Win Merit-Based Master’s Scholarships for STEM and Business Students

Fully funded scholarships can make studying abroad attainable for African students by covering tuition, accommodation, living stipends and even travel costs. In fact, “more than 2000 fully funded scholarships are available at world top universities for African students,” often providing an average monthly stipend of about $1,000 along with tuition, housing, health insurance and travel allowance.

These international scholarships 2025 Africa include prestigious programs like the U.S. Fulbright, UK Chevening and Commonwealth awards, Germany’s DAAD, Japan’s MEXT, and many others.

Below is an overview of the top fully-funded scholarships open to African applicants, with their main benefits and how to apply.

• Fulbright Foreign Student Program (USA): This U.S. government scholarship is fully funded for master’s and PhD studies. It “covers full tuition fee, a living stipend, full accommodation fee, airfare and health insurance”. Fulbright operates in 160+ countries (including many African nations), so interested students apply through their national Fulbright Commission or U.S. embassy. Applicants generally need a strong academic record, leadership potential, and English proficiency. To apply, check the Fulbright office in your home country for country-specific requirements and deadlines.

• Chevening Scholarships (UK): The UK’s Chevening program offers one-year master’s scholarships to emerging leaders worldwide. Chevening is fully-funded, covering tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, and an economy return airfare to the UK. It also includes visa support and additional grants. African students can apply through the British Council or UK embassy in their country by the annual deadline (typically in November). Eligible candidates need to demonstrate leadership, a strong academic background, and a plan to contribute to their home country.

• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK): Managed by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, these awards fund postgraduate study for students from Commonwealth countries (many African nations). Most Commonwealth Scholarships are fully funded – covering tuition, airfare, living allowance and other costs. For example, awardees receive “airfare to and from the UK and a living allowance” in addition to tuition. To apply, candidates usually apply through a national nominating agency or university in their country. Requirements include an excellent academic record, a development-relevant study plan, and English language proficiency. (Applications open annually around mid-year with deadlines often in the autumn.)

• DAAD Scholarships (Germany): The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers various scholarships open to Africans. For example, the DAAD Leadership for Africa (LFA) scholarships support master’s studies in Germany. LFA awards are fully funded: scholars get a monthly stipend of €934 plus health and liability insurance. More general DAAD scholarships for African students also cover tuition waivers and stipends (often €850–€1,200/month). Applicants need a first degree, strong academics, and usually a project proposal. Applications are made online through the DAAD portal, with deadlines typically in late autumn for study starting the following year.

• Chinese Government Scholarships (China): China’s government funds thousands of international students each year. The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) covers tuition, accommodation, basic medical insurance, and a monthly living allowance (up to 3,500 RMB). It is open to bachelor, master’s and PhD candidates, including students from Africa. Applicants submit an online form (via the CSC portal) and apply to a Chinese university or authorized agency. The scholarship does not explicitly cover airfare, but it eliminates nearly all study costs. Deadlines vary by country or university (typically in spring).

• MEXT Scholarships (Japan): Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) offers fully funded scholarships for undergraduate, master’s and PhD study. MEXT covers full tuition, accommodation, a generous monthly stipend, and even round-trip airfare from your home country. African students apply through the Japanese embassy or via Japanese universities’ embassy recommendation programs. Eligibility requires excellent academic standing and (for some programs) passing an entrance examination. Deadlines are usually in the spring for studies starting the following April.

• Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia): Australia’s government offers Australia Awards Scholarships for African candidates (under the Australia Awards Africa program). These are long-term awards for master’s (and some undergraduate) programs in Australia. They cover full tuition, a return economy airfare, an establishment allowance, and a fortnightly living stipend. Scholars also receive health insurance and other support. Africans from eligible countries apply through the Australian embassy or the Australia Awards Africa website. Selection is competitive, based on leadership potential and proposed contribution to the home country. Applications typically open mid-year with deadlines around late autumn.

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: The Mastercard Foundation partners with many universities to support African leaders. For example, Arizona State University’s Mastercard Scholars offer fully funded graduate study. These scholarships include full tuition fees, accommodation, and comprehensive support for the program. The ASU program (open to African citizens) also provides mentorship and leadership training. Similar initiatives exist at other partner institutions in Africa, Canada and the U.S. Applicants should look at participating universities’ Mastercard Foundation websites for application details. In general, candidates need to meet the university’s admission standards and demonstrate leadership and commitment to social impact.

• Eni‑Oxford Africa Scholarships (UK): Funded by energy firm Eni, this scholarship is exclusively for African students pursuing an MBA at Oxford’s Saïd Business School. It is fully funded, covering the entire MBA tuition, a living expenses stipend, and a return economy airfare to the UK. Each year a small number of awards are given, open to citizens of sub-Saharan African countries. Applicants apply to Oxford’s MBA program and are then considered for the Eni‑Oxford scholarship. Eligibility includes a first-class or strong upper second degree, proven leadership, and relevant professional experience.

• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (Switzerland): Switzerland offers the Excellence Scholarship for foreign postgraduate students. It is fully funded: recipients receive a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, health insurance, housing allowance, and even an airfare. This program is open to African (and other) candidates for PhD or postdoctoral research in Switzerland. Applicants must first be accepted by a Swiss university before applying for the scholarship via the Swiss embassy in their country. The process is competitive, requiring excellent academic credentials and a strong research proposal.

How to Apply for Fully Funded Scholarships

Applying for a fully funded scholarship requires careful preparation and meeting each program’s criteria. Here are key steps:

1. Identify suitable scholarships. Start by researching programs that match your level (undergraduate, master’s, PhD), field of study and nationality. Use official scholarship websites, embassies, or scholarship portals to find “fully funded scholarships for African students” and note their requirements and deadlines.

2. Check eligibility and deadlines. Ensure you meet nationality, academic background and language requirements. For example, many deadlines fall in the late year for next-year intakes (e.g. Commonwealth Scholarships in Oct, MEXT in April, etc.). Missing a deadline means waiting another year, so apply early.

3. Gather documents. Prepare transcripts, degree certificates, reference letters, CV, and any test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc.) well in advance. Draft a strong personal statement or study proposal explaining your goals and impact.

4. Submit applications. Apply through the official channel – this might be an online portal, embassy nomination, or university application. Double-check that you’ve filled every part correctly and submitted all required documents by the deadline.

5. Interview/selection. Some scholarships (e.g. Fulbright, Chevening) include interviews or additional assessments. If shortlisted, be prepared to discuss your achievements and study plans.

6. Accept and prepare. If awarded, follow instructions to accept the scholarship. You’ll typically receive guidance on visa application, travel and arrival. Remember that many scholarships require you to return home after completing your studies.

Each scholarship program provides detailed “how to apply” instructions on its website, so read those carefully. With strong preparation and timely applications, these top international scholarships can fully cover your 2025 study abroad costs and make your academic ambitions a reality.