Study Abroad Scholarships for Cambodian Students: Programs Worth Applying To

Australia Awards Cambodia

Australia Awards funds postgraduate study in Australia for Cambodian citizens who have lived in Cambodia for at least 24 months and have at least 24 months of full-time work experience by the application deadline. The award covers full tuition, return airfare, accommodation and living expenses, textbooks, overseas student health cover, and pre-course English training if you need it, according to Australia Awards Cambodia . Applications typically open about a year before the intake year. For the 2026 intake, applications opened in late January 2025 and closed 30 April 2025, so plan a full year ahead rather than waiting for the cycle you want to enter.

Chevening

Chevening is the UK government's scholarship for a one-year master's degree, open to citizens of Chevening-eligible countries including Cambodia. You need at least two years of work experience (2,800 hours) completed after your undergraduate degree, and by the application deadline you must have applied to three different eligible UK university courses and hold an unconditional offer from at least one. Recipients commit to returning to Cambodia for at least two years after the scholarship ends. The application deadline for the 2026-27 cycle is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC, according to Chevening . Check the Cambodia scholarship page each year, since deadlines shift.

MEXT (Japan)

The Japanese government's MEXT scholarship covers research students, undergraduates, college of technology and specialized training college students, plus special tracks like Japanese studies and teacher training. Applications go through the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia, not directly to MEXT in Tokyo, and cover tuition, a monthly stipend, and airfare. The Embassy of Japan in Cambodia publishes the current year's categories, required documents, and submission window on its scholarship page, so check there directly rather than relying on a past cycle's dates.

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

GKS funds undergraduate and graduate study at Korean universities and runs through two tracks: the Embassy Track, where you apply through the Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh, and the University Track, where you apply directly to a participating Korean university. Slots are limited and allocated by country each cycle. For the 2026 GKS graduate program, Cambodia was allocated 12 Embassy Track slots, according to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia . Applications are submitted online through the Study in Korea portal, then a physical copy goes to the embassy by mail or in person, so start early enough to allow for postal time.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Fulbright funds a master's or doctoral degree in the United States for Cambodian graduates with a bachelor's degree and a good academic record. The program covers round-trip airfare, tuition, fees, and living expenses, though it does not support dependents. Applicants need an English test score (TOEFL or IELTS) and apply online through the process run by the US Embassy in Cambodia 's Public Diplomacy Section. AI writing tools and translation software are barred from any part of the application, so write your essays yourself.

ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship (Singapore)

Singapore's National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and Singapore Management University each offer an ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship open to citizens of ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, applying for a full-time bachelor's degree. Coverage includes full subsidized tuition after the Ministry of Education Tuition Grant, an annual living allowance of S$5,800, a one-time computer allowance of S$1,750, and an annual accommodation allowance of S$3,000, according to NTU Singapore . In exchange, recipients commit to working in Singapore for three years after graduation. You apply through the regular undergraduate admission process, then get invited to a separate scholarship application if shortlisted, so a strong general application matters as much as the scholarship essay.

Before you apply to any of these

Scholarship terms change every cycle, including deadlines, quotas, and sometimes eligibility rules. Bookmark the official page for each program rather than a summary article, and start your paperwork (transcripts, recommendation letters, English test) at least six months before the deadline, since most of these programs require certified or translated documents that take time to prepare.

Quick comparison

Beyond these six

These six cover the destinations most Cambodian students target, but they are not the only options. Many universities in Australia, the UK, Malaysia, and elsewhere run their own partial or full tuition waivers for international or ASEAN students, separate from any government program. Check the international office or admissions page of any university on your shortlist directly, since these university-level awards rarely appear on general scholarship lists and often carry lighter eligibility requirements than the national programs above.