Scholarships to Study in the UK for African Students (2026)

Below: the UK scholarships open to African students in one table, who qualifies (the eligibility differs in ways that catch people out), how to apply, and how we help — honestly, with no false promises.

Best scholarships to study in the UK

These are the main scholarships African students use to fund UK study. Award values and deadlines change every year — confirm each one on the official site before you apply. Eligibility is not the same for every country, so read the eligibility column carefully.

The headline catches: GREAT is open to Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya only — not Zimbabwe, Zambia or South Africa. Commonwealth excludes Zimbabwe and Egypt (neither is a Commonwealth member); Zimbabweans should target Chevening instead. Chevening is the broadest — open to around 50 African countries, including Zimbabwe and Zambia.

We can help you find the ones you actually qualify for and build a competitive application — see how we help below.

Chevening — the broadest fully funded route

Chevening is the UK government’s fully funded scholarship for a one-year taught master’s, covering tuition, a monthly living stipend, return economy flights and visa costs. It’s run by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and is open to around 50 African countries — every origin we work with, including Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Chevening is not a purely academic award. Selectors look for leadership, influence and about two years (≈2,800 hours) of work experience, plus a clear plan to return home and make an impact. You apply directly online, choose three eligible UK master’s courses, and write four scored essays.

For who qualifies, the four essays and the full timeline, see our dedicated Chevening Scholarship guide.

Commonwealth Scholarships — fully funded master’s & PhD

The Commonwealth Scholarship, run by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), fully funds a master’s or PhD in the UK — tuition, return airfare and a monthly living allowance. Unlike Chevening, it covers PhD study and weighs financial need heavily: you must show you cannot fund the studies yourself.

The crucial eligibility point: it’s for Commonwealth citizens only. Among our origins, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and Uganda are eligible. Zimbabwe and Egypt are not — Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth and Egypt has never been a member, so their citizens are screened out. If you’re in Zimbabwe, target Chevening instead.

You apply through your national nominating agency, whose deadline is usually earlier than the CSC’s — the step that catches people out. Full eligibility, the nominating-agency process and deadlines are in our Commonwealth Scholarship guide.

GREAT Scholarships — £10,000 toward tuition

GREAT Scholarships are funded by the British Council, the UK GREAT Campaign and partner universities. Each award is £10,000 toward postgraduate tuition for a one-year taught master’s — a partial scholarship, not a full ride, so you still fund living costs and the rest of your tuition yourself.

Of our origin countries, GREAT is open to Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya only — not Zimbabwe, Zambia or South Africa. There are 140+ awards across 60+ UK universities, and each university sets its own course list and deadline, so you apply to the specific university running the award. Confirm the current awards and deadlines on the British Council site.

University-specific scholarships

Most UK universities run their own scholarships for international students — from partial tuition discounts to a handful of fully funded awards. Coverage, eligibility and value vary enormously by university and course, so these need checking case by case.

One well-known example is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh — fully funded (tuition, accommodation, travel, living stipend), open to African students by nationality, but restricted to a fixed list of climate/sustainability-themed master’s, with an age limit (≤35) and no prior postgraduate degree. It is not a general “any master’s” award, and its 2026/27 round has closed — check the university’s page for the next round. Treat every university award the same way: check the exact coverage, eligible courses and deadline on the university’s own page before you rely on it.

Who is eligible — by country

Eligibility is where students waste applications. The same scholarship is open to some of our countries and closed to others. Here’s the quick map (always confirm on the official site):

Beyond country, the big scholarships also expect:

1. A strong degree. Master’s awards usually want a UK 2:1 (or local equivalent — e.g. CGPA ~3.0/4.0 or ~3.5/5.0); some accept a 2:2 with relevant experience.
2. The right level. Chevening and GREAT are master’s-only; Commonwealth covers master’s and PhD.
3. Work experience or leadership for Chevening (about two years), and financial need for Commonwealth.
4. English evidence. Many UK universities waive IELTS for African applicants via school English grades or a “degree taught in English” letter — but this comes from the university, not your nationality, and excludes high-bar courses. See study in the UK without IELTS.

How to apply for UK scholarships

Each scholarship has its own route, but the groundwork is shared. In general:

1. Match yourself to the right scheme first. Don’t apply for Commonwealth from Zimbabwe or GREAT from South Africa — you’ll be screened out. Use the eligibility table above.
2. Secure (or plan) your UK university offer. Chevening needs an unconditional offer from one of three courses by its offer deadline; GREAT runs through the university itself.
3. Prepare verifiable documents. Authentic transcripts, degree certificate, references and proof of English. High-scrutiny origins are checked carefully — clean, genuine documents matter.
4. Write targeted essays. Chevening’s four essays and Commonwealth’s development/financial-need case are what decide it. Answer the question asked; tie everything to a clear plan back home.
5. Track two deadlines for Commonwealth — your national nominating agency’s (earlier) and the CSC’s. Missing the agency deadline ends the application.

Start six to nine months early — references, offers and document checks all take time. One well-targeted application beats five rushed ones.

How we help

World Study helps African students find the UK scholarships they actually qualify for, choose strong master’s courses, and build a competitive, honest application — then submit it on time. We don’t guarantee awards (no one credibly can), but we improve your odds by matching you to the right scheme, sharpening your essays and checking every document before it goes in.

Our core guidance is free. For the full picture on studying in the UK — costs, universities and the visa — see our study in the UK hub, and browse every funded route on our scholarships hub.

Talk to an advisor on WhatsApp or take the free 2-minute eligibility check → to see which UK scholarships fit your country, grades and goals.