State Programme vs foreign scholarships: which to choose, differences and obligations

Short answer: The State Programme (DP) is funded by the Azerbaijani state and comes with certain obligations, while foreign scholarships (Chevening, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, etc.) are awarded by foreign governments or universities and have their own conditions. Many students prepare for both in parallel and choose based on the results.

Main differences

• Funder: DP — the Azerbaijani state; a foreign scholarship — a foreign government, foundation or university.
• University choice: DP has rules on priority fields and university lists; foreign scholarships are often limited to their own country's universities.
• Obligations: the DP contract may include obligations such as returning to the country and working after study. Foreign scholarships may also have conditions (for example, Chevening's requirement to return home).
• Competition: foreign scholarships have very few places and international competition.
• Application timing: different, so plan the calendar in advance. See: scholarship deadlines 2027.

When to choose DP

• If your field is among DP's priority areas.
• If your university is on DP's accepted list.
• If you plan to build a career in Azerbaijan after your studies.

When to choose a foreign scholarship

• If your programme or university does not fit DP conditions.
• If an international network and prestige matter especially to you (for example, the Chevening alumni network). See: Chevening scholarship.
• If you have a research or career plan in a specific country.

What if you win both?

Receiving funding for the same costs from two sources is usually restricted by rules. Read the DP contract and the foreign scholarship's conditions carefully and confirm with the official bodies before deciding.

Parallel preparation plan

• Take your language test early.
• Apply to universities on time and get an admission letter.
• Prepare scholarship essays and DP documents in parallel. See: how to write a scholarship essay.

Frequently asked questions

Does getting into DP reduce my chances of a foreign scholarship?

No, the applications are separate. But check the rules on accepting both at the same time.

Which is easier?

Each has its own competition. Foreign scholarships usually have fewer places.

Note: DP rules and scholarship conditions may change. Before deciding, check the current conditions on dp.edu.az and each scholarship's official website.

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