Pursuing higher education can be expensive, but numerous scholarships are available to African students to alleviate financial burdens and open doors to academic opportunities worldwide.
Below are 10 fully funded scholarships for African students in the 2025-2026 academic year, providing an excellent chance to further your education without the worry of tuition fees.
Fully Funded 10 Best Scholarships for African Students 2025-2026
1. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
- Offered By: The MasterCard Foundation, partnered with top universities globally
- Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, textbooks, travel costs, and a stipend for living expenses.
- Eligibility: African students with excellent academic performance and leadership potential.
- Application Deadline: Varies by partner university (usually mid-year).
- Program Details: This scholarship is designed to provide education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds across Africa, with a focus on sustainable development and leadership skills. Scholars are given opportunities to gain practical work experience and leadership training.
2. Rhodes Scholarship
- Offered By: University of Oxford
- Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, and airfare.
- Eligibility: African students with exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential. Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 25 years.
- Application Deadline: July to August (varies by country).
- Program Details: The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the oldest and most prestigious international fellowship programs. It enables African students to study at the University of Oxford in the UK. Rhodes scholars are chosen based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and commitment to serving society.
3. Chevening Scholarships
- Offered By: The UK government
- Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, and airfare to the UK.
- Eligibility: African students with leadership potential and a strong academic background. Applicants must have a clear plan to contribute to their country’s development after completing their studies.
- Application Deadline: Typically in November each year.
- Program Details: The Chevening Scholarship allows students from African countries to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK. This fully funded scholarship aims to develop the future leaders of the world by providing them with the necessary tools and experiences to succeed.
4. DAAD Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Service)
- Offered By: German Government
- Coverage: Full tuition, travel expenses, monthly stipend, health insurance.
- Eligibility: African students with outstanding academic records and professional experience. Open to postgraduate students.
- Application Deadline: Varies by program (usually between September and November).
- Program Details: DAAD offers scholarships for African students to study in Germany. The scholarship supports a wide range of disciplines, from arts and sciences to engineering and business. The goal is to foster intercultural exchange and promote sustainable development in Africa.
5. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program
- Offered By: Aga Khan Development Network
- Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, and travel expenses.
- Eligibility: Citizens of African countries who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence. Applicants must be pursuing graduate studies.
- Application Deadline: March 31, annually.
- Program Details: This scholarship is designed to support students from selected African countries who wish to pursue postgraduate studies. The foundation focuses on students who have shown leadership potential in their home communities.
6. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
- Offered By: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
- Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, and a generous living allowance.
- Eligibility: African students who are citizens of a Commonwealth country with outstanding academic records and leadership qualities.
- Application Deadline: Varies by country.
- Program Details: The Commonwealth Scholarship program is a highly competitive and prestigious award for students pursuing postgraduate study in the UK. It supports students from Commonwealth nations, including those in Africa, who show potential to make significant contributions to their home countries.
7. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
- Offered By: U.S. Government
- Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, living stipend, and health insurance.
- Eligibility: Graduate students and young professionals from Africa with strong academic records and leadership potential.
- Application Deadline: Varies by country, generally between May and October.
- Program Details: The Fulbright Program enables African students to pursue postgraduate study in the United States. It aims to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other nations, including African countries, by fostering academic and cultural exchange.
8. United Nations University Scholarship
- Offered By: United Nations University
- Coverage: Full tuition, travel expenses, and monthly living allowance.
- Eligibility: African students applying for postgraduate programs at the United Nations University.
- Application Deadline: Annually (generally March or April).
- Program Details: This scholarship provides an opportunity for African students to pursue graduate studies in fields related to global development, peacebuilding, and sustainable management. The scholarship is designed to train the next generation of global leaders.
9. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
- Offered By: The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Coverage: Full tuition, living allowance, and travel expenses.
- Eligibility: African students applying for master’s or doctoral programs in France.
- Application Deadline: January (annually).
- Program Details: This prestigious scholarship provides African students with the opportunity to study in France. The Eiffel Scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence and allows students to pursue programs in various disciplines, including science, engineering, humanities, and law.
10. The Beit Trust Scholarship
- Offered By: The Beit Trust
- Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, and travel costs.
- Eligibility: African students from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi wishing to pursue postgraduate studies at a UK or South African university.
- Application Deadline: April 30 (annually).
- Program Details: The Beit Trust Scholarship allows students to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK or South Africa. It is aimed at students who have the potential to contribute significantly to the development of their home country.
READ ALSO: Fully Funded Italian Government Scholarship 2025
FAQs
How can I apply for these scholarships?
Each scholarship has its own application process. Generally, you will need to visit the official scholarship website, create an account, and submit required documents such as academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Are these scholarships available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students?
Yes, many scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, some are specific to graduate studies, such as the DAAD and Fulbright Programs, while others like the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program cater to both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
What are the general eligibility requirements?
Eligibility usually includes factors like academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need. Many scholarships are also limited to specific African countries, age ranges, or fields of study, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for each.
When should I start applying for these scholarships?
It is advisable to start researching and preparing for applications a year in advance. Most scholarships have deadlines between September and January for the following academic year.
Are these scholarships open to all African countries?
Most of these scholarships are open to students from various African countries, but some may have specific country restrictions or priority regions. Always verify eligibility on the scholarship’s official page.