20 International Undergraduate Scholarships For African

The International Undergraduate Scholarships for African Students stand as more than just financial support systems; they are golden tickets to a world of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and unparalleled global exposure.

As we navigate through this comprehensive guide, each scholarship unravels as a unique pathway leading to prestigious universities around the world, nurturing the aspirations of Africa’s brightest minds.

These scholarships represent a mosaic of opportunities, each tailored to empower, educate, and elevate young African talents. They are not merely about alleviating financial burdens; they are about breaking barriers, building bridges, and fostering a global community of learners and leaders.

From the historic campuses of Europe to the innovative hubs of America and Asia, these scholarships open doors to experiences that transform students into global citizens, equipped to contribute to and thrive in an interconnected world.

Table of Contents

20 International Undergraduate Scholarships for African Students in 2024

Here are 20 international undergraduate scholarships for African students in 2024:

1. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

Overview: Aimed at developing the next generation of African leaders, this program offers scholarships at various universities worldwide.
Benefits: Covers tuition, living expenses, books, and airfare for the duration of the undergraduate program.
Eligibility: African students demonstrating financial need, academic excellence, and leadership potential.
Participating Universities: Includes universities like the University of Edinburgh, McGill University, and the University of California, Berkeley.

2. The Chevening Scholarships

Overview: The UK government’s global scholarship program, offering a chance for African students to undertake undergraduate study in the UK.
Benefits: Covers university tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs, and other allowances.
Eligibility: Leadership qualities, strong academic background, and a commitment to return to Africa post-study.
Application Process: Apply online through the Chevening website.

3. The United World Colleges (UWC) International Youth Scholarships

Overview: Provides scholarships for young people to attend one of the UWC’s schools and colleges around the world.
Benefits: Full or partial funding for tuition and boarding.
Eligibility: Students aged 16-19, based on merit, potential, and financial need.
Application Process: Varies by country – check with the national committee in your country.

4. DAAD Undergraduate Scholarships

Overview: Offered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for study in Germany.
Benefits: Covers tuition, health insurance, living expenses, and travel allowance.
Eligibility: Academic excellence, proficiency in German (for certain programs), and an interest in studying in Germany.
Application Process: Apply through the DAAD portal or German embassies.

5. The Ashinaga Africa Initiative

Overview: Designed to support African students who are orphaned or have lost one parent, to pursue undergraduate studies abroad.
Benefits: Tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and living expenses.
Eligibility: Loss of one or both parents, financial need, leadership potential, and commitment to return to Africa.
Application Process: Apply through the Ashinaga Africa Initiative website.

6. The Commonwealth Scholarships

Overview: Designed for students from Commonwealth countries, including several in Africa, to pursue undergraduate study in other Commonwealth nations.
Benefits: Covers tuition fees, airfare, and living expenses.
Eligibility: Citizens of a Commonwealth country with excellent academic records.
Application Process: Apply through the national nominating agency in your home country.

7. The Yale Young African Scholars Program

Overview: A highly selective leadership program for African high school students to receive undergraduate education in the USA.
Benefits: Full scholarship including tuition, room, and board.
Eligibility: African high school students with leadership potential, academic excellence, and financial need.
Application Process: Online application, including academic transcripts and recommendation letters.

8. The African Leadership Academy Scholarships

Overview: Offers scholarships to young leaders from across Africa to study at the African Leadership Academy in South Africa.
Benefits: Full tuition coverage, including room, board, and travel expenses.
Eligibility: African students aged 16-19, demonstrating leadership potential and academic excellence.
Application Process: Apply through the Academy’s website with required documentation.

9. The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarships for African Students

Overview: Sponsored by the Japanese government, these scholarships allow African students to study at Japanese universities.
Benefits: Tuition fees, monthly allowance, and travel costs.
Eligibility: Excellent academic records, and in some cases, Japanese language proficiency.
Application Process: Apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country.

10. The Korean Government Scholarship Program

Overview: Offers opportunities for African students to pursue undergraduate degrees in South Korea.
Benefits: Full tuition waiver, living expenses, airfare, and Korean language training.
Eligibility: High academic achievements, English or Korean language proficiency.
Application Process: Apply through the Korean Embassy in your home country or directly to the participating Korean universities.

11. The Gates Cambridge Scholarships for African Students

Overview: Prestigious scholarships for African students to pursue undergraduate studies at the University of Cambridge.
Benefits: Full cost of studying at Cambridge, including tuition fees, maintenance allowance, and travel costs.
Eligibility: Demonstrated intellectual ability, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
Application Process: Apply through the University of Cambridge’s admission portal, indicating interest in the Gates Scholarship.

12. The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust Scholarships

Overview: Aimed at English language teachers from Africa looking to pursue undergraduate studies in the UK.
Benefits: Full tuition fees, living expenses, return airfare, and visa costs.
Eligibility: Must be a current English language teacher and a citizen of an African country.
Application Process: Apply online through the Hornby Trust website.

13. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees

Overview: A prestigious, EU-funded program offering scholarships for Master’s degrees, accessible to undergraduate students nearing completion.
Benefits: Covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.
Eligibility: Outstanding academic record, completion of an undergraduate program, and proficiency in the language of instruction.
Application Process: Direct application to Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees programs.

14. The Australia Awards Africa

Overview: An initiative by the Australian Government aimed at providing African students with opportunities to study in Australia.
Benefits: Full tuition fees, living expenses, return air travel, and health insurance.
Eligibility: African nationals with strong academic credentials and leadership potential.
Application Process: Apply through the Australia Awards Africa website.

15. The New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships for African Students

Overview: Offers scholarships for African students to gain skills and knowledge through study in New Zealand to contribute to their home country’s development.
Benefits: Tuition fees, living expenses, and airfares.
Eligibility: Must meet the specific eligibility criteria of the selected New Zealand university.
Application Process: Application details provided on the New Zealand Aid Programme website.

16. The Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship

Overview: Stanford University offers this fellowship to African students who wish to pursue an MBA at Stanford GSB.
Benefits: Financial aid covering tuition and associated fees.
Eligibility: African residents, demonstrated financial need, and admission to Stanford GSB.
Application Process: Apply to Stanford GSB and indicate interest in the Africa MBA Fellowship.

17. The Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme

Overview: A program by the European Union that promotes higher education cooperation between countries in Africa.
Benefits: Covers travel, living expenses, and tuition fees.
Eligibility: African students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in Africa.
Application Process: Applications are submitted through participating universities in Africa.

18. The University of Toronto MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

Overview: Specifically designed for African students to study at the University of Toronto in Canada.
Benefits: Comprehensive support including tuition fees, books, housing, and additional living expenses.
Eligibility: First-time undergraduate students from Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating financial need and academic excellence.
Application Process: Apply through the University of Toronto’s admissions process and the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program.

19. The Oxford University’s Rhodes Scholarship

Overview: One of the most prestigious scholarships, allowing African students to pursue studies at the University of Oxford.
Benefits: All university and college fees, a personal stipend, and airfare.
Eligibility: National of an eligible African country, between 19 and 25 years of age, academic excellence.
Application Process: Apply online via the Rhodes Trust website.

20. The University of Edinburgh MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

Overview: Offers African students the opportunity to study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Benefits: Full scholarships covering tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses.
Eligibility: Citizens of African countries, demonstrating academic talent and financial need.
Application Process: Apply through the University of Edinburgh’s scholarship portal.

Other Scholarships:

How to Get a Full Scholarship as an International Student

Earning a full scholarship as an international student can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach to scholarship applications.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you increase your chances of securing a full scholarship:

Start your search early:

The earlier you begin your scholarship search, the more time you’ll have to identify and apply for relevant opportunities. Many scholarships have deadlines months, or even a year, in advance.

Starting early allows you to plan effectively, gather the necessary documents, and prepare strong applications.

Research extensively:

Dedicate ample time to researching scholarships available to international students. Explore online scholarship databases, university websites, government portals, and private foundation websites.

Utilize search engines to find scholarships specific to your field of study, country of origin, or academic achievements.

Identify scholarships that match your profile:

Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to ensure you meet the requirements. Consider factors such as academic standing, financial need, field of study, nationality, and extracurricular involvement. Tailor your applications to align with the specific goals and values of each scholarship program.

Prepare a compelling application:

Most scholarships require a comprehensive application package, often including essays, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores.

Take the time to craft well-written essays that showcase your academic accomplishments, personal qualities, and future aspirations. Seek guidance from mentors or experienced advisors to refine your application materials.

Demonstrate financial need:

If financial need is a factor in your scholarship eligibility, provide clear documentation to support your claim. This may include tax returns, bank statements, or proof of income from family members.

Financial aid officers from your current institution can assist in preparing financial aid forms.

Showcase academic excellence:

Maintain a strong academic record throughout your studies. High grades, standardized test scores, and academic awards demonstrate your potential for success in higher education.

Scholarships often prioritize applicants with a proven track record of academic achievement.

Highlight extracurricular involvement:

Engage in extracurricular activities that demonstrate your leadership skills, community engagement, and passion for your chosen field.

Active participation in clubs, organizations, volunteer work, or research projects can strengthen your application and showcase your well-roundedness.

Network and seek guidance:

Connect with international student advisors, financial aid representatives, and scholarship counselors at your current institution or prospective universities.

Seek their advice on identifying suitable scholarships, crafting strong applications, and navigating the application process.

Apply to multiple scholarships:

Don’t limit yourself to a single scholarship application. Increase your chances of success by applying to multiple scholarships that align with your profile and goals.

Diversifying your applications increases your likelihood of receiving an award, even if it’s a partial scholarship.

Stay organized and meet deadlines:

Create a timeline to track scholarship deadlines and ensure you submit all required materials on time. Set reminders for yourself and stay organized throughout the application process.

Late or incomplete applications may disqualify you from consideration.

Proofread carefully:

Before submitting your applications, meticulously proofread all essays, transcripts, and other documents for any grammatical errors or typos.

A polished and error-free application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

Express gratitude and follow up:

After submitting your applications, send thank-you notes to the scholarship committees or individuals who reviewed your materials.

Express your appreciation for their time and consideration. If you have any questions or concerns, follow up with the appropriate personnel.

Which Country Gives the Most Scholarships to International Undergraduate Students?

The United States, followed by Canada and Australia, often ranks at the top when it comes to offering scholarships to international students.

These countries have numerous universities that allocate significant funds for international students, making them attractive education destinations.

Which Country Attracts Most Foreign Students?

The United States has traditionally been the top destination for international students, due to its diverse range of prestigious institutions and a plethora of scholarship opportunities.

Other countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada also attract a significant number of foreign students.

What SAT Score is Needed for a Full Scholarship?

The required SAT score varies across institutions. Generally, achieving a score above 1400 can make you a competitive candidate for scholarships, with top-tier universities often looking for scores above 1500.

Conclusion

For African students, these scholarships are not mere financial aids; they are lifelines to aspirations that once seemed unattainable, keys to unlocking a future bright with promise and potential.

These scholarships symbolize a commitment to global inclusivity and educational accessibility. They represent a bridge between continents, bringing together diverse cultures and minds in the pursuit of knowledge and mutual understanding.

For the recipients, these scholarships are transformative – they are about gaining world-class education, yes, but also about developing as global citizens, ready to contribute to and make a difference in their communities, countries, and the world at large.

FAQs

Q1. Are there scholarships specifically for African women?

Yes, several organizations and universities offer scholarships targeting African women, emphasizing fields like STEM and leadership.

Q2. Can I apply for multiple scholarships?

Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships, and it is often recommended that you do so. By applying to multiple scholarships, you increase your chances of receiving one or more awards. This can help to offset the cost of your education and make it more affordable to attend college.

Q3. Do scholarships cover living expenses?

Yes, some scholarships do cover living expenses. Scholarships that cover living expenses are often called full-ride scholarships. These scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Q4. How can I improve my chances of getting a scholarship?

Beyond academics, engage in community service, leadership roles, and other extracurriculars. Tailor your application to showcase your strengths and alignment with the scholarship’s objectives.

Q5. Are there age limits for these scholarships?

Yes, there are age limits for some scholarships. For example, the Gates Millennium Scholars Program is open to high school seniors who are planning to attend a four-year college or university in the United States. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation is open to high school juniors who are planning to attend a four-year college or university in the United States.