Top 6 Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates, Fully Funded
Discover the Top 6 Fully Funded Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates in 2025. Get full tuition, accommodation, and living stipends—apply online today!
Getting into a university through direct entry is already a smart move, you’re saving time, skipping the basics, and diving straight into your chosen field. But let’s be real, tuition fees, accommodation, books, and living expenses can still be brutal. That’s where fully funded scholarships for direct entry undergraduates come in. These scholarships don’t just ease the financial burden; they erase it.
Whether you’re aiming to study in the UK, USA, Canada, or elsewhere, this guide walks you through the Top 6 Fully Funded Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates. We’re talking full tuition, living stipends, travel grants, and sometimes even laptops and research funds.
Let’s get into the good stuff.
📚 What Is a Direct Entry Undergraduate Program?
Before we explore your funding options, let’s break this down. A Direct Entry Undergraduate program means you’re entering university at an advanced level—usually skipping the first year. This could be due to:
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Prior qualifications like A-levels, IB, ND/HND, or diploma programs.
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Transfers from other institutions.
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Foundation programs or pre-university degrees.
So yes, you’re not a “freshman,” and the good news is that there are fully funded scholarships tailored for your level.
🔥 Why Fully Funded Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates Matter
Getting a scholarship is cool. Getting a fully funded scholarship? That’s life-changing. Here’s why it’s a big deal:
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No Out-of-Pocket Costs: From tuition to rent, everything’s covered.
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Freedom to Focus: You can study without juggling two jobs.
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Global Networks: These scholarships often come with mentorship, leadership training, and connections for future employment.
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Visa and Travel Support: Many of these programs take care of your flights and even visa costs.
💎 Top 6 Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates Fully Funded Scholarships in Finland 2025: No Application Fee, Undergraduates, Masters and PhD (Fully Funded)
1. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship – University of Toronto, Canada
If you’re a high-achieving student with leadership potential, the Lester B. Pearson Scholarship is your golden ticket.
✅ What It Covers:
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Full tuition
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Books
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Incidental fees
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Full residence support for four years
🎯 Who Can Apply:
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Non-Canadian students with an offer to study at the University of Toronto
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Strong academic record and leadership history
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Direct entry into undergraduate programs
🔗 Apply Here
2. Reach Oxford Scholarships – University of Oxford, UK
Oxford is not out of reach. The Reach Oxford Scholarship is tailored for students from low-income countries who can’t study in their home country for political or financial reasons.
✅ What It Covers:
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Full tuition
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College fees
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Return airfare each year
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Living expenses
🎯 Who Can Apply:
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Students applying directly to undergraduate programs at Oxford
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Direct entry from A-levels or equivalents
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Must demonstrate financial need
🔗 Apply Here
3. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program – Multiple Universities
This powerhouse scholarship operates across top-tier universities like the University of Edinburgh, McGill, and Sciences Po. It’s open to direct entry undergraduates from Sub-Saharan Africa.
✅ What It Covers:
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Full tuition
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Accommodation
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Books and materials
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Monthly stipends
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Visa and travel support
🎯 Who Can Apply:
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Students from Sub-Saharan Africa
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Direct entry or advanced placement students
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Strong academic and leadership profile
🔗 Apply at McGill
4. Australian Awards Scholarships – Australia
These are prestigious long-term scholarships funded by the Australian government. While commonly known for postgrads, some universities under the Australia Awards do accept undergraduates via direct entry routes.
✅ What It Covers:
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Full tuition
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Return airfare
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Health insurance
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Establishment allowance
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Living expenses
🎯 Who Can Apply:
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Citizens from eligible developing countries (check the site)
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Direct entry into participating Australian universities
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Leadership potential and commitment to development
🔗 Apply Here
5. KAIST International Student Scholarship – South Korea
South Korea’s KAIST is a tech powerhouse and offers fully funded undergraduate scholarships even for students with ND/Diploma qualifications or similar equivalents.
✅ What It Covers:
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Full tuition for 8 semesters
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Monthly allowance of 350,000 KRW (~$300)
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Medical insurance
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Flight costs for first arrival
🎯 Who Can Apply:
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International students applying directly to KAIST undergraduate programs
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Strong academic and STEM background
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Must meet direct entry criteria (like A-levels, IB, SATs, or equivalent)
🔗 Apply Here
6. Bilkent University Scholarship – Turkey
Bilkent University is one of Turkey’s top private institutions. Its fully funded international scholarship is perfect for high-performing students entering directly into undergraduate studies. They offer fully funded Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates
✅ What It Covers:
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Full tuition waiver
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Free accommodation
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Monthly stipend (1,200 TL)
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Private health insurance
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Laptop allowance
🎯 Who Can Apply:
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International students meeting Bilkent’s direct entry requirements
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Competitive academic performance
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Must pass the university’s admission evaluation
🔗 Apply Here
🌍 Bonus: Honorable Mentions Worth Exploring
Sometimes the spotlight is too narrow. These scholarships are also open to direct-entry applicants and worth checking out:
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Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
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Offers full funding for undergraduate students through various universities in China.
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University of British Columbia (UBC) International Scholars Program
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Covers tuition and living expenses for international undergrads.
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University of Sydney International Scholarships
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Available for some direct-entry undergrads.
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📋 Application Tips to Stand Out
Scholarships this competitive? You need to stand out. Here’s how:
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Get Your Documents Right: Most programs require transcripts, reference letters, a personal statement, and sometimes proof of income or hardship.
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Highlight Direct Entry Credentials: Whether it’s your diploma, A-levels, or ND, frame them clearly to meet eligibility.
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Tell Your Story: Don’t just list grades—share your struggles, wins, community involvement, and future dreams.
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Apply Early: Deadlines sneak up fast. Keep a spreadsheet with each scholarship’s due date and requirements.
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Stay Authentic: Scholarship boards can sniff out fakeness. Speak from the heart.
🧠 Conclusion: Invest in Your Future, for Free
These Top 6 Fully Funded Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates aren’t just funding opportunities—they’re life upgrades. Whether you want to study in Canada, the UK, Asia, or Australia, there’s a door waiting to be unlocked. And best of all, you don’t need to be rich to open it.
With a strong application and smart planning, your tuition, living expenses, and future could be covered. The only thing left is to take that first step.
🙋 5 Unique FAQs
1. Can I apply for more than one fully funded scholarship at once?
Yes, absolutely! Just ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for each and don’t miss overlapping deadlines.
2. Are fully funded Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates taxable?
It depends on the country. Some countries tax stipends, while others don’t. Always check local tax regulations or consult a tax advisor.
3. What if I’m a transfer student—am I still eligible for Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates?
Yes! As long as your prior qualifications qualify you to skip freshman year or start at a higher level, you’re considered direct entry in many programs.
4. Do I need IELTS or TOEFL for these Scholarships for Direct Entry Undergraduates?
Some do require it. However, many universities accept English proficiency waivers if your previous education was in English. Check individual scholarship pages for details.
5. Are there fully funded scholarships for direct entry undergraduates nursing or medical students?
Yes, but they’re more competitive. Look into country-specific government scholarships like Turkey’s Türkiye Burslari or Australia Awards that support medical fields.