Scholarships for Bangladeshi students 2027: what has closed and what opens next
Chevening and the Commonwealth Master's closed in October 2026. Here is the real status of the main fully funded scholarships for a 2027-28 start, which ones are still ahead, and how to prepare now.
Most "open now" lists for 2027 scholarships are out of date. This page checks the main fully funded options against official pages and news reports. Last checked: 22 October 2026. Deadlines change every year, so use this as a map and confirm each date on the scholarship's own website.
Status of the main scholarships
| Scholarship | Status on 22 October 2026 | Key facts |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening (UK, one-year master's) | Closed. Opened 4 August, closed 6 October 2026, 5:00 pm | Interviews March to April 2027 at British missions, results from mid-June 2027 |
| Commonwealth Master's (UK) | Closed for 2027/28 on 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST | Applicants go through a nominating body, which sets its own earlier deadline |
| Australia Awards | Closed. Reopens early 2027 | Official Bangladesh page, no exact date yet |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's (Europe) | Open now, programme by programme | Most programmes take applications between October and January |
| DAAD (Germany) | Each programme has its own deadline | Search DAAD's scholarship database for your course |
| Joint Japan/World Bank | Reported windows: 18 January to 26 February 2027, and 29 March to 21 May 2027 | One source only: confirm on the official site |
What we confirmed, scholarship by scholarship
Chevening. A fully funded one-year master's degree in the UK. For Bangladesh you need at least two years of work experience (2,800 hours) gained after your undergraduate degree, an undergraduate degree finished at least two years before the deadline, and a commitment to return to Bangladesh for at least two years after the scholarship. The 2027/28 round has closed, so the next realistic chance is the following cycle, which usually opens in August.
Commonwealth Master's. Bangladesh is on the eligible list. It covers full tuition, return airfare, a monthly stipend of £1,712 (£2,000 for London-area universities) and a study travel grant. You need a first degree of at least upper second class (2:1) by September 2027, or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification. You must be unable to afford the course without the award, and scholars must return home afterwards. The Commission does not accept direct applications, and nominators set their own deadlines and must nominate by December 2026. Ask your nominating body now if you applied through one.
Australia Awards. The official Bangladesh page says applications are closed and will reopen in early 2027. Australia has also tightened student visa checks for Bangladesh, so read our summary of student visa changes in 2026 before you plan.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's. You apply directly to each programme's consortium, not through a central portal. The official catalogue says most master's programmes take applications between October and January for the following academic year. Scholarship availability differs by programme, and the page does not name Bangladesh, so confirm eligibility with the consortium.
DAAD. DAAD lists scholarships in a searchable database, and each programme has its own deadline. One list we saw gave 15 October 2026 for a programme, which has passed. Search by course and check the date.
What to prepare now
- Start your English test. Book it so your score is ready before the first deadline you plan to use.
- Collect documents: transcripts, degree certificates, passport, reference letters and proof of work experience.
- Draft a clear statement of purpose that links your study plan to what you will do in Bangladesh afterwards. Chevening and Commonwealth both ask you to return.
- Make a deadline sheet with the opening date, closing date and time zone for each scholarship, and set reminders a month ahead.
- Beware of fees. Real scholarships do not charge to apply, and no agent can promise you an award.
Sources
- The Daily Star: Chevening 2027-28 application guide for Bangladeshi students, 13 September 2026
- Chevening: scholarships overview
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission: Commonwealth Master's Scholarships
- Australia Awards Bangladesh
- Erasmus Mundus catalogue (EACEA)
- DAAD scholarship database
Update log
- 22 October 2026: first published.
Cover photo: Julian Herzog, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
