Top 10 European universities offering free or fully funded scholarships to Africans in 2026. Learn how to apply, deadlines, and expert tips for success.
Studying abroad is a dream for many promising African students. Yet, the cost of tuition, travel, and living expenses often becomes a barrier. Fortunately, some European Universities are stepping forward to open doors through scholarships and tuition waivers specifically for African students. In this post, I draw on decades of scholarship-search experience and expert insight to present “Top 10 European Universities Offering Free Scholarships to Africans in 2026.”
I will describe what “free” means in this context (full tuition waiver, living stipend, etc.), highlight eligibility criteria, and offer practical tips. This is not simply a list but a guide you can use to plan and apply with confidence.
Why Many European Universities Offer Free Scholarships to Africans
Before diving into the list, it’s useful to understand why European Universities extend these opportunities:
- Promoting diversity and internationalization. Many universities seek to draw talent globally, and offering scholarships to underrepresented regions like Africa aligns with that goal.
- Development and diplomacy aims. Some scholarship programs are backed by government or EU funding aimed at strengthening global partnerships.
- Filling talent gaps. African graduates bring fresh perspectives, languages, and networks that benefit European institutions.
- Philanthropy and endowment support. Some universities or foundations allocate funds specifically for supporting students from low-income countries.
As a researcher with decades of tracking scholarship trends, I can tell you that opportunities tend to cluster in countries with lower or no tuition fees (e.g. Germany, Norway) or where universities have strong endowment or EU support. Let’s now explore ten of the most promising European Universities for Africans in 2026.
Top 10 European Universities Offering Free Scholarships to Africans in 2026
Here we list ten European institutions (or joint European programs) that are known or expected to offer free scholarships, tuition waivers, or fully funded schemes for African students in 2026.
1. Technical University of Munich (Germany) / German Universities under DAAD Programs
- What’s offered: Many public universities in Germany have eliminated tuition fees for all students (domestic and international) at the undergraduate level; non-tuition costs remain (semester fees, health insurance).
- DAAD Leadership for Africa (LFA): A competitive scholarship targeting master’s studies in Germany for African students, covering living costs, health insurance, travel, and a monthly stipend.
- Why this is good for Africans: The infrastructure is strong, and Germany’s public university model makes “tuition-free” education more realistic.
- Tips: Apply early. For master’s programs, contact potential supervisors. Ensure your GRE, language test, or other requirements are met well in advance.
2. University of Helsinki (Finland) via Erasmus / Finnish Government Scholarships
- What’s offered: Although Finland awards tuition to EU/EEA citizens for free, international students pay fees. However, many universities, including Helsinki, provide scholarship or grant schemes to cover those fees for excellent applicants.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJMD): A trusted pan-European program that gives full tuition waivers, monthly stipends, and travel support across participating European Universities, including some Finnish ones.
- Why this matters: Through EMJMD, you can study partly or wholly in Finland (or multiple European countries) with funding.
- Tips: Use the Erasmus Mundus catalogue to find programs open to African applicants and check eligibility and deadlines (often one annual window).
3. Central European University (Hungary)
- What’s offered: Fully funded scholarships for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students from non-EU countries. CEU is known for rigorous academic programs and generous funding packages.
- Why this counts as “European Universities” experience: Though CEU has complex legal status, its location and integration into European academic networks make it a strong candidate.
- Tips: For 2026, monitor CEU’s website beginning late 2025 for call for applications. Prepare a strong research proposal and references.
4. KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden)
- What’s offered: Scholarship programs for international (non-EU) students at the master’s level, sometimes including full tuition and stipend support.
- Advantages: Sweden has reputation for innovation, engineering and technology, making KTH appealing for STEM students.
- Tips: Double check if the funding covers living costs; living expenses in Sweden can be high.
5. Radboud University (Netherlands)
- What’s offered: The Radboud Scholarship Programme provides full scholarships for master’s degrees for top applicants from non-EU countries.
- Why it works for Africans: The Netherlands has a long track record of supporting international students, and Radboud’s funding is quite competitive.
- Tips: Submit all documents early, including proof of English proficiency, transcripts, and motivation letter.
6. ETH Zürich (Switzerland)
- What’s offered: While ETH is not entirely “free,” its tuition is subsidized (CHF 730 per semester) for all students, with merit/need scholarships available.
- Special programs: ETH Excellence Scholarships for master’s students cover full living and study costs.
- Why include this: Because Swiss education is high-quality, and scholarship schemes can make it essentially cost-free for top African applicants.
- Tips: Apply for ETH’s internal scholarships; maintain excellent grades; reach out to prospective supervisors.
7. University of Oxford (UK / Europe)
- What’s offered: Oxford offers several scholarships to African students—e.g. Clarendon Scholarships, college-specific funds, Rhodes, Weidenfeld Scholarships.
- Why it’s relevant: While the UK is often separate from “Europe,” Oxford’s status and its scholarship support make it of interest for Africans seeking world-class institutions.
- Tips: For undergraduates, apply early; for graduates, aim for Clarendon or college-specific funds. Highlight your background and impact.
8. Sciences Po (France)
- What’s offered: The Emile-Boutmy Scholarship is available to non-EU students, including those from Africa, offering full or partial tuition waivers based on merit.
- Additional support: The MasterCard Foundation collaboration has supported African students at Sciences Po in some cases.
- Advantages: Sciences Po is strong in public policy, governance, social sciences, which align with many development interests.
- Tips: Your application should emphasize leadership, public impact, and excellence in exams.
9. Coimbra Group Universities (Portugal, Spain, etc.)
- What’s offered: The Coimbra Group (a network of European Universities) has a Scholarship Programme for Young African Researchers that allows African researchers (often at master or doctoral level) to spend time at European institutions (1–3 months) with financial support.
- Why useful: Though not full degrees, the affiliation and exposure can lead to longer-term scholarships and collaborations.
- Tips: Use this as a stepping stone. Combine with your home institution’s support to apply for longer funding after your stay.
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees (EMJMD) Consortiums
- What’s offered: Multiple European Universities jointly offer master’s programs under Erasmus Mundus. Winning candidates receive full tuition waiver, monthly stipends, travel, visa, and insurance coverage.
- Why include it: Because rather than one university, EMJMD is a pan-European scheme that allows you to move across universities in Europe while being fully funded.
- Tips: Use the official Erasmus portal and check for programs open to African applicants. Draft a strong application that highlights mobility and international experience.
How to Choose and Apply: Expert Tips
From many years of advising students, here are practical tips to maximize your chances:
- Start early. Most European Universities open scholarship calls 9–12 months before program start.
- Align your academic profile. Strong grades, publications, leadership, and community work matter.
- Language proof. English (IELTS, TOEFL) or local language (French, German) requirements often apply.
- Contact potential supervisors. Especially for research-based master’s or PhD, showing their interest can boost you.
- Work on your statement of purpose. Be clear about your goals, African context, and fit with the program.
- Collect strong references. Prefer referees who know you in academic or professional capacity.
- Manage multiple applications. Apply to several European Universities to increase your chances.
- Budget for living costs. Some scholarships cover tuition but not full living expenses; check what is included.
- Stay organized. Use spreadsheets, set reminders for deadlines, and double-check document requirements.
- Be persistent. Rejections are common; refine your application and try again in subsequent years.
FAQs – European Universities Scholarships for Africans
Here are five frequently asked questions and concise answers.
1. Which European Universities offer fully funded scholarships for Africans?
Many European Universities, particularly through DAAD in Germany, Erasmus Mundus programs, Radboud (Netherlands), KTH (Sweden), and Sciences Po (France), offer fully funded or tuition-waiver scholarships for African students.
2. What is an Erasmus Mundus scholarship and how do Africans apply?
Erasmus Mundus is a joint master’s program across European Universities that provides full funding (tuition, stipend, travel) for selected students worldwide, including Africans. Use the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue to find eligible programs and apply directly.
3. Are there any universities in Europe with zero tuition for all students, including Africans?
Public universities in Germany (many states), and some in Norway, have eliminated tuition fees even for non-EU students. However, living costs remain.
4. How competitive are such scholarships?
Very competitive. Only top candidates (grades, research, leadership) are selected. Always apply to multiple opportunities and strengthen your profile in non-academic areas as well.
5. When should I start applying for 2026 scholarships?
Begin as early as late 2024 or early 2025. Most major scholarship calls open 9 to 12 months before the academic year start, with deadlines in late 2025 or early 2026.
Conclusion
European Universities are becoming more accessible to talented African students through generous scholarships, tuition waivers, and joint program funding. In this post, I’ve highlighted ten strong options in 2026—from Germany’s DAAD programs to Erasmus Mundus consortia, Oxford scholarships, and others. Use these leads as starting points, research each university’s deadlines and eligibility, and tailor your applications with care.
Call to action:
If you found this helpful, share it with friends or classmates who are planning to study abroad. Feel free to comment below with questions or your scholarship experience—I’ll gladly help. Also, check out our related posts on “How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay” or “Best African Student Funding Portals to explore in 2025/2026”.
