The United Kingdom is a popular destination for many Africans for postgraduate study. For Nigerians, Ghanians, South Africans, Kenyans and other English speaking countries, it is an easy route in language.
Whereas, many UK universities are among the top ranked globally. The UK has a faster duration for Masters at one year. A PhD has a minimum duration of three years. This study time is shorter than the duration for similar courses in Canada.
This blog have previously provided reason for a UK postgraduate study. A scholarship to a UK varsity would be a trophy for a International study. UK scholarship guide website has an up-to-date list of postgraduate scholarships in the United Kingdom
Top Postgraduate Scholarships for Africans in UK
1. Chevening Scholarship
Opens: August
Closes: November yearly
The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most renowned and competitive scholarships available to African students in the UK. Chevening Scholarships enable exceptional emerging leaders from around the world to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the United Kingdom.
Any suitable master’s degree can be pursued through the scholarship at any UK university with full financial support.
About Chevening and Sponsors
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and cooperating organisations provide funding for Chevening Scholarship.
In addition to providing fully-funded master’s degrees, this programme presents a special chance for the upcoming generation of leaders in Africa to establish ties with the UK. Such working relationships will strengthen throughout their careers.
Over 50,000 exceptional professionals have had the chance to advance in the UK thanks to Chevening since the program’s creation in 1983.
Chevening Scholarship Benefits
1. Fully-funded scholarship: tuition or programme fees.
2. Living expenses.
3. Return flights to the UK.
4. Exclusive networking and volunteering opportunities.
How to Apply for Chevening Scholarship
Visit www.chevening.org/application, you can apply for a Chevening Scholarship by selecting your country from the dropdown list. Following the submission of your application, it will be evaluated against Chevening’s eligibility standards.
Eligibility conditions for a Chevening Scholarship, include citizenship, work experience, and degree of study. Check for the 2023 application.
2. Commonwealth shared scholarship
Application open: October/November
Closing: December
Congratulations mail to successful students: March
Final award confirmation: July
The goal of the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) is to support outstanding academically qualified students from developing Commonwealth nations. Candidates from the least developed and lower middle-income Commonwealth nations are eligible for scholarships.
It is for full-time Master’s study courses, which are jointly supported by UK universities.
About Commonwealth Shared Scholarship and Sponsor
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Program is a combined effort of UK institutions and the UK Department for International Development (DFID).
According to the scholarship website “Commonwealth Shared Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.”
Scholarships opportunities are offered under six development themes:
1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity
Benefits of Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
1. Fully paid tuition fees.
2. Living costs.
3. Maintenance stipend
4. Air fare to and from the United Kingdom
5. Immigration Health Surcharge costs
Eligibility and Application Procedure
The list of participating universities are regularly updated
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and affiliated universities jointly fund CSSS. Because both parties must accept and approve selected candidates, it is also necessary for them to fill out the CSSS online application form.
- Commonwealth citizen.
- permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country;
- Unable to afford to study in the UK
3. Rhodes scholarship
Application open: Early July
Application close: Late August
Bit: 2 West Africans are awarded
The Rhodes Scholarship is the world’s oldest and most distinguished graduate scholarship. The Rhodes Scholarship is an international postgraduate grant for students to study at the University of Oxford.
It is a fully-funded scholarship programme that supports exceptionally talented, motivated, and dedicated students from all over the world. It was founded in 1902.
As a result, this fellowship is available to African students at the Masters and Ph.D. levels. The scholarship covers all university and college costs, as well as a living stipend and a relocation allowance.
Eligibility for Rhodes Scholarship
Four criteria governing the selection of Rhodes Scholars are:
- literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
- Energy to use one’s talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
- Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
- Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings.
- Age: You must have reached your 18th birthday and not have passed your 24th birthday on 1 October in the year of application.
Tenor and Application Procedure
The Scholarship has a two-year basic term. Subject to satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct, it can be extended to the third. This is at the discretion of the Rhodes scholarship trustees.
To apply, visit your country application page.
Documents to support application are
- Evidence of academic record / transcript of undergraduate degree and any postgraduate study
- Curriculum vitae/resumé
- Personal statement or essay
- Evidence of age / birth certificate / passport
- English Language proficiency (where English is not the first language)
- Photograph
- List of referees
4. Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Masters Scholarships at University of Sheffield
UWE Millennium Scholarship for International Students
UCL Global Undergraduate Scholarships
UEA International Development Full Fees Scholarships
Mo Ibrahim Foundation Scholarship
Africa Graduate Scholarships at UCL
Irish Aid Postgraduate Fellowships
Funds for Women Graduates Grants for PhD/ Doctoral Study & Research
MPhil in Conservation Leadership Scholarships for Developing Countries
Edinburgh Global Master’s Scholarships
The Desmond Tutu Master’s Scholarship
Cardiff University Postgraduate Taught International Scholarships
Kingston University Scholarships for International Students
Postgraduate Scholarships for International Students at University of Birmingham