Discover scholarships available to African students for undergraduate, Master's, and PhD studies. Filter by destination, field, funding level, and eligibility.
Thousands of scholarships are available specifically for African students, covering everything from undergraduate studies to postdoctoral research. These range from fully-funded government programmes (Chevening, Fulbright, DAAD) to university-specific awards and private foundation grants. With rising tuition costs globally and limited funding for higher education within Africa, scholarships represent a critical pathway for talented African students to access world-class education.
Fully-funded scholarships — which typically cover tuition, living expenses, flights, and health insurance — are the most sought-after. Top programmes include the Chevening Scholarship (UK, ~1,500 awards/year globally), Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (covering study at leading universities worldwide), Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford), Gates Cambridge, and DAAD (Germany). Many of these specifically target or have dedicated streams for African applicants, recognizing the importance of developing African talent.
Within Africa, the African Union's Mwalimu Nyerere Scholarship provides funding for postgraduate study at African institutions, while the African Development Bank and various national programmes (PTDF Nigeria, Jubilee Scholarship Ghana, CDF Kenya) offer funding for both domestic and international study. University-specific scholarships at institutions like University of Cape Town, Wits, Makerere, and the University of Ghana also provide significant funding for African students.
Success in scholarship applications requires preparation, authentic storytelling, and strategic timing. Start early — most major scholarships have deadlines 9-12 months before the start date. Focus on demonstrating leadership, community impact, and a clear plan for how you'll use your education to contribute to Africa's development. Get strong recommendation letters, write compelling personal statements, and apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances.
No scholarship is "easy," but some have higher acceptance rates: DAAD (Germany) accepts ~25% of applicants, compared to Chevening (~3%) and Rhodes (~1%). Country-specific scholarships (Hungarian Government, Turkish Government, Chinese Government scholarships) tend to have higher acceptance rates and less competition. Focus on fit rather than prestige — apply where your profile matches the scholarship's values.
Yes! In fact, you should. Apply to 5-10 scholarships that match your profile. However, be aware that some scholarships (like Chevening) require you to declare if you hold other awards. You generally cannot accept two fully-funded scholarships simultaneously, so choose the best offer if you receive multiple awards.