Pursuing a degree in medicine is a noble but financially challenging path. Medical education is often among the most expensive fields of study, with tuition fees, living costs, equipment, and licensing exams stacking up quickly. For international students, these costs are compounded by the complexities of securing a visa, adapting to new cultures, and maintaining academic excellence. The good news is that numerous fully funded medical scholarships with visa assistance are available in 2025, offering ambitious students the chance to pursue their dreams abroad without financial or bureaucratic barriers.
This guide highlights the top scholarships, what they cover, how to apply, and how visa support is integrated into these opportunities.
Why Choose a Fully Funded Medical Scholarship?
Fully funded scholarships typically include:
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Full tuition coverage
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Monthly living stipends
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Health insurance
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Books and supplies allowance
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Travel or relocation grants
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Visa processing assistance or documentation support
These scholarships are often sponsored by governments, universities, or international organizations that aim to build healthcare capacity, especially in underserved regions.
Top Fully Funded Medical Scholarships with Visa Assistance (2025)
1. Chevening Scholarships – United Kingdom
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Sponsor: UK Government
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Eligibility: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries
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Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, visa costs
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Field: Includes public health, global health, medical sciences, and related fields
Chevening provides full financial support to study at any UK university. While direct MBBS programs are rare, graduate-level degrees in health policy, global health, and medical research are covered. The scholarship team assists with visa processing, and support is tailored for students relocating from developing countries.
2. Turkiye Burslari Scholarships – Turkey
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Sponsor: Government of Turkey
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Eligibility: Open to students from all nationalities
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Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, free accommodation, health insurance, airfare, and student visa support
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Field: Undergraduate medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health
Turkey offers fully funded medical degrees, including MBBS-equivalent programs. Students benefit from a rich academic experience and structured visa assistance, including guidance from Turkish embassies abroad.
3. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) – China
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Sponsor: Ministry of Education, China
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Eligibility: International students applying to Chinese universities
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Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend (up to ¥3,500), medical insurance, visa support
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Field: Clinical medicine (MBBS), pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, nursing
China’s CSC scholarship supports both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Partner universities provide documentation and guidance for obtaining the X1 student visa.
4. Stipendium Hungaricum – Hungary
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Sponsor: Hungarian Government
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Eligibility: Citizens from over 70 eligible countries
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Coverage: Full tuition, HUF 43,700/month stipend, housing contribution, medical insurance, visa assistance
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Field: Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health
Hungarian universities such as Semmelweis University offer world-class medical education in English. Visa letters and embassy liaison services are part of the scholarship package.
5. Saudi Arabia Scholarships for International Students
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Sponsor: Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia
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Eligibility: International students applying to public universities
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Coverage: Tuition, housing, monthly allowance, health care, visa sponsorship
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Field: MBBS, biomedical sciences, nursing, allied health sciences
Top institutions like King Saud University and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University welcome international medical students. The scholarship also includes airport pickup and legal residency sponsorship.
6. New Zealand Manaaki Scholarships
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Sponsor: New Zealand Government
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Eligibility: Citizens of developing countries in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Latin America
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Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, travel allowance, medical insurance, visa and travel support
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Field: Public health, healthcare management, medical sciences (for postgraduate studies)
While undergraduate MBBS is limited, this scholarship supports medical professionals aiming to specialize or pursue master’s degrees in health-related fields.
7. Romanian Government Scholarships
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Sponsor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania
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Eligibility: Non-EU international students
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Coverage: Tuition exemption, monthly stipend, accommodation, student visa support
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Field: General medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine
Medical programs are offered in English or French, with Romanian language preparation included. Universities guide students through residence permit applications.
Additional Scholarships Worth Exploring
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Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA) – Focuses on research and postgraduate study in medical fields (e.g., public health, health informatics). Includes J-1 visa support.
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Swedish Institute Scholarships (Sweden) – Funds master’s programs in global health and biomedicine. Visa assistance included.
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DAAD EPOS Programs (Germany) – Focuses on postgraduate training in public health and tropical medicine. Includes help with visa and residency formalities.
Visa Assistance: What Does It Include?
When scholarships mention visa support, they often provide the following services:
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Guidance on required documents (e.g., CoE, medical certificates, police clearances)
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Letters of sponsorship or guarantee for embassies
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Support with visa fee reimbursement
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Assistance from university international offices
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Help with biometric appointments or interviews
Some governments (like Turkey, China, and Saudi Arabia) directly coordinate with their embassies to streamline visa approvals.
Eligibility Criteria (Common Across Most Programs)
While requirements vary, most fully funded medical scholarships share these:
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Strong academic record (especially in science subjects)
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Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or university letter)
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Motivation letter or personal statement
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Letters of recommendation
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Passport and health documents
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Some require return commitment (you may need to work in your home country after graduation)
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
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Research: Identify countries and programs that align with your medical goals.
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Prepare Documents: Academic transcripts, language proof, passport, etc.
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Contact Universities: Reach out to admissions or international offices for clarification.
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Apply Early: Deadlines for fully funded scholarships are usually 6–12 months before the academic session.
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Attend Interviews: Some programs require online interviews or entrance exams.
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Receive Offer & Visa Support: After acceptance, institutions assist with visa paperwork and embassy coordination.
Tips for a Successful Application
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Tailor your application to each scholarship’s goals. Show how you’ll use your degree to improve healthcare.
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Highlight any volunteer work in clinics, health outreach, or research.
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Secure strong recommendation letters from academic or professional supervisors.
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Demonstrate leadership potential and community involvement.
Final Thoughts
A career in medicine is about service, science, and sacrifice—but it shouldn't require sacrificing your financial security. With fully funded medical scholarships that include visa assistance, talented students from all over the world can now access top-tier education and become tomorrow’s healthcare leaders.