Top Fully Funded Master's Scholarships for African Students

For many African graduates, the cost of international tuition, accommodation, living expenses and travel can make a master's degree abroad seem out of reach. Fully funded scholarships can remove much of that financial barrier by covering tuition and, depending on the programme, living costs, travel, insurance and other study expenses.

This guide highlights major fully funded master's scholarship opportunities that African students should consider for the 2026–2027 application cycle. The opportunities span the UK, Germany, South Africa, Japan, the Netherlands and other destinations.

Important: Eligibility, deadlines, eligible countries and funding packages vary by programme and application cycle. Always confirm the latest requirements with the official scholarship provider before applying.

Top fully funded master's scholarships for African students

1. Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is one of the major UK-funded opportunities for students from eligible Commonwealth countries. It supports master's-level study in the UK and is particularly relevant to applicants who want to develop skills that can contribute to development in their home countries.

Best for: Eligible Commonwealth applicants from Africa seeking a master's degree in the UK.

2. DAAD Study Scholarship for Master's Studies

Germany's DAAD scholarship programmes provide funding opportunities for international graduates across a range of academic disciplines. The ScholarshipRight database includes a DAAD Study Scholarship for Master's Studies covering multiple academic disciplines.

Best for: African graduates looking for master's study opportunities in Germany across multiple fields.

3. DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses

DAAD development-related postgraduate scholarships support selected master's and postgraduate programmes in Germany, particularly programmes connected to development priorities.

Best for: Applicants whose academic and career goals align with development-related fields.

4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at University of Pretoria

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides opportunities for talented young Africans who face significant barriers to higher education. Partner universities determine their own eligible programmes and application procedures.

Best for: African students seeking fully funded master's opportunities at a leading South African university.

5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill University

McGill University is one of the international university partners involved in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The programme provides a route for eligible African students to pursue higher education with comprehensive scholarship support.

Best for: African applicants targeting graduate study in Canada.

6. Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship at University of Oxford

The Mastercard Foundation AfOx partnership supports talented African students pursuing postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. It combines financial support with an academic and leadership-focused community.

Best for: High-achieving African graduates targeting postgraduate study at Oxford.

7. Japan Africa Dream Scholarship (AfDB-JADS)

The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship is an African Development Bank partnership programme designed to provide postgraduate study opportunities for eligible African students at participating institutions in Japan and other eligible arrangements under the programme.

Best for: African professionals and graduates interested in development-focused master's study connected to participating Japanese institutions.

8. AIMS Master's in Mathematical Sciences Scholarship

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) provides advanced training opportunities in mathematical sciences. For students interested in mathematics, statistics, data science and related quantitative fields, AIMS can be an especially relevant option.

Best for: African students interested in mathematical sciences and quantitative disciplines.

9. Intra-Africa PERI-ACE Scholarship

Intra-Africa academic mobility programmes create opportunities for African students to pursue postgraduate study within the continent. The PERI-ACE scholarship is one such fully funded opportunity available in the ScholarshipRight database.

Best for: African applicants who want a fully funded postgraduate opportunity within Africa.

10. MMoCRA Scholarship — Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme

The MMoCRA scholarship is part of the Intra-Africa Academic Mobility framework and supports postgraduate mobility across participating African institutions and partner countries.

Best for: African students interested in postgraduate study through participating African academic institutions.

Which scholarship is best for you?

There is no single best scholarship for every applicant. The strongest option depends on your nationality, academic background, field of study, career goals and preferred destination.

Consider the following when comparing opportunities:

• Nationality: Some programmes are open across Africa while others target specific countries or regions.
• Degree level: Confirm that the award supports a master's programme rather than only undergraduate or doctoral study.
• Field of study: Some scholarships accept most disciplines while others are limited to specific fields.
• Funding coverage: Check whether the award covers tuition only or also provides accommodation, living expenses, travel and insurance.
• Application route: Some scholarships have a central application system, while others require applications through a university or programme.
• Deadline: Prioritise opportunities whose deadlines are approaching and leave enough time to prepare a competitive application.

What do fully funded scholarships usually cover?

A fully funded scholarship may cover several major study costs, including:

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living or maintenance allowance
• Accommodation or housing support
• Airfare or travel allowance
• Health insurance
• Research or study-related allowances
• Visa or relocation-related support in some programmes

However, fully funded does not mean every expense is guaranteed to be covered. Always read the official funding terms for the specific scholarship.

Common eligibility requirements

Although requirements vary, African master's scholarship applicants commonly need:

1. A bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
2. Strong academic performance.
3. Citizenship or eligibility under the scholarship's specified African or regional criteria.
4. Admission or an application to an eligible master's programme where required.
5. A CV or résumé.
6. Academic transcripts.
7. Recommendation letters.
8. A personal statement, motivation letter or scholarship essay.
9. Proof of English or another language where required.
10. A valid passport or national identification document where required.

Some programmes may also require professional experience, a research proposal, leadership experience or evidence of development impact.

How to improve your chances of winning a scholarship

Start before the deadline

Competitive scholarships often require multiple documents and several rounds of preparation. Starting early gives you time to improve your CV, identify suitable programmes and request strong recommendation letters.

Tell a clear story

Your application should connect your academic background, experience, proposed master's programme and long-term goals. Avoid presenting unrelated achievements without explaining why they matter.

Demonstrate impact

Many scholarships for African students look for candidates who can contribute to their communities, countries or wider society. Use specific examples of projects, leadership, research, employment or community work.

Choose programmes strategically

Do not apply only to the most famous scholarship in the world. Build a balanced portfolio containing highly competitive awards and opportunities where your academic and professional profile is a strong match.

Check the nationality rules

"Open to international students" does not always mean every African nationality is eligible. Check the precise country list and any regional restrictions before investing time in an application.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best fully funded master's scholarships for African students?

Major opportunities include Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, DAAD programmes, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programmes, AfDB-JADS, AIMS scholarships and selected Intra-Africa mobility programmes. The best choice depends on your nationality, field and target country.

Can Nigerian students apply for fully funded master's scholarships?

Yes. Nigerian students are eligible for many international scholarship programmes, although each scholarship has its own nationality and eligibility rules.

Can I get a fully funded master's scholarship without IELTS?

Sometimes. English-test requirements differ between scholarships and universities. Some programmes accept alternative evidence of English proficiency or leave language requirements to the host university, while others require a recognised test.

Do fully funded scholarships cover flights?

Some do, but not all. Travel support is scholarship-specific, so check the official benefits before assuming that airfare is included.

Should I apply for several scholarships at the same time?

Yes, provided you meet their eligibility requirements. Applying strategically to several well-matched opportunities can reduce your dependence on a single application.

Find more scholarships with ScholarshipRight

Scholarship opportunities change frequently. ScholarshipRight helps students discover opportunities and compare scholarships based on degree level, field, nationality, funding and other eligibility requirements.

Before submitting an application, always verify the latest deadline, eligibility criteria, funding package and application instructions on the official provider's website.