As a young African who has completed a secondary school program, you must have considered if there’s
any way you could go for an undergraduate degree abroad at a free or low cost. If you’re in those shoes,
then this article is for you. In this post, you will be reading the top 15 free scholarships to study abroad
for undergraduates. Let’s examine them.
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholarships
The Mastercard Foundation Sponsorship aims at rewarding young Africans with skills and leadership
potential to move up to a higher level in life. The Mastercard Foundation helps young ones build
leadership skills, develop their tutoring skills, and give them internship opportunities and basic living
expenses.
Since it was created, it has helped over 40,000 young ones cultivate the skills required to become
successful people in society.
2. Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening Scholarship is a scholarship body developed by the United Kingdom's government to help
African students complete their master's program. With the Chevening Scholarship, students get
exposed to the diverse UK culture and educational system which they can bring to their home countries.
The value of the Chevening Scholarship is quite mouthwatering. If awarded, you get an arrival
allowance, departure allowance, free entry to all Chevening events, networking opportunities, and many
others.
3. World Bank Scholarships Program
The World Bank Scholarships Program is a brainchild of the World Bank to help young African
researchers develop capacity in relevant disciplines. This is one of the platforms where the World Bank
shows interest in investing in the education of Africans. Under this program, other scholarship programs
are the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJWBGSP) and the Robert S. McNamara
Fellowship Program (RSMFP).
4. Fulbright Scholarships
The Fulbright Scholarships enables educational scholars, alumni, and global partners to foster
interaction between the United States and other partner African countries. These interactions are
centered on the development of African communities and improve the lives of Africans.
Full Bright can be found in over 160 countries, where they provide opportunities for individuals to teach
and exchange ideas for the development of their countries. As a result, over 8000 awards are given to
individuals who show exceptional character.
5. Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarship awards students with fully-funded scholarships to study in institutions
in Commonwealth countries. The scholarship body also provides grants and support to students who
wish to further their education to the Master's or PhD level.
Each year over 800 students from Commonwealth countries are granted Commonwealth Scholarships to
enroll for a postgraduate degree with UK partnered institutions. Over six different kinds of scholarships
are covered under the Commonwealth Scholarships.
6. Mandela Rhodes Scholarships
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship combines financial support for individuals who show leadership
qualities and connect them. The objective of this scholarship program is to enable candidates to build
leadership skills that would allow them to move Africa forward when the opportunity arises.
The value of the Mandela Rhodes scholarship is the coverage of two years of Master's Degrees and a
one-year Honours Degree program at any recognized South African institution. All expenses and fees are
covered under this scholarship.
7. African Union Scholarships
The African Union Scholarships are offered under the umbrella of the African Union body. With this
scholarship, individuals who wish to further their education to the Master's and PhD level can do so as a
result. This scholarship body wants African individuals to attain quality postgraduate education as it
could be the key to a peaceful and more innovative Africa.
If you are found eligible, you could be sponsored to study at any reputable African university. Africans
outside the shores of Africa are also invited to partake in this program.
8. Orange Knowledge Program(OKP)
The Orange Knowledge Program offers fully-funded scholarships to Africans in developing countries.
This scholarship is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make sure that basic education is
offered to African professionals.
9. DAAD Scholarships
The DAAD Scholarships is a program mainly for Africans seeking to further their education to the
Master's or PhD level. The program supports individuals with funding and grants for their research work.
Along with German students, international students (who may be African) are also qualified to receive
this scholarship.
With the DAAD scholarships, you get a payment of €930 – €1200 depending on your category. Your
health, accident, and liability insurance is also covered in this scholarship program. You also get a travel
allowance when you decide to travel.
10. WAAW Foundation Scholarship
The WAAW Foundation Scholarship is targeted at providing female students with assistance to pursue
an educational program in any of the STEM disciplines. With this scholarship, these female students are
also made to give back to the community through several programs under the WAAW Foundation
Scholarship.
11. Japan Africa Dream Scholarship
The Japan Africa Dream Scholarship is a collaboration between Japan and Africa to promote capacity
building among Africans. The scholarship body helps outstanding students pursue a postgraduate
degree at the Master's Degree level in the relevant field of their choice.
After the completion of studies, applicants are expected to return to their countries to contribute their
knowledge to the growth of their countries.
12. Aga Khan Scholarships
With the Aga Khan Scholarship program, students who are in underdeveloped or developing countries
are allowed to study in developed countries. Afterward, they are urged to return to their countries to
contribute to the growth of their countries.
13. Mo Ibrahim Scholarships
The Mo Ibrahim Scholarships support young Africans with leadership potential to further their
education. With the Mo Ibrahim Scholarships, the potential of young individuals in Africa can be
nurtured, and then they can contribute to the socioeconomic development of their home countries.
14. African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Master’s and PhD Programs
With AERC Scholarships, young Africans in Anglophone and Francophone countries are encouraged to
study at postgraduate levels at selected reputable institutions in Africa.
15. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a brainchild of Bill Gates to help people outside the United Kingdom
who could not afford postgraduate education get access to one at the University Of Cambridge. This
scholarship is focused on building a connection of future leaders by providing them with financial and
non-financial support.
Conclusion
There you have it! You’ve read about 15 free scholarships to study abroad for undergraduates. So, are
you just going to read and scroll away? Why don’t you apply for these scholarships? You could be
qualified for any of these awards. Apply now!
