Finding a scholarship can feel like having a second job.

You search Google for “fully funded scholarships for African students” and suddenly you are looking at hundreds of websites, WhatsApp groups, Facebook posts and articles telling you that you can study in the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, the United States or somewhere else for free.

Then you start clicking.

One website says the deadline is in March.

Another says September.

Someone on Facebook says the scholarship is fully funded.

Another person says it only covers tuition.

Then you find a scholarship that looks perfect, only to discover that applicants from your country aren’t eligible.

It can become exhausting very quickly.

And unfortunately, scholarship information online is not always kept up to date.

That is why African students need to know where to look, how to check whether an opportunity is legitimate, and how to distinguish between a scholarship search website and the organization that actually awards the scholarship.

This guide brings together some of the most useful scholarship websites and official scholarship portals African students can use in 2026.

It covers opportunities for:

Undergraduate students
Master’s students
PhD students
Researchers
Professionals
African women
Students looking for fully funded scholarships
Students looking for partial scholarships
Students who want to study in Africa
Students who want to study abroad

Most importantly, I will explain how each website works and what type of student is likely to benefit from it.

First: What Does “Fully Funded” Actually Mean?

Before you start searching, understand this term.

A fully funded scholarship usually provides substantial financial support for the major costs associated with studying.

Depending on the program, this may include:

Tuition fees
Accommodation
Living allowance
Travel
Health insurance
Books or academic materials
Visa-related costs
Research expenses

But there is no universal definition of “fully funded.”

One scholarship might cover your tuition and provide a monthly stipend but not pay your flight.

Another may cover tuition, accommodation and flights.

Another may provide a living allowance but require you to pay your own tuition.

So don’t stop reading when you see the words:

FULLY FUNDED

Open the actual scholarship page and check exactly what is included.

This is one of the most important habits you can develop as a scholarship applicant.

The Best Scholarship Websites for African Students

Here are the websites I recommend African students investigate.

1. Opportunities for Africans

Website: Opportunities for Africans

If you are looking for scholarships, fellowships, internships, competitions and other opportunities specifically aimed at Africans, this is one of the websites worth bookmarking.

Opportunities for Africans regularly publishes opportunities from universities, governments, foundations, international organizations and companies.

The website currently has a dedicated scholarship category and continues to publish new opportunities throughout 2026. Recent listings include opportunities involving the African Development Bank, Mastercard Foundation, universities, government programs and international organizations.

Why I like this website

It is particularly useful because you don’t have to search for opportunities one country at a time.

You can find scholarships for:

Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
Zimbabwe
Uganda
South Africa
Zambia
Tanzania
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Malawi
Other African countries

It also covers opportunities outside Africa.

For example, recent listings include scholarships for study in Japan, Europe, Canada, the UK and other destinations.

What else can you find?

The website also covers:

Fellowships
Internships
Grants
Leadership programs
Competitions
Research opportunities
Training programs

That makes it useful even if you aren’t currently looking for a university scholarship.

Best for:

African students and professionals who want one place to regularly check for new opportunities.

Important caution

Opportunities for Africans is a scholarship and opportunity discovery website.

It is not necessarily the organization providing the scholarship.

When you find an opportunity, read the listing carefully and follow the application instructions to the official provider.

2. After School Africa

After School Africa is another major resource for African students looking for scholarships.

Its scholarship pages are organized around different countries, study levels and destinations.

Its current African scholarship listings include undergraduate, Master’s, PhD and other opportunities.

You can use it to search for:

Scholarships for Africans
Scholarships in Africa
Undergraduate scholarships
Master’s scholarships
PhD scholarships
Scholarships for specific countries
Fellowships
Grants

One useful feature is that its scholarship information is not restricted to one destination.

You may find opportunities for students who want to study in:

South Africa
Europe
Canada
the UK
the United States
Australia
Asia
African universities

Why this matters

Many students make their scholarship search too narrow.

They search:

“UK scholarships for Zimbabweans.”

That’s fine.

But they should also search:

“Scholarships for African students.”

The second search can reveal opportunities that allow students from multiple African countries to apply.

Best for:

African students who want a broad scholarship database with opportunities categorized by country and study level.

3. Scholar Africa

Scholar Africa is a newer scholarship discovery platform specifically designed around African students.

The site currently lists hundreds of scholarships and allows users to filter opportunities by:

African country
Degree level
Destination
Funding type
Deadline

Its current database includes undergraduate, Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral opportunities, with separate filters for fully funded, full-tuition, partial and stipend-based awards.

The platform says it serves students from all 54 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and others.

Why this is useful

One of the biggest problems with scholarship searching is eligibility.

You might spend an hour reading about a scholarship only to discover that it is available to citizens of five specific countries.

Platforms that allow filtering by nationality can save you time.

Best for:

Students who want to search specifically for scholarships available to Africans and filter opportunities according to their circumstances.

4. Intellect Africa Opportunities

Another platform worth knowing about is Intellect Africa Opportunities.

It focuses on:

Scholarships
Fellowships
Internships
Grants
Academic opportunities

The platform says users can create a profile and receive opportunities matched according to factors such as country, education level and field of study.

This can be particularly useful if you don’t want to manually search every scholarship website every day.

Instead, you can create a profile and receive opportunities that are more relevant to you.

Best for:

African students and young professionals who want scholarship and opportunity recommendations based on their profile.

5. DAAD Scholarship Database

If Germany interests you, you should know about DAAD.

DAAD stands for the German Academic Exchange Service.

The DAAD scholarship database is one of the most important places to look for funding to study or conduct research in Germany.

The database also includes funding opportunities from organizations other than DAAD itself. DAAD explains that its database contains scholarship programs for foreign students, graduates and postdoctoral researchers, including opportunities from other funding organizations that meet its criteria.

DAAD scholarships can cover different forms of financial support depending on the program.

DAAD states that its scholarships generally do not need to be repaid and may include monthly payments, travel allowances and, in many cases, insurance. Additional benefits depend on the particular scholarship.

What can you study?

The opportunities cover a wide range of disciplines.

You may find funding related to:

Engineering
Agriculture
Environmental sciences
Economics
Development studies
Computer science
Public health
Social sciences
Natural sciences
Research

Important

DAAD scholarships are not one single scholarship.

There are many different programs.

Therefore, don’t search for:

“DAAD scholarship”

and assume you are applying to one universal program.

Search the DAAD database and identify the specific program for which you qualify.

Best for:

African students and researchers interested in Germany, especially postgraduate students and researchers.

6. Chevening

If your dream is to study for a Master’s degree in the United Kingdom, Chevening deserves serious attention.

Chevening is the UK Government’s international scholarship program.

It provides fully funded scholarships for eligible emerging leaders to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in the UK.

This is not generally a scholarship for someone who has just finished high school.

Chevening is designed for people who already have academic and professional experience and can demonstrate leadership potential.

The program emphasizes:

Leadership
Influence
Career development
Future impact
Commitment to positive change

Current 2026 information

At the time of writing, applications for the 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarships are open.

The current application deadline is:

6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

The official timeline says applications opened on 4 August 2026, with interviews scheduled for March–April 2027 and studies beginning in September/October 2027.

Can Zimbabweans apply?

Yes.

Chevening currently has a Zimbabwe-specific scholarship page, and applications for the 2027–2028 cycle are open.

Other African countries also have country-specific Chevening information.

Best for:

African professionals and graduates seeking a fully funded one-year Master’s degree in the UK.

7. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

If you are an African student looking for major scholarship opportunities, you need to know about the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

This is not simply one scholarship at one university.

The program works through partner universities and organizations.

The Foundation explains that applications are handled by its partner institutions and that each partner sets its own application process and deadline.

This means you should not look for one universal Mastercard Foundation application form.

Instead, identify participating universities and check their individual scholarship announcements.

What does it cover?

Depending on the partner program, financial support can include:

Tuition
Accommodation
Books and academic materials
Mentoring
Counselling
Leadership development
Return air travel where applicable

The exact benefits vary by partner.

Who is it for?

The program is focused primarily on talented young Africans who face financial or other barriers to higher education.

Opportunities exist at different levels depending on the partner institution.

For example, Makerere University’s current 2026/2027 program includes undergraduate and Master’s scholarships for eligible African applicants.

The University of Cambridge’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is focused on African students pursuing eligible Master’s degrees.

Best for:

Talented African students with strong academic potential, leadership qualities and financial need.

8. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

If you want to study in Europe, do not overlook Erasmus Mundus.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international Master’s programs delivered by consortia of universities.

Students can study in multiple countries during the program.

The European Commission’s Erasmus+ website states that students from around the world can apply and that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked students in eligible programs.

Scholarships can contribute toward:

Participation costs
Travel
Visa expenses
Living allowance

Programs typically last between one and two academic years.

One of the biggest advantages

You are not necessarily studying in just one European country.

A joint Master’s may involve several universities in different countries.

That can make the experience academically and culturally very different from a conventional Master’s degree.

When should you apply?

Erasmus+ says applications are generally submitted between October and January for programs beginning the following academic year, although the exact deadline depends on the specific Master’s program.

Best for:

African students with strong academic backgrounds who want to pursue a Master’s degree in Europe.

9. Commonwealth Scholarships

Commonwealth scholarships are another name African students are likely to encounter when searching for UK funding.

However, this is one area where you must be careful with outdated articles.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission currently states that some of its programs are paused and will not run in 2026 or 2027. For example, its current information says the Distance Learning Master’s and Split-site PhD programs are paused for those years.

That doesn’t mean you should ignore the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

It means you should check the current program status before planning an application.

This is a perfect example of why copying a scholarship list from an old blog post can cause problems.

A scholarship may have existed in 2023 and still appear in hundreds of search results even though its current status has changed.

Best for:

Eligible Commonwealth-country applicants, but always check which specific Commonwealth program is currently accepting applications.

10. Australian Government Scholarships

If Australia is your preferred destination, start with the Australian Government’s scholarship resources.

One of the most important programs for eligible Africans is Australia Awards Africa.

It provides postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for eligible African professionals.

The program is particularly relevant to applicants whose work connects with development priorities such as agriculture, food security and climate change.

Australia also has university scholarships and research funding.

The official Study Australia scholarship search is therefore worth bookmarking because it allows international students to search for scholarships offered by Australian institutions and organizations.

Best for:

African professionals interested in postgraduate study in Australia and international students searching for Australian university scholarships.

11. University Scholarship Websites

This is probably the most underused scholarship source.

You do not always need a massive international scholarship program.

Universities themselves offer thousands of scholarships.

Suppose you want to study:

Master’s in Public Health in Australia.

Don’t search only for:

“Fully funded scholarships for African students.”

Search:

University of X international scholarships

Then:

University of X public health scholarships

Then:

University of X research scholarships

Do the same with every university on your shortlist.

Universities may offer:

Tuition reductions
Merit scholarships
Research scholarships
Faculty scholarships
International student awards
PhD funding
Accommodation support
Stipends

This can dramatically increase the number of opportunities you find.

12. Scholarship Search Engines

There are also general scholarship search engines that allow you to filter scholarships by:

Country
University
Degree
Subject
Funding level
Nationality

These can be useful for discovering opportunities.

However, treat them as search tools, not as the final authority.

If a scholarship website says:

“Fully funded scholarship – deadline 30 September”

don’t immediately assume the information is correct.

Click through to the actual provider.

Then confirm:

The scholarship exists
The deadline is correct
Your nationality is eligible
Your degree level is eligible
Your course is eligible
The funding is what the listing claims

The official provider’s website takes priority over a third-party database.

13. Government Scholarship Portals in African Countries

African students sometimes overlook their own governments.

Some African governments maintain scholarship programs that fund citizens to study abroad.

For example, the Ghana Scholarships Authority currently provides information about local and foreign scholarships and publishes verified scholarship notices for Ghanaian applicants.

South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training also maintains an international scholarship portal for South African students seeking opportunities abroad.

If you are from:

Zimbabwe
Ghana
Nigeria
Kenya
South Africa
Zambia
Botswana
Malawi
Uganda
Tanzania

check whether your country’s education ministry, scholarship board or government agency publishes foreign scholarship opportunities.

These opportunities can sometimes be overlooked because students focus entirely on international websites.

14. Scholarship Websites for Specific Countries

Another smart strategy is to search by destination.

For example:

Want to study in Germany?

Start with:

DAAD

Want to study in the UK?

Look at:

Chevening

Commonwealth

University scholarship pages

Want to study in Europe?

Look at:

Erasmus Mundus

Want to study in Australia?

Look at:

Study Australia

Australia Awards

University scholarship pages

Want to study in Japan?

Look for:

MEXT

and other Japanese university scholarships.

Want to study in the United States?

Investigate:

Fulbright

University scholarships

EducationUSA resources

The destination-specific approach can make your search much more organized.

Don’t Make the Mistake of Searching Only for “Fully Funded Scholarships”

This deserves emphasis.

Imagine you find:

Scholarship A

Tuition: 100% covered

Living expenses: Not covered

Travel: Not covered

Accommodation: Not covered

Then you find:

Scholarship B

Tuition: 50% covered

Living allowance: Included

Accommodation: Included

Travel: Included

Scholarship B might actually be more financially useful to you.

This is why you should calculate the value of the entire award, not just the percentage of tuition covered.

How to Know If a Scholarship Is Legitimate

This is extremely important.

Before giving anyone your passport, personal information or money, investigate the scholarship.

Check the official organization

If someone says:

“Australian Government scholarship”

go to an official Australian Government website.

If someone says:

“University of Oxford scholarship”

go to Oxford’s official website.

If someone says:

“Mastercard Foundation scholarship”

check the Mastercard Foundation or participating university’s official website.

Be Careful With Facebook and WhatsApp Scholarship Posts

Social media can be useful for discovering scholarships.

But it should not be your final source of verification.

You might see:

“FULLY FUNDED UK SCHOLARSHIP! APPLY NOW! ONLY 100 SPACES!”

Don’t click immediately.

Find the official provider.

Search the scholarship name.

Find the official application page.

Confirm the deadline.

Confirm eligibility.

Then apply.

Never Pay Someone Because They “Guarantee” a Scholarship

There is no legitimate person who can guarantee that a university or scholarship committee will select you.

Be very cautious if someone says:

“Pay me and I’ll secure the scholarship.”
“I have contacts at the university.”
“I guarantee acceptance.”
“You only need to send your passport.”
“The scholarship deadline is today, send money now.”
“You must pay a processing fee before you can apply.”

A legitimate scholarship may have an application fee in some circumstances, but a demand for money is not proof that an opportunity is legitimate.

Always verify the scholarship independently.

How to Build Your Own Scholarship Search System

Don’t just bookmark 30 websites and hope you remember to check them.

Create a simple spreadsheet.

Use columns such as:

Scholarship	Country	Degree	Funding	Deadline	Eligible?	Applied?
Scholarship A	UK	Master’s	Full	October	Yes	No
Scholarship B	Germany	PhD	Full	November	Yes	Yes
Scholarship C	Australia	Master’s	Partial	December	Yes	No

Then add another column:

Official application link

This makes your scholarship search much more manageable.

How Often Should You Check Scholarship Websites?

If studying abroad is genuinely your goal, check your main scholarship websites at least once a week.

Some opportunities remain open for months.

Others can have relatively short application windows.

A weekly routine is enough for most students.

You can also subscribe to email newsletters from scholarship platforms that offer them.

The Best Scholarship Websites by Type

Here’s a quick way to decide where to start.

Website	Best For	Study Level
Opportunities for Africans	African opportunities	Undergraduate to professional
After School Africa	African scholarship searches	Undergraduate to PhD
Scholar Africa	African-focused scholarship matching	Undergraduate to PhD
Intellect Africa	Personalized opportunities	Students and professionals
DAAD	Germany	Postgraduate/research
Chevening	UK Master’s	Master’s
Erasmus Mundus	Europe	Master’s
Mastercard Foundation	African students	Undergraduate/postgraduate depending on partner
Study Australia	Australia	Undergraduate/postgraduate
Government scholarship portals	Country-specific opportunities	Varies
University scholarship pages	Institution-specific funding	All levels

Which Websites Should You Bookmark?

If you don’t want to overwhelm yourself, start with these:

1. Opportunities for Africans

For broad African opportunities.

2. After School Africa

For scholarship discovery and African-focused opportunities.

3. Scholar Africa

For searching and filtering scholarships specifically for African students.

4. DAAD

If Germany interests you.

5. Chevening

If you want to pursue a Master’s in the UK.

6. Erasmus Mundus

If Europe interests you.

7. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

If you are an African student who fits its partner programs.

8. Study Australia

If Australia is your preferred destination.

9. Your university’s scholarship page

Always.

10. Your country’s government scholarship agency

Often overlooked, but potentially valuable.

Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

This is where I want to manage your expectations.

There are scholarships for African undergraduate students, but fully funded undergraduate scholarships are generally harder to find than Master’s and PhD scholarships.

Many major international scholarship programs focus on postgraduate study.

That doesn’t mean undergraduate students should give up.

Look at:

Mastercard Foundation partner universities
University-specific scholarships
Government scholarships
African universities
International undergraduate scholarship programs
Country-specific funding

For example, Makerere University’s current 2026/2027 Mastercard Foundation program includes undergraduate scholarships for eligible applicants.

Scholarships for Master’s Students

Master’s students have a much wider range of opportunities.

This is the level where you should investigate:

Chevening
Australia Awards
Erasmus Mundus
DAAD
Mastercard Foundation
University scholarships
Research scholarships
Government scholarships

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, this should be one of your main scholarship-search categories.

Scholarships for PhD Students

PhD applicants should think differently.

Don’t search only for:

“Fully funded PhD scholarships for Africans.”

Also search for:

“PhD position + your research field + university.”

For example:

“PhD agriculture Australia international students”

or:

“PhD climate change Germany funding international students”

Many PhD opportunities are advertised as funded research positions rather than traditional scholarships.

Scholarships for African Women

Women should actively search for scholarships and fellowships that encourage female participation in education, STEM, leadership, agriculture, public policy and development.

Don’t assume a scholarship has to say:

“Scholarship for African women.”

Some programs simply encourage women to apply.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, for example, actively promotes inclusion and encourages applications from women, refugees, internally displaced people and people with disabilities.

Scholarships for African Students With Average Grades

Don’t immediately assume you have no chance because you weren’t the top student in your class.

Different scholarships use different selection criteria.

Some emphasize:

Academic excellence

Others may place substantial weight on:

Leadership
Community service
Professional experience
Research potential
Financial need
Development impact
Entrepreneurial potential

For example, Chevening emphasizes leadership and the ability to demonstrate a clear vision for future impact, rather than simply looking for people with perfect academic records.

Your job is to find scholarships whose selection criteria fit your strengths.

How to Increase Your Chances of Winning

Finding the scholarship is only half the job.

The next question is:

Why should they choose you?

A strong application usually answers four questions.

1. Who are you?

Explain your academic and professional background.

2. What have you achieved?

Don’t just list activities.

Explain their impact.

3. Why do you need this particular qualification?

Connect your course to your career.

4. What will you do with the opportunity?

This is especially important for development-focused scholarships.

Don’t Write a Generic Scholarship Essay

Avoid:

“I have always dreamed of studying abroad because I want to experience a new culture and receive a world-class education.”

There is nothing particularly memorable about that.

Instead, explain a real problem.

For example:

“During my work with smallholder farmers, I repeatedly encountered the effects of declining soil fertility and unpredictable rainfall. My proposed postgraduate study would allow me to develop expertise in climate-smart agricultural systems that I can apply to improve agricultural productivity in my home country.”

That tells the reader:

What you experienced
What problem you identified
Why you want to study
What you intend to do afterward

That’s a much stronger scholarship story.

Don’t Apply for a Course Just Because It’s Funded

This is another common mistake.

Suppose you have a degree in agriculture.

Then you find a fully funded Master’s in something completely unrelated.

You apply because:

“It’s free.”

That may not be a good strategy.

Your course should make sense based on your:

Academic background
Work experience
Career plans
Long-term goals

A scholarship isn’t useful if you end up studying something you don’t actually want to pursue.

Keep a Scholarship Calendar

This is one of the easiest things you can do.

Create a calendar with:

Scholarship name
Opening date
Closing date
Required documents
Recommendation deadline
University application deadline
Scholarship application deadline

Don’t wait until the scholarship opens to begin preparing.

If you know a major scholarship usually opens around August, you can start preparing your CV and personal statement in June.

Documents You Should Prepare Before Scholarship Season

Create a folder containing:

Academic documents

Degree certificates
Transcripts
School certificates
Professional qualifications

Identification

Passport
National identification where required

Career documents

CV
Employment letters
Professional certificates

Application documents

Personal statement
Motivation letter
Study plan
Research proposal where applicable

References

Identify two or three people who could provide strong references.

Don’t suddenly email your former lecturer the night before a scholarship deadline asking:

“Please write me a recommendation letter by tomorrow.”

Give people time.

What About IELTS and English Tests?

This depends on the scholarship and university.

Some scholarships have English-language requirements.

Some universities may accept alternative evidence of English proficiency.

Others may require a particular test.

Never assume that because one scholarship accepts a particular qualification, every scholarship will.

Check the requirements of the specific program.

Can You Apply for Multiple Scholarships?

Absolutely.

In fact, you should generally apply to multiple opportunities for which you genuinely qualify.

Think of it like applying for jobs.

You wouldn’t normally apply for one job, get rejected and decide that you will never work again.

Scholarships are competitive.

You may apply for five and receive none.

You may apply for ten and receive one.

That one scholarship could completely change your future.

How Many Scholarships Should You Apply For?

There is no magic number.

Quality matters more than sending 100 generic applications.

A better strategy might be:

5 highly suitable scholarships

rather than:

50 scholarships for which you barely meet the requirements.

For every scholarship, ask:

Am I eligible?
Does my academic background fit?
Does my career fit?
Does the course fit?
Can I realistically meet the deadline?
Can I produce a strong application?

If the answer is yes, apply.

What If You Don’t Get the Scholarship?

Apply again.

And apply elsewhere.

A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not good enough.

Sometimes there are simply too many excellent applicants.

Use the experience to improve:

Your personal statement
Your CV
Your references
Your course choice
Your scholarship selection
Your interview skills

Don’t let one rejection end the process.

A Better Way to Search for Scholarships in 2026

Instead of typing:

“Fully funded scholarships for African students 2026”

into Google every day, use a structured approach.

Step 1

Choose your study level.

Undergraduate, Master’s or PhD?

Step 2

Choose your preferred destinations.

UK, Australia, Germany, Canada, USA, Europe, Japan, etc.

Step 3

Choose your field.

Agriculture, engineering, business, health, IT, education, environment, etc.

Step 4

Search African scholarship databases.

Use:

Opportunities for Africans
After School Africa
Scholar Africa
Intellect Africa

Step 5

Search official scholarship providers.

Look at:

DAAD
Chevening
Erasmus Mundus
Mastercard Foundation
Australia Awards
University scholarship pages

Step 6

Verify every opportunity.

Go to the official provider.

Step 7

Add the scholarship to your calendar.

Step 8

Prepare the application carefully.

The Most Important Rule: Always Verify the Deadline

Scholarship deadlines change.

Programs are paused.

Eligibility changes.

Funding changes.

Application systems change.

This is why I would never recommend copying a scholarship deadline from an old article without checking the original source.

For example, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission currently says some programs will not run in 2026 or 2027.

Meanwhile, Chevening’s 2027–2028 application cycle is currently open with a 6 October 2026 deadline.

The scholarship landscape is constantly moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best scholarship website for African students?

There isn’t one website that is best for everyone.

For African-focused searches, Opportunities for Africans, After School Africa, Scholar Africa and Intellect Africa are useful starting points.

For specific destinations, official sources such as DAAD, Chevening, Erasmus Mundus and Study Australia should also be included in your search.

Where can I find fully funded scholarships for African students?

Start with African-focused scholarship databases and then check the official providers.

Good starting points include Opportunities for Africans, After School Africa, Scholar Africa and official programs such as Mastercard Foundation, Chevening, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus and Australia Awards.

Can Zimbabweans apply for international scholarships?

Yes.

Zimbabweans can apply for many international scholarships, although eligibility varies by program.

For example, Chevening currently has a Zimbabwe-specific scholarship page and is accepting applications for the 2027–2028 cycle.

Can I apply for scholarships if I live outside my home country?

Sometimes.

Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship.

Some programs require you to be resident in your home country or Africa, while others permit applicants living abroad.

Always read the eligibility requirements.

Do I have to pay to apply for scholarships?

Not necessarily.

Many major scholarship programs allow applicants to apply without paying a scholarship application fee.

However, university admission fees or other costs may sometimes exist.

If someone asks you to pay a large amount of money simply to “guarantee” a scholarship, be extremely cautious.

Can I apply for a scholarship before I have university admission?

It depends.

Some scholarships require you to apply to a university first.

Others allow you to apply for the scholarship separately and then proceed with university applications.

Chevening, for example, has specific requirements concerning eligible UK Master’s courses and requires successful applicants to secure an unconditional UK university offer by the specified deadline.

Always follow the particular scholarship’s process.

Are all scholarships listed on scholarship websites legitimate?

No.

A scholarship listing website can help you discover opportunities, but you should still verify the scholarship through the official provider.

The safest approach is:

Discovery website → Official provider → Official application portal

Final Advice for African Students

If you are serious about studying abroad but money is the biggest thing stopping you, don’t just search Google once and give up.

Make scholarship searching part of your routine.

Bookmark the important websites.

Create a spreadsheet.

Prepare your documents.

Improve your CV.

Work on your personal statement.

Ask potential referees early.

And most importantly, apply before the deadline.

There are thousands of African students competing for scholarships, and many of them are extremely qualified.

You therefore need to be strategic.

Don’t apply for every scholarship you see.

Find opportunities where your:

education + experience + country + field + career goals

match what the scholarship is looking for.

And never forget this:

The website where you discover a scholarship is not necessarily the organization awarding it.

Use scholarship websites to find opportunities, but whenever possible, submit your actual application through the official university, government, foundation or scholarship provider.

That one habit can help you avoid outdated information, fake scholarships and unnecessary middlemen.

If you are starting your scholarship search today, I would begin with these five:

Opportunities for Africans – broad African opportunities
After School Africa – scholarships and opportunities across Africa
Scholar Africa – African-focused scholarship search and filtering
DAAD – Germany and international research funding
Chevening – fully funded UK Master’s scholarships

Then add destination-specific sources such as Erasmus Mundus, Mastercard Foundation, Australia Awards and individual university scholarship pages.

Your scholarship search does not have to be overwhelming.

You just need a system.

And once you have that system, you can stop randomly searching for “free scholarships” and start deliberately looking for opportunities that actually fit your future.

Official Scholarship Resources

For the most reliable information, start with the official sources below:

DAAD: Search the official DAAD scholarship database for current German and international funding opportunities.

Chevening: Check the current UK Government Chevening scholarships and country-specific information.

Erasmus Mundus: Search the official Erasmus+ catalogue for current Joint Master’s programs and scholarship information.

Mastercard Foundation: Check the Foundation’s official partner institutions and their individual application processes.

Study Australia: Use the Australian Government’s Study Australia resources to search for Australian scholarships and courses.

Opportunities for Africans: Use the scholarship category to discover current opportunities aimed at African applicants.

After School Africa: Search current scholarship listings by African country, study level and destination.

Scholar Africa: Search and filter current scholarships by nationality, study level, funding and destination.

Important: Scholarship deadlines, eligibility criteria, funding amounts and participating countries can change. Always verify the information on the official scholarship provider’s website before submitting an application or paying any university-related fees.