Best IELTS Scholarships 2025: Indian & International Students
Indian students who want to pursue higher studies abroad must be worried about their fees. The living costs and tuition fees in countries like the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are almost too high. One day, I was scrolling for alternatives, a notification popped up on my screen -"IDP offering cash prizes (including INR 10,000 rewards) for students with more than 6 band scores with a total IELTS scholarship up to INR 30 Lakhs".
With a good IELTS score, you get the best opportunities, and with the best opportunities, you get the best IELTS scholarships that make your study abroad journey affordable.
- An IELTS score serves as proof of English proficiency for securing the best IELTS scholarships for studying abroad.
- High IELTS scores (typically 6.5+) are key to eligibility for most awards.
- IELTS Scholarships for Indian and International students range from partial fee waivers to fully funded programs.
Related Links:
- IELTS Scholarships for Indian & International Students: Video Explanation
- Best IELTS Scholarships for Indian Students
- Best IELTS Scholarships for International Students
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- USA Scholarships
- FAQs
Key Summary
- Major IELTS Scholarships: Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award, Great Scholarship India, IELTS USA Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship
- Maximum Amount Offered: IELTS USA Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship – $5,000 (₹4.4 Lakhs)
- Minimum Score for IELTS Scholarship: 6.0 overall
- Examination Fees for IELTS: ₹18,000 (Varies for special Versions like UKVI and Life Skills)
IELTS Scholarships for Indian & International Students: Video Explanation
Also Check:
Best IELTS Scholarships for Indian Students
Indian students dominate IELTS test-takers globally, and several targeted scholarships recognise this. Programs like the IDP Celebrating Success Award offer multiple small prizes, while larger ones like GREAT focus on postgraduate studies in the UK.
GREAT Scholarships India by British Council
Those Indian students who want to pursue a Master’s from the UK can apply for the GREAT Scholarships in India. It is a British Council IELTS scholarship that offers £10,000 (₹12 Lakhs) for a 1-year postgraduate IELTS scholarship program. Eligible Indian students will get a total of 26 GREAT scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year. Before completing your IELTS registration, you can check the scholarship guidelines and listed universities carefully.
Eligibility:
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Completed an undergraduate degree in India.
- Must pursue a Master’s in the UK.
- Possessing some work experience or proven interest in the applied program.
- Must meet the English language requirements of the UK university.
- Must have an acceptance letter from a UK university.
- The chosen postgraduate program must commence in September.
Application Process:
- Check your eligibility.
- Complete the online application from the listed university’s website.
- Provide the required student supporting documents:
- A valid passport and UK student visa
- Graduation mark sheet and certificate
- ELP certificate(Tests like IELTS/TOEFL/CAE are accepted)
- All other requirements as laid out by the selected university
British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM
The UNESCO data reveal that less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women, and only 30% of female students choose to study in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths) fields. To increase the participation of women and encourage them to pursue education in STEM fields, the British Council offers an IELTS scholarship program for women in STEM fields.
This scholarship is offered to female students from select countries in South Asia, including India. Indian female STEM background students who want to apply to PG programs in the UK can apply for this scholarship for IELTS.
Eligibility:
- The applied program must start in September or October.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
- Have an undergraduate degree.
- Must meet the English language requirements of the UK university.
- Must be active in the applied field or have some work experience.
- Must demonstrate interest in the applied subject.
Award Details:
- Full tuition fees
- Living stipend
- Travel costs
- Visa and health coverage
- Refund on the IELTS examination fee, if needed.
Also Read:
- IELTS Score for Australia: Check Scores and Document Requirements
- IELTS Admission Score Required for European Universities
IELTS Scholarships for Indian Students: Summary Table
| Scholarship Name | Provider | Award Amount | Minimum IELTS Band | Eligibility Notes | Key Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDP Celebrating Success Awards | IDP Education | INR 10,000 (300 prizes) | Overall 6.0+ | Indian citizens; test via IDP; 33% for women | Any English-speaking country |
| GREAT Scholarships India | British Council/UK Govt | £10,000 (≈₹12 lakh) | Varies by university | PG in UK; 26 awards for 2025-26 | UK |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | UK Govt/CSC | Fully funded (tuition + stipend + airfare) | 6.5+ | Master’s/PhD from Commonwealth countries | UK |
| Charles Wallace India Trust | British Council | Up to GBP 1,400 + support | Required | Early/mid-career professionals in arts/heritage | UK |
What is the IELTS Fee Waiver Scholarship for Indian Students?
Students who need financial assistance for studying abroad can apply for the IELTS fee waiver scholarship for Indian students. Through this scholarship, you can get a full refund on your IELTS examination fee of ₹18,000.
Eligibility:
- Must have a family income lower than $250 or ₹22,033.
- Must be taking the IELTS scholarship test for the first time.
- Must not be above 32 years of age.
- Must have scored 75% in high school.
- Must have a GPA of 3.0 in the bachelor’s degree
FAQs
Ques: Is a 6.5+ IELTS score good enough for scholarships?
Ans: Yes. A 6.5+ band score in the IELTS exam is good enough for applying for most scholarships. Here are the examples of scholarships that qualify 6.5+ IELTS score:
| Scholarships Name | Band Score Required |
|---|---|
| IDP Celebrating Success Awards | Requires a 6+ score. |
| GREAT Scholarships | 6.5+ score |
| British Council IELTS Awards | 6.5+ score |
Ques: Does a high IELTS score guarantee scholarships?
Ans: No. The best IELTS scholarships are awarded to students based on several parameters, such as academic record, personal statement, IELTS score, and letters of recommendation. Therefore, simply having a high IELTS score does not guarantee a scholarship.
Ques: Can I apply for multiple Indian-specific IELTS scholarships?
Ans: Yes, as long as you meet each program’s criteria. For example, combine IDP’s small award with a larger one like GREAT.
Ques: Do these scholarships cover IELTS exam fees?
Ans: Rarely directly, but some need-based options or waivers exist for low-income applicants via IDP/British Council —check official sites.
Best IELTS Scholarships for International Students
Global IELTS prizes are open to students worldwide, often requiring high bands like 7.5+. These support studies in multiple countries and focus on academic excellence.
Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award
The Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award is a £2,000 (₹2.4 Lakhs) prize awarded annually to students who write a thesis or dissertation on a topic concerning language testing.
Eligibility:
- The dissertation must be approved by your university.
- The dissertation should be language testing-focused and need not be IELTS-related.
Application Process:
- Your contact details.
- Your dissertation abstract, introduction, review, and method chapters.
- A letter of reference sent directly by your supervisor (electronic submission is preferred for this).
- The above documents should be sent to the following address:
Tony Clark
IELTS Research
Cambridge English
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge CB2 8EA
United Kingdom
IELTS Morgan Terry Memorial IATEFL Scholarship
The IELTS Morgan Terry Memorial IATEFL Scholarship is offered to students who meet the IELTS scholarship eligibility criteria. This scholarship for IELTS is given in memory of Morgan Terry, an IELTS teacher.
Award Details:
This scholarship offers:
- Registration for the Testing, Evaluation and Assessment Special Interest Group (TEASIG) pre-IATEFL conference event.
- Registration for the IATEFL conference.
- A year's IATEFL membership.
- A maximum of 5 nights' accommodation.
- Travel costs, including, if necessary, an economy flight to the UK up to a maximum of £1000 (₹1.2 Lakhs) (does not include the cost of stopovers).
- £55 (₹6,510) per day expenses.
Eligibility:
- Must have prepared learners for taking an IELTS test.
- Must have never attended the main IATEFL annual conference.
- Must agree to write an article 6 months after the conference about how attendance has enriched your practice.
Application Process:
Your application should give an overview of an educational activity or learning resource that you have developed, which could help prospective IELTS candidates prepare for their tests. The application must be in 400-500 words and include the following:
- Clearly describe or illustrate your idea, what it is, and how it works.
- Explain how it could benefit prospective test takers.
- Describe how it could be adapted and used by other teachers and learners.
Also Check:
IELTS Score for USA: Check IELTS Band Requirements for USA Universities
IELTS USA Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship
The IELTS USA Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship is awarded to international graduate students enrolling in an accredited US college or university. The award amount is $5,000 (₹4.4 Lakhs) towards the tuition fee, and is renewable for up to 3 years.
Eligibility:
- Must meet the IELTS scholarship minimum score requirement of the university.
- Must be admitted to an accredited university in the USA for the Fall 2025 start term.
- Must be enrolled on a Master’s or Doctoral program.
- Must be enrolled on any of the following areas:
- Social justice
- Criminal justice reform
- Women’s rights/women’s studies
- Creative arts
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Educational access and equity
- International studies or international policy
- Higher education leadership.
English Australia IELTS Awards for Academic Leadership
The English Australia IELTS Awards for Academic Leadership is awarded to students who have made a significant contributions to ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) in Australia.
Award Details:
- A certificate and a trophy.
- Up to $1500 (₹1.32 Lakhs) to cover return economy flights, accommodation, and expenses to attend the English Australia Conference Gala Dinner to accept the award.
- Use of the English Australia award-winner logo on your email signature and marketing materials.
Eligibility:
- Persons with the following designations are eligible for this IELTS award:
- Academic Managers
- Directors of Studies
- Assistant Directors of Studies
- Head Teachers
- Senior Teachers
- Program Managers.
- Must have been working for at least 1 year before the nomination.
- Must show outstanding academic leadership by inspiring others in the context of ELICOS and contribute to the enhancement of ELICOS student outcomes.
IELTS Scholarships for International Students: Summary Table
| Scholarship Name | Provider | Award Amount | Minimum IELTS Band | Eligibility Notes | Key Destinations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award | IELTS Partners | £2,000 | Varies | The dissertation must be approved by your university | Worldwide |
| IELTS Morgan Terry Memorial IATEFL Scholarship | IELTS Partners | £1000 | Varies | Must have never attended the main IATEFL annual conference. | UK |
| IDP IELTS Future Award | IDP Education | USD 5,000(8 prizes) | Varies | High achievers; open globally | Worldwide |
| IELTS USA Adrea Scott Graduate Scholarship | IELTS USA | USD 5,000 | Required | Incoming graduate from an accredited US uni | USA |
| IELTS Australia Scholarship | IDP/British Council | Varies (up to $1500) | 7.0+ | Study/research in Australia | Australia |
These international scholarships for IELTS promote diversity and can cover tuition, travel, or living costs.
Popular Study Destinations and Related Scholarships: UK Scholarships Requiring IELTS
The UK remains a top choice, with IELTS scholarships like Chevening and GREAT mandating strong IELTS scores.
- Chevening Scholarships: Fully funded Master’s requires IELTS 6.5+ (or equivalent); leadership focus.
- GREAT Scholarships: £10,000 for one-year PG; IELTS as per the university.
Canada and Australia Opportunities
- Canada: Many universities accept IELTS for merit awards; no direct IELTS prize, but high scores boost eligibility.
- Australia: IELTS Australia scholarship supports research/study with financial aid.
USA Scholarships
- Fulbright (accepts IELTS ) and Adrea Scott for graduates.
FAQs
Ques: What are the eligibility criteria for the best IELTS scholarships?
Ans: Most IELTS scholarships require:
- Minimum band: 6.5 overall (higher for competitive ones).
- University admission offer.
- Academic excellence, and sometimes IELTS financial aid.
- Nationality restrictions (e.g., Indian for GREAT India).
- Age/work experience varies (e.g., Chevening needs 2+ years of experience).
Ques: How to submit applications for the best IELTS scholarships 2025?
Ans: All the Indian and International students can apply for the best scholarships in the following steps:
- Appear in the IELTS exam and achieve a 6+ score.
- Research scholarships via official sites (IDP, British Council, CSC).
- Prepare documents: TRF, transcripts, offer letter, and essays.
- Submit online before deadlines (many mid-2025).
- Attend interviews if shortlisted.
Ques: Which country provides free education or 100% scholarships for Indian students?
Ans: Many countries provide 100% scholarships that cover living expenses, insurance, travel, along tuition fees for Indian students. However, the best scholarships are completely based on IELTS scores. Some of them are:
- Germany: DAAD scholarships in Germany offer a stipend of €934 for Master's, €1,300 for PhD (monthly).
- France: Eiffel Excellence scholarships of France offers a full tuition fee waiver and a stipend of €1,181/month, along with travel for Indian students pursuing Master’s or PhD in France.
Ques: Are there any scholarships that provide a 100% exam fee waiver?
Ans: No, as of now, there are no scholarships available by IELTS partners that provide a 100% exam fee waiver. Scholarships after the IELTS exam for study abroad are only available for students with a 6+ score and those who require financial aid.
Ques: Can I use my old IELTS score for scholarships?
Ans: The IELTS score is valid only for 2 years from the test date. Within this period, you can apply for the best IELTS scholarships.
Comments
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must take the IELTS examination and should secure a minimum band score of 6.5. The selected university or college should consider IELTS as a part of its admission requirements. In general, you need to aim for an IELTS 7.5 to obtain scholarships. There are many free IELTS scholarships that are available for students with low family incomes.
The British Council IELTS Award is worth between 3,000 GBP and 10,000 GBP depending on the tuition fees of the institution chosen by you. The IELTS test fee scholarship will also cover IELTS fees of INR 14,700. You will receive a full refund of your IELTS fee within 45 days of taking the test. You need to have an IELTS score of at least 6.5 and above to obtain this IELTS exam scholarship.