29 Top International fully funded scholarship for Africans to Apply

21. Oppenheimer Fund Scholarships

The main international partnership is with the University of Oxford, UK. Also supports the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust in South Africa.

Offers graduate scholarships for study at Oxford.

Preference is given to candidates from South Africa applying to Oxford.

Targets Master’s and Doctoral (DPhil) degrees at Oxford.

Coverage can be fully funded or partial, often co-funded with Oxford.

Application: Linked to the Oppenheimer family legacy. You apply through the standard University of Oxford graduate application process. Indicate your eligibility/interest where prompted. Deadlines align with Oxford’s graduate course deadlines, usually around December or January for study starting the following October.

22. Reach Oxford Scholarships

This is an undergraduate scholarship specific to the University of Oxford, UK.

Provides financial support for students from low-income countries (includes many African nations – check Oxford’s DAC list criteria) who face barriers to higher education at home.

Targets undergraduate degrees (most subjects, excluding Medicine).

Coverage is comprehensive: course fees, living cost grant, one return flight per year.

Application: For your first undergrad degree, must intend to return home. Apply to Oxford via UCAS first (deadline usually mid-October). Then, you make a separate scholarship application directly to Oxford by a deadline usually in early February.

23. Rotary Foundation

Rotary International operates globally through local clubs. Scholars study at approved universities worldwide.

Offers Global Grants Scholarships (grad level) and Peace Fellowships (Master’s/professional dev).

Open to citizens globally, including all African countries with Rotary clubs.

Primarily Graduate-level (Master’s/PhD) for Global Grants. Peace Fellowships are specific Master’s/certificate programs at Rotary Peace Centers.

Coverage for Global Grants includes travel, tuition, living costs (min. $30k budget). Peace Fellowships are fully funded.

Application: Must align with Rotary’s Areas of Focus. You start by contacting your local Rotary club or district. The application process begins locally, often many months (even a year or more) before study starts. Deadlines for initial club endorsement can be very early. Peace Fellowship applications are submitted directly to The Rotary Foundation, typically due by mid-May.

24. Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program

This is specific to the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), USA.

It’s a fellowship providing financial support towards the MBA, primarily need-based.

Targets citizens of African countries (preference for residents). Dual citizens eligible if one citizenship is African.

Strictly for the MBA program at Stanford GSB.

Provides significant support up to $180,000 total towards tuition/fees over two years, based on need.

Application: Requires a two-year work commitment in Africa post-MBA. You apply for this fellowship as part of your main Stanford GSB MBA application. GSB has application rounds, typically with deadlines in September (Round 1), January (Round 2), and April (Round 3).

25. Stanford GSB Need-Based Fellowships

Also offered by Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), USA.

These are the general need-based financial aid fellowships available to all admitted students.

Open to all students, including those from all African countries.

For the MBA program at Stanford GSB.

Coverage varies based on demonstrated financial need, calculated after admission. Can be substantial (average around $44,000 per year).

Application: No specific Africa work commitment like the Africa MBA Fellowship. This is the main pool of aid. You apply for financial aid after you are admitted to the Stanford GSB MBA program, following their specific financial aid application deadlines which are shortly after admission offers.