Mayor 
Studying abroad is becoming easier for African students due to several fully funded international scholarships.
These programs remove the stress of high tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses, allowing students to focus on their studies and future careers.
In this guide, you will find five of the best fully funded scholarships for African students who want to start their studies in 2026 in the UK, US, and Europe, or even within Africa.
Plus, this list will help you understand the benefits, requirements, and deadlines so you can apply with confidence.
Each scholarship provides strong academic training, global exposure, and career development.
Perhaps if you want a Master’s degree or a PhD, these opportunities can open doors in engineering, technology, science, leadership, and more.
No application fees, top priority for Africans, and 95%+ completion rates.
5 Fully Funded International Scholarships For African Students In 2026 To Study In The UK, US, And Europe
DAAD In-Country/In-Region Masters/PhD
The DAAD Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for African students from countries like Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, South Sudan, and Uganda.
It helps you study for a Master’s or PhD in Germany starting in the winter term 2026 (September/October) through programs like Leadership for Africa.
Key Benefits
No tuition fees at public German universities.
Monthly stipend of €992 for Master’s students and €1,300 for doctoral/PhD students. It covers food, rent, and living costs.
Free 6-month German language course.
Full health, accident insurance, and travel flights.
Networking with DAAD alumni worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor’s degree (not more than 6 years old).
Citizen or refugee (status before April 2024) from eligible African countries.
Good English (IELTS/TOEFL) or German (TestDaF) skills.
2+ years of work experience for some programs.
Nationals must live in eligible African countries like Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, or similar places and show strong academic grades.
Refugees must give official proof from the host country government and show readiness for university admission.
The DAAD scholarship program has an acceptance rate of 25%, meaning 65 out of 257 applicants typically get selected.
In 2024, they awarded over 267 new scholarships, with 38.6% going to women recipients.
How You Can Apply For DAAD In-Country/In-Region Master’s/PhD?
Pick up to 3 Master’s/PhD courses on daad.de scholarship database.
Apply to German universities first with documents.
The university sends a shortlist to DAAD.
Register and upload to DAAD Portal: signed form, Euro pass CV, 2-page motivation letter, employer reference (stamped), transcripts, language proof, and passport.
Deadlines And Timeline
In-Country/In-Region Sub-Saharan: (open today) via host universities.
Leadership for Africa: June 10, 2025 (check extensions).
Studies start Sep/Oct 2026. Use the DAAD Database for exact dates.
Carnegie Mellon University Africa Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
The Carnegie Mellon University Africa Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a fully funded Master’s scholarship for talented young Africans who want to study technology and engineering at the CMU Africa campus in Rwanda.
Key Benefits
Full tuition and fees covered.
Living stipend, housing, and meals are supported.
Health insurance is provided for the entire study time.
Travel support for flights and visa costs.
Laptop allowance and study materials provided.
Leadership training and mentorship included.
Career development chances with internships and coaching.
Eligibility Criteria
Must be a citizen of any African country.
Completed or in final year (no minimum GPA specified, but strong academic record expected).
First, get admitted to one of these Master’s programs:
Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT).
Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (MS ECE).
Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MS EAI).
How To Apply For Carnegie Mellon University Africa Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program?
Submit your online application at CMU Africa’s official How to Apply page.
Complete the needed competency tests as described here.
Upload transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal essays.
Applications open October 1, 2025, with an early deadline on January 15, 2026, which covers competency test fees.
Final deadline is January 15, 2026; late applications need valid English test scores (DET/IELTS/TOEFL).
You will get updates and decisions from April to May 2026.
The Student Induction Program runs from May to August 2026, and classes begin in September 2026.
Apply now at the CMU Africa Graduate Admissions Page.
Each year, Carnegie Mellon University Africa Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program admits more than 100 talented African students.
The program enjoys an excellent completion rate, with over 95% of scholars successfully finishing their degrees.
ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship.
The ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship is a fully funded PhD opportunity in China for smart students from developing countries like Africa.
You study in the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) schools for up to 4 years in the science fields.
Key Benefits
Full tuition waiver at CAS-affiliated universities.
Monthly stipend of CNY 6,000-7,000 for living expenses.
Health insurance for the scholarship duration.
One-time international travel allowance.
Visa support and application fee waiver.
Access to world-class labs and research supervision, TWAS Official
Eligibility Criteria.
From developing countries (Africa included), NOT a Chinese citizen.
Born after January 1, 1991 (under 35 years old).
Master’s degree completed or finishing soon.
Good English or Chinese skills.
Not studying for a PhD in China right now.
Women and applicants from poor countries receive extra help during selection to increase their chances of being picked.
For climate research projects, exactly 10 special spots are reserved out of the total scholarships available.
How To Apply For ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship?
Search for a willing supervisor at CAS research institutes using the CAS Institutes Directory
Apply before the deadline: January 31, 2026, via the online portals of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
Submit all required documents, including transcripts, two reference letters, a proposal, and passport details through the respective university portals.
Applications are evaluated by both the universities and the TWAS/UNESCO committees.
Deadlines And Timeline
Open now. ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarship application deadline 2026: January 31, 2026
Start studies: September 2026
Up to 40 students receive ANSO-CAS-TWAS/UNESCO PhD Scholarships each year.
French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
The French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program gives fully funded Master’s and PhD scholarships to top international students at French universities.
Key Benefits
€1,200 monthly stipend for Master’s students.
€2,100 monthly stipend for PhD students.
Free travel tickets to and from France.
Health insurance coverage.
Full tuition fees paid by the host university.
Cultural activities and support.
Eligibility Criteria
Non-French nationality, from any country, including African countries
Under 29 years for Master’s (born after March 31, 1996)
Under 35 years for a PhD
Strong academic skills and clear leadership potential
Must apply through a French university that nominates candidates
The French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program focuses on seven fields in two groups.
In Science and Technology, the key fields are Engineering, Biology, Mathematics, Ecological Transition, and Digital Tools.
In Humanities and Social Sciences, the main fields include Law, Economics, Political Science, French History, Language, and Culture.
How Can You Apply For The France Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program?
Find and contact a French university for your Master’s or PhD program.
Check with the university to be sure they will nominate you for the Eiffel Scholarship.
The university sends your application to the Campus France platform by January 8, 2026.
Complete all required documents and forms as instructed by the university.
After the nomination, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs reviews the applications.
You can find more details and apply through:
France Eiffel Scholarship Program
Deadlines And Timeline
Applications open October 1, 2025
Deadline for universities to submit nominations: June 8, 2026
Results announced around September 30, 2026.
Program start, September 2026.
The French Government Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program grants more than 350 scholarships annually worldwide.
Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships 2026/2027.
Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships offer fully funded Master’s degrees for students from Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi at top universities in the UK and South Africa.
The scholarships support programs that help grow these countries in health, engineering, agriculture, and conservation.
Key Benefits
Full coverage of tuition fees.
Monthly living stipends.
Round-trip airfare to the university and back home.
Visa and health insurance support.
Additional allowances for settling in and leaving the study country.
Eligibility Criteria
Must be a citizen and resident of Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Malawi
Have an Honors degree (First or Upper Second Class) or equivalent
Have not yet started a postgraduate course
Preferably 3 years of relevant work experience
Show leadership skills and a strong goal to support national development
Must plan to return to the home country after studies
Applicants must be citizens and residents of only three countries: Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Malawi.
They must hold an Honours degree with First Class or Upper Second Class grades or an equivalent award.
Partner universities include four top UK institutions: Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.
They also include three leading South African universities: Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and Witwatersrand.
How To Apply For Beit Trust Postgraduate Scholarships 2026/2027?
Apply to Beit Trust Partner Universities first. For the UK, get an offer. For South Africa, you may apply without an offer but must list your chosen courses.
Prepare these documents:
Degree certificates and transcripts
CV/resume
Personal statement (max 300 words) explaining how your studies will help your country.
Valid passport copy and a recent photograph
Three references (Academic, Character, Employer)
Submit your application online through the Beit Trust application portal by February 13, 2026 (5 PM CAT).
Shortlisted candidates will attend interviews in Lusaka, Harare, or Blantyre in April 2026.
If selected, start your course in September 2026 (UK universities) or January 2027 (South African universities).
Conclusion
These fully funded scholarships for African students in 2026 give life-changing chances to study at top universities in Germany, the US, Rwanda, China, France, the UK, and South Africa.
Students can pursue a Master’s or PhD with all major costs covered, including tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and travel.
This support removes money barriers and helps students reach academic excellence.
Scholarships like DAAD Germany and ANSO-CAS-TWAS in China offer strong cultural and research experiences abroad, while Carnegie Mellon University Africa provides a leading tech education on the continent.
However, to succeed, applicants should match all eligibility rules, prepare documents, and apply before deadlines that begin in late 2025 and continue into early 2026.
