If your calendar is running out of October, do not panic. November 2026 still has a solid lineup of scholarships and internships open to applicants from every continent, not just one region. Below you will find six opportunities with real deadlines, real funding figures, and real application steps. Read through, pick what fits your level of study, and start your paperwork today, because several of these close fast.
Why November Deadlines Matter Right Now
Universities and funding bodies tend to cluster deadlines around two points in the academic calendar: the start of the year and the final quarter. November sits right in that second cluster. If you miss these dates, you often have to wait a full year for the next intake. That is why this list exists: so you spend your time applying, not hunting.
Already missed the October cluster? You may also want to check this list of ten scholarships and internships abroad with October 2026 deadlines, in case any are still accepting late applications.
Quick Comparison Table
| Opportunity | Country | Level | Funding Type | Deadline (2026) | Nationality Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship | United Kingdom | Master’s | £10,000 tuition reduction | 15 November | Nigeria, India |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Switzerland | PhD, research fellowship | CHF 2,450/month plus tuition | 10–30 November (varies by country) | 183 countries |
| UN ESCAP Sustainable Development Affairs Internship | Thailand | Final-year bachelor’s, graduate, PhD | Unpaid | 18 November | Global, subject to UN rules |
| University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship | Australia | Undergraduate, coursework master’s | AUD 5,000 to AUD 60,000 | 16 November | International students |
| Hertfordshire Internships Programme | United Kingdom | Enrolled university students | Varies, confirm with programme | 29 November | Depends on institution |
| Hung Hing Ying and For Our Future Scholarships | Hong Kong | Postgraduate, undergraduate | Varies, confirm with HKU | 5–6 November | Subject to HKU rules |
Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship 2027
This one is worth your attention if you hold a Nigerian or Indian passport and want to study in the United Kingdom. The British Council runs the GREAT Scholarships programme with 71 UK universities, and Royal Holloway is one of them, alongside other UK routes worth comparing, like the University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarships and the Martingale Foundation Scholarships for fully funded postgraduate study.
- Funding: A flat £10,000 reduction in tuition fees for a one-year, full-time taught master’s programme.
- Who can apply: Passport holders and residents of Nigeria or India who plan to start a master’s in January 2027.
- Two-step deadline: You need to apply for your chosen master’s course by 9 November 2026, then submit the separate scholarship application by 15 November 2026 at 23:59 UK time.
- What it does not cover: Living costs, travel, or insurance. Budget for those separately.
🔗 Official Application Link: Apply for the Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship
Want the full breakdown before you apply? You may also want to check our complete guide to the Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship 2027.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–2028
Switzerland funds early-career researchers and PhD candidates from 183 countries, and the scholarship pays a real monthly living allowance rather than just covering fees.
- Funding: CHF 2,450 a month, plus tuition coverage. Benefits can include travel costs depending on your award category.
- Who can apply: Researchers and PhD candidates who hold a master’s degree or equivalent by 31 July 2027, and who have a Swiss academic supervisor willing to back the proposed research.
- Deadline: This is the one date on this list you absolutely must double check for your own country. Morocco closes 10 November 2026. Algeria and Ethiopia close 13 November. Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria close 27 November. Senegal and South Africa close 30 November. Applications now go through an online portal rather than through embassies, so confirm your country’s exact date before you start.
- Good to know: There is no application fee. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay to apply.
🔗 Official Application Link: Apply for the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Need the full country-by-country deadline breakdown? You may also want to check our complete guide to the Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027/2028.
UN ESCAP Sustainable Development Affairs Internship
If you want hands-on United Nations experience in sustainable urban development, this Bangkok-based internship is open now. If unpaid work is not an option for you, it is worth weighing paid alternatives like the African Development Bank Internship or the Turing Internship Network for a paid research placement in the UK.
- Funding: Unpaid. You will need to cover your own travel, visa, accommodation, and health insurance.
- Who can apply: Students in their final year of a bachelor’s degree, graduate students, PhD students, or recent graduates who meet UN internship eligibility rules.
- Deadline: 18 November 2026.
- Duration: Two to six months, based in Bangkok.
- Good to know: This is listed under job opening number 286611 on the UN careers portal, so search for that exact reference if the link changes.
🔗 Official Application Link: Apply for the UN ESCAP Sustainable Development Affairs Internship
Looking for a paid UN internship instead? You may also want to check our complete guide to the FAO Internship Programme, a paid United Nations internship route.
University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme
Australia’s University of Sydney automatically considers eligible international students for a tuition scholarship, no separate form required.
- Funding: Awards range from AUD 5,000 up to AUD 60,000, depending on merit and the specific award category.
- Who can apply: International students applying for an eligible undergraduate or coursework master’s degree who have not yet started the programme.
- Deadline: 16 November 2026 for the Semester 1, 2027 offer round. You need an unconditional admission offer by this date to be considered.
- Good to know: This scholarship depends on funding availability, so it is competitive even though there is no separate application.
🔗 Official Application Link: View the University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships Scheme
Two More Worth a Quick Look
Hertfordshire Internships Programme opens a February 2027 placement intake with applications due 29 November 2026. This is a university-linked programme, so check with the University of Hertfordshire whether your own institution qualifies before you invest time here.
🔗 Official Application Link: View the Hertfordshire Internships Programme
University of Hong Kong scholarships (Hung Hing Ying Scholarship and For Our Future Scholarship) close on 6 November and 5 November 2026 respectively. These awards are tied closely to HKU’s own enrollment rules, so confirm whether you need to already hold an offer before applying.
🔗 Official Application Link: View the University of Hong Kong Scholarships
If none of these six quite fit, it is also worth looking at research-focused internships like the CERN internships and graduate programmes, or a prestigious fully funded route like the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
Want a wider net of fully funded options for this cycle? You may also want to check this guide to 12 fully funded scholarships and internships for international students in 2026/2027.
How to Keep These Deadlines From Sneaking Up on You
- Write every deadline into a calendar app the moment you read this, with a reminder set five days earlier.
- Start gathering transcripts and reference letters now. These take the longest to arrange and cannot be rushed.
- For any award with a country-specific deadline, like the Swiss scholarship, check the official country list before you do anything else.
- Keep a simple spreadsheet listing each programme, its deadline, what documents it needs, and your current progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are any of these scholarships completely free to apply for?
Yes. Every scholarship and internship listed here charges no application fee. If anyone asks you to pay to apply or to receive an offer, that is a scam. Report it and walk away immediately.
Can I apply for more than one of these at the same time?
Yes, and you should. These programmes run on separate systems and do not share application pools. Applying to several raises your chances of landing funding, as long as you meet each one’s specific eligibility rules.
Do any of these cover living expenses, not just tuition?
Only some do. The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship pays a monthly stipend of CHF 2,450. Royal Holloway’s GREAT Scholarship only reduces tuition. Always check each programme’s full benefits list before assuming your living costs are covered.
What happens if I miss a November 2026 deadline?
Most of these programmes run annually, so a missed deadline usually means waiting for the 2027 or 2028 cycle. Bookmark each official page now and set a calendar reminder for roughly ten months ahead so you do not miss the next round. And once you do land an offer somewhere, it is worth reading up on what to do after receiving admission to a foreign university.