Scholarships for Kurdish Students 2027/2028: Europe, Korea and Japan
Kurdish students should understand one important rule before applying for scholarships: most international scholarships are based on citizenship, not ethnicity. This means a Kurdish student from Iraq, Syria, Turkey or Iran usually applies using the passport and nationality they legally hold.
For this reason, this article focuses mainly on Kurdish students from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, while also explaining how Kurdish students from other countries should approach scholarship searches.
Important nationality note
If you are Kurdish from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, some scholarships may treat your application under a specific “Kurdistan Region of Iraq” route, while others treat you simply as an Iraqi citizen.
For Stipendium Hungaricum, the latest official partner information listed both the Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq separately. The Republic of Iraq route was broader, while the Kurdistan Region route had more limited levels and fields.
This is why Kurdish students must check the exact route before applying.
Best scholarships for Kurdish students from Iraq and Kurdistan Region
1. Stipendium Hungaricum, Hungary
This is the most important scholarship to check first.
According to the latest official Stipendium Hungaricum partner page, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq route did not list full-degree bachelor’s studies, but did list master’s and one-tier master’s primarily in Engineering, Economics and Natural Sciences, and doctoral studies in any academic field.
The Republic of Iraq route, however, listed full-degree bachelor’s, master’s, one-tier master’s and doctoral studies in any academic field.
This difference is very important. Kurdish students should check whether they apply through the Kurdistan Region route or the Republic of Iraq route.
Best fields
- Engineering
- Economics
- Natural sciences
- Computer science
- Medicine, if available through the relevant route
- Public health
- Environmental sciences
- Agriculture
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Erasmus Mundus is open to excellent students worldwide, so Kurdish students can apply based on citizenship and academic eligibility. The scholarship can cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa and living allowance.
This is one of the best options for Kurdish students applying for a master’s degree in Europe, especially in:
- Climate and environment
- Engineering
- Data science
- Public policy
- Development
- Human rights
- Education
- Migration
- Water and natural resources
3. DAAD scholarships, Germany
Kurdish students with Iraqi citizenship may consider DAAD scholarships through Germany’s international scholarship system. DAAD EPOS is particularly useful for applicants from developing and newly industrialised countries who have at least two years of professional experience.
For Kurdish applicants, DAAD is strong if the student has experience in:
- NGOs
- Public sector
- Engineering
- Environment
- Water management
- Development
- Health
- Education
- Economics
4. MAECI scholarships, Italy
Iraq is listed in the official eligible country list for Italy’s MAECI scholarship, so Kurdish students with Iraqi citizenship can consider MAECI if they meet the academic requirements.
MAECI may support master’s, PhD, research, arts, music, dance and Italian language or culture programmes, depending on the annual call.
5. AECID Africa-Med scholarships, Spain
The latest AECID Africa-Med Master call included Iraq as an eligible country. Kurdish students with Iraqi nationality can therefore consider this route if they meet the call requirements and receive admission to an eligible official master’s in Spain.
6. Eiffel Scholarship, France
Eiffel is open to foreign students nominated by French higher education institutions. Kurdish students can apply based on their legal nationality and university nomination. Eiffel supports master’s and PhD candidates and is especially relevant for strong academic profiles.
7. MEXT Scholarship, Japan
MEXT is based on nationality and diplomatic eligibility, not ethnicity. Kurdish students with Iraqi nationality should check the Japanese Embassy in Iraq for the annual MEXT call. General MEXT rules require nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan, and applications are usually submitted through the responsible Japanese embassy or consulate.
8. Korea GKS
GKS is also nationality-based. NIIED states that GKS applicants must hold citizenship of NIIED-designated countries. Kurdish students should check the annual GKS country list and the Korean embassy responsible for their citizenship. Do not assume Kurdish identity alone creates a separate route.
Kurdish students from Syria, Turkey or Iran
Kurdish students from Syria, Turkey or Iran should search based on their passport:
- Syrian Kurdish students should check scholarships for Syrian nationals.
- Turkish Kurdish students should check scholarships for Turkish nationals.
- Iranian Kurdish students should check scholarships for Iranian nationals.
- Iraqi Kurdish students should check both the Republic of Iraq and Kurdistan Region rules when applicable.
Documents to prepare
Kurdish students should prepare:
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Graduation certificate
- English test, if required
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Recommendation letters
- Work experience letters
- Research proposal, if applying for PhD or MEXT
- Translated and legalised documents
- Proof of nationality and residence, where requested
Recommended strategy
Kurdish students from Iraq should build a plan around:
- Stipendium Hungaricum, checking whether the Republic of Iraq or Kurdistan Region route applies.
- Erasmus Mundus for master’s study in Europe.
- DAAD for Germany, especially with work experience.
- MAECI and AECID for Italy and Spain.
Need help applying? We can help Kurdish students identify the correct nationality route, compare scholarship options, prepare documents and write strong motivation letters for 2027/2028.
Use the free Scholarship Finder and country comparison, then get a personal plan.