Top Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students in 2026 

For many African students in 2026, scholarships are needed because the dream of studying abroad is often hindered by significant financial barriers, such as steep tuition fees, travel costs, and high living expenses. 

These economic hurdles frequently prevent highly qualified applicants from pursuing an international education. Fortunately, there are fully funded scholarships for African students in 2026 that serve as a vital bridge, alleviating this financial pressure by covering essential costs and reducing the need for personal funding.  

​In 2026, several governments will continue to offer comprehensive, fully funded scholarship programs for African students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. 

These schemes typically include full tuition coverage, monthly stipends, and travel support, ensuring students can focus entirely on their academic goals without the stress of financial strain.  

​Below are some fully funded scholarships available for African students in 2026; 

RUFORUM/Mastercard Foundation TAGDev 2.0 Scholarships 2026/2027 for young Africans (Fully Funded)

Deadline: 1st May 2026

This is one of the scholarships available for African students in 2026. Applications are now open for the 2026/2027 RUFORUM/Mastercard Foundation TAGDev 2.0 Scholarships.

The program is implemented by the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The scholarship is open to both female and male applicants. However, females, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

Applications are now open across the following partner universities:

• Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique
• Gulu University
• Egerton University
• Africa University
• University of the Free State
• Malawi University of Science and Technology
• University of Eldoret
• Uganda Martyrs University
• University of Port Harcourt
• University of Cape Coast
• University of Bamenda
• National University of Agriculture [ENG] National University of Agriculture [FR]

Selection Criteria

• Be a national of an African country
• Be economically disadvantaged, from marginalized communities, and/or coming from conflict and post-conflict areas
• Be less than 30 years for undergraduate and less than 35 years for master’s studies at the time of this call.

The applicant should meet the admission criteria to be eligible for a programme at the University.

• Demonstrate leadership qualities.
• Have a strong commitment to community transformation.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply
• The scholarship is open to both female and male applicants. However, females, refugees, internally displaced persons, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply

German Bundestag International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS) 2027 for young African Graduates (700 euros per month & Fully Funded to Berlin, Germany).

Deadline: 15 May 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027 German Bundestag International Parliamentary Scholarships (IPS). The German Parliament invites politically and socially committed young graduates from Southern Africa (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), and West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal) to Berlin in January for a scholarship program.

Eligibility criteria

• Citizenship of a participating country (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda)
• Under the age of 30 at the start of the scholarship/January 1st
• University degree
• Good knowledge of German (at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Interest in politics, social/political engagement

The Scholarship 

• Participants will receive a stipend of 700 Euros.
• Accommodation will be provided free of charge.
• Travel costs to and from Berlin will also be covered.
• The German Bundestag will also cover the cost of health, accident, and personal liability insurance.

How to Apply

Unlike in previous years, applications will no longer be submitted via email; instead, they must be submitted exclusively through the digital application platform IPS digital. Please note that applications must be submitted in German.

Your application must include:

• Recent language certificate
• Letter of motivation (in German, max. two pages, signed by you personally)
• Copy of passport or identity card as proof of citizenship of a participating country
• University degree certificate (in original or certified copy in English or German)
• A letter of recommendation (in German or English) from a professor/teacher or employer, who assesses the applicant’s suitability for the IPS program.

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) 2027 for Master’s degree study in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country. (Fully Funded)

Deadline: 3 June 2026, 15:00 UTC

Applications are now open for the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships. The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS) offer a unique opportunity to study a two-year master’s degree in a low or middle-income Commonwealth country.

Aimed at students who are committed to creating change in their communities, the scholarships are a life-changing opportunity to experience a new country and culture, to broaden horizons, and to build a global network that will last a lifetime.

Eligibility Requirements

Citizens (or those who hold refugee status) in a Commonwealth country are welcome to apply.

Benefits

• Fully-funded tuition fees
• Living allowance (stipend) for the duration of the award
• Return economy flights to the host country
• One-off arrival allowance
• Research Support Grant (on request only; subject to approval)

How to apply

Look through the list of countries and universities hosting scholarships in this cycle. Please note that only the courses listed are eligible for scholarship funding.

You must have attained a minimum of 2:1 or equivalent at the undergraduate level.

Visit the relevant university website for more information on your chosen course using the links included below.

Complete and submit a QECS application for your chosen university/course by clicking the ‘Apply now’ button. Once you’ve clicked apply, you’ll be directed to a login page. If you don’t already have a myACU account, please create a new account to get started.

Submit an application to your chosen university for admission to your chosen course.

The American University of Beirut (AUB) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2026/2027 for online master’s study (Fully Funded).

Deadline: May 18, 2026

Applications are now open for the Fall 2026/2027 American University of Beirut (AUB) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides full scholarships in partnership with the American University of Beirut (AUB).

 ​The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program ​aims to prepare young people to be agents of change in their communities, countries, and regions. Scholars attend a series of workshops, courses, and fieldwork in addition to the courses for their degrees.

The scholarship program is open for Fall admissions to the following five online graduate programs: 

• Master’s in​​ Engineering Management​ (Online)
• Master’s in Computing in Education (Online)​​
• Master’s in Business Administration (Online)
• Master’s in Nursing Administration and Management​ (online)
• ​Executive Master’s in Healthcare Leadership​ (Online)

Eligibility Requirements

• 35 years or younger
• Strong academic standing in their previous degree
• Talent that exceeds financial resources
• Demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to community engagement
• Commitment to attend additional learning experiences and workshops required by the Scholars Program
• Demonstration of Readiness for University Studies in English (RUSE) by June 30, 2026.
• ​Tests that you can submit: TOEFL IBT, IELTS (Academic), GRE (Verbal), GMAT (Verbal), or DUOLINGO English Test (DET).​

How to apply

Interested applicants should:

​Step ​1: Complete the AUB online graduate application and upload supporting documents by May 18​, 2026​.

Step ​2: Submit RUSE ​scores by June 30, 2026.

British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme 2026/2027 for experienced teachers and teacher educators (Fully Funded academic study visit to the UK)

Application Deadline: 30 April 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 British Council English and School Education Scholarships Scheme. The British Council is funding a new international scholarships scheme in collaboration with the University of Portsmouth and the University of Stirling, aimed at strengthening English language teaching in government school systems across Ghana, Kenya, Türkiye, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.

Scholars will commence their studies in September 2026 on flexible, part-time programmes lasting up to 30 months. Courses will be delivered entirely online and include a two-week study visit to the UK, enabling in-person academic collaboration, professional networking, and cultural exchange.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be passport holders and permanent residents of an eligible country
• Work in or directly with the government education system
• Be an active English language teacher or teacher educator
• Meet the academic entry criteria for the chosen master’s programme
• Show strong commitment to improving national ELT systems
• Participate in British Council monitoring and alumni activity
• Educators based in Ghana, Kenya, and Türkiye will undertake the MA TESOL (Distance Learning) with the University of Portsmouth, while participants from Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka will enrol on the MSc TESOL (Online) with the University of Stirling.
• Stirling: Up to 30 months
• Portsmouth: Up to 26 months
• Both are part‑time to allow you to continue working.

Is the learning fully online?

Yes — weekly materials released online.

Includes:

• Asynchronous study
• Occasional live/virtual sessions
• One‑to‑one tutor support
• Online dissertation supervision
• UK visit

Benefits

• The scheme will award 40 fully funded scholarships to experienced teachers and teacher educators to undertake part-time, online master’s qualifications in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) while continuing to work in their home countries.
• Each scholarship covers full tuition, along with return travel and living expenses for a bespoke two-week academic study visit to the UK.
• Full tuition fees for the online master’s
• Return flights to the UK
• Accommodation on campusssssss during the 2‑week visit
• Breakfast + living stipend for daily expenses during the visit
• Visa application fee reimbursement
• Reimbursement of one English language test fee

Application Timeline:

Scholarship applications close: 30 April 2026

Online study begins: September 2026

These fully funded scholarships for African students in 2026 stand out because they target diverse fields—from agriculture and public policy to democracy, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage—while prioritizing Sub-Saharan Africans, young women, and emerging leaders. 

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