MSc Scholarships

MSc in African Studies Scholarships for 2023-24

The African Studies Centre of the University of Oxford is proud to list the following Scholarships:

Please see the following link for the University's fees and funding search tool for further information on scholarships that you may be eligible for and guidance on the cost of studying at Oxford. 

Please see the following link for the A-Z of scholarships of the University.

The following scholarships are exclusively for the MSc in African Studies. Eligible offer holders are automatically considered for these scholarships (except where stated):

ORISHA MSc

Open to graduate applications for the MSc African Studies only.

Oxford-Patrick Duncan Graduate Scholarship

Open to applicants ordinarily resident in the Southern African Development Community (http://www.sadc.int/member-states), applying for the MSc African Studies. Please see website for more details.

FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship

Open to South African graduate applicants for the MSc African Studies. The African Studies Centre is delighted to announce the inaugural FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship, a collaboration between the FirstRand Foundation, the African Studies Centre, and Wadham College.

One fully-funded scholarship, including tuition fees, is available per year.

Eligible applicants must be ordinarily resident in SOUTH AFRICA, must show the potential to rise to positions of leadership and influence, and must not have previously studied outside of South Africa for degree purposes.

Please note that applicants must apply both to Oxford for admission to the African Studies MSc AND SEPARATELY to the FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship for Postgraduate International Study. The link to the FirstRand application process is here. In their Oxford applications, applicants should state WADHAM COLLEGE as their preferred college.

The following scholarships are available to successful applicants from African countries (see specific details for each scholarship)

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme (CSSS)

Open to applicants who are nationals of developing Commonwealth countries, and who are not be at present living or studying in a developed country or have not undertaken studies lasting one year or more in a developed country. Please see website for more details.

Eni Scholarships

Open to applicants who are ordinarily resident in Angola, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). Preference will be given to applicants whose first degree is from an African university.

A separate application is required for this scholarship. The deadline for submission is 17:00 UK time on 1 March 2023.

If you are applying for the MSc by the January deadline, you should submit your Eni Scholarship application before you receive an offer, so that you don't miss the deadline.

Please see St Antony's website for more details.

Swire Scholarships

St Antony’s College, in partnership with the Oxford & Cambridge Society Kenya and the Swire Charitable Trust, offers a scholarship for a student who is a Kenyan citizen to study for a one-year Master’s degree in the academic year 2023-24 at St Antony’s College in the University of Oxford. The scholarship will be for a value of up to £40k. 

A separate application is required and candidates need to complete an online form. The deadline for the submission of the form is 5pm (UK time) on 4th March 2024.

Please see the St Antony's website for more details.

Standard Bank Africa Chairmans' Scholarship

Open to graduate students who are or will ordinarily remain resident in one of the African countries in which the Standard bank is present. Prospective candidates must demonstrate an exceptional academic track record and will need to have successfully qualified on their application for one year Master's programme.  website for more details.