Introduction
Are you an ambitious student from Africa dreaming of studying abroad but worried about the cost? Scholarships can make your dream a reality. In 2025, several international scholarships are open to African students—covering tuition, living expenses, airfare, and more. In this post, we’ll walk you through 10 top scholarships you should apply for, along with eligibility tips and deadlines.
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Chevening is the UK government’s global scholarship program. It offers fully funded one-year master’s degrees at top UK universities.
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Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree, leadership experience, return-to-home-country commitment.
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Coverage: Tuition, flights, monthly stipend, visa costs.
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Deadline: Typically in November.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Open to students from Commonwealth countries, this program supports master's and PhD study in the UK.
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Eligibility: Must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country; academic merit.
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Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, living allowance.
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Deadline: Usually in October.
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Germany offers generous postgraduate scholarships via DAAD to African students in various disciplines.
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Eligibility: Strong academic performance, relevant work experience.
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Coverage: Tuition (where applicable), monthly stipend, health insurance, travel.
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Deadline: Varies by program.
4. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
Partnered with institutions in Africa, Canada, and the US, this scholarship helps young leaders from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Eligibility: Academic excellence, leadership potential, financial need.
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Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, travel, and mentorship.
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Deadline: Varies by university.
5. Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA)
The Fulbright program offers scholarships for graduate study and research in the U.S.
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Eligibility: Strong academic background, leadership, English proficiency.
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Coverage: Tuition, airfare, living expenses, health insurance.
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Deadline: Usually May to October (varies by country).
6. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (Europe)
This EU initiative offers scholarships for joint master’s degrees in multiple European universities.
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Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, motivation for international study.
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Coverage: Tuition, travel, living allowance, insurance.
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Deadline: December to March.
7. Swedish Institute Scholarships (Sweden)
Sweden offers scholarships to international students pursuing master’s degrees at Swedish universities.
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Eligibility: Work experience, academic excellence, leadership potential.
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Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend, insurance, travel.
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Deadline: Usually in February.
8. Australian Awards Scholarships
The Australian Government funds students from developing countries for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study.
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Eligibility: Academic merit, development impact.
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Coverage: Tuition, travel, establishment allowance, living costs.
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Deadline: Between February and May.
9. VLIR-UOS Scholarships (Belgium)
This scholarship supports master's programs in development-related fields at Belgian universities.
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Eligibility: Citizen of a VLIR-UOS eligible country in Africa or Asia.
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Coverage: Full tuition, accommodation, travel.
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Deadline: Usually around February or March.
10. Japanese MEXT Scholarships (Japan)
MEXT offers fully funded scholarships to international students for undergraduate and graduate programs in Japan.
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Eligibility: Academic excellence, health certificate, age limits (usually under 35).
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Coverage: Tuition, airfare, monthly allowance.
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Deadline: April to May (varies by embassy).
Final Tips for Scholarship Applications
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Start Early: Many scholarships open a year in advance.
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Perfect Your Documents: Prepare a strong CV, motivation letter, and references.
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Apply to Many: Don’t limit yourself to one opportunity.
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Stay Alert: Follow official websites or scholarship blogs (like this one!) for deadlines and updates.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of scholarships out there, and these 10 are some of the best for African students in 2025. Whether you’re pursuing a Master’s, PhD, or undergraduate degree, there’s likely a program that matches your goals. Start preparing now, and take your future into your own hands.