When I first opened the Khazar University page and realised this scholarship picks just one woman a year from the entire planet, I almost closed the tab. Then I read the fine print and changed my mind — and I want to walk you through exactly why. The Khazar University International Scholarship 2026-27 is open right now, the deadline is 30 June 2026, and if you are a female student with a strong academic record, this is one of the cleanest fully funded routes into a Master's or PhD in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Khazar University sits at #1 in Azerbaijan in the QS Emerging Europe & Central Asia rankings, runs English-taught programs across Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, and hosts students from more than 30 countries. So you are not gambling on an unknown campus.
What the Khazar University International Scholarship 2026-27 Actually Covers
The flagship award here is the Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship, named after the co-founder of Dünya School and Khazar University. The Foundation funds one outstanding female postgraduate student per academic year, regardless of nationality. Here is the full benefits picture, drawn straight from the official International Affairs page.
Benefit | Coverage Status | Amount or Notes |
|---|---|---|
Annual tuition fee | Fully covered | 100% for the year |
Dormitory accommodation | Fully covered | On-campus housing for the year |
Monthly stipend | Covered | Paid for one year |
Round-trip airfare | Covered | Single economy class trip to/from Azerbaijan |
Visa & registration | Not specified | The official page does not specify this for Nailekhanim |
Health insurance | Not specified | As of last verification, the official page does not specify this |
I genuinely like that the airfare is built in — most "fully funded" scholarships I review quietly leave you to pay your own flight.
Who Can Apply — Eligibility for the Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship
The eligibility bar is strict because only one award is given. You must be a woman, you must be aiming for a postgraduate degree (Master's or Doctoral), and your academic record must be genuinely excellent.
Requirement | Master's Track | PhD Track |
|---|---|---|
Gender | Female only | Female only |
Education level | Bachelor's degree | Master's degree |
Minimum GPA | 3.7/4.0, A-, or 90–92% | 3.7/4.0, A-, or 90–92% |
Nationality | Any country | Any country |
English proficiency | Required (academic level) | Required (academic level) |
Age limit | Not specified | Not specified |
Bond/service obligation | None | None |
I appreciate that the program is open to women from any country — Pakistani, Indian, Nigerian, American, anyone — and the most recent winner I could verify was Nayanathara Ranmalie Amunarawa from Sri Lanka, which tells me South Asian applicants have a real shot.
Required Documents and the Motivational Essay
You will submit a general admission application to Khazar University AND a separate Nailekhanim package. The essay is where most applicants lose the award. The topic is fixed: "Describe a situation or situations where you demonstrated or witnessed female leadership and how it made a positive difference."
Documents you need:
Completed Nailekhanim application form (downloaded from the Khazar site)
Motivational essay on the prescribed topic
Academic transcripts proving your A-/3.7 GPA equivalent
Proof of English proficiency
Standard admission documents Khazar requires for your program
If you have never written a strong essay before, I have a detailed breakdown of the scholarship motivation letter mistake almost every student makes — read it before you draft anything.
How to Apply for the Khazar University Scholarship 2026-27 (Step by Step)
Pick your program from Khazar's Master's or PhD catalogue.
Submit the general admission application to Khazar University.
Download and complete the Nailekhanim Foundation application form.
Write the motivational essay on female leadership.
Email the full package to admissions@khazar.org with the subject line: "Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship Application."
Submit no later than 30 June 2026.
Wait for the Nailekhanim Scholarship Selection Committee to shortlist you.
Attend the interview with the appointed expert panel.
If you want a clean monthly plan to keep this on track, my study abroad timeline for 2026 breaks down what to do each month.
Khazar University's Other Scholarship Tracks
Even if Nailekhanim does not work out, you have two more shots:
Khazar University tuition fee waivers — automatic 25%, 50% or 75% merit-based reductions. No separate application; Khazar notifies eligible applicants in the Offer of Admission.
Heydar Aliyev International Education Grant Program — fully funded by the Government of Azerbaijan, covering tuition, international flights, monthly allowance, medical insurance and visa/registration. Apply through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs AIDA portal.
For broader options at this level, see my list of fully funded Master's scholarships for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Khazar University scholarship deadline 2026?
The Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship deadline is 30 June 2026. Khazar's general admission deadline runs to 31 August 2026.
Is IELTS required for Khazar University?
The official page requires "appropriate fluency in English" for academic research but does not list a specific IELTS band. As of last verification, the official page does not specify a fixed minimum score.
Can men apply for the Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship?
No. The Nailekhanim Foundation Scholarship is reserved for female applicants only.
How competitive is this scholarship?
Very. The Foundation awards one full scholarship per academic year worldwide. Treat your essay and academic record as the deciding factors.
The Khazar University International Scholarship 2026-27 rewards women who can prove leadership on paper and in person. Build your essay early, hit the 30 June deadline, and apply through admissions@khazar.org — official page: international.khazar.org.
