Scholarships for African Students: Complete Guide for International Study

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Last Updated: August 2026 — covers 2027 application cycles, with 2028 opportunities noted where currently confirmed

Content written by LearnViaHub team, reviewed by Christian Chinonso, Founder, LearnViaHub.

Research approach: Programme eligibility, funding structure, application routes, and published timelines are checked against official scholarship or programme sources. Because scholarship rules change, always confirm the final details on the provider’s current application page before applying.

Quick Answer

Yes — there are major scholarship and fellowship opportunities for African students and professionals for the 2027 application cycle, including programmes that fund study within Africa and programmes that support study abroad. Some awards are already closed for 2027 and are now looking toward 2028. But being an African student does not automatically make you eligible for an “African scholarship.”

Eligibility depends on the programme’s specific country list, degree level, field of study, academic background, work experience, age, residence, language requirements, and application route. Some programmes are genuinely fully funded; others cover only part of the cost or combine a grant with a loan.

This guide is therefore built around a practical question: Which scholarship actually fits you for 2027 (or 2028)? Use the tables below to check your country, degree level, destination, funding type, application route, and next opportunity before spending time preparing an application.

If you are looking beyond Africa-specific opportunities, see our complete guide to scholarships for international students for the broader scholarship landscape.

Find the Right Scholarship

Start with your actual goal rather than applying to every programme labelled “African scholarship.” The table below points you toward the most relevant options for the current application window — whether that’s a 2027 cycle still open, or a 2028 cycle you should start preparing for now.

If you’re looking for… Start with… Why
Undergraduate funding Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Some partner institutions offer undergraduate scholarships on a rolling basis; eligibility is partner-specific, not tied to one fixed year.
Master’s study abroad in 2027 Commonwealth Scholarships Commonwealth’s Master’s route has an active 2027-entry application window — see the deadlines table below.
Master’s study abroad in 2028 Australia Awards Africa The 2027 intake is closed; the next Australia Awards Africa round targets 2028 entry.
PhD funding Commonwealth, DAAD In-Country/In-Region or Pan African University These programmes include doctoral-level opportunities, subject to programme-specific eligibility and current call dates.
Study within Africa DAAD In-Country/In-Region or Pan African University Both provide postgraduate routes within African institutions, with rolling or annually renewed calls.
A non-repayable scholarship Commonwealth, Australia Awards, PAU or eligible Mastercard opportunities Do not assume “scholarship” means the same funding structure; check the individual award terms.
Leadership development rather than a degree Mandela Washington Fellowship It is a leadership fellowship, not degree funding — check the current page for the next confirmed cohort year.

Scholarships for African Students at a Glance (2027–2028)

Use this table as the first screening step. “Fully funded” does not mean every expense is necessarily covered, so the detailed funding section below is important before you compare programmes.

Programme Degree Destination Funding type Who can apply? Next opportunity Application route
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Secondary / Undergraduate / Master’s, partner-dependent Primarily Africa, plus selected partner institutions abroad Scholarship support; coverage varies by partner Eligible applicants meeting the partner institution’s criteria Partner-specific; ongoing for the 2027 intake cycle Apply through a participating partner institution
Aga Khan Foundation ISP Master’s; PhD considered in some cases Selected countries / institutions worldwide 50% grant / 50% loan Applicants from participating countries; country availability must be checked Next cycle expected for 2027 entry — confirm current status on the official page Country-based AKF process
Commonwealth Scholarships Master’s / PhD, depending on scheme United Kingdom Funded scholarship; package varies by scheme Eligible citizens of qualifying Commonwealth countries 2027-entry Master’s applications — confirm exact opening/closing dates on the official CSC page CSC Central and/or nominating body, depending on scheme
Australia Awards Africa Master’s Australia Scholarship covering major study and living costs Applicants from the programme’s current eligible African countries meeting country conditions 2027 intake closed; 2028 intake applications open February 2027 Online application through Australia Awards Africa
DAAD In-Country / In-Region Master’s / PhD Within Sub-Saharan Africa DAAD scholarship support; package varies by programme Sub-Saharan African applicants meeting the individual programme requirements Programme and institution specific, currently spanning 2027 intakes Follow the specific programme/institution instructions
Pan African University Master’s / PhD Africa Full scholarship for successful candidates under the published call Qualified applicants from African countries and the diaspora, subject to the call Next call for 2027 entry: check African Union / PAU announcements PAU online application system
Mandela Washington Fellowship Non-degree leadership fellowship United States Fully supported fellowship programme Young African leaders meeting programme criteria No 2027 application confirmed on the official page as of this writing — check for updates Programme application when a new cycle is announced

2027–2028 Deadlines and Next Opportunities

Scholarship deadlines are one of the easiest details to get wrong because programmes publish dates on different schedules. The table below deliberately separates confirmed dates from programme-specific or not-yet-announced windows — always verify against the official page linked in the programme section below before you rely on a date.

Programme Current status Next opportunity / timing What applicants should do
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027-entry application window active or approaching Confirm exact opening/closing dates directly on the CSC website Check the CSC eligibility and application instructions before the window opens or closes.
Australia Awards Africa 2027 intake closed 2028 intake opens February 2027 Check the current eligible-country list and country-specific requirements ahead of the February 2027 opening.
Aga Khan Foundation ISP Confirm current cycle status on the official page Cycle targeting 2027 entry Use the official eligibility tool and prepare a multi-source funding plan given the grant/loan structure.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Active; no single global deadline Partner-specific, ongoing for 2027 entry Identify participating universities and check each partner’s admissions and scholarship deadline.
DAAD In-Country / In-Region Programme-specific Varies by programme and institution for 2027 entry Search the DAAD scholarship database for the current programme and institution.
Pan African University Confirm current call status on the official page Next call targeting 2027 entry — not yet stated in the current official announcement Monitor African Union and PAU announcements rather than relying on a previous cycle’s deadline.
Mandela Washington Fellowship No 2027 cycle confirmed as of this writing Timing not currently stated on the official page Monitor the official Fellowship website and U.S. Embassy/Consulate announcements for a 2027 or 2028 cohort.

Who Is Eligible for African Student Scholarships?

Country eligibility is the first filter, not the final one. A scholarship may be available to citizens of your country but still require a particular degree, field, professional background, age range, residence status, or language qualification.

Think of eligibility as a checklist, not a label.

Being Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, Beninese, South African, Egyptian, or another African nationality may satisfy one condition. It does not automatically satisfy the programme’s other conditions. Always check the complete eligibility rules for the specific 2027 or 2028 cycle you’re applying to.

Eligibility factor What to check Why it matters
Citizenship Is your country on the programme’s current eligible-country list? Some programmes are open to many African countries; others are limited to a defined list.
Residence Must you live or work in your country of citizenship? Some programmes attach residence or employment conditions to eligibility.
Degree level Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD or non-degree? A scholarship cannot fund a degree level it does not support.
Academic background Degree, grades, class, research background or equivalent qualification. Postgraduate awards normally require an appropriate previous qualification.
Field of study Are there priority fields or excluded subjects? Some development scholarships target specific sectors.
Work experience Is professional experience required? Some programmes target working professionals rather than recent graduates.
Age Does the programme specify an age limit or preference? Age requirements differ substantially between programmes.
English/language requirement IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, language ability, or university-specific requirements. Scholarship and university language requirements are not always identical.

Scholarships by Degree Level

Bachelor’s / Undergraduate

Undergraduate scholarship options exist, but eligibility is usually institution-specific rather than governed by one Africa-wide application. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is particularly relevant because participating partner institutions offer undergraduate opportunities in some cases, on a rolling basis into 2027. Always check the individual university’s programme, nationality, academic, and application requirements.

Master’s

Master’s funding is the strongest common theme across the major programmes in this guide for the 2027 and 2028 cycles. Commonwealth Scholarships, Australia Awards Africa, Aga Khan Foundation ISP, DAAD In-Country/In-Region, Pan African University, and selected Mastercard Foundation partners can provide Master’s-level opportunities. The important distinction is that each programme has its own country, field, academic, and application requirements — and its own timeline, with some already open for 2027 and others (like Australia Awards Africa) already pointing toward 2028.

PhD

PhD applicants should focus on programmes specifically designed for doctoral study. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, DAAD In-Country/In-Region, and Pan African University include doctoral routes for the current cycle. The Aga Khan Foundation can consider PhD applicants, although its funding conditions differ from Master’s awards. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program does not currently provide PhD scholarships.

Non-degree leadership programmes

Not every opportunity for African applicants is a university scholarship. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a leadership development fellowship rather than degree funding, and as of this writing has no confirmed 2027 cohort. This distinction matters if your goal is a Master’s or PhD, because participating in a fellowship does not replace admission to a degree programme.

Study Within Africa vs Study Abroad

African applicants sometimes search only for scholarships that take them to Europe, North America or Australia. That can cause them to overlook programmes designed specifically for postgraduate study within Africa.

Study within Africa

DAAD In-Country/In-Region and Pan African University are two important examples for 2027 entry. DAAD’s In-Country/In-Region framework supports Master’s and PhD study at participating institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, with individual programmes and institutions determining the available opportunities. Pan African University offers postgraduate programmes through its institutes in African countries.

Study abroad

Commonwealth Scholarships can support eligible applicants studying in the UK for the 2027 intake, while Australia Awards Africa supports eligible Master’s applicants studying in Australia — though that route now points to the 2028 intake, since 2027 is closed. Other international programmes may also be available through country-specific calls and universities. Your destination should therefore be chosen together with the scholarship’s eligibility, funding rules, and current cycle year.

Fully Funded vs Partially Funded Scholarships

“Scholarship” does not always mean “every expense is paid.” Before accepting an award, identify whether the funding is non-repayable, partially funded, a grant-and-loan arrangement, or a fellowship with a defined package of benefits.

Programme General funding classification Important qualification
Commonwealth Scholarships Funded scholarship Benefits depend on the specific Commonwealth scheme.
Australia Awards Africa Major-cost scholarship package Official benefits include tuition, travel, living support and health cover, subject to programme conditions for the 2028 intake.
Pan African University Full scholarship under the published call Confirm benefits under the current admission call.
DAAD In-Country/In-Region Funded scholarship Benefits vary by the specific programme and funding arrangement.
Aga Khan Foundation ISP Partially non-repayable 50% grant / 50% loan. The loan component must be repaid.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Scholarship support Financial support and eligible degree programmes vary by partner institution.

What Does “Fully Funded” Actually Cover?

There is no universal definition of “fully funded” that makes every scholarship package identical. One programme may cover tuition, living costs and airfare, while another may describe its package differently or provide additional allowances only for specific students or activities.

Possible benefit What it may mean What to verify
Tuition University tuition may be paid directly or covered through the scholarship. Whether all tuition and mandatory fees are included.
Living allowance A recurring stipend or contribution toward living expenses. Monthly amount, duration and payment conditions.
Accommodation Housing may be provided, subsidised or covered through a stipend. Whether accommodation is guaranteed or paid as a cash allowance.
Airfare Some international awards provide return travel. Travel class, number of journeys and eligible route.
Health insurance Health cover may be included for the scholarship period. Coverage dates, exclusions and dependants.
Research or fieldwork Some programmes provide specific research-related allowances. Whether the allowance applies to your degree and research plan.
Visa and settlement costs Some programmes include specific allowances or support. Do not assume visa fees or every relocation expense is automatically covered.

Top Scholarship Programmes for African Students

1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Best for: African students seeking undergraduate or Master’s opportunities through participating institutions.

Destination: Primarily Africa, with selected partner institutions outside Africa.

Funding: Financial, academic and psychosocial support; the exact package depends on the partner.

Eligibility: Partner-specific. Degree, field, nationality and other requirements differ between institutions.

Application route: There is no single central application. Applicants apply through participating partner universities or institutions, each of which manages its own process and deadline.

Next deadline: Partner-specific; there is no single global deadline, and admissions for 2027 entry are ongoing at many partners.

Why consider it: The programme operates through a broad network of partner institutions and can support students at undergraduate and Master’s level. It is especially important to understand the partner model before applying because admission to a university does not automatically mean selection for the scholarship.

Official Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

2. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

Best for: Strong postgraduate applicants who have significant financial need and need a structured funding package.

Destination: Selected countries and institutions worldwide; eligibility varies by participating country.

Funding: 50% grant / 50% loan. It is not a fully non-repayable scholarship.

Eligibility: Applicants must meet the programme’s country availability and academic, financial-need and postgraduate requirements. The programme gives priority to Master’s study but can consider PhD applicants.

Application route: Applications are handled through contacts in participating countries. Use the official eligibility tool to identify the correct process.

Next deadline: Confirm the current cycle status directly on the official page; the programme’s cycles have historically targeted the following academic year’s entry, so check whether the open cycle is for 2027 entry.

Why consider it: It can help applicants who cannot finance postgraduate study through their own resources, but applicants must understand the loan component and build a realistic multi-source funding plan before applying.

Official Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

3. Commonwealth Scholarships

Best for: Eligible Commonwealth applicants pursuing postgraduate study in the UK.

Destination: United Kingdom.

Funding: Funded scholarship support; exact benefits depend on the Commonwealth scheme.

Eligibility: Commonwealth-wide programme with specific eligible-country and scheme requirements. African applicants must confirm that their country and chosen scheme qualify.

Application route: Varies by scheme. Commonwealth Master’s applications for 2027 entry use the CSC application system, with other nomination arrangements depending on the scheme.

Next deadline: Confirm the exact 2027-entry opening and closing dates on the official CSC page before you plan around a specific date.

Why consider it: Commonwealth Scholarships are among the major UK postgraduate funding routes available to eligible applicants from Commonwealth countries. The key is to identify the correct CSC scheme rather than treating “Commonwealth Scholarship” as one single award with identical rules.

Official Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships

4. Australia Awards Africa

Best for: Eligible African professionals seeking Master’s-level study in Australia.

Destination: Australia.

Funding: The programme’s published benefits include return air travel, establishment support, full tuition, living-expense support, health cover and other academic support subject to the programme rules.

Eligibility: Country-specific. Applicants generally need an undergraduate degree, relevant professional experience, current employment and a clear development-related purpose, with additional conditions varying by country and intake.

Application route: Online through Australia Awards Africa.

Next deadline: The 2027 intake is closed. Applications for the 2028 intake open February 2027, per the official programme page.

Why consider it: It is a major Master’s funding route for eligible African applicants, but the country list and country-specific conditions are critical. Applicants should not assume that being African is sufficient for eligibility — and should start preparing well ahead of the February 2027 window.

Official Australia Awards Africa

5. DAAD In-Country / In-Region Scholarships

Best for: Sub-Saharan African applicants seeking Master’s or PhD study within Africa.

Destination: Participating institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Funding: DAAD scholarship support; benefits depend on the individual programme.

Eligibility: Programme-specific. The framework includes applicants studying in their home country or in another Sub-Saharan African country under the relevant In-Country or In-Region route.

Application route: Follow the current programme and participating institution’s instructions through the DAAD scholarship database.

Next deadline: There is no single deadline for every DAAD In-Country/In-Region award. Individual programmes and institutions publish their own application information for 2027 entry.

Why consider it: It gives applicants a route to postgraduate study within Africa rather than requiring international study outside the continent. This makes it particularly relevant for applicants whose academic or professional plans are Africa-focused.

Official DAAD

6. Pan African University Scholarship

Best for: African and diaspora applicants seeking Master’s or PhD study through the Pan African University.

Destination: African host institutions within the PAU network.

Funding: The African Union’s published PAU call states that full scholarships are offered to successful candidates.

Eligibility: African-country and diaspora applicants who satisfy the academic and programme requirements in the current call. Age, academic classification and supporting-document requirements can apply.

Application route: PAU’s online application system when the relevant call is open.

Next deadline: Check the African Union / PAU site directly for the call targeting 2027 entry — do not rely on a previous cycle’s deadline.

Why consider it: PAU provides a continental postgraduate route and is particularly relevant to applicants who want to study within Africa while pursuing Master’s or doctoral education.

Official African Union / Pan African University

7. Mandela Washington Fellowship

Best for: Young African leaders seeking leadership development and professional networks rather than a university degree.

Destination: United States.

Funding: Fellowship programme support rather than a degree scholarship.

Eligibility: The programme has historically targeted young leaders aged 25–35 from Sub-Saharan Africa, with additional citizenship, residence, English and leadership requirements.

Application route: Official Fellowship application when a new applicant cycle is announced.

Next deadline: As of this writing, the official site does not confirm a 2027 applicant cycle. Do not rely on an assumed date — check the official page directly before planning around it.

Why consider it: This is useful for applicants whose primary goal is leadership development, professional exposure and cross-cultural exchange. It should not be presented as an alternative to a Master’s or PhD scholarship.

Official Mandela Washington Fellowship

How to Apply for Scholarships for African Students

  1. Start with your nationality. Check the official eligible-country list for the exact 2027 or 2028 scholarship cycle. Do not assume that “African” means all 54 African countries.
  2. Confirm your degree level. Separate undergraduate, Master’s, PhD and non-degree opportunities before you begin preparing an application.
  3. Check field and professional requirements. Some awards target particular development sectors or require relevant work experience.
  4. Check residence and employment rules. Some programmes require applicants to live and/or work in their country of citizenship.
  5. Read the funding terms. Confirm tuition, stipend, accommodation, airfare, health cover, research allowances and any exclusions.
  6. Identify the application route. A programme may use a central application, a nominating agency, an embassy, a university or a programme-specific portal.
  7. Prepare documents early. Common documents can include transcripts, degree certificates, CVs, recommendations, essays, research proposals and proof of language proficiency. Requirements vary, so follow the exact checklist.
  8. Build a programme-specific application. Explain why the degree, scholarship and your career or development goals fit together. Avoid sending the same generic essay to every provider.
  9. Check the deadline in the official portal. Scholarship articles and social-media posts can become outdated, especially with 2027 and 2028 cycles overlapping. The official application page should be your final authority.
  10. Keep evidence of submission. Save your application confirmation, reference numbers and copies of submitted documents.

Return-Home Obligations: Not All Scholarships Work the Same Way

Return-home language is another area where scholarship guides can become misleading. Some programmes impose formal conditions, while others emphasise development impact without using the same contractual mechanism.

Tier 1 — Contractual requirement

Some scholarship schemes include explicit return or immigration conditions in their scholarship terms. Commonwealth applicants should read the current conditions for their specific award carefully before accepting an offer.

Tier 2 — Development and reintegration expectation

Australia Awards is explicitly designed around development outcomes and expects scholars to return to their home country and contribute through their work. Applicants preparing for the 2028 intake should read the current award conditions and reintegration requirements rather than treating this as a generic “scholarship rule.”

Tier 3 — Mission-driven or programme-specific expectation

Programmes such as Mastercard Foundation, DAAD In-Country/In-Region and Pan African University are strongly connected to African development and capacity building, but their individual scholarship terms should be checked rather than describing all of them as having identical mandatory return-home clauses.

If your long-term goal is to remain abroad after graduation, make immigration and scholarship conditions part of your decision before accepting an award.

Common Mistakes African Applicants Should Avoid

  • Assuming your nationality automatically qualifies you. Country eligibility is only the first filter.
  • Calling every scholarship fully funded. Check whether the package covers tuition, living costs, travel, insurance and other expenses.
  • Ignoring the application route. Mastercard Foundation applications are handled through partners; other programmes may use CSC Central, national agencies, universities or programme portals.
  • Using an outdated deadline. With some programmes on a 2027 cycle and others already on 2028, a previous year’s closing date should never be presented as the current one.
  • Ignoring degree-level restrictions. Australia Awards Africa is a Master’s route; Mastercard Foundation does not currently fund PhDs; Mandela Washington is non-degree.
  • Calling the Aga Khan Foundation ISP fully funded. Its official structure is 50% grant and 50% loan.
  • Assuming all Commonwealth scholarships are identical. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission operates several schemes with different eligibility and application arrangements.
  • Ignoring study-within-Africa options. DAAD In-Country/In-Region and Pan African University provide postgraduate routes within Africa.
  • Assuming IELTS is always required or always waived. Language requirements can differ by scholarship, nationality, programme and university.
  • Waiting until the deadline to collect documents. Recommendations, transcripts, language tests and institutional admissions can take time — especially when preparing for a 2028 intake that opens as early as February 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best scholarships for African students in 2027?
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There is no single best scholarship for every African applicant. Commonwealth Scholarships, Mastercard Foundation, DAAD In-Country/In-Region, Pan African University and the Aga Khan Foundation currently have 2027-entry opportunities, while Australia Awards Africa’s next round targets 2028. The best option depends on your country, degree, destination, field, professional experience and funding needs.
Are there fully funded scholarships for African students?
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Yes. Several programmes provide substantial or full scholarship packages for eligible applicants, including Commonwealth Scholarships, Australia Awards Africa and Pan African University. Mastercard Foundation also provides significant scholarship support through participating partners. Always check exactly what the current award covers.
Which scholarships are open to African students from all countries?
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Do not assume that any programme labelled “African scholarship” covers every African country. Mastercard Foundation operates through partner institutions with their own eligibility rules, while Australia Awards Africa has a specific eligible-country list. Pan African University has a continental eligibility focus, but applicants must still meet the published call requirements.
Which African countries are eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships?
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Commonwealth Scholarships are not an Africa-only programme. They are part of the wider Commonwealth scholarship system, and eligibility depends on the particular scheme and its current country list. African applicants should use the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s current eligibility page for the 2027 cycle rather than relying on a static third-party country list.
Can African students get undergraduate scholarships?
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Yes, but undergraduate opportunities are often institution-specific. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program includes undergraduate opportunities through some participating institutions. Always check the partner university’s current eligibility and application instructions.
Are there Master’s scholarships for African students?
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Yes. Master’s funding is available through several major programmes, including Commonwealth Scholarships, Australia Awards Africa, DAAD In-Country/In-Region, Aga Khan Foundation ISP, Pan African University and participating Mastercard Foundation partners. Requirements — and current cycle years — vary substantially, so check each programme’s own timeline.
Are there PhD scholarships for African students?
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Yes. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships, DAAD In-Country/In-Region and Pan African University provide doctoral opportunities. The Aga Khan Foundation can also consider PhD applicants under its programme conditions. Mastercard Foundation does not currently provide PhD scholarships.
Can I study in Africa instead of going abroad?
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Yes. DAAD In-Country/In-Region and Pan African University are important examples of postgraduate funding within Africa. Individual participating institutions and programmes determine the available fields, requirements and deadlines for 2027 entry.
Can I get an African scholarship without IELTS?
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Sometimes. Language requirements differ by scholarship, country, university and programme. For example, Australia Awards Africa currently has country-specific English-test rules, with some nationalities required to submit IELTS, TOEFL or PTE results and others not required to submit an English test at the scholarship application stage. Always check both the scholarship provider and university requirements.
Is the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship fully funded?
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No. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is structured as half grant and half loan. The loan component is repayable, so applicants should not describe it as a fully non-repayable scholarship.
Do I have to return home after receiving a scholarship?
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It depends on the programme. Some awards include contractual or immigration conditions, while others emphasise development, reintegration or service without using identical contractual language. Read the current terms of the specific award before accepting it.
How do I know whether my African country is eligible for a 2027 or 2028 scholarship?
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Open the scholarship’s official eligibility or eligible-country page for the current application cycle — note that some programmes are currently accepting 2027 entry while others, like Australia Awards Africa, are already looking to 2028. Check citizenship, residence, degree, field, age, work experience and language conditions as well as the country list. Meeting the country requirement alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Official Resources

Disclaimer: This guide is intended to help African students and applicants identify relevant scholarship and fellowship opportunities for the 2027 application cycle, with 2028 opportunities noted where a programme’s next round has already been confirmed. Eligibility, eligible-country lists, award benefits, deadlines, application routes and programme status can change between cycles. A programme being listed here does not mean that every African applicant qualifies. Always confirm the current requirements and deadline on the official programme website before applying.


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