Asia’s consistent economic growth, urban development and educational reform mean growing opportunities for ambitious international students, including international scholarships and other forms of funding.

Below you’ll find a selection of some of the most exciting Asian scholarships and funding opportunities, covering China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, as well as some other prominent funds spanning the region.

For more inspiration, check out the latest QS Asian University Rankings, and our guides to popular Asian study destinations.

Scholarships to study in China

• CAS-TWAS President’s PhD Fellowship Program – PhD fellowships for international students pursuing PhD studies in China.
• Chinese Scholarships-Great Wall Program – Scholarships for international students from developing countries to study in China for one year at any degree level.
• Chinese Government Scholarships – Government scholarships open to EU students looking to gain funding to study in China. Open to students of all levels.
• Tsinghua University – A range of scholarships to study at Tsinghua University in Beijing.
• USTC Scholarship Program - The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) offers scholarships for international degree-seeking or exchange students, which award free tuition, free housing, health insurance and a monthly living allowance.

Scholarships to study in Hong Kong 

• HKSAR Government Scholarships Fund – Government scholarships for local and non-local students to gain funding to study in Hong Kong at selected institutions, such as the Belt and Road Scholarship for outstanding students from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam (it will be expanded in phases to students from other Belt and Road countries).
• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) – PhD scholarships for international students to study in Hong Kong at a selected university.

Universities in Hong Kong offering international scholarships:

• City University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Baptist University
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
• Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
• University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Scholarships to study in Japan 

• ADB-Japan Scholarship Program – Graduate scholarships for students from various Asian and Pacific countries to study in Japan in development-related fields including economics, management, science and technology.
• Aichi Scholarship Program for Asian Students in Japan – Various study abroad scholarships for Asian students studying at graduate level in Aichi Prefectural government-approved manufacturing programs in Japan.
• Japan-IMF Scholarships Program for ASIA – Asian scholarships for students currently working in economy and finance within a government agency (e.g. ministry of trade) to study in Japan in a related field. Open only to students from selected Asian countries.
• Japanese Government MEXT Scholarships for International Research Students – Government scholarships to study in Japan on a graduate-level research program. The next round of applications opens in April 2019.
• JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program – Study abroad scholarships for doctorate holders wishing to conduct research in Japan at a selected institution.
• Keio University “Design the Future” Award for International Students – Full-tuition international scholarships to study in Japan within any field at Keio University.
• KUT PhD Engineering Scholarships for International Students – Japanese scholarships for engineering students from selected countries to study in Japan at PhD level at Kochi University of Technology (KUT)
• Master’s Degree ABE Initiative – Scholarship for Africans to study in Japan on a development-related master’s degree program at an accredited university.
• MEXT Scholarship Program – Japan – Japanese government scholarships for Canadians wishing to gain funding for study in Japan. Funds also available for those undertaking Japanese studies.
• Otsuka Toshimi Scholarship Foundation – International scholarships for students of medicine, pharmacology, nutrition, physical education or business administration to study in Japan.
• University of Tokyo Special Scholarship for International Students – Over 100 study abroad scholarships for international graduate students to undertake academic research at the University of Tokyo.

Universities in Tokyo offering international scholarships:

• Aoyama Gakuin University
• Ochanomizu University
• Tokyo Metropolitan University
• Tokyo University of Science
• Waseda University

Scholarships to study in Singapore

• Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships for UK Citizens – Asian scholarships for UK students to study in Singapore at PhD level.
• DST A*STAR Call for Singapore-India Joint Research Grants – Grants for Indian researchers within the fields of science and technology to study in Singapore. Sponsored by the Indian government and A*Star Singapore.
• Lee Kong Chian Graduate Scholarships – Graduate scholarships for research students at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
• NTU University Engineering Scholarship – Scholarships for undergraduate engineering students to study in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
• Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA) – PhD scholarships to study in Singapore in the fields of science and engineering at selected Singaporean universities.

Scholarships to study in South Korea 

• KFAS International Scholar Exchange Fellowship (ISEF) – 50 graduate scholarships for students from Asia to study in South Korea at leading institutions.
• Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)  – South Korean government scholarships for international students at master’s and PhD level.
• Chung-Ang University Tuition Waiver Scholarships – Tuition waivers and dormitory fee reductions on offer to international undergraduate students studying at Chung-Ang University.
• Seoul National University Exchange Program Scholarships – Various scholarships for international exchange students studying at Seoul National University.
• Silk-Road Scholarship Program at Seoul National University – Scholarships for Indian students to study abroad in South Korea at Seoul National University, on graduate-level humanities or social science programs.
• Sogang Global Scholarship – Asian scholarships for international students participating in the Sogang Exchange Program at Sogang University in Seoul.

Universities in Seoul offering international scholarships:

• Hanyang University
• Kyung Hee University
• Sungkyunkwan University

Other scholarships to study in Asia

• Asia Pacific University – International scholarships for new students to study at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• Chulalongkorn University Education and Research Scholarships – A range of scholarships to study at graduate level at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
• Commonwealth Scholarship Plan – India – Government scholarships for students from commonwealth countries to study an undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral degree in India (excluding medicine and dentistry). Funded by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
• ICCR Africa Scholarships – Scholarships for students from Africa to study abroad in India.
• KIMEP University – A variety of undergraduate scholarships for international students to study at KIMEP University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
• Malaysia International Scholarships (MIS) – International scholarships funded by the Malaysian government and awarded to incoming master’s and PhD students at Malaysian universities. Priority given to science and engineering students.
• HM King’s and HM Queen’s Scholarships for Asian Students in Thailand – Thai government scholarships for Asian nationals to study in Thailand at master’s level within engineering and technology, management or environment and development at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).
• SEARCA Full Master’s and PhD Scholarships – Southeast Asian scholarships open to graduate students from SEAMEO member countries (Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia etc.) on research programs in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, rural development or education.
• Taiwan ICDF Scholarship Program – Study abroad scholarships for students of all levels to study in Taiwan at a university partnered with the ICDF. Open to nationals from selected developing countries only.
• Study in Taiwan Scholarships – A search tool of international scholarships to study abroad in Taiwan at all study levels. The study in Taiwan website also lists government scholarships.
• Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship – A scholarship for Australian students to take part in an exchange program at a university in China, Hong Kong or Singapore for one or two semesters.

This article was originally published in June 2015. It was last updated in October 2018.

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Included in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2021 was the first ever QS Masters in Marketing Ranking, which saw Columbia Business School take the top spot for its MS in Marketing Science program. Read on for closer look at why this school and program were ranked number one in the world.

Beating 69 other business schools in the new marketing ranking, Columbia soared to the top thanks to its extremely high scores in two of the five indicators used to compile the ranking: thought leadership and alumni outcomes. This shows that not only is Columbia leading the way in producing innovative ideas in marketing, but graduates of this course are enjoying excellent employment prospects. Looking at the class of 2017, most graduates have found roles within the media, analytics consulting and consumer products industries, working for companies such as Falabella Retail and WeWork.

Columbia’s MS in Marketing Science degree takes two semesters to complete and can be classified as a STEM degree. It focuses on marketing analytics, giving students the invaluable technical skills and expertise needed to pursue careers in industry, consulting firms, non-profits, government, and other organizations. You’ll take five core courses combined with two MBA electives in marketing and a minimum of two electives chosen from the doctoral program or from other schools at Columbia University, such as engineering and statistics. Students are helped by the Career Management Center (CMC) to boost their employability and build lifelong career management skills, and also benefit from Columbia’s location in the global business hub of New York City, giving them access to influential industry leaders.

There’s a 50/50 split between both international students and US nationals and men and women, and the MS class is very small and highly competitive, with 16 students and an acceptance rate of only six percent. To be eligible, you’ll need to have completed an undergraduate probability and statistics course, and ideally also studied marketing management and microeconomics. It’s also highly recommended that you develop some knowledge in the database programming language SQL prior to joining this program.

Tuition fees currently stand at US$62,460 plus $1,065 in mandatory fees. Taking into account all your personal expenses, room and board, books, health insurance and other costs, Columbia estimates that you’ll need a total budget of $96,346. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer merit or need-based scholarships for this course, however students could fund their studies with federal or private loans, or find a scholarship from a different source (see our list of scholarships to study in the US here).

How to apply to the number one marketing school

If you’d like to be one of the lucky few to study MS in Marketing Science at Columbia Business School, you’ll need to apply by submitting an application form along with the following:

• Two-part essay
• Your CV/résumé
• Academic transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language test results (if applicable)
• GMAT or GRE admissions test results
• Paid application fee ($100).

You should apply by January 7 2019 for admission in Fall 2019.

MIT Sloan School of Management is currently ranked as the number one business school for its Master of Business Analytics degree in the newly launched QS Masters in Business Analytics Rankings 2021, and for very good reason. Having also ranked number one in the world last year, MIT Sloan continues to impress through its high level of performance across most of the five indicators used to assess these schools: employability, alumni outcomes, value for money, thought leadership, and diversity. Read on for an inside look at this year’s number one school for business analytics.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT Sloan was first established in 1914, at a time when the concept of providing business training within an academic environment was rapidly gaining wide acceptance.  

MIT Sloan was ranked number one for business analytics thanks to its perfect scores for employability, alumni outcomes and thought leadership, and, with an alumni which includes notable figures such as the late United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan and Microsoft chairman, John W. Thompson, its impeccable scores for the three indicators are anything but surprising.

Among the school’s wide range of specialized master’s degrees, its Master of Business Analytics course is designed to polish and prepare those aspiring for top careers in business analytics and the data science industry as a whole. It’s open to recent graduates as well as undergraduates (including applicants with a three-year bachelor’s degree from an international university) and those wishing to either change or take their career to the next level, such as engineers, mathematicians, physicists, computer programmers, and other technology professionals. The course is STEM-designated, meaning international students are able to extend their training in the US by 24 months after graduating.

The course takes a standard year to complete, although students are given the option to a further six months, which would provide them with the opportunity to take part in a highly beneficial summer work placement. Tuition fees currently stand at US$77,350 and cover all required course packs for the first-semester core classes, however, financial support is also offered to eligible applicants and a number of payment options are available to choose from.

Each year, several master’s in business analytics students at MIT Sloan are appointed to teaching and research assistantships which provide various levels of workloads and salaries. As well as helping students to finance themselves, assistantships also expose them to the school’s educational research programs, and include tasks such as working one-on-one with students, assisting in research, and grading assignments and exam papers. Fellowships are also immediately available to admitted candidates from all citizenships and academic backgrounds, but are only awarded to a select few with exceptional academic records, a history of personal achievement, and a demonstrable ability to perform well professionally.   

For applicants who wish to study business analytics at either undergraduate or doctoral level, MIT Sloan offers these courses too, plus non-degree programs for those who would prefer to take a slightly different academic route in the field.

If you wish to apply to MIT Sloan, the application process typically compiles several stages: a one-page resume (personal statement), an essay question (why you wish to pursue the Masters of Business Analytics degree at MIT Sloan), three letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, a video question (a brief video statement in response to a general interest question), GMAT or GRE test scores, and an application fee of $150. You’ll need to submit your application by January 9 2019 for Fall 2019 entry.

The results of the QS World University Rankings: Business Masters Ranking 2021 are out now, and include a ranking of the world’s top business schools for master’s in finance programs. This year’s number one is London Business School (LBS), which retains its position from last year. Aimed at experienced professionals who want to fast track their career, LBS’ MSc in Finance course is a highly specialized program which aims to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.

Each business school in the QS Masters in Finance Rankings was ranked based on five indicators: employability, alumni outcomes, value for money, thought leadership and diversity. LBS received a perfect score for the employability indicator and was included in the global top 10 for the alumni outcomes indicator, reflecting the excellent career prospects available to graduates. This was showcased by the success of the Class of 2017, as 93 percent of graduates accepted a job offer within three months of graduation, earning a starting salary of $91,522. As you might expect, most graduates go into roles within the finance sector, with investment management, public finance and investment banking being the three most popular areas.

London Business School’s full time MSc in Finance program takes 10 to 16 months to complete, and is also available as a part time option, which takes 22 months to complete. Tuition fees are currently set at £45,250 (~US$59,000), plus the £120 Student Association Fee. There are numerous scholarships available for strong candidates to offset their tuition costs, such as the Masters in Finance Merit Scholarships, which are worth up to 50 percent of tuition fees.

As well as the school’s outstanding global reputation, students benefit from the school’s location in one of the biggest financial capitals in the world, with London itself ranked number one in the latest QS Best Student Cities index. Students also enjoy a range of opportunities to apply their learning, such as through practitioner courses and internships. They can also tailor the course to suit their interests by choosing up to 10 electives out of a choice of 40 – more than any other master’s in finance program. There are also opportunities to further your global perspectives on finance by taking part in an international exchange visit at a partner school in a business school in Asia, Europe or North America. Upon graduating, students will have gained the presentation, networking and interview skills needed to excel in their chosen career path, as well as key knowledge of coding and programming, which is becoming increasingly crucial in the world of big data.

There are 125 students in the class of 2018 of LBS’ MSc in Finance course, with 95 percent of these coming from outside the UK, representing 37 nationalities. The average is student is 29 years old and has around five and a half years’ experience under their belt.

How to apply for this year’s number one finance school

If you’re interested in studying LBS’ MSc in Finance program, you’ll typically need at least two years’ of relevant finance experience, ideally more, as well as an undergraduate degree, an international outlook, with the ability to work in multinational teams.

To apply, you’ll need to complete an online application form. You’ll also need to submit application essays answering two questions. The other requirements are:

• A one-page CV
• Two references
• The required GMAT/GRE score
• Proof of English language ability (if it’s not your first language)
• Paid application fee
• A copy of your university transcript/s

There are five application rounds throughout the year. For entry in August 2019, you must send your application by April 30 2019.