20 MOST PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFRICAN STUDENTS

Moving abroad to study can often be an expensive adventure to embark on. Tuition fees, accommodation, living costs and so many other things usually make it impossible for lots of students to even dream of a degree in another country. However, some students are so talented and show so much potentials that numerous institutions across the world want to invest in these young people and help them fulfil their dreams. Scholarships make the world a better place for students. Below are scholarships in the world that will you to study abroad for free.

 

MasterCard foundation Scholars programme: The vision of the MasterCard Foundation Scholars program is to educate and develop bright yet economically marginalized young people in Africa who have a demonstrated “give-back” ethos and who will contribute to the transformation of the continent. It will transition promising young people from beneficiaries to benefactors, preparing them with the values, knowledge, skills, and leadership to fuel economic and social progress across Africa. The Scholars Program is anticipated to benefit 15,000 young people within 8 to 10 years.

  1. UK – Commonwealth Scholarship ProgrammeEach year, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission invites each nominating agency, university or university body to forward a specific number of nominations for the commonwealth scholarship for developing countries. Approximately 200-230 scholarships are awarded each year.
  2. Australia Awards for AfricaThe Australia Awards for Africa is an initiative of

the Australian Government aimed to maximize the benefit of the Australian Government’s extensive scholarship programs, and to support enduring ties between Australia and neighboring African Countries. Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are available for full-time Postgraduate Diploma or Master Degree studies for African Nationals at Australian universities.

  1. Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships
    The  Joint Japan World Bank  Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) sponsors students from developing countries to pursue graduate studies leading to a master’s degree from preferred and partner universities around the world. The scholarship provides tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and travel allowance.
  2. UK – Chevening Scholarship: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Scholarship programme was established in 1983 and is now an internationally prestigious scheme with over 41,000 alumni. In 2011-12 there were over 700 Chevening Scholars studying at universities across the UK. Chevening Scholarships are currently offered in approximately 110 countries. Chevening awards enable Scholars to study a one-year postgraduate Master’s coursein any discipline at any UK university.
  3. UK – Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Programme:Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (with funding from DFID) and UK universities, to support scholarships for students from developing Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK. Since establishment in 1959, 27,000 individuals have benefited, with 120 to 150 awards every year. Scholarships are open to Commonwealth citizens. Awards are for postgraduate study (Masters and PhD).
  4. Sweden – Swedish Institute Study Scholarship:Swedish Institute Study Scholarships for 12 Developing Countries to study for Undergraduate and Master’s degree programme. The scholarship covers both the tuition fee and living expenses to the amount of SEK8,000 (€878.9799) per month. Scholarship holders within the SI Study Scholarships will receive a travel grant in connection with the scholarship. The travel grant is a lump sum of SEK 10.000. (€ 1098.7249).
  5. Any country – OFID Scholarship Award:Each year the OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) Scholarship is awarded to support an undergraduate student from any developing country, to pursue higher education in a relevant field of development, in any recognized university/college in the world. Through its scholarship scheme, OFID aims to help highly motivated, highly driven individuals overcome one of the biggest challenges to their careers – the cost of advanced professional or graduate training. The winner will receive up to US$100,000.

UK – Reach Oxford Scholarship – University of Oxford: A number of Oxford colleges offer Reach Oxford scholarships (formerly Oxford Student Scholarships) to students from developing countries who, for political or financial reasons, or because standard educational facilities do not exist, cannot study for a degree in their own countries. Scholarship winners will study at Oxford University, UK under any undergraduate course of study, except Medicine due to the course length and expense. The scholarship covers University and college fees, full grant for living expenses, return flight to the UK at the start and end of the course per year.

  1. Germany – DAAD ScholarshipDAAD Scholarship Programmes have benefited hundreds of African students since inception. The scholarships are awarded each year to postgraduate students wishing to study for a Master’s or PhD degree. The DAAD scholarships can support students who want to study in their country (In Country Scholarships) or abroad. Annual application deadline for this scholarship is 15 October every year.
  2. Fulbright Foreign ScholarshipFulbright Foreign Student Scholarships Program is offered for Masters, PhD and non-degree postgraduate studies to study at USA Universities. Scholarship is open for approximately 4,000 international students of more than 155 countries worldwide.
  3. New Zealand Development Scholarships for African Students
    The New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) offers the opportunity for international students from selected developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to study in New Zealand to gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in specific subject areas that will assist in the development of their home country.  The scholarships include tuition fees, travel costs, living allowance, and insurance.
  4. Fully-Funded Rotary Peace Fellowship for Masters and Professional Programs
    The Rotary Foundation offers scholarship funding through the Rotary Foundation Global Grant scholarships. The scholarship funds graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. The minimum budget for a global grant scholarship is $30,000 which can fund the following: passport/visa, inoculations, travel expenses, school supplies, tuition, room and board, etc. Generally, the study grants can be carried out in any country where there is a host Rotary club or district.

14.Korea Government Scholarships
The Korean Government Scholarship Program is designed to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea and to develop global leaders and strengthen Korea-friendly networks worldwide.  The scholarships cover tuition, allowance, travel, airfare, medical insurance, etc.

 

15.VLIR-UOSScholarship Program VLIR-UOS awards scholarships to students from 31 developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue an English Taught Training or Master’s Programme related to development at Universities in Belgium. The scholarships cover tuition fee, accomodation, allowance, travel costs, and other program related costs.

16 Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships

The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students from World Bank member countries to pursue development-related studies at selected Universities around the world. The scholarship provides travel costs between your home country and the host university, tuition for your graduate program, the cost of basic medical insurance, a monthly subsistence allowance to cover living expenses, including books.

17ADBJapanScholarshipProgram The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) aims to provide an opportunity for well-qualified citizens of ADB’s developing member countries to undertake postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region.  The ADB-JSP provides full tuition fees, a monthly subsistence and housing allowance, an allowance for books and instructional materials, medical insurance, and travel expenses.

18 Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants
The Rotary Foundation offers scholarship funding through the Rotary Foundation Global Grant scholarships. The scholarship funds graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years.  The minimum budget for a global grant scholarship is $30,000 which can fund the following: passport/visa, inoculations, travel expenses, school supplies, tuition, room and board, etc.

19        OFID Scholarship Award
OFID (The OPEC Fund for International Development) offers a fully-funded scholarship to qualified applicants who wish to study for a Master’s degree in an accredited University around the world. The scholarships are worth up to $50,000 that covers the tuition fees, monthly allowance to cover living expenses, accommodation, insurance, books, relocation grants, and travel costs.

20 Erik Bleumink Scholarships at University of Groningen (Netherlands)
The Erik Bleumink Fund Scholarships are usually awarded for any 1 year or 2 years Master’s degree programme offered at the University of Groningen.  The grant covers the tuition fees plus the costs of international travel, subsistence, books, and health insurance.