Major international funding programs like Chevening, DAAD, the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship, and selected Australian university grants are scholarships closing in October 2026 for Indian students. These financial aids can fund your studies abroad for the 2027 intake.

If you can secure a full or partial scholarship, it can significantly lower your tuition and living costs. 

Here is everything you need to know about key eligibility criteria, benefits, and deadlines to make sure you submit your applications before time runs out this month.

Which Scholarships are Closing in October 2026 for Indian Students?

Scholarship deadlines and conditions can change. Check with your study abroad consultant before submitting an application.

Which UK Scholarships are Closing in October 2026?

The UK has two major scholarship opportunities for Indian students with October deadlines: Chevening and the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship.

Chevening Scholarship

The Chevening Scholarship application for the 2027-28 intake closes on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. This is 4:30 PM IST on 6 October.

Chevening funds eligible students pursuing a one-year Master's degree in the UK. You need an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK postgraduate programme and at least 2,800 hours of eligible work experience.

You do not need a UK university offer when you submit your Chevening application. If selected, you must secure at least one unconditional offer from an eligible UK university by 8 July 2027.

Before applying, check:

• Your undergraduate qualification

• Your work experience

• Your three selected UK courses

• Your references

• Your career plans

• Chevening's eligibility and return requirements

If the UK is your preferred destination, explore our guide to study in the UK before shortlisting universities and courses.

Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship closes on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST for the 2027/28 academic year.

The scholarship supports eligible students from Commonwealth countries who want to pursue a full-time taught Master's degree at a participating UK university.

Funding can include:

• Approved tuition fees

• Airfare to and from the UK

• Living allowance

• Visa costs

• Other approved allowances

The scholarship does not fund MBA programmes or second Master's degrees in the UK under the standard Commonwealth Master's route.

Read more on Study in UK for Indian Students: Complete Beginner's Guide 2026-27

Which Germany Scholarships are Closing in October 2026?

DAAD is another important option, but you should not treat October as one general DAAD deadline.

DAAD scholarships have programme-specific deadlines. Some 2026 deadlines fall in October, while others fall in September, November or December.

For example, some DAAD Study Scholarship listings have an October deadline, while other programmes have different closing dates. 

Selected DAAD Study Scholarships provide:

• Monthly scholarship payments

• Health, accident and personal liability insurance

• Travel allowance

• Study allowance in eligible cases

The listed monthly scholarship rate for Master's-level study is currently €992 for relevant DAAD awards.

Germany also stands out as an attractive choice, given that many public universities offer low tuition fees. Read our guide to study in Germany for Indian students to compare universities, courses, costs, and admission requirements.

Which Australia Scholarships are Closing in October 2026?

Australia does not have one national scholarship deadline for all international students. The majority of funding opportunities and grants are provided straight through individual universities. 

If you are considering Australia, explore our study in Australia guide for information on universities, courses, costs and admissions.

Two upcoming Australian scholarships are:

UNSW scholarships

The UNSW Scholarships for International Students Commencing Term 1, 2027 application closes on 30 October 2026 at 11:59 PM AEST.

The application includes several scholarships for international undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.

The International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, for example, offers either:

• Complete tuition coverage for the standard length of the degree, or

• AUD 20,000 per year towards tuition fees

Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship. You should check whether your intended course and academic profile meet the requirements before applying.

Melbourne graduate research scholarships

The University of Melbourne offers graduate research scholarships for eligible international students. Some 2027 scholarship rounds have an application deadline of 31 October 2026.

These scholarships are designed for students applying for research degrees rather than standard undergraduate or coursework Master's programmes.

Depending on the award, funding can include a tuition fee offset and living allowance.

You can also compare more scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia.

What Fully Funded Scholarships Can Indian Students Apply For in the 2027 Intake?

Students searching for fully funded scholarships 2027 intake should check exactly what each award covers.

A "fully funded" scholarship does not guarantee that all personal or incidental expenses are covered. You should check the scholarship's funding conditions before calculating your study abroad budget.

What Is the Difference Between Undergraduate and Master's Scholarships for Indian Students?

Most major government-funded scholarships closing in October are aimed at Master's or research students.

Master's scholarships

Indian students applying for a Master's degree can consider:

• Chevening in the UK

• Commonwealth Master's Scholarships in the UK

• Relevant DAAD scholarships in Germany

• Australian university scholarships

However, the eligibility requirements are different for each award. Chevening, for example, has a specific work experience requirement.

Undergraduate scholarships

Undergraduate students have fewer government-funded options with October deadlines.

University scholarships can offer more choices. For example, UNSW offers international scholarships for commencing undergraduate students for Term 1, 2027.

You should also check whether a scholarship requires a separate application or is considered automatically when you apply for admission.

How Can You Apply for Last-Minute Scholarships?

If you are searching for last-minute scholarships, do not apply for every award you find. Start with scholarships where you already meet the eligibility requirements.

Day 1: Check eligibility

Read the official scholarship requirements and remove awards where you do not qualify.

Day 2: Shortlist scholarships

Choose two or three realistic options based on your academic background, course, and destination.

Days 3-4: Write your application

Prepare your personal statement, scholarship essays, and study plan. Use specific examples rather than general statements about your ambitions.

Day 5: Collect documents

Prepare your transcripts, certificates, references, passport information, and other required documents.

Day 6: Review

Check every answer against the scholarship's selection criteria. Review word counts, course details, and supporting documents.

Day 7: Submit

Try to submit before the final day. This gives you time to deal with technical problems or missing documents.

If you miss a deadline, check the next scholarship cycle and university-specific scholarships rather than submitting an incomplete application. If English-language proof is required for your course, check our IELTS guide. 

How to Choose the Right Scholarship

Before applying for any of the scholarships closing in October 2026, check these points:

1. Eligibility: Is India included among the eligible countries?

2. Study level: Is the scholarship for undergraduate, master's, or research students?

3. Course: Does your subject qualify?

4. Academic requirements: Do you meet the minimum academic standard?

5. Work experience: Is professional experience required?

6. University offer: Do you need admission before applying?

7. Funding: What expenses does the award actually cover?

8. Deadline: Is the scholarship deadline different from the university deadline?

A scholarship with a later deadline may not be useful if you do not meet its eligibility requirements. Start with eligibility, then compare the funding and application requirements.

Rounding Up

October has several scholarship opportunities for Indian students planning to study abroad in 2027. Check the eligibility and deadline for each award before applying, especially if you are considering scholarships closing in October 2026.

Not sure which scholarship, university, or study destination is right for your profile? Gradstar can help you explore suitable options and plan your study abroad journey with confidence.

FAQs

1. What does "fully funded" really include?

A fully funded scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees alongside a living stipend to support day-to-day expenses. Most comprehensive awards also include round-trip international airfare, health insurance, visa fees, and an initial arrival allowance.

2. What is the earliest scholarship deadline in October 2026?

Among the scholarships covered in this guide, Chevening has the earliest deadline. Applications close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC, which is 4:30 PM IST.

3. Can I apply for Chevening without a university admission offer?

Yes. You can apply for Chevening before receiving a UK university offer. If you are selected, you must obtain at least one unconditional offer from an eligible UK university by 8 July 2027.

4. Are Commonwealth scholarships fully funded?

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships cover approved tuition fees, airfare and a living allowance, along with certain other approved costs. The exact benefits depend on the scholarship conditions.

5. Can undergraduate students apply for scholarships closing in October 2026?

Yes. Although many major scholarships closing in October target Master's or research students, some university scholarships are available to undergraduate applicants. UNSW, for example, has scholarships for commencing international undergraduate students for Term 1, 2027.