Fully Funded Scholarships 2025 No GRE for International Students
Last updated: August 18, 2025 • Editor: Chgr Team
Hunting for a fully funded master’s or PhD in 2025 without the GRE? Many top scholarships and programs either do not require GRE or offer waivers, focusing instead on GPA, research, essays, and recommendations. Below is a curated list of full‑ride or fully funded pathways where GRE is not required or waivable. Always confirm the latest policy on the official program page before you apply.
Quick Comparison Table (2025)
| Program | Country/Region | Level | Covers | GRE Policy (2025) | Deadline Window | Official |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erasmus Mundus (EMJM) | EU (multi‑country) | Master’s | Full tuition, stipend, travel | No GRE (program‑specific) | Oct–Feb | EU catalogue |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Master’s | Stipend, insurance, travel; some tuition waivers | No GRE (course‑specific English rules) | Dec–Mar | daad.de |
| Chevening | UK | Master’s | Tuition, stipend, flights, fees | No GRE (university entry rules apply) | Aug–Nov | chevening.org |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK | Master’s | Tuition, stipend, flights | No GRE (host rules) | Sep–Dec | cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk |
| Fulbright Foreign Student | USA | Master’s/PhD | Tuition, stipend, airfare, insurance | Scholarship: no GRE; host program may require/waive | Feb–Sep (by country) | fulbrightonline.org |
| KAUST Fellowship | Saudi Arabia | Master’s/PhD | Tuition, stipend, housing, insurance | GRE optional; waivers common | Rolling | kaust.edu.sa |
| MBZUAI Scholarship | UAE | Master’s/PhD | Full tuition, stipend, housing | GRE not required (may strengthen file) | Multiple rounds | mbzuai.ac.ae |
| SINGA | Singapore | PhD | S$2,200–2,700/mo + fees support | GRE optional (lab/program decides) | 2 intakes/yr | a-star.edu.sg |
| MEXT | Japan | Master’s/PhD | Tuition, stipend, airfare | No GRE | Varies (embassy/university tracks) | mext.go.jp |
| CSC Scholarship | China | Master’s/PhD | Tuition, dorm, stipend, insurance | No GRE | Feb–Apr | campuschina.org |
| Gates Cambridge | UK | PhD (also MPhil) | Tuition + ~£20k+/yr maintenance + extras | Scholarship: no GRE; dept rules apply | Oct–Jan | gatescambridge.org |
| UST Korea Graduate Scholarships | South Korea | Master’s/PhD | Tuition + monthly stipend | No GRE (focus on GPA/research) | Program‑specific | ust.ac.kr |
Erasmus Mundus (EU)
Covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend, travel, and insurance across 2–3 European partner universities.
GRE: Not used for selection in most EMJMs. Selection is based on GPA, essays, references, and fit.
Deadline: Program‑specific; most fall between October and February.
Official: EU Erasmus Mundus catalogue.
DAAD EPOS (Germany)
Covers: Monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance; some programs waive tuition.
GRE: Not a standard requirement. English (TOEFL/IELTS/alternatives) depends on the host course.
Deadline: Typically December–March.
Official: daad.de
Chevening (UK)
Covers: Tuition, stipend, flights, and fees for a one‑year master’s at UK universities.
GRE: Not required by Chevening. You must meet your chosen university’s entry rules (many UK programs do not use GRE).
Deadline: August–November (varies yearly).
Official: chevening.org
Commonwealth Master’s (UK)
Covers: Tuition, stipend, flights, and allowances for eligible nationals.
GRE: Not used by the scholarship. Follow the host university’s English/entry rules.
Deadline: Commonly September–December.
Official: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
Fulbright Foreign Student (USA)
Covers: Tuition, living stipend, airfare, and insurance for master’s/PhD in the U.S.
GRE: The scholarship itself doesn’t mandate GRE. Your target department may require, waive, or mark it optional. Check your field and university pages.
Deadline: Country‑specific (often February–September).
Official: foreign.fulbrightonline.org
KAUST (Saudi Arabia)
Covers: Full tuition, competitive monthly stipend, on‑campus housing, and health insurance.
GRE: Optional; applications are evaluated holistically. Strong academics and research fit are key.
Official: kaust.edu.sa
MBZUAI (UAE)
Covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, transportation, and health insurance in AI/ML fields.
GRE: Not required; competitive profiles (GPA/research) matter more.
Official: mbzuai.ac.ae
SINGA (Singapore)
Covers: Stipend S$2,200–2,700/month (after QE) + tuition support; joint program with A*STAR and Singapore universities.
GRE: Optional for most tracks; labs may advise it for certain fields. Interviews often weigh more.
Official: a-star.edu.sg/singa-award
MEXT (Japan)
Covers: Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, and airfare for master’s/PhD (Embassy and University tracks).
GRE: Not required. Selection uses transcripts, tests set by the embassy/university, and interviews.
Official: mext.go.jp
CSC (China)
Covers: Tuition, accommodation (or subsidy), monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
GRE: Not required for most English‑taught programs. Focus on GPA, publications, and references.
Official: campuschina.org
Gates Cambridge (UK)
Covers: University Composition Fee + generous maintenance and research allowances for PhD/MPhil.
GRE: Not required by the scholarship. A few departments may ask for GRE—check the Cambridge course page.
Official: gatescambridge.org
UST Korea Graduate Scholarships
Covers: Tuition and monthly stipends at government research institutes in South Korea (master’s/PhD).
GRE: Not used; emphasis on GPA, research output, and lab fit.
Official: ust.ac.kr
How to Verify No‑GRE or Request a Waiver
- Check the program page: Search “Admissions requirements” → look for “GRE required/optional/waived.” Screenshots/notes change yearly.
- Email the coordinator: Ask if waivers are available for strong GPAs, relevant research, or advanced coursework.
- Use scholarship pathways: Awards like Fulbright/Chevening often work with departments on test flexibility.
- Be early: Some waivers must be approved before you submit your application.
Sample waiver email
Subject: GRE Waiver Inquiry – [Program], Fall 2025 Dear [Coordinator Name/Office], I plan to apply to the [Master’s/PhD in X] for Fall 2025. I have a GPA of [X.X], [Y] years of research/industry experience, and publications/projects in [area]. Could you advise whether a GRE waiver is possible and what evidence is required? Thank you, [Your Name] • [Country]
English Proof vs GRE (Know the Difference)
- GRE is a general graduate test and often optional/waivable in 2025.
- English proficiency is separate: most programs require TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo/C1/C2 or an MOI waiver (program‑specific).
- Always check both pages: degree requirements and international applicant policies.
FAQs: Fully Funded No‑GRE Scholarships (2025)
Can I really get fully funded without GRE?
Yes—many scholarships (Erasmus, DAAD, Chevening, MEXT, CSC) and universities (KAUST, MBZUAI) do not use GRE or allow waivers.
Will submitting a GRE help if it’s optional?
It can help in highly quantitative programs if your transcript lacks strong math. If your profile is already strong, a GRE is often unnecessary.
Do PhD programs care about GRE in 2025?
Less than before. Supervisor fit, research output, and recommendations matter more. Some departments still require it—always verify.
Are waivers guaranteed?
No. Waivers are discretionary and depend on evidence of readiness (GPA, coursework, research, awards).
You can build a no‑GRE route to full funding in 2025 by targeting scholarships and universities that prioritize GPA, research, and essays over testing. Shortlist 5–8 programs, confirm their no‑GRE or waiver policy, and prepare a compelling, well‑documented application. Explore more in our Fully Funded, Masters, and PhD labels.