited) | Add-on insurance recommended |
Important nuance: In the US, many fully funded PhD fellowships/assistantships cover university student health insurance premiums (comprehensive plans). Some marquee scholarships (e.g., Knight-Hennessy, Rhodes U.S. partnerships) rely on the host program’s standard coverage. Always check the degree program’s funding letter.
How to apply strategically (and win)
- Choose the right fit programs
- Align your goals with the scholarship’s mission: leadership, development, research, or cross-cultural exchange.
- Build a quota-aware list
- Mix global awards (Chevening, Erasmus) with national/regional programs (Türkiye, CSC, GKS).
- Time your package
- Many programs open 9–12 months before start date. Create a calendar for tests (IELTS/TOEFL), references, statements, and portfolios.
- Lead with impact
- Use results-driven bullets: numbers, outcomes, policy changes, community impact.
- Secure institutional buy-in
- For research awards: get a supervisor’s pre-acceptance letter.
Application must-haves:
- Tailored personal statement with clear goals
- Evidence of leadership or community service
- Strong academic record and references
- Language proficiency proof (where required)
- A realistic budget and study plan
CTA: Set up free alerts for scholarships that include full health insurance for international students and track deadlines by country and degree level.
Visa and compliance: why coverage details matter
- Visa approvals often depend on proof of health insurance (e.g., OSHC in Australia, IHS in the UK, NHI enrollment in Korea/Japan).
- University enrollment typically requires waiving or enrolling in a student plan; scholarships that pay your plan simplify admin and reduce costs.
- Dependents: Many awards don’t cover spouse/children. Budget separately or look for family coverage options (e.g., KAUST).
Cost-of-living math: why “health included” saves thousands
Estimated annual health insurance costs without a scholarship:
- UK: IHS ~£776 per year of visa (amount subject to change)
- Australia: OSHC ~AU$500–800+ per year (single)
- US: University plans often US$1,800–$4,000+ per year
- EU: Private student insurance €300–€1,000+ per year (varies)
A scholarship paying these costs is effectively adding thousands to your award value—sometimes more than a small stipend difference between programs.
Email template to confirm health coverage (copy/paste)
Subject: Health Insurance Details for [Scholarship Name] Award
Hello [Scholarship/Admissions Office],
I am preparing my visa and enrollment documents and would like to confirm the health insurance included with the [Scholarship Name] award.
- Is the insurance comprehensive and compliant with [host country] student visa requirements?
- What services are covered (inpatient/outpatient, prescriptions, mental health, emergency)?
- From what date does coverage begin and end?
- Are dependents (spouse/children) covered or eligible at scholar rates?
- Could you please share the policy certificate or summary of benefits (PDF)?
Thank you for your help,
[Your Name]
[Application ID]
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Assuming “insurance included” means comprehensive: It may be accident-only. Always request the certificate.
- Overlooking start dates: Some policies begin at enrollment, not arrival day; consider a short travel policy for the gap.
- Ignoring dependents: Most programs don’t cover family—budget separately.
- Not meeting waiver rules: If your scholarship provides a plan, don’t accidentally buy the university plan as well (or vice versa) without checking.
- Skipping mental health coverage: If the base plan is thin, add a top-up policy.
FAQs: Scholarships That Include Full Health Insurance for International Students
Q: What counts as “full health insurance” in scholarship terms?
A: Coverage that satisfies the host country’s student visa/university requirements and functions like a comprehensive plan—typically inpatient, outpatient, ER, prescriptions, and sometimes mental health. Examples include UK NHS access via IHS, Australia’s OSHC, DAAD’s comprehensive policy, and CSC’s comprehensive medical insurance.Q: Which scholarships reliably include full health insurance?
A: Chevening, Commonwealth, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, DAAD, Eiffel, Swedish Institute SISGP, Swiss Government Excellence, Australia Awards (OSHC), New Zealand Manaaki, CSC (China), GKS (Korea), Türkiye Scholarships, KAUST, and several China-based elite programs (Schwarzman, Yenching, ANSO) commonly include comprehensive coverage. Always verify current terms.Q: Do US scholarships include full health insurance?
A: Many fully funded PhD packages in the US cover university student health insurance premiums. However, marquee exchange programs like Fulbright provide ASPE benefits that are not full health insurance. For taught master’s programs, coverage depends on the university funding package rather than a national scholarship.Q: Are spouses and children covered?
A: Usually no. Most scholarships cover the scholar only. Some programs (e.g., select fellowships or universities like KAUST) offer family coverage or subsidized dependent plans. Always ask about dependent eligibility and additional costs.Q: When does insurance coverage start?
A: It varies. Some plans start upon arrival or orientation; others begin on the enrollment date. If there’s a gap, consider short-term travel medical insurance to bridge until the scholarship plan activates.Q: Can I waive the university plan if my scholarship provides insurance?
A: Often yes, if the scholarship plan meets the university’s waiver criteria. You’ll usually need to submit the policy certificate. If your scholarship pays the university plan directly, no waiver is needed.Q: What if the scholarship’s coverage is limited or excludes mental health?
A: You can purchase a private top-up plan for mental health, dental, or vision. Many students layer a basic scholarship plan with a supplementary policy.Q: Do these scholarships cover pre-existing conditions?
A: Policies vary widely. National systems (e.g., NHS) cover pre-existing conditions. Some private group plans have waiting periods or exclusions. Read the policy certificate carefully or ask the administrator.Choose funding that protects your studies—and your health
Scholarships that include full health insurance for international students can save you thousands and simplify your visa and enrollment. Programs like Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Australia Awards, CSC, GKS, Swedish Institute, Swiss Government Excellence, Türkiye Scholarships, and select university fellowships routinely include comprehensive coverage or national health access. Before you accept, confirm the policy certificate, start dates, and dependent rules so there are no surprises.