There are a wide range of scholarship opportunities available for students who want to study abroad at undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postgraduate levels.

Scholarships can help reduce or cover tuition fees and, depending on the program, may also provide financial support for living expenses, travel, health insurance, and other study-related costs.

In this guide, we highlight several official scholarship opportunities and scholarship programs to consider for the 2027 academic year.

Important: Scholarship deadlines and eligibility requirements can change. Always check the official scholarship website before submitting an application.

1. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships 2027

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programs supported by the European Union. Students from around the world can apply, including eligible applicants from African countries.

Students study at multiple universities and may spend their study period in different countries. Full scholarships are available for selected students and can contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses, and living costs.

The 2027 intake is particularly relevant because newly selected Erasmus Mundus master’s programs are expected to open student applications during 2026 for programs beginning in 2027.

Study Level

• Master’s degree
• 1–2 academic years
• International study

Who Can Apply?

Students from countries around the world may be eligible, depending on the specific master’s program.

Official Application

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters – Official Application Information

Applicants apply directly to the university or consortium responsible for their selected master’s program.

2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships support students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries who want to undertake a full-time master’s degree at a university in the United Kingdom.

For the 2027/28 academic year, applications are scheduled to open on 8 September 2026 and close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026.

A number of African countries are included in the eligible-country list, including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and others.

Study Level

• Master’s degree
• Full-time study in the UK

Basic Eligibility

Applicants generally need to:

• Be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
• Hold the required undergraduate qualification
• Be available to begin studies in the UK in September/October 2027
• Demonstrate that they cannot afford UK study without the scholarship

Applicants should also check the requirements of their relevant nominating agency.

Official Application

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission – Official Website

The CSC advises applicants to use only its official website and application systems and to be cautious of third-party websites requesting personal information or documents.

3. DAAD Scholarships in Germany 2027

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers several scholarship opportunities for students and graduates from developing countries.

One important program is Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS). It provides scholarships for selected postgraduate programs at universities in Germany and is designed for qualified graduates from eligible developing countries.

For the 2027/28 cycle, the DAAD database includes postgraduate courses with application deadlines during the relevant application period.

Study Level

• Mainly Master’s
• Some doctoral opportunities may be available depending on the program

Typical Requirements

Depending on the selected course, applicants may need:

• A relevant bachelor’s degree
• Strong academic performance
• Professional experience
• Relevant academic or professional background
• Eligibility under the specific program’s country requirements

Some EPOS opportunities require at least two years of professional experience.

Scholarship Benefits

Depending on the program, support can include:

• Monthly scholarship payments
• Health, accident and personal liability insurance
• Travel allowance
• Possible additional allowances

The exact benefits depend on the specific scholarship and study program.

Official Application

DAAD – Official Scholarship Database

Applicants should search the official DAAD database for programs and check the individual application deadlines.

4. DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships for Sub-Saharan African Students

African students do not always need to travel outside Africa to benefit from an international scholarship.

The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme supports postgraduate education and doctoral training in developing countries. DAAD currently lists 2027 scholarship opportunities for students from Sub-Saharan African countries at selected institutions and programs.

This can be particularly useful for students who want to pursue postgraduate education within Africa.

Study Level

• Master’s
• Doctoral programs, depending on the specific call

Eligibility

Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship call, participating institution, country, and academic program.

Official Application

DAAD In-Country/In-Region Programme – Official Information

5. World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program 2027

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) provides opportunities for students from developing countries to undertake selected master’s programs.

For 2027, the World Bank lists two application windows:

• Window 1: January 18 – February 26, 2027
• Window 2: March 29 – May 21, 2027

Applicants must first be admitted to one of the participating master’s programs and meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Study Level

• Master’s degree
• Participating programs and universities

Important

Admission to a participating master’s program is an important part of the process. The World Bank states that applicants who are not admitted to one of the participating programs are not eligible for the 2027 JJ/WBGSP scholarship.

Official Application

World Bank – JJ/WBGSP Official Scholarship Page

6. 2027 Africa International Scholarship at Edith Cowan University

African students looking to study in Australia can also investigate university-specific scholarships.

Edith Cowan University (ECU) lists a 2027 Africa International Scholarship for eligible international students from selected African countries.

The scholarship provides a 20% tuition-fee reduction for eligible undergraduate and master’s coursework programs for students commencing in 2027.

Study Level

• Undergraduate
• Master’s by coursework

Scholarship Benefit

• 20% tuition-fee reduction for the standard duration of an eligible course

Official Application

Edith Cowan University – 2027 Africa International Scholarship

Scholarships for African Students: How to Find More Opportunities

There are many additional scholarships available for African and international students. When searching for opportunities, check:

1. Government scholarships

Countries such as Germany, the UK, Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, and others regularly offer scholarship programs for international students.

2. University scholarships

Many universities provide tuition reductions, merit scholarships, research scholarships, and international student awards.

3. International organizations

Organizations such as the World Bank and European Union offer scholarships and educational funding for eligible students.

4. Regional African scholarships

Some programs specifically target students from Sub-Saharan Africa and may provide opportunities to study within Africa or internationally.

Documents You May Need

Before applying for 2027 scholarships, prepare your documents early. Depending on the scholarship, you may need:

• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• CV or résumé
• Motivation letter or personal statement
• Recommendation letters
• Passport or national identification document
• Proof of English-language proficiency, where required
• Research proposal for some master’s or PhD programs
• Proof of admission, where required
• Professional experience documents, where applicable

Always follow the document requirements published by the official scholarship provider.

How to Apply for Scholarships in 2027

Follow these steps when applying:

Step 1: Find a scholarship that matches your academic level and nationality.

Step 2: Visit the official scholarship website.

Step 3: Read the eligibility requirements carefully.

Step 4: Check the deadline and application method.

Step 5: Prepare your academic and supporting documents.

Step 6: Complete the official application form.

Step 7: Upload the required documents.

Step 8: Review your application before submitting it.

Step 9: Save your application confirmation and monitor your email for updates.

Important Advice for African and International Students

Do not pay someone simply because they claim they can guarantee a scholarship.

Use the official university, government, organization, or scholarship provider website whenever possible. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, for example, specifically warns applicants to use its official website and systems and to be careful with third-party websites requesting personal information or documents.

Also remember that “fully funded” does not mean exactly the same thing for every scholarship. Some programs may cover tuition, living expenses, travel, or insurance, while others provide only a partial tuition reduction.

Always check what is actually included before applying.

Conclusion

The 2027 scholarship cycle offers opportunities for African students and international students at different study levels and in different countries.

Programs such as Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, DAAD scholarships, World Bank scholarships, and university-specific awards can provide different forms of financial support for eligible applicants.

Start preparing your documents early, check the official eligibility requirements, and apply through the official application system whenever possible.

Good luck with your scholarship applications for 2027!

Official scholarship sources:

• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
• DAAD Scholarships
• World Bank JJ/WBGSP
• ECU Africa International Scholarship