29 Top International fully funded scholarship for Africans to Apply

6. Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships

The Trust partners mainly with universities in the UK and South Africa. Think top names like Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh in the UK, and Rhodes, Stellenbosch, UCT, Wits in SA. Check their site for the partner list.

These are fully funded postgraduate scholarships.

Super specific target: Nationals of Malawi, Zambia, or Zimbabwe who currently live there. No exceptions.

Study level is one-year Master’s in the UK, or two-year Master’s in South Africa. Some PhDs, but Master’s is the main game.

Coverage includes fees, maintenance, travel. Often co-funded with the partner uni in the UK.

Application: You apply directly to the Beit Trust. Applications typically open around April/May and close by August/September for study starting the following year. Excellent academics and leadership potential are key.

7. Chevening Scholarships

You can study at any accredited UK university with Chevening, choosing a one-year Master’s course. It’s funded by the UK government (FCO).

These are fully funded scholarships, covering pretty much everything.

It’s open to most African nations (check the Chevening website for the definitive eligible country list).

The only level covered is a one-year Master’s degree. No undergrad, no PhD.

Coverage is top-tier: tuition, stipend, travel, allowances, visa costs.

Application: Leadership potential and work experience (at least two years) are critical. You apply directly through the Chevening online application portal. The cycle is consistent: applications typically open in early August and close in early November each year for study starting the following September.

8. Commonwealth Scholarship

Managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), these place you at UK universities.

Various types exist, but they are generally fully funded. Think Masters, PhD, Split-site PhD, Distance Learning.

Eligibility is for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, etc.). Check the CSC site.

Primary levels are Master’s and PhD.

Coverage is comprehensive: tuition fees, stipend, travel, various allowances.

Application: Strong link to development impact needed. For Master’s and PhD scholarships, you typically apply via two routes simultaneously: through a nominating agency in your home country and directly to the CSC online system. Deadlines for nominating agencies are often earlier than the main CSC deadline, usually falling around October/November for study starting the next academic year. Check your country’s agency and the CSC site.

9. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)

DAAD is your gateway to German universities. They manage a huge range of funding options.

They offer various scholarships: fully funded, partial, research grants. It depends on the specific program.

Open to students from most African countries, though some programs have regional focuses (like Sub-Saharan Africa).

DAAD covers a broad spectrum: Master’s, PhD, Postdoc, research stays, summer courses.

Coverage varies. Development-related postgrad courses often provide tuition (if applicable), stipend, travel, insurance. Check the specific program database.

Application: Germany seeks talent, often in STEM and development fields. You apply directly through the DAAD portal or sometimes through the German university, depending on the scholarship program. Application deadlines vary wildly depending on the program – some are yearly (often autumn/fall), others have rolling deadlines or specific calls. You must search the DAAD scholarship database for programs relevant to your country/field/level to find deadlines.

10. EAC Scholarship Programme (East African Community)

Partnerships are primarily with universities within the EAC partner states (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, DRC), sometimes involving IUCEA or development partners.

Offers fully or partially funded scholarships, targeting citizens of the EAC Partner States.

Typically for Master’s degrees, sometimes Bachelor’s or PhD, often in priority areas like STEM or regional integration fields.

Coverage varies – could be tuition, stipend, allowances. Check the specific call.

Application: These aren’t always running; they’re announced periodically. You need to monitor the EAC or IUCEA websites for specific calls for applications. When announced, applications are usually submitted directly based on the instructions in the call. There’s no fixed annual cycle.