2025 Study Abroad Scholarships for Africans - Unlock Your Future

2025 Study Abroad Scholarships for Africans - Unlock Your Future

Are you an African student with big dreams of studying abroad but worried that the IELTS exam stands between you and your goals? Good news: for the 2025 intake, a growing number of fully funded scholarships expressly waive IELTS requirements, often accepting alternative proofs of English proficiency or no language test at all. Below, Astral Trail highlights eight top opportunities designed to empower African scholars on their global journey.

1. Pan African University (PAU) Scholarships

The African Union’s Pan African University offers fully funded master’s and PhD scholarships across its continental network of institutes. Awards cover tuition, travel, accommodation, living stipends and research expenses. While PAU requires proficiency in at least one AU official language (English, French, Portuguese, Arabic or Spanish), it does not mandate IELTS or TOEFL scores, candidates may demonstrate language ability through previous degrees or written/oral exams administered by host universities.

Key Details

Level: Master’s & PhD

Benefits: Full tuition, living stipend, travel & research grants

Eligibility: Citizens of African Union member states under age limits (≤30/35 for Master’s; ≤35/40 for PhD) with relevant prior degrees

Deadline: March

2. ESISMAD Project African Scholarship

Jointly managed by the African Union and EU’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, ESISMAD funds postgraduate mobility in materials science and energy technologies. It covers all costs: tuition, flights, visas, accommodation, health insurance, a €6,000 living allowance and research support. Crucially, no IELTS is required; applicants need only show sufficient knowledge of the host-country language as specified in the call

Key Details

Level: Master’s & PhD

Benefits: Full scholarship, €6,000 stipend, travel, insurance

Eligibility: Nationals of AU member states, registered in or graduates from African HEIs, with background in relevant STEM fields

Deadline: June

3. African Union Public Health Scholarship Programme

Hosted in South Africa, this AU‑funded scheme supports master’s studies in public health disciplines. Recipients receive tuition waivers, accommodation, living stipends and research funds. No IELTS test is required—candidates simply submit a letter confirming English-medium prior study or other proof of proficiency

Key Details

Level: Master’s

Benefits: Full tuition, living stipend, accommodation

Eligibility: African citizens with a relevant bachelor’s degree and health‑sector experience

Deadline: August

4. Commonwealth Distance Learning Master’s Scholarships

The UK’s Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) offers fully funded distance‑learning master’s awards to citizens of low‑ and middle‑income Commonwealth countries, including many in Africa. Benefits include full tuition, study materials and mentoring. The CSC explicitly does not require IELTS; however, host universities may request evidence of English proficiency later

Key Details

Level: Master’s (distance learning)

Benefits: Tuition fees, study support, mentoring

Eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth nations with a first-class or upper‑second undergraduate degree

Deadline: Varies by university (typically December–January)

5. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

Also funded by the CSC and UK universities, these awards enable full‑time master’s study in the UK. They cover tuition, travel, living allowance and visa costs. IELTS is not a CSC requirement—candidates may provide other proofs (e.g., medium‑of‑instruction letters) as stipulated by their chosen institution

Key Details

Level: Master’s (on‑campus)

Benefits: Tuition, airfare, stipend, visa support

Eligibility: Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries with strong academic records

Deadline: Usually December–January

6. Türkiye Scholarships

The Turkish government’s flagship Türkiye Scholarships program offers full funding for undergraduates, master’s, PhD and research scholars across all fields. Benefits include tuition, monthly stipends, accommodation support and one‑way travel. No IELTS, TOEFL or other standardized tests are required—selection is based on academic merit, leadership and motivation

Key Details

Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, research

Benefits: Full tuition, stipend, housing, travel

Eligibility: Outstanding students worldwide, including African nationals

Deadline: February–March

7. Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship

Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum awards full scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies at over 70 institutions. Recipients enjoy tuition waivers, monthly stipends and health insurance. While proof of English proficiency is required, IELTS is not. Applicants can submit alternative proctored exam results or a confirmation of English‑medium prior education.

Key Details

Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD

Benefits: Tuition, stipend, insurance

Eligibility: International students, including Africans, with requisite academic credentials

Deadline: Typically January–February 2025

8. Erasmus+ Scholarships for African Students

Under Erasmus+ and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, African students can access mobility and joint‑degree scholarships that cover tuition, travel, visa and living costs. Many programs waive IELTS, accepting Medium of Instruction certificates or equivalent proofs. Deadlines and requirements vary by consortium but generally fall between October and February

Key Details

Level: Master’s (joint degrees)

Benefits: Participation costs, travel, living allowance

Eligibility: Global applicants, including African nationals, meeting program‑specific criteria

Deadline: Varies by program (often October–January)

9. The Open Door Scholarship by the Russian Government

The “Open Doors” program, run by Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, awards fully funded scholarships for international students to pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at leading Russian universities. Recipients receive full tuition waivers, a monthly living stipend, and accommodation in university dormitories. No IELTS is required; instead, applicants can submit a letter from their home institution attesting to their English proficiency. The streamlined process involves an online application.

Level: Bachelor’s (undergraduate), Master’s (graduate), Doctoral (PhD)

Benefits

• Full tuition waiver at any of the participating Russian universities

• Monthly living stipend, amount set by each host university (typically to cover basic expenses)

• Access to on‑campus dormitories at affordable rates

No IELTS or TOEFL required—applicants submit a letter from their home institution attesting to English (or Russian) proficiency

Eligibility

Citizenship: Open to international students of any nationality (foreign citizens and stateless persons)

Academic background:

• Bachelor’s track: Completed secondary (high school) education

• Master’s track: Bachelor’s or specialist’s degree

• Doctoral track: Master’s or specialist’s degree

Olympiad participant must register for and become a winner or prize‑winner in the Open Doors Olympiad in the chosen track

Language proficiency: No formal test is required. Participants must demonstrate prior English‑ or Russian‑medium instruction via an institutional letter or equivalent

Deadline

• Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD tracks:

• Registration & portfolio submission September  - November 

• Postdoctoral track: Registration September  -  December