Full funding · Study in the United States
Karsh International Scholars Program
Full tuition, room, board and fees for four years, plus funding for research, service and international experiences
- Funder
- Duke University
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
The Karsh programme is Duke's flagship award for international undergraduates, covering tuition, room, board and fees plus three summers of funding for research, unpaid internships and other academic opportunities.
Only a handful of scholars are selected each year from the international applicant pool, and selection weighs intellectual ambition and demonstrated impact as heavily as grades.
🗓️ Deadline
Applications align with Duke's undergraduate admission deadlines — typically early November and early January
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Applying to Duke as a first-year international undergraduate
- Not a US citizen or permanent resident
- Demonstrated financial need — this is a requirement, not just a factor
- An exceptional academic record and standardised test results where submitted
- Evidence of leadership, service or original work beyond the classroom
How to apply
- Apply for Duke undergraduate admission by the Early Decision or Regular Decision deadline
- Request financial aid in the application — the award requires demonstrated need
- Complete the financial documentation Duke requires from international applicants
- Finalists are invited to interview, typically in the late winter
- Awards are announced with admission decisions in the spring
Studying in the United States
The world's largest choice of universities, cutting-edge research and up to 3 years of practical training. Post-study work: 12 months OPT (36 for STEM).
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Karsh International Scholars Program: your questions, answered
What does the Karsh International Scholars Program cover?
Full tuition, room, board and fees for four years, plus funding for research, service and international experiences. The Karsh programme is Duke's flagship award for international undergraduates, covering tuition, room, board and fees plus three summers of funding for research, unpaid internships and other academic opportunities.
Who is eligible for the Karsh International Scholars Program?
Core requirements are: Applying to Duke as a first-year international undergraduate; Not a US citizen or permanent resident; Demonstrated financial need — this is a requirement, not just a factor; An exceptional academic record and standardised test results where submitted; Evidence of leadership, service or original work beyond the classroom. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Karsh International Scholars Program deadline?
Applications align with Duke's undergraduate admission deadlines — typically early November and early January. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated free placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.