One of the biggest mistakes students make is assuming they must receive a university admission letter before applying for a scholarship.
That isn’t always true.
Many international scholarships allow students to submit their scholarship applications before receiving admission from a university. In some cases, you can apply for both the scholarship and the university at the same time. In other cases, the scholarship provider gives you enough time to submit your admission letter after you have been selected.
This is good news for students who are still waiting for universities to process their applications.
If you are an African student, especially from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, or other developing countries, this guide will help you discover scholarships you can apply for without an admission letter in 2027.
The opportunities listed below have been verified using current 2026–2027 scholarship information and official scholarship policies. Some programs may eventually require proof of admission before the final award is released, but they do not require an admission letter during the initial scholarship application stage.
Scholarship Summary Table
| Scholarship | Country | Study Level | Admission Letter Required During Initial Application? | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAAD Scholarship | Germany | Master’s, PhD | No | Fully funded |
| Erasmus Mundus Scholarship | Europe | Master’s | Usually No | Fully funded |
| MEXT Scholarship | Japan | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD | No | Fully funded |
| Chinese Government Scholarship | China | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD | Often No | Fully funded |
| Türkiye Bursları | Turkey | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD | No | Fully funded |
| Schwarzman Scholars | China | Master’s | No | Fully funded |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD | No | Fully funded |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholarship | Multiple Countries | Undergraduate, Master’s | Varies | Fully funded |
| Commonwealth Scholarship | United Kingdom | Master’s, PhD | Sometimes | Fully funded |
| GREAT Scholarship | United Kingdom | Master’s | Conditional offers accepted | Partially funded |
Why Some Scholarships Don’t Require an Admission Letter
There are three common reasons why scholarship providers allow applications without an admission letter.
1. The Scholarship and University Application Are Processed Separately
Programs such as DAAD allow students to apply for funding while universities are still reviewing admission applications. The admission letter can be submitted later.
2. The Scholarship Provider Selects the University for You
Some government-sponsored scholarships, including MEXT and Türkiye Bursları, help students secure placement after they have been selected for funding. This removes the need to obtain admission before applying.
3. Conditional Admission Is Accepted
Some scholarships accept a conditional offer instead of a final admission letter. This means you can still apply even if you haven’t completed all admission requirements.
Scholarships You Can Apply for Without an Admission Letter: 10 Fully Funded Opportunities for 2027
1. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Study level: Master’s and PhD
Funding includes:
- Monthly stipend
- Tuition support
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance
One of the biggest advantages of the DAAD scholarship is its flexibility.
According to current scholarship guidelines, applicants can submit their scholarship applications even when university admissions are still being processed. However, selected students must eventually provide proof of admission before their funding begins. Many application windows for the 2027 intake are expected to fall between August and October 2026.
Official website:
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarship
Study level: Master’s
Funding includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Installation allowance
- Travel expenses
The Erasmus Mundus scholarship is one of the most competitive scholarships in Europe.
Many Erasmus programs allow applicants to submit scholarship applications while university admission is still under review because both processes often happen simultaneously. Applicants should always verify the requirements for their specific program because requirements may differ between partner universities.
Official website:
3. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
- PhD
- Research programs
Funding includes:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Return flight tickets
The MEXT Scholarship is one of the few major scholarships that genuinely does not require an admission letter for the embassy recommendation route.
Students apply through Japanese embassies in their home countries, and the university placement process happens later.
This makes MEXT one of the best options for students who haven’t yet secured admission.
Official website:
4. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
- PhD
Funding includes:
- Full tuition
- Accommodation
- Medical insurance
- Monthly stipend
Many Chinese universities participating in the CSC program do not require applicants to submit admission letters during the scholarship application stage.
In many cases, students apply directly through the CSC portal and later receive university placement. However, some Chinese universities may request a pre-admission letter, so applicants should check individual university requirements carefully.
Official website:
Chinese Government Scholarship Portal
5. Türkiye Bursları Scholarship (Turkey)
Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
- PhD
Funding includes:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Monthly allowance
- Health insurance
- Flight tickets
- Free Turkish language training
Türkiye Bursları is another scholarship that does not require an admission letter during the initial application process.
After selection, successful candidates are matched with universities based on their academic profiles and program preferences. This makes the scholarship particularly attractive for first-time international applicants.
Official website:
6. Schwarzman Scholars Program (China)
Study level: Master’s
Funding includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Travel costs
- Study materials
- Personal stipend
The Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University does not require applicants to obtain a separate admission letter before applying.
Instead, applicants submit a direct application to the scholarship program, which handles both the academic and funding processes.
Official website:
7. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Hungary)
Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
- PhD
Funding includes:
- Tuition waiver
- Accommodation support
- Monthly stipend
- Medical insurance
The Hungarian government scholarship program allows applicants to apply directly through the scholarship portal without first obtaining admission from a university.
University placement is handled during the scholarship selection process.
Official website:
Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Program
8. Mastercard Foundation Scholarship
Study level:
- Undergraduate
- Master’s
Funding includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- Academic support
The Mastercard Foundation works with multiple universities across Africa, Canada, and other regions.
Admission requirements differ depending on the partner institution. However, some universities allow students to apply for scholarships and admission simultaneously.
Official website:
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
9. Commonwealth Scholarship
Study level:
- Master’s
- PhD
Funding includes:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Flight tickets
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission sometimes allows students to submit applications before receiving final admission.
However, requirements differ across scholarship categories, so always check the specific application guidelines for your chosen program.
Official website:
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
10. GREAT Scholarships
Study level: Master’s
Funding includes:
- £10,000 toward tuition fees
Many universities participating in the GREAT Scholarship program accept students with conditional admission.
This means you can apply for the scholarship while still completing admission requirements, including final transcripts or English language requirements. Most participating universities require applicants to satisfy all conditions before enrollment.
Official website:
Documents You Should Prepare Before Applying
Even if a scholarship doesn’t require an admission letter, you’ll still need other documents.
Prepare these documents early:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- CV or résumé
- Personal statement
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- International passport
- English proficiency documents
- Research proposal (for PhD applicants)
Preparing these documents in advance will help you submit applications before deadlines.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Assuming every scholarship requires admission first: Many students never apply because they think they need an offer letter before they can begin.
Waiting until deadlines are announced: Gathering documents often takes longer than expected.
Applying to only one scholarship: Scholarship experts recommend applying to multiple programs to improve your chances of success.
FAQs
Can I get a fully funded scholarship without an admission letter?
Yes. Several scholarships allow students to apply before receiving university admission, including DAAD, MEXT, Türkiye Bursları, CSC, and Stipendium Hungaricum.
Which countries offer scholarships without an admission letter?
Germany, Japan, China, Turkey, Hungary, and several European countries offer scholarships that don’t require an admission letter during the initial application stage.
Are these scholarships open for 2027?
Most major scholarships for the 2027 academic year begin opening between late 2026 and early 2027. Always check the official scholarship portal for updated deadlines.
Can Nigerian students apply?
Yes. Most of these scholarships accept applications from Nigerian students and other international applicants.
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