Masters Scholarships for African Students: How to Find and Apply in 2024

Are you an African student looking for a way to pursue your master’s degree abroad or in Africa? Do you want to study in some of the best universities in the world, with financial support from various institutions and organizations? If yes, then you are in luck because there are many master’s scholarships for African students available for the academic year 2024-2025.

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In this article, we will guide you through the process of finding and applying for the best masters scholarships for African students, covering the following topics:

• What are the benefits of studying abroad or in Africa with a scholarship?
• What are the eligibility criteria and requirements for master’s scholarships for African students?
• What are the types and categories of master’s scholarships for African students?
• How to search for and find the most suitable master’s scholarships for African students?
• How to prepare and submit a successful application for master’s scholarships for African students?
• What are some of the best and most popular master’s scholarships for African students in 2024-2025?

What are the benefits of studying abroad or in Africa with a scholarship?

Studying abroad or in Africa with a scholarship can offer you many benefits, such as:

• Expanding your academic and professional horizons by accessing high-quality education and research opportunities in different fields and disciplines.
• Enhancing your intercultural and language skills by interacting with diverse cultures and people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
• Developing your personal and social skills by adapting to new environments and challenges, and making new friends and networks.
• Contributing to the development of your home country and continent by applying your knowledge and skills to address local and regional issues and needs.
• Save money and reduce financial stress by receiving full or partial funding for your tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other related expenses.

What are the eligibility criteria and requirements for master’s scholarships for African students?

The eligibility criteria and requirements for master scholarships for African students may vary depending on the specific scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization. However, some of the common criteria and requirements are:

• You must be a citizen of an African country, or have a permanent residence or refugee status in an African country.
• You must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, with a minimum academic performance or grade point average (GPA).
• You must have a valid admission offer or application for a master’s degree program at an accredited university, either abroad or in Africa.
• You must have a clear and feasible study plan and research proposal, aligned with the objectives and priorities of the scholarship program and the host institution.
• You must have a strong motivation and commitment to pursue your master’s degree and contribute to the development of your home country and continent.
• You must have a good command of the language of instruction, either English or French or any other language required by the host institution.
• You must meet any other specific criteria and requirements set by the scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization, such as age limit, gender balance, regional representation, field of study, etc.

What are the types and categories of master’s scholarships for African students?

There are different types and categories of master scholarships for African students, depending on the source and level of funding, the duration and location of study, the scope and coverage of expenses, and the target group and field of study. Some of the common types and categories are:

• Fully funded scholarships: These are scholarships that cover all or most of the expenses related to your master’s degree study, such as tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, health insurance, books, etc. Examples of fully funded scholarships are the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, the Wageningen University and Research Africa Scholarship Programme, and the E-JUST TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI.
• Partially funded scholarships: These are scholarships that cover only some of the expenses related to your master’s degree study, such as tuition fees, living expenses, or travel costs. You may need to find other sources of funding or self-finance the remaining expenses. Examples of partially funded scholarships are the UCL Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship, the UCL Global Masters Scholarship, and the FirstRand Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment Scholarship.
• In-country or in-region scholarships: These are scholarships that allow you to study in your home country or a neighboring country or region in Africa. These scholarships aim to promote regional integration and cooperation and to support local and regional institutions and capacities. Examples of in-country or in-region scholarships are the AIMS South Africa AI for Science Scholarship Program, the LSHTM MSc Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy and Programming Scholarship for Africa, and the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Africa Scholarship Program.
• Out-of-country or out-of-region scholarships: These are scholarships that allow you to study in a foreign country or region outside Africa. These scholarships aim to expose you to different cultures and experiences and to enhance your global competencies and networks. Examples of out-of-country or out-of-region scholarships are the Hanken School of Economics Master’s Degree Program Premium Scholarship for Students from Developing Countries, the FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship, and the LSHTM Fund Scholarship for Developing Countries.
• General or specific scholarships: These are scholarships that are open to all or specific groups of African students, depending on the criteria and requirements of the scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization. General scholarships are usually based on academic merit, financial need, leadership potential, or other general factors. Specific scholarships are usually based on gender, nationality, ethnicity, disability, or other specific factors. Examples of general scholarships are the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, the UCL Global Masters Scholarship, and the LSHTM Fund Scholarship for Developing Countries. Examples of specific scholarships are the UCL The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship, the FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship, and the E-JUST TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI.

How to search for and find the most suitable master’s scholarships for African students?

There are many sources and platforms that you can use to search for and find the most suitable masters scholarships for African students, such as:

• Scholarship websites and databases: These are websites and databases that provide comprehensive and updated information and listings of various master scholarships for African students, either abroad or in Africa. You can browse, filter, and compare different scholarship programs, and access the application details and deadlines. Examples of scholarship websites and databases are ScholarshipTab, ScholarshipSet, and AfterSchoolAfrica.
• University websites and portals: These are websites and portals that provide specific information and listings of master’s scholarships for African students offered by or affiliated with a particular university, either abroad or in Africa. You can search for and apply to the scholarship programs that match your preferred university and field of study. Examples of university websites and portals are UCL Scholarships, Wageningen University and Research Scholarships, and E-JUST Scholarships.
• Organization websites and newsletters: These are websites and newsletters that provide relevant information and listings of master’s scholarships for African students sponsored or supported by a particular organization, either governmental, non-governmental, or private. You can subscribe to and follow the organization’s updates and announcements, and apply to the scholarship programs that align with your interests and goals. Examples of organization websites and newsletters are Commonwealth Scholarships, FirstRand Scholarships, and LSHTM Scholarships.

How to prepare and submit a successful application for master’s scholarships for African students?

The application process and procedures for master’s scholarships for African students may differ depending on the specific scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization. However, some of the common steps and tips are:

• Research and identify the scholarship programs that suit your profile, preferences, and aspirations. You can use the sources and platforms mentioned above to search for and find the most suitable master’s scholarships for African students.
• Check and confirm the eligibility criteria and requirements for each scholarship program that you are interested in. You can visit the official website or contact the scholarship provider for more information and clarification.
• Apply for admission to the master’s degree program that you want to pursue at the host institution if required. You can check the admission requirements and deadlines on the university website or portal, and submit your application online or offline.
• Prepare and submit your scholarship application, along with the required documents and materials, such as academic transcripts, certificates, diplomas, curriculum vitae, motivation letter, study plan, research proposal, recommendation letters, language test scores, etc. You can follow the application guidelines and instructions on the scholarship website or portal, and submit your application online or offline, before the deadline.
• Wait for the selection and notification of the scholarship results, which may take several weeks or months, depending on the scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization. You can check the status of your application on the scholarship website or portal, or contact the scholarship provider for updates and feedback.
• Accept or decline the scholarship offer, if you are selected as a scholarship recipient. You can confirm your acceptance or decline of the scholarship offer by following the procedures and conditions specified by the scholarship provider, and prepare for your departure and arrival, if applicable.

Conclusion

To conclude, this article has provided you with a comprehensive and practical guide on how to find and apply for the best master’s scholarships for African students in 2024-2025. We have covered the benefits, eligibility, types, categories, sources, platforms, steps, and tips for master’s scholarships for African students, as well as some of the best and most popular scholarship programs that you can apply for. We hope that this article has inspired and motivated you to pursue your master’s degree with a scholarship and to achieve your academic and professional goals. We wish you all the best in your scholarship search and application and your future studies and career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find the best master’s scholarships for African students that match my profile and preferences?

You can use various sources and platforms to search for and find the most suitable master’s scholarships for African students, such as scholarship websites and databases, university websites and portals, and organization websites and newsletters. You can also download our free guide on how to find scholarships to study abroad here.

What are the common eligibility criteria and requirements for master’s scholarships for African students?

The eligibility criteria and requirements for master scholarships for African students may vary depending on the specific scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization. However, some of the common criteria and requirements are citizenship or residence in an African country, bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification, admission offer or application for a master’s degree program, clear and feasible study plan and research proposal, strong motivation and commitment, and good command of the language of instruction.

What are the types and categories of master’s scholarships for African students?

There are different types and categories of master scholarships for African students, depending on the source and level of funding, the duration and location of study, the scope and coverage of expenses, and the target group and field of study. Some of the common types and categories are fully-funded scholarships, partially-funded scholarships, in-country or in-region scholarships, out-of-country or out-of-region scholarships, and general or specific scholarships.

How can I prepare and submit a successful application for master’s scholarships for African students?

The application process and procedures for master’s scholarships for African students may differ depending on the specific scholarship program, the host institution, and the donor organization. However, some of the common steps and tips are to research and identify the scholarship programs that suit your profile and preferences, check and confirm the eligibility criteria and requirements, apply for admission to the master’s degree program, prepare and submit your scholarship application along with the required documents and materials, wait for the selection and notification of the scholarship results, and accept or decline the scholarship offer.

What are some of the best and most popular master’s scholarships for African students in 2024-2025?

Some of the best and most popular master scholarships for African students in 2024-2025 are the Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships, the Wageningen University and Research Africa Scholarship Programme, the E-JUST TICAD8 African Scholarship for STI, the UCL The Bartlett Promise Sub-Saharan Africa Master’s Scholarship, and the FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship.