Introduction
That ends today.
According to data from the Institute of International Education Open Doors Report, more than 56,780 students from Sub-Saharan Africa studied in the United States during the 2023 to 2024 academic year, with most coming from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. This number does not include those studying in the UK, Germany, Australia, or other parts of Europe. African students have a huge interest in studying abroad, and there is a lot of funding available for those who know where to find it.
Quick tip before you dive in: bookmark this page and save the deadline dates into your calendar. Applications for most of these scholarships open and close within narrow windows — and they don’t wait.
At a Glance: Best Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students 2026–2027
| # | Scholarship | Host Country | Level | Fully Funded? | 2026–27 Deadline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mastercard Foundation Scholars | USA/Canada/UK/Africa | UG + Masters + PhD | ✅ Yes | Varies by university | All African students |
| 2 | Fulbright Foreign Student Program | USA | Masters + PhD | ✅ Yes | ~June 1, 2026 (country-specific) | Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana students |
| 3 | Chevening Scholarship | UK | Masters (1-year) | ✅ Yes | Opens Aug 2026 (next cycle) | Leaders with 2+ yrs work exp |
| 4 | Commonwealth Scholarship | UK | Masters + PhD | ✅ Yes | Opens Sept 2026 (next cycle) | Commonwealth African nations |
| 5 | Gates Cambridge Scholarship | UK | Masters + PhD | ✅ Yes | Oct–Dec 2026 | High-achieving PhD candidates |
| 6 | DAAD Scholarship | Germany | Masters + PhD | ✅ Yes | Apr–Oct 2026 | STEM + development students |
| 7 | Australia Awards Africa | Australia | Masters | ✅ Yes | Opens Feb 2027 (next cycle) | Mid-career African professionals |
| 8 | Erasmus Mundus (EMJM) | Europe (multi-country) | Masters | ✅ Yes | Oct 2026–Jan 2027 | Students seeking multi-country exp |
| 9 | Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Worldwide | Masters | ✅ Partial (grant-loan) | ~Jan–Mar 2027 | Needs-based East/West Africa |
| 10 | Schwarzman Scholars | China (Tsinghua) | Masters (1-year) | ✅ Yes | Sept 20, 2026 | Policy, business, STEM leaders |
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students Overall
If there’s one scholarship designed specifically and exclusively for African students, it’s this one. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has funded over 50,000 young Africans since its launch in 2012 — and it operates across partner universities in the USA, Canada, UK, and across Africa itself.
- Covers all tuition fees
- Provides accommodation and meals
- Offers a monthly personal allowance
- Includes return airfare
- Covers health insurance
- Provides mentorship and leadership development support
- Open to citizens of any African country
- For academically talented students who can show financial need
- Applicants should be committed to returning home and helping with Africa’s development
- Available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs
- Makerere University (Uganda): June 5, 2026
- University of Oxford: January 2026 (apply through AfOx portal)
- University of Toronto: November 2025 (closed for current cycle)
- Sciences Po France: January 4, 2026
- Deadlines are different for each partner institution, so please check with each university directly
Best for: This scholarship is open to African students who show strong academic performance and have financial need. It stands out as the most Africa-focused fully funded scholarship on this list and is likely the most accessible.
2. Fulbright Foreign Student Program — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students in the USA
- Full tuition and university fees
- Monthly living stipend
- International airfare (round trip)
- Health insurance
- Book and research allowances
- Citizens of Fulbright-eligible African countries (40+ countries eligible)
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Typically targets Masters and PhD degree applicants
- Strong academic record and leadership potential required
- Nigeria: June 1, 2026 (strict; no extensions allowed)
- Kenya, Ghana, and other African countries: May to June 2026 (check with your local US Embassy for exact dates)
- Applications are managed individually by US Embassies and Fulbright Commissions in each country
Apply Now: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/
(Select your country to access country-specific deadline and portal)Best for: If you are a student from Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya planning to apply for a master’s or doctoral program in the United States, begin your application at least 8 to 10 months before the deadline. Preparing your personal statement and gathering reference letters can take several months.
3. Chevening Scholarship — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Leaders Studying in the UK
- Covers all university tuition fees
- Provides a monthly living allowance (stipend)
- Includes return economy airfare
- Offers arrival and departure allowances
- Reimburses your visa application fee
- Provides a travel grant for Chevening events in the UK
- Open to citizens of Chevening-eligible countries (including all major African nations)
- Requires at least two years (2,800 hours) of post-graduate work experience
- Applicants need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1
- You must apply to three eligible UK university courses
- The 2026–2027 application cycle is now closed (applications closed on October 7, 2025)
- The next cycle (2027–2028) opens on August 5, 2026
- The deadline for the next cycle is October 7, 2026
- Scholars will begin their UK studies in September or October 2027
Apply Now: https://www.chevening.org/apply/
Best for: Are you a working professional from Africa between 25 and 35 with strong leadership ambitions? If you are a civil servant, NGO professional, journalist, or business leader, Chevening is designed for you.
4. Commonwealth Scholarship — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students Targeting the UK
- Covers full tuition fees, paid straight to your UK university
- Provides a monthly living allowance
- Includes return economy airfare from your home country
- Offers arrival and departure allowances
- Provides research and study grants for PhD students
- Open to citizens of eligible Commonwealth developing countries
- Applicants need at least a 2:1 bachelor’s degree
- You must show financial need and be unable to afford studying in the UK without this scholarship
- Available for master’s and doctoral programs. Important dates for 2026–2027027 Key Dates:
Important dates for 2026–2027027 Key Dates:
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026–2027: Applications close on December 9, 2025
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship: Applications close on March. The next application cycle opens in September 2026
- Courses begin in September or October 2027 (prepare towards this date)
Apply Now: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/
Best for: If you are Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan, or from another Commonwealth African country and want a fully funded UK master’s or PhD, this opportunity is for you. The Distance Learning track is a great option for working professionals who need to stay in their home country.
5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship — Most Prestigious Fully Funded Scholarship for African PhD Students
- Covers all University of Cambridge tuition fees
- Provides a maintenance allowance to help with living costs
- Pays for your airfare to and from Cambridge
- Offers extra funding for academic development, such as conferences or fieldwork
- May provide a family allowance in some cases
- Open to citizens of any country outside the UK
- You must be applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at Cambridge, mainly PhD programs, though some master’s awards are available
- Must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement AND a commitment to improving the lives of others
- There are no country restrictions, so applicants from all African nations are eligible
- For US citizens, the application round is in October 2026 (exact date to be confirmed)
- For all other applicants, including those from African nations, the deadline is in December 2026 or January 2027, depending on your Cambridge course
- You need to apply for your Cambridge course and the Gates Cambridge scholarship at the same time
Apply Now: https://www.gatescambridge.org/apply/
Best for: African researcher aiming for top PhD programs in sciences, humanities, or social policy, remember that your Cambridge admission and Gates Cambridge application are submitted at the same time. Begin by applying to Cambridge first.
6. DAAD Scholarship — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students in Germany
- A monthly stipend between €850 and €1,200, depending on the programme
- Health insurance coverage
- A travel allowance
- Support for study and research expenses
- Free tuition, as German public universities do not charge fees
- Citizens of Sub-Saharan African countries for the In-Country/In-Region programme
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with excellent grades
- The degree should be in a development-related field, such as agriculture, public health, engineering, economics, or education
- DAAD Study Scholarships in Germany are available to applicants from all African countries
- DAAD In-Country/In-Region Masters (Sub-Saharan Africa): April 29, 2026 (currently open)
- DAAD Study Scholarships in Germany: October 2026 (next application cycle)
- These programmes are ongoing, with new calls for applications opening regularly
Apply Now: https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/
Best for: African student looking for a development-focused master’s or PhD program, especially in STEM, agriculture, public policy, or health, Germany is a great option. Since there are no tuition fees, your scholarship can go further and cover more of your living costs than in many other countries.
7. Australia Awards Africa Scholarship — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Mid-Career Professionals
- Covers full tuition fees at Australian universities
- Provides a return economy-class airfare
- Offers an establishment allowance when you arrive
- Includes a monthly living stipend
- Provides health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover)
- Offers academic support and professional development opportunities
- Open to citizens of 25 eligible African countries, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, and others
- Applicants should be mid-career professionals who plan to return and use their new skills in Africa
- Available for master’s degree programs only (not for undergraduate or PhD studies)
- Priority is given to fields like education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, and governance
- Applications for the 2027 intake are now closed (the deadline was April 30, 2026)
- Applications for the 2028 intake will open in February 2027
- Studies will begin with the Australian academic year in 2027
Apply Now(for next cycle): https://australiaawardsafrica.org/awards/apply/
Best for: If you are a government official, NGO worker, or professional from an eligible African country and want to earn a world-class master’s degree while joining a strong alumni network, start by checking if your country qualifies.
8. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Students to Experience Europe
- Full tuition fees at all partner universities
- Monthly stipend of about €1,000 to €1,400
- Travel and installation allowances
- Health insurance
- The program is designed to give you a living experience in more than one country.
- Open to students from any African country.
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree relevant to the chosen program
- Each Erasmus Mundus program has its own entry requirements. There are more than 200 programs available.
- Previous Erasmus Mundus scholarship recipients are not eligible to reapply.
- Most 2026 intake programs closed in January 2026
- 2027 intake opens: October 2026
- Deadlines typically fall between January and February 2027
- Start preparing now, as personal statements can take several months to write well.
Apply Now: https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en
Best for: If you are an African student interested in studying in two or more European countries as part of one degree, you can gain a wide range of academic and cultural experiences. Make sure to research your chosen programme carefully, since each one has its own subject focus and partner universities.
9. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship — Best Scholarship for African Students with Financial Need
- You can receive up to 50% of your study costs as a grant that you do not need to pay back.
- The other 50% can be covered by an interest-free loan, which you will repay after you graduate.
- You can study at any university in the world and choose the institution that suits you best.
- This funding is only available for master’s degree programs.
- Applicants must be citizens of countries in Africa and Asia that are prioritized by the Aga Khan Foundation.
- You need to show strong academic performance and significant financial need.
- Only those applying for a master’s degree are eligible.
- You must have already been accepted, or conditionally accepted, into a relevant program.
- Applications usually open in January 2027.
- The application deadline is March 31, 2027. Please check each year to confirm the date.
- You will be notified of the decision between May and June each year.
Apply Now: https://www.akdn.org/our-agencies/aga-khan-foundation/international-scholarship-programme
Best for: This scholarship is for academically strong students from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and other AKF-priority African countries who have real financial barriers to postgraduate study. Because selection is based on need, it is one of the fairest scholarships available.
10. Schwarzman Scholars Program — Best Fully Funded Scholarship for African Future Leaders
- Covers all tuition and fees at Tsinghua University
- Provides on-campus housing, meals, and board
- Includes round-trip airfare to Beijing
- Offers a monthly personal stipend
- Provides a laptop, phone, and health insurance
- Includes study tours within the country and leadership programs
- Open to citizens of any country, including all African nations
- Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be graduating in the application year.
- Applicants should be under 28 years old, or under 32 if they have completed military service.
- Should show strong leadership potential and personal ambition
- Fluency in English is required. Mandarin is not needed since the program is taught in English.
- Application deadline is September 20, 2026
- Interviews will take place from November to December The program starts in August 2027
Apply Now: https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/admissions/
Best for: Young African professionals, public servants, and entrepreneurs under 28 who are shaping their country’s future. Strong essays and a clear personal story of leadership impact are essential to winning this award.
Am I Eligible? What Most of These Fully Funded Scholarships Require from African Students
- A bachelor’s degree (at minimum) from a recognized university
- A strong academic transcript is important. Most top scholarships look for a GPA similar to a UK 2:1, which is about a 3.3 to 3.7 US GPA or 60 to 65% in the Nigerian or Ghanaian grading system.
- Gates Cambridge and Fulbright usually expect applicants to be in the top 5 to 10% of their graduating class.
- IELTS score of 6.5 or above (or TOEFL 90+) for UK and Australia scholarships
- Some programs accept alternative proof of English proficiency if you studied in an English-medium institution.
- DAAD and Erasmus Mundus may accept French, German, or English, depending on the program
- Chevening requires at least 2 years, or 2,800 hours, of post-graduate work experience. This is a strict requirement.
- Australia Awards strongly prefer mid-career professionals with proven work experience.
- For Schwarzman Scholars, leadership experience is essential. This can be in a professional, community, or voluntary role.
- Mastercard Foundation: Only African citizens can apply. This is the most exclusive scholarship on this list for Africans.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Open only to citizens of Commonwealth African countries, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, and others.
- All other scholarships listed here are available to applicants from any African country, with no restrictions.
How to Win These Scholarships: Application Strategy for African Students
Start at least 12 months before the deadline: Many applicants don’t realize how much time a strong application really takes. You’ll need about a year to gather references, write your personal statement, take the IELTS, and secure your university spot.
Write a personal statement that tells a story, not a CV: Scholarship committees review thousands of applications. The winning essays do more than list achievements. They describe a specific problem, share a personal journey to solve it, and outline a clear plan for the future. Your essay should explain why you want this scholarship, why you chose this subject, why it matters now, and why you are the right person.
Tailor every application to the scholarship’s values: Chevening looks for leadership and networking skills. Gates Cambridge values intellectual curiosity and a commitment to helping others. Fulbright focuses on cultural exchange. Mastercard Foundation supports African development. Learn what each scholarship stands for, and show how you represent those values.
Get your recommendations right: An enthusiastic, detailed letter from a lecturer who knows you well is more valuable than a generic reference from a famous professor. Give your referees at least six to eight weeks’ notice and share your personal statement draft so their letter matches your story.
What to Do If You Don’t Win a Scholarship
If funding is the only thing standing between you and your dream university, don’t let it stop you — explore low-rate international student loan options built specifically for African students and find out what you qualify for in minutes.
And here’s something most students overlook — scholarships and loans don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Securing a partial scholarship and topping it up with an affordable international student loan is a practical, proven strategy that thousands of African students have used to make study abroad a reality.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students
Which fully funded scholarship for African students is easiest to get?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is often the easiest fully funded scholarship for African students to access. It is only for Africans, is based on financial need, and supports several degree levels. The Australia Awards are also a good option for mid-career professionals in relevant fields.
Can Nigerian students apply for the Fulbright scholarship?
Yes. Nigeria has an active Fulbright program administered through the US Embassy in Abuja. The strict deadline for Nigerian applicants is typically June 1 each year. Visit the US Embassy Nigeria website for country-specific guidance and application details.
What GPA do I need to win a fully funded scholarship?
Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?
What is the deadline for the Chevening Scholarship 2027?
Are there fully funded scholarships for African undergraduate students?
Which country offers the most fully funded scholarships to African students?
Final Word: Start Your Journey Now
Last updated: May 2026. Scholarship deadlines and award conditions change annually. Always verify current information at each scholarship’s official website before applying.