Scholarships for African Students 2027 (Fully Funded)

For African students targeting a 2027 start, the fully funded scholarship map is bigger than any single programme. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program funds undergraduate and master’s study through universities across Africa, Europe and North America. The UK’s Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships cover most African countries between them. Germany’s DAAD EPOS list includes almost the whole continent, the EU’s Erasmus Mundus is open to every nationality, Australia Awards runs a dedicated Africa programme for 25 eligible countries, and Türkiye Burslari and Japan’s MEXT accept applications from African students worldwide. The real work is eligibility: each programme draws its map differently, and applying to a scheme your country is not eligible for is the most common wasted effort.

This guide is built only from verified, official information: eligible-country lists from DFAT and the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, current stipend figures from the official programme pages, and the actual 2026–2027 application windows. Where a programme’s country list is the decisive factor, we spell it out. Use it alongside the StudyGraduate scholarships directory to build a personal application calendar for the 2027 intake.

Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students 2027 at a Glance

1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is the largest Africa-focused scholarship ecosystem in this guide. It develops young African leaders — with a strong emphasis on women (the programme prioritises female applicants), people with disability and displaced young people — through partner universities rather than a central application. African partners include Ashesi University and KNUST (Ghana), Makerere University (Uganda), the University of Rwanda, African Leadership University, Carnegie Mellon University Africa (Rwanda), and the University of Cape Town and University of Pretoria (South Africa). International partners include the University of Edinburgh and University of Cambridge (UK), Sciences Po (France), and McGill University and the University of Toronto (Canada). The University of Toronto’s graduate stream recruits through the Africa Health Collaborative, whose partner network spans institutions such as Addis Ababa University, Moi University, KNUST, Ashesi and the University of Cape Town.

Eligibility is consistent in spirit — academic talent, economic disadvantage, leadership potential and commitment to giving back — but the mechanics differ by partner: age limits (undergraduate admissions are aimed at young applicants, typically 29 or under at many partners), eligible nationalities, degree levels and deadlines are all set locally. For the 2027 intake, partner windows are spread across the year: to illustrate the pattern from official partner announcements, the University of Cape Town’s postgraduate call closed on 31 October 2026 and Sciences Po’s master’s window in late November–mid December 2026. Always work from the partner university’s own page, not from round-up posts.

2. Chevening Scholarships — UK

Chevening is the UK Government’s global scholarship for one-year master’s degrees, open to citizens of more than 160 countries and territories — in Africa, that means the overwhelming majority of countries, from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya to Ethiopia, Senegal and Zimbabwe. It covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend, return airfare, the visa application fee and arrival and homeward allowances. Eligibility requires a degree that qualifies you for UK postgraduate study, at least two years (2,800 hours) of work experience, applications to three eligible UK master’s courses with one unconditional offer by the set deadline, and a commitment to return home for at least two years. For 2027/28 entry, applications opened in August 2026 and closed on 6 October 2026; shortlisted candidates are interviewed at British embassies and high commissions between February and April. If you missed this round, the cycle repeats annually — use the year to build work experience and offers. Start shortlisting UK universities in our universities directory and compare them in the rankings section.

3. Commonwealth Master’s and Shared Scholarships — UK

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) funds master’s study in the UK for citizens of eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who could not otherwise afford it. The eligible African list is long — it includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mauritius, Togo and The Gambia among others — but note the limits: non-Commonwealth African countries (for example Ethiopia, Senegal or Côte d’Ivoire) are not eligible, and some schemes apply through nominating agencies in your country. The package covers approved airfare, full tuition fees, a stipend of £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month in London (rates verified against the CSC’s published terms for the recent cycle — they are reviewed between cycles, so confirm for your application year), a warm clothing allowance, study travel grants, and a child allowance for scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents. You need a first degree of at least upper second-class standard (or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) and your course must fit one of the CSC’s development themes. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships follow the same country eligibility, with applications made both to the CSC and to the participating UK university for an approved course.

4. DAAD EPOS — Germany

Germany’s DAAD EPOS programme funds development-related master’s and PhD courses for professionals from developing and emerging countries. Its eligible country list covers almost all of Africa — including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Senegal and South Africa — making it one of the most geographically inclusive schemes in this guide. Funding is €992 per month for master’s students and €1,300 per month for doctoral candidates (rising to €1,400 from February 2026 in current calls), plus health, accident and liability insurance, a travel allowance, and potentially a rent subsidy and family allowances. The decisive eligibility rules are a bachelor’s degree normally no more than six years old and at least two years of relevant professional experience. Applications go directly to the listed courses (deadlines vary, many between August and October), and since German public universities charge little or no tuition, the package is effectively complete. Applicants without a scholarship should note Germany’s blocked-account requirement of €11,904 per year for the student visa.

5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — Europe

Erasmus Mundus is the one programme in this guide with no nationality filter at all: applicants from every African country compete on merit for scholarships attached to joint master’s programmes delivered by consortia of universities in at least three countries. The scholarship covers all participation costs and pays €1,400 per month for up to 24 months (maximum €33,600), from which travel, visa and living costs are met (see the official Erasmus Mundus page). You need a bachelor’s degree (or to be in your final year), and you apply to each consortium directly — most open between October and January for an autumn start. Because there is no work-experience requirement and no return-home condition, Erasmus Mundus is often the strongest option for high-performing recent graduates. The risk is competition: shortlist several consortia in your field and tailor each application.

6. Australia Awards — Africa Programme

Australia Awards is the Australian Government’s flagship scheme, and DFAT’s official list of eligible African countries (see the DFAT participating countries page) for the current programme comprises 25 countries: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Africa the programme focuses on master’s degrees (and short courses) in priority fields — agriculture and food security, climate change, foreign policy and international security, gender, disability and social inclusion, and mining and energy. The package covers full tuition, return airfare, a fortnightly living-expense contribution, a one-off establishment allowance of AUD 5,000, the compulsory Introductory Academic Program and OSHC, and it requires scholars to return home for at least two years afterwards. For study commencing in 2027, applications opened on 1 February 2026 and closed on 30 April 2026; the programme runs annually on the same pattern, so 2028-intake applicants should prepare for a February 2027 opening. African PhD candidates are not served by this programme — target Australian university research scholarships based on the Research Training Program instead (base stipend AUD 35,550 per year for 2027), for example at the University of Melbourne or the University of Queensland.

7. Türkiye Burslari and MEXT — the Open-to-All Routes

Türkiye Burslari accepts citizens of every country except Türkiye, and its package is one of the most complete at undergraduate level — a level where fully funded options for Africans are scarce. Current official stipends are 6,500 TL per month (undergraduate), 9,500 TL (master’s) and 13,000 TL (PhD), as published on the official Türkiye Scholarships page, with tuition, accommodation, health insurance, return flights and a one-year Turkish language course included. Age limits (under 21/30/35 by level) and minimum grades (70%, or 90% for health sciences) apply. The single annual window is 10 January – 20 February via the TBBS online system.

MEXT, Japan’s government scholarship, is applied for through the Japanese embassy in your own country, in Research, Undergraduate and College of Technology categories, covering tuition, a monthly stipend and round-trip airfare. Each embassy sets its own dates — typically an April–May application window followed by written exams and interviews — so check your embassy’s site early in the year. MEXT is one of the few fully funded routes that starts at undergraduate level and does not require prior university admission.

What “Fully Funded” Should Mean in Your Budget

Before treating any award as a complete solution, read its package the way a finance officer would. Check whether the stipend is paid for twelve months a year or only for teaching months; whether accommodation is provided in kind (Türkiye Burslari, CSC) or must be rented from the stipend (DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth); whether the award pays for dependants (most do not, although DAAD EPOS offers family allowances and the Commonwealth scheme offers a child allowance for eligible single parents); and whether you must fund anything upfront, such as a visa fee, medical examination or your first month’s rent before the first stipend payment lands. Erasmus Mundus is the clearest example of a generous but self-managed package: the €1,400 monthly scholarship must stretch to travel between consortium countries, visa costs and settling-in expenses, so scholars who budget the first semester carefully fare noticeably better than those who spend the initial payments as if they were salary. None of this diminishes these awards — they remain life-changing — but a realistic budget is part of a strong application, and several programmes ask about financial planning at interview.

Eligibility: Read the Country Lists Before Anything Else

Africa is not one eligibility zone. Before writing a single essay, check your country against each programme:

• Pan-African / all-Africa: Erasmus Mundus (all nationalities), Türkiye Burslari (all non-Turkish citizens), DAAD EPOS (almost all African countries), Chevening (almost all African countries — confirm yours on chevening.org), Mastercard Foundation (African applicants, subject to each partner’s own nationality rules).
• Commonwealth Africa only: Commonwealth Master’s and Shared Scholarships — you must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country; francophone and lusophone non-Commonwealth countries are excluded.
• Listed African countries only: Australia Awards Africa — the 25 DFAT-listed countries named in Section 6; if your country is not listed this cycle, you cannot apply, however strong your file.
• Embassy-based: MEXT — eligibility is simply having a Japanese embassy scholarship programme in your country, which covers most of Africa, but categories and quotas vary.

How to Apply: A 2027 Strategy in Steps

1. Map your eligibility (September–October 2026). Build a shortlist using the country lists above plus level and experience filters: recent graduates lean on Erasmus Mundus, MEXT and Mastercard; professionals with 2+ years add DAAD EPOS, Chevening and Australia Awards.
2. Sequence the calendar. Order your applications by deadline — Mastercard partner calls and DAAD courses from autumn 2026, Erasmus Mundus October–January, Türkiye Burslari in January–February 2027, Australia Awards February–April 2027 for the 2028 intake, MEXT in spring 2027. Keep every date in one tracker — the StudyGraduate tools section includes a deadline tracker for exactly this.
3. Prepare one strong document set. Transcripts and certificates (with certified translations where needed), passport, CV, references, and English scores where required. Prepare your English test early if your targets include Erasmus Mundus consortia or EPOS courses — see our test preparation resources.
4. Apply through official channels only. Every programme here is free to apply to: partner university portals (Mastercard), chevening.org, cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk, the DAAD course pages, consortium websites, OASIS for Australia Awards, TBBS for Türkiye, and your Japanese embassy for MEXT.
5. Write the development case. Mastercard, Commonwealth, Australia Awards and DAAD all select for impact at home. Your essays should name a concrete problem, the skills the degree gives you, and the institution or community you will work with afterwards.
6. Prepare for interviews and tests. Chevening and Australia Awards interview shortlisted candidates; MEXT examines in writing; Türkiye interviews after evaluation. Practise out loud, in English, with your study plan and return plan.

Required Documents (Core Set Across Programmes)

• Passport and, where asked, proof of citizenship/residency in an eligible country.
• Degree certificates and full transcripts (for undergraduates: secondary school certificate and results).
• Certified English translations of documents not in English (essential for francophone and lusophone applicants).
• Two references — academic and/or professional, on letterhead.
• CV showing work experience with dates and duties (mandatory evidence for DAAD EPOS and Chevening’s 2,800 hours).
• English test scores where the course or consortium requires them.
• Personal statement / development impact statement tailored to each funder.
• Research proposal for PhD applications (DAAD EPOS doctoral, MEXT Research).
• Proof of financial need where the programme requires it (Commonwealth; Mastercard Foundation partners).

2027 Application Timeline

Selection Tips That Actually Move the Needle

Apply to several programmes, in sequence. The calendar above is staggered for a reason. A realistic 2027 campaign for a strong African graduate is: two or three Erasmus Mundus consortia, one DAAD EPOS course, Türkiye Burslari, and one Mastercard partner — five serious applications across six months, reusing one core document set.

Match the funder’s mission. Mastercard wants leaders who will give back to Africa; Commonwealth and Australia Awards want development impact in your country; DAAD wants professionals who will apply the degree in a development-related role. Rewrite the motivation statement for each funder — identical generic essays underperform everywhere.

Evidence, don’t assert. Leadership claims need artefacts: the club you founded, the community project, employer letters with dates. Chevening’s work-experience hours and EPOS’s two-year rule are checked against documents, not essays.

Mind the unglamorous filters. Age limits (Türkiye; some Mastercard partners), degree-age limits (EPOS normally six years), and country eligibility eliminate more African applicants than interviews do. Read them first.

Common Mistakes

• Applying to Commonwealth scholarships from a non-Commonwealth country — eligibility is citizenship-based and strict.
• Assuming Australia Awards covers all of Africa — only the 25 DFAT-listed countries, and master’s-focused.
• Looking for a central Mastercard Foundation application form — there is none; each partner university runs its own call.
• Quoting or budgeting with outdated stipends — for example the old Türkiye Burslari 4,500 TL undergraduate rate; the current official figure is 6,500 TL.
• Missing that Chevening requires two years of work experience and a two-year return-home commitment.
• Paying agents or “scholarship consultants” who guarantee awards — every programme here is free and direct; guarantees are fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fully funded scholarships for African students in 2027?

The strongest verified options are the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (undergraduate and master’s, via partner universities), Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships (UK), DAAD EPOS (Germany), Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU), Australia Awards (25 eligible African countries), Türkiye Burslari, and MEXT (Japan). Which is “best” depends on your country, level and work experience — use the eligibility section above to filter.

Can African students apply for scholarships without work experience?

Yes. Erasmus Mundus, MEXT, Türkiye Burslari and most Mastercard Foundation undergraduate calls do not require work experience. DAAD EPOS and Chevening require at least two years, and Australia Awards Africa targets experienced professionals.

Which African countries are eligible for Australia Awards?

DFAT’s current list for Africa is: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The programme focuses on master’s study in priority fields.

How much does the Mastercard Foundation scholarship pay?

There is no single amount: each partner university sets its package, which generally covers the full cost of attendance (tuition, accommodation, living stipend, books and often a laptop) plus leadership and mentoring support. Check the specific partner’s call for the exact package and eligible nationalities.

What is the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship stipend?

At the current CSC rates verified for the recent cycle, the stipend is £1,712 per month, or £2,000 per month for scholars at universities in the London metropolitan area, on top of full tuition and approved airfare. Rates are reviewed between cycles — confirm the figures in the CSC’s terms for your application year.

Is Erasmus Mundus really open to all African countries?

Yes. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships are open to applicants of all nationalities. The scholarship covers participation costs and pays €1,400 per month for up to 24 months (maximum €33,600). You apply directly to each consortium, mostly between October and January.

Can I apply for undergraduate scholarships as an African student?

Fully funded undergraduate routes are fewer but real: Mastercard Foundation undergraduate partners (such as Ashesi, ALU, Makerere and the University of Rwanda), Türkiye Burslari (under-21 age limit), and MEXT Undergraduate via your Japanese embassy. Chevening, Commonwealth Master’s, DAAD EPOS and Australia Awards are postgraduate schemes.

Do any of these scholarships charge application fees?

No. Every programme in this guide is free to apply to through its official channel. Anyone demanding payment to “process” or guarantee one of these awards is not affiliated with the funders.

Related Guides

For a country-specific deep dive, see our guide to fully funded scholarships for Ethiopian students and to scholarships for Nigerian students in the UK, or browse the full scholarships directory.

Sources & Verification

• Mastercard Foundation — Scholars Program and partner universities, mastercardfoundation.org; University of Toronto Mastercard Foundation Scholars (Africa Health Collaborative); University of Cape Town and Sciences Po partner calls.
• Chevening — official eligibility and application timetable (2027/28 closed 6 October 2026), chevening.org.
• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships terms (eligible countries; stipend rates as verified for the recent cycle), cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk.
• DAAD — EPOS programme, eligible country list and funding rates, daad.de.
• European Commission, Erasmus+ — Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarship (€1,400/month, max 24 months), erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu.
• Australian Government DFAT — Australia Awards scholarships in Africa: eligible countries, priority fields and intake information, dfat.gov.au.
• Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) — Full-Time Scholarships (stipends 6,500/9,500/13,000 TL; 10 January – 20 February window), turkiyeburslari.gov.tr.
• Embassies of Japan (country scholarship pages) — MEXT categories and embassy application process.

Disclaimer: Scholarship details, amounts and dates change every cycle. This article reflects the official information verified at the time of writing; always confirm deadlines, eligibility and benefits on the official scholarship website before applying. StudyGraduate is an information portal, not an agency — we cannot promise or influence selection, admission or visa outcomes for any scholarship.