African universities with scholarships for All Degrees

There is a growing number of African universities with scholarships aimed at supporting students across various academic levels. Below is a comprehensive guide to African universities offering scholarships across academic levels. This guide provides website links, eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines (when available), to help prospective students make informed decisions.

Scholarships at African Universities with Scholarships for Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD Students

Several African universities with scholarships also collaborate with international partners to provide fully funded opportunities.

1. University of Cape Town (UCT) – South Africa

Website: https://www.uct.ac.za
Scholarships:

UCT Entrance Scholarships (undergraduate) – awarded on academic merit
International and Refugee Scholarships (postgraduate)
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (undergraduate and postgraduate)

Requirements: Academic excellence, financial need (for need-based scholarships), valid academic transcripts, personal statement
Deadlines: Typically between July and September
Notes: Some scholarships require separate applications

2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – South Africa

Website: https://www.wits.ac.za
Scholarships:

Postgraduate Merit Awards
Wits-TETA MSc and PhD Bursaries
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Requirements: Degree-specific entry qualifications, personal statement, recommendation letters
Deadlines: Varies; most postgraduate scholarships close around September to November

3. University of Nairobi – Kenya

Website: https://www.uonbi.ac.ke
Scholarships:

Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (PhD)
DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships (in partnership)

Requirements: Research proposal (for graduate), academic transcripts, references
Deadlines: Around March to May (check specific calls annually)

4. Makerere University – Uganda

Website: https://www.mak.ac.ug
Scholarships:

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SIDA PhD Scholarships
Makerere-DAAD Postgraduate Scholarships

Requirements: Strong academic performance, need-based (for Mastercard), national ID/passport, transcripts
Deadlines: Usually between February and April

5. University of Ghana – Ghana

Website: https://www.ug.edu.gh
Scholarships:

Vice Chancellor’s Academic Intervention Scholarships
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
DAAD Postgraduate Scholarships

Requirements: Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above (for graduate scholarships), essay or personal statement, letters of recommendation
Deadlines: Mostly from January to May, depending on program

6. University of Ibadan – Nigeria

Website: https://www.ui.edu.ng
Scholarships:

PTDF Scholarships (Postgraduate)
TETFund Sponsored Scholarships (PhD)
DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships

Requirements: Academic transcripts, statement of purpose, institutional recommendation
Deadlines: Vary by funding agency; commonly from March to July

7. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – South Africa

Website: https://www.ukzn.ac.za
Scholarships:

Postgraduate Research Scholarships
UKZN Doctoral Scholarships
National Research Foundation (NRF) Funding

Requirements: For PhD – Master’s degree with research component; full academic record; research proposal
Deadlines: August to October for NRF-related funding

8. Université Cheikh Anta Diop – Senegal

Website: https://www.ucad.sn
Scholarships:

Senegalese Government Scholarships
CAMES Scholarships for Francophone Africa
DAAD for Francophone West Africa

Requirements: Language proficiency in French, transcripts, academic recommendation
Deadlines: Vary annually; typically announced in April–June

9. Cairo University – Egypt

Website: https://cu.edu.eg
Scholarships:

Government of Egypt Scholarships (mostly for Arab and African countries)
Research Grants for PhD students
UNESCO Fellowships in collaboration

Requirements: Academic excellence, Arabic/English proficiency, country-specific eligibility
Deadlines: Usually in March–July

10. Addis Ababa University – Ethiopia

Website: https://www.aau.edu.et
Scholarships:

AAU Graduate Scholarships (limited number)
Partnerships with NORAD, DAAD, and others
African Union Scholarships

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree (min GPA 2.75), CV, proposal for graduate applicants
Deadlines: Often announced between April and June

11. Université Mohammed V – Morocco

Website: https://www.um5.ac.ma
Scholarships:

Moroccan Government Scholarships for African students
AMCI (Agence Marocaine de Coopération Internationale) scholarships
Erasmus+ Partnerships

Requirements: Academic transcripts, French proficiency (some programs), official nomination through home country
Deadlines: Announced annually, usually between May and July
Notes: Priority given to students from Sub-Saharan Africa under bilateral agreements

12. University of Khartoum – Sudan

Website: https://www.uofk.edu
Scholarships:

Sudanese Government Scholarships for African/Arab students
Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Scholarships

Requirements: Strong academic records, letter of motivation, proof of nationality
Deadlines: Generally around June–August

13. Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny – Côte d’Ivoire

Website: https://www.univ-fhb.edu.ci
Scholarships:

CAMES Scholarships for students from Francophone countries
Ivory Coast Ministry of Higher Education Bourses
Partnership scholarships with AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie)

Requirements: French language proficiency, strong academic performance, nationality from Francophone Africa
Deadlines: Varies; AUF calls often close in March–June

14. Université de Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso

Website: http://www.univ-ouaga.bf
Scholarships:

Burkinabè Government Scholarships (licence, Master, and PhD)
DAAD In-Region scholarships (for West African students)
AUF mobility grants

Requirements: French-language documents, nationality within ECOWAS for regional scholarships
Deadlines: Scholarship calls generally issued March–May

15. University of Zambia (UNZA)

Website: https://www.unza.zm
Scholarships:

HELSB (Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board) for Zambians
DAAD In-Region Scholarships
SADC Scholarships (regional opportunities)

Requirements: Academic transcripts, proof of residency/citizenship, reference letters
Deadlines: HELSB closes typically in February, DAAD and SADC deadlines vary

16. University of Botswana

Website: https://www.ub.bw
Scholarships:

Botswana Government Scholarships (DTEF)
SADC Postgraduate Scholarships
DAAD and NRF partnerships for graduate studies

Requirements: Academic transcripts, acceptance into UB, citizenship (for national awards)
Deadlines: Government-funded programs close in January–April

17. Eduardo Mondlane University – Mozambique

Website: https://www.uem.mz
Scholarships:

Mozambican Government Scholarships
SADC & DAAD Regional Scholarships
Partnership with Brazil and Portugal for Lusophone countries

Requirements: Portuguese proficiency, academic transcripts, national ID
Deadlines: March–May for government programs; partner calls vary

18. University of Namibia (UNAM)

Website: https://www.unam.edu.na
Scholarships:

Namibian Government Financial Assistance Program (NSFAF)
DAAD/NAMCOL graduate scholarships
SADC PhD Mobility Programs

Requirements: Valid Namibian citizenship (for national funds), academic performance, proof of admission
Deadlines: NSFAF deadline around March, DAAD opens in August–October

19. Université Gaston Berger – Senegal

Website: https://www.ugb.sn
Scholarships:

National Bourses from the Senegalese government
AUF and CAMES scholarships
Partnerships with Francophone universities (Belgium, Canada)

Requirements: French-language academic documents, GPA threshold, African nationality (varies)
Deadlines: April to June most common

20. Rhodes University – South Africa

Website: https://www.ru.ac.za
Scholarships:

Mandela Rhodes Scholarships (postgraduate)
Rhodes University Postgraduate Bursaries
NRF Doctoral and Research Grants

Requirements: Bachelor’s or Honours degree with distinction (for Master’s), academic CV, motivation letter
Deadlines: Mandela Rhodes deadline is April, others vary from July–October

Why African Universities with Scholarships Matter

Access to quality higher education in Africa is rapidly expanding, with universities across the continent offering a wide range of scholarships to support deserving students at the undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels. These scholarships are not only a pathway to academic advancement but also a strategic tool for empowering young people to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development across sectors.

Whether supported by national governments, international partners, or institutional initiatives, these funding opportunities reflect a strong commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and regional cooperation. Aspiring students are strongly encouraged to explore university websites, stay updated on scholarship deadlines, and prepare competitive applications that highlight their academic strengths and career aspirations.

With the right information, preparation, and determination, students across Africa and beyond can take advantage of these scholarships to unlock life-changing educational experiences and build successful futures.

In conclusion, African universities with scholarships continue to offer life-changing opportunities to students across the continent.