If you want to start a master’s, PhD or undergraduate degree abroad in September 2027, now is the time to apply for funding. Most fully funded scholarships close 8 to 12 months before the course starts, and if you miss a window, you wait a full year.
The good news: many of the biggest scholarships are open to students from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia, and they cover tuition, living costs and flights.
Scholarships open now
- Gates Cambridge: PhD and most one-year master’s courses at the University of Cambridge. Deadlines are 8 December 2026 or 6 January 2027, depending on the course.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: study in two or more European countries, with about €1,400 a month. Each course sets its own deadline, usually between October and January.
- DAAD EPOS: master’s and PhD courses in Germany for people with at least two years’ work experience. Each course sets its deadline.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars: undergraduate and master’s study at partner universities in Africa and abroad.
Opening soon
- Türkiye Bursları: all levels in Türkiye. The window usually runs from 10 January to 20 February.
- Australia Awards Africa: master’s in Australia for professionals with at least 5 years’ work experience. The next round opens on 1 February 2027.
See all twelve, with what each covers, in our 2027 scholarship calendar.
Your plan, month by month
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now (October to November) | Pick 3 to 5 scholarships and courses. Ask two referees for letters. |
| November to December | Take IELTS or another English test if you need it. Write your statement of purpose. |
| December to January | Submit applications for Gates Cambridge, Erasmus Mundus and DAAD courses. |
| January to March | Apply for Türkiye Bursları and Australia Awards. Prepare for interviews. |
| April to June | Results arrive. Accept an offer and start your visa application. |
If you need an English test, see what IELTS costs in Nigeria and book early, because test dates fill up before big deadlines.
What makes an application stand out
- A clear plan. Committees want to know what you’ll study, why that course, and what you’ll do with it at home.
- Proof you lead. Community projects, work achievements or starting something count as much as grades.
- Strong references. Pick people who know your work well, and give them at least a month.
- Applying to several. Even strong candidates are turned down by most scholarships, so apply to more than one.
Thinking about Canada?
Canada is giving out fewer study permits than before. Read what the Canada study permit cap means for African students before you decide.
Always confirm deadlines on each scholarship’s official page before you apply, as programmes can change them.