Scholarships for MENA Students 2027/2028: Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary
Students from the Middle East and North Africa have strong scholarship opportunities in Europe, but the best country depends on the student’s profile. Germany is excellent for research, engineering and development-related fields. France is strong for policy, science, business and francophone pathways. Italy is practical because of government scholarships and regional aid. Spain has useful scholarships for Africa and the Middle East, especially through AECID and Erasmus routes. Hungary is one of the strongest options for fully funded bachelor’s, master’s and medical-related studies through Stipendium Hungaricum. This guide compares the five most relevant countries for many MENA students: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Hungary.
Germany: DAAD and low-tuition public universities
Germany is one of the strongest destinations for MENA students because many public universities are low-cost and the country has a powerful scholarship ecosystem. The main scholarship organisation is DAAD. DAAD scholarships are not one single programme. They include master’s scholarships, PhD grants, research stays, arts and architecture scholarships, and development-related postgraduate courses. DAAD states that language requirements depend on the scholarship and programme, and applicants generally need to prove proficiency in the language of instruction. For MENA students with work experience, DAAD EPOS is one of the best routes. It supports graduates from developing and newly industrialised countries with at least two years of professional experience to pursue postgraduate or master’s study in Germany, and in exceptional cases doctoral study.
Best fields in Germany
Germany is especially strong for:
- Engineering
- Renewable energy
- Climate and environment
- Water management
- Public policy
- Economics
- Development studies
- Computer science
- Public health
- Urban planning
Who should apply?
Germany is best for MENA students who have strong academic records, a clear field, and in many cases some work experience. Students applying for DAAD EPOS should prepare formal employment letters with dates and responsibilities.
France: Eiffel, France Excellence and university routes
France is a strong destination for MENA students because of geography, language links, public universities, business schools, engineering schools and policy institutions. The most prestigious scholarship is France Excellence Eiffel. For the 2026 campaign, Campus France listed the Eiffel call opening on 1 October 2025, the deadline for institutions on 8 January 2026, and results from 30 March 2026. Eiffel is for master’s and doctoral study. Students do not apply directly. French higher education institutions submit selected applications. For 2026, Campus France listed the monthly allowance as €1,200 for master’s and €2,100 for doctoral students, plus services such as transport, insurance and housing search support. Tuition fees were not covered by Eiffel.
Best fields in France
France is strong for:
- Public policy
- Political science
- International relations
- Business
- Economics
- Engineering
- Climate and ecological transition
- Data and digital fields
- Law
- Health and biology
Who should apply?
France is best for MENA students who have a strong academic record and can contact French universities early. French language is not always required for English-taught programmes, but it is very useful for life, internships and jobs.
Italy: MAECI, DSU and university scholarships
Italy can be one of the most realistic options for MENA students. The country has moderate tuition compared with many Western European countries, and some scholarships can significantly reduce costs. The MAECI scholarship is offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. For the 2026/2027 call, applications had to be submitted online through the Study in Italy portal by 26 March 2026 at 14:00 Italian time. MAECI can cover master’s, PhD, research, arts, music, dance and Italian language or culture programmes depending on the call. The second major route is regional aid, often known as DSU. This can be very helpful for students from lower-income families, but it requires careful documentation. Students may need proof of family income, family composition, property and bank assets, often translated and legalised.
Best fields in Italy
Italy is strong for:
- Architecture
- Design
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Arts
- Cultural heritage
- Economics
- Food systems
- Sustainability
- Fashion and creative industries
Who should apply?
Italy is best for MENA students who can prepare financial documents early. It is also good for students looking for a combination of affordable tuition and scholarship possibilities.
Spain: AECID, Erasmus and university scholarships
Spain is attractive for MENA students because of its Mediterranean location, strong public universities, business schools and links with Latin America and North Africa. Spanish scholarships are more fragmented than Hungary or Korea, but there are useful options. AECID scholarships are among the most important routes. In recent calls, AECID has had programmes linked to Africa and the Middle East, including master’s and diplomacy-related training. Eligibility depends on the annual call and country list. Spain is also strong through Erasmus Mundus. Many Erasmus Mundus programmes include Spanish universities, and the European Commission states that Erasmus Mundus scholarships may cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa and living allowance.
Best fields in Spain
Spain is strong for:
- Business
- Tourism
- Renewable energy
- Marine science
- Public policy
- International relations
- Spanish language
- Education
- Data science
- Agriculture and food systems
Who should apply?
Spain is best for MENA students who are open to Spanish language, public policy, development, business or Erasmus Mundus programmes. Students should check AECID and university calls early.
Hungary: Stipendium Hungaricum
Hungary is one of the best countries for MENA students seeking a fully funded scholarship. The official 2026/2027 Stipendium Hungaricum full-time Sending Partner list included several MENA countries and territories, including Egypt, Bahrain, Morocco, Lebanon, Palestine, Algeria, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen, Libya, Oman, Syria, Jordan, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates, among others. For 2026/2027, the programme benefits included tuition-free education, monthly stipend, accommodation contribution, medical insurance and student ID.
Best fields in Hungary
Hungary is strong for:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Computer science
- Economics
- Business
- Public health
- Natural sciences
Who should apply?
Hungary is best for students who want full-degree funding at bachelor’s, master’s or one-tier master’s level. It is also one of the best options for students who want medicine or health-related fields.
Comparison table
| Country | Best scholarship | Best level | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | DAAD, EPOS | Master’s, PhD | Research, engineering, development |
| France | Eiffel | Master’s, PhD | Policy, science, business |
| Italy | MAECI, DSU | Master’s, PhD, some bachelor’s aid | Practical funding, regional aid |
| Spain | AECID, Erasmus | Master’s | MENA/Africa routes, policy, business |
| Hungary | Stipendium Hungaricum | Bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier, PhD | Fully funded, broad levels |
Best plan for MENA students
For 2027/2028, a strong MENA applicant should not apply to only one country. A good plan could look like this:
- Hungary for a fully funded main option.
- Germany for DAAD or low-tuition public universities.
- Erasmus Mundus for a high-competition European master’s.
- Italy for MAECI or DSU.
- France or Spain for policy, business or science pathways.
Documents to prepare
MENA students should prepare:
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificate
- English or French language proof
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Work certificates
- Translated documents
- Legalised documents
- Research proposal for PhD
- Portfolio for arts, architecture or design
Final advice
Hungary may be the most accessible fully funded route for many MENA students. Germany may be the best long-term career option. France is excellent for strong academic profiles. Italy is practical if documents are prepared early. Spain is useful for policy, business and Mediterranean or Latin-linked careers. Need help applying? We can help MENA students compare Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Hungary, choose realistic scholarships, prepare documents and submit stronger applications for 2027/2028. ---
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