This directory lists major scholarships for African students, grouped by who funds them. Each entry shows the study level, what the award usually covers, when applications normally open and a link to the official website.
How to use this page: Shortlist awards that match your nationality and degree level, then confirm eligibility and the exact deadline on the official website. Application periods shown here are the usual pattern from recent years, not confirmed dates for the current cycle.
Government Scholarships by Destination
| Scholarship | Study in | Level | Usually covers | Usual application period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | UK | One-year master’s | Tuition, living allowance, flights | August to October or November |
| Commonwealth Scholarships | UK | Master’s, PhD | Tuition, living allowance, flights | Around September to October for most schemes |
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | USA | Master’s, PhD, research | Tuition, living costs, flights, insurance | Varies by country |
| DAAD Scholarships | Germany | Master’s, PhD, research | Monthly stipend, insurance, travel allowance | Varies by program, often August to October |
| France Excellence Eiffel | France | Master’s, PhD | Monthly allowance, travel, insurance | Applications submitted by French institutions, usually by early January |
| Ireland Fellows Programme | Ireland | Master’s | Tuition, stipend, flights, accommodation | Check the official site, as some countries are by invitation |
| Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships | Ireland | Bachelor’s final year, master’s, PhD | Stipend and fee waiver for one year | Usually closes around March |
| Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals | Sweden | Master’s | Tuition, living costs, travel grant, insurance | Usually February, after a university application |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships | Switzerland | PhD, research, postdoctoral | Monthly stipend, insurance, other allowances | Varies by country, often August to November |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, housing contribution, insurance | Usually November to January |
| Türkiye Scholarships | Türkiye | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, accommodation, flights, insurance | Usually January to February |
| Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship | Japan | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD, research | Tuition, monthly allowance, flights | Embassy route usually April to June |
| Global Korea Scholarship | South Korea | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, flights, insurance, language year | Graduate usually February to March, undergraduate usually September to October |
| Chinese Government Scholarship | China | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, insurance | Usually December to April |
| Australia Awards Africa | Australia | Master’s, short courses | Tuition, living allowance, flights, health cover | Varies by country and year |
Foundation and International Programs
| Scholarship | Study in | Level | Usually covers | Usual application period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Partner universities in Africa and abroad | Bachelor’s, master’s | Tuition, accommodation, living costs, travel | Set by each partner university |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Two or more European countries | Master’s | Participation costs, travel, living allowance | Usually October to January, set by each program |
| Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program | Participating universities worldwide | Master’s in development-related fields | Tuition, stipend, travel, insurance | Usually two windows in the first half of the year |
| ABE Initiative (JICA) | Japan | Master’s plus company internship | Tuition, living allowance, travel | Varies by country, through JICA offices |
| Islamic Development Bank Scholarship Programme | Various countries | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition and living costs for citizens of member countries | Check the official site |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme | Various countries | Master’s | Part grant and part loan, for selected countries only | Usually early in the year |
| Schwarzman Scholars | China (Tsinghua University) | One-year master’s | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, travel | Usually April to September |
University Scholarships
| Scholarship | University | Level | Usually covers | Usual application period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates Cambridge Scholarship | University of Cambridge, UK | Master’s, PhD | Full cost of study, maintenance, flights | Usually October to January, by course |
| Rhodes Scholarship | University of Oxford, UK | Master’s, PhD | Fees, stipend, travel | Varies by country group, often June to October |
| Clarendon Fund | University of Oxford, UK | Master’s, PhD | Fees and a living grant | Automatic consideration when you apply by the December or January course deadline |
| Knight-Hennessy Scholars | Stanford University, USA | Graduate degrees | Tuition, stipend, travel for up to three years | Usually closes in early October |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | University of Toronto, Canada | Bachelor’s | Tuition, books, fees, residence for four years | School nomination in the autumn, application by about January |
| KAUST Fellowship | King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia | Master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, housing, health cover | Check the admissions calendar |
| MBZUAI Scholarship | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, UAE | Master’s, PhD | Tuition, stipend, accommodation, health cover | Check the admissions calendar |
| Khalifa University Scholarships | Khalifa University, UAE | Bachelor’s, master’s, PhD | Tuition and stipend, depending on the award | Considered through admission |
| NL Scholarship | Participating Dutch institutions | Bachelor’s, master’s | A one-off contribution in the first year | Set by each institution, often by February to May |
Scholarships to Study in Africa
| Scholarship | Study in | Level | Usually covers | Usual application period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandela Rhodes Scholarship | South African universities | Honours, master’s | Tuition, accommodation, stipend, leadership program | Usually March to April |
| Pan African University Scholarships | Pan African University institutes | Master’s, PhD | Tuition and stipend from the African Union | Check the annual call |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | Partner universities across Africa | Bachelor’s, master’s | Tuition, accommodation, living costs | Set by each partner university |
Before You Apply
- Check that your nationality, degree level and subject are eligible with the nine scholarship eligibility checks.
- Plan backwards from the deadline using the scholarship application timeline.
- Prepare your file with the application documents checklist.
- Read how to win fully funded scholarships for the full application system.
- Check visa and cost rules for your destination in our study destination guides.
Stay Safe
Every scholarship on this page is applied for through the provider’s own website or an official partner. None of them charge a fee to release an award. If someone asks for payment to secure one of these scholarships, read our guide to scholarship scams first.
Know a scholarship that should be listed, or spotted something out of date? Email hello@uniconnect.africa.
Reviewed: 2 October 2026. Coverage, eligibility and application periods change every cycle. Confirm all details on the official website before applying.