I graduated from New York University in 2011 with a Master of Arts degree and spent some years on writing… Writing articles, blogs, essays, academic papers, short stories. I’ve even tried to finish my first big novel… But the more I wrote, the better I understood that my skills and knowledge were not enough to by a professional writer for authoritative magazines and newsletters.

The idea to get a PhD has come like a bolt from the blue. I was surprised at how many PhD scholarships there are in the world and how difficult it was to choose the one that would fit all my needs and expectations. The more I searched, the more I became possessed with a new writing idea – to ease PhD searching for my fellow students and make a short list of the best PhD scholarships to choose in 2015.

So, here they are: 7 PhD scholarships, some of which you still have time to apply for, but if you miss out this year keep an eye on them because most are annual. They from all over the world and offer the chance to become and international student and study abroad.

Who: University of Southern Queensland

Where: Australia

This scholarship will be a perfect choice for you if you are an international student of Fraser Coast, Toowoomba or Springfield. Having a maximum value of $5,000, it considers applicants who have 80% or higher GPA and are enrolled in 4 study units minimum.

What do you need to apply for this scholarship? Complete two application forms (international student and scholarship ones) downloaded from the official website. You will also find all details on how to apply here.

Who: Canadian Government

Where: Canada

They award up to 167 scholarships annually for health, engineering, social or natural sciences, and humanities. This scholarship is worth $50, 000 per year, and it is generally awarded for 3 years.

You do not have to be a Canadian citizen to apply for this scholarship, as they accept permanent residents and foreign students too. Check all application instructions at the official website of this scholarship and make sure you pursue a doctoral degree at some Canadian university, as it is an important condition for your eligibility.

Who: DFID (Department of International Development)

Where: United Kingdom

Deadline to apply: 3 December 2014

If you are a citizen of Developing Commonwealth Countries, you have a chance to get one of 300 scholarships DFID provides in all subject areas each year.

Check all application instructions at their website, and keep in mind the fact you should not apply for this scholarship yourself: applications must be made through nominating agencies in your country. This is probably the only scholarship that does not make you write essays that work for application.

Who: Macquarie University

Where: Australia

Deadline to apply: 15 January 2015

This scholarship was developed for international students in particular; and if your fields of study are Education, Media, Human Science, Linguistics, Environment, or Engineering.

Macquarie University does not specify a number of scholarships it will give annually. One and only pitfall here is the instruction that no citizens of Australia and New Zealand can apply for this scholarship. Check their website to find detailed information for application and access application forms to fill in.

Who: University of Otago

Where: New Zealand

Deadline to apply: ongoing

If you are seeking to obtain the first doctoral qualification, this scholarship might be a good choice for you. University of Otago accepts both domestic and international students, and it provides up to 180 scholarships per year.

Your academic merit and potential will be a basis for your selection. Access the application form at their official website and fill it up to take part in competition. This scholarship has a maximum value of NZ$25, 000.

Who: Japanese Government

Where: Japan

Deadline to apply: varies

This scholarship is available for those students whose countries have diplomatic relations with Japan. It has many benefits (check the list here), but you should be eligible on many conditions, including your age, nationality, knowledge of Japanese, and academic background.

Application instructions may differ, depending on your home country. You should inquire at the Japanese embassy for details, because the deadline of applications may vary per country too.

Who: Norwegian Government

Where: Norway

The complete list of countries eligible for this scholarship can be found by this link. 1,100 students get this scholarship annually, 800 of which are from developing countries and 300 are from Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Visit their official website for detailed information and all application instructions. Keep in mind the fact, that all inquiries should be sent directly to the International Office at the institution where you plan to apply.

The choice for me is Macquarie University. Thanks to my academic background and all networking strategies I used during my study at university, I hope to be eligible enough to get their scholarship and start getting my PhD in Australia.

Author Bio: Alex Strike (@AlexxxStrike) is a graduate of New York University who will start his PhD in journalism next year. Alex works as a freelance blogger now, trying to improve his writing skills and become a more experienced writer after graduation.