MastersPartial

Africa Scholarships 2025

Heads up — this listing may be outdated. The dates and details below reference a year that has already passed and our editorial team has not re-verified this scholarship is still open. Always confirm the current intake on the sponsor's official website via the button below before you invest time in an application.

The University of Leeds offers Africa Scholarships for postgraduate research students, providing a partial fee waiver and maintenance.

Provider: University of Leeds
Host country: United Kingdom
Region: Europe

Official source

Topics

Research grants

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Africa Scholarships 2025 is open to African students applying to study in United Kingdom at the Masters level, with partial funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Masters · applicants for United Kingdom
Funding: Partial
Study level: Masters
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be a national of an African country, ordinarily resident in Africa, and applying for a research degree at the University of Leeds.

About the Africa Scholarships 2025 (2026)

## Overview The University of Leeds is offering Africa Scholarships for the 2025 academic year. These scholarships are designed to support talented students from African countries who wish to pursue postgraduate research at the university. The scholarship provides a partial fee waiver and a maintenance grant, making a world-class education more accessible to eligible candidates. The University of Leeds is a globally recognized institution, renowned for its research excellence and vibrant international community. This scholarship program underscores the university's commitment to fostering academic talent globally and building strong ties with African nations. ## Benefits Recipients of the Africa Scholarships will receive a partial fee waiver, significantly reducing the financial burden of tuition. In addition to the fee waiver, successful applicants will also be awarded a maintenance grant to assist with living expenses during their studies. While the scholarship is not fully funded, it offers substantial support towards pursuing a postgraduate research degree at a highly respected institution. The exact value of the fee waiver and maintenance grant will be confirmed upon offer. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the Africa Scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria: * Be a national of an African country. * Be ordinarily resident in an African country. * Be applying for a postgraduate research degree (e.g., PhD, MPhil) at the University of Leeds. * Hold a first-class or upper second-class undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field. * Meet the University of Leeds' English language proficiency requirements. * Not be currently registered for a research degree at the University of Leeds or any other institution. ## Required Documents While the official scholarship page does not list specific required documents for the scholarship application itself, prospective students will generally need to submit the following as part of their postgraduate research degree application to the University of Leeds: * Academic Transcripts: Official records of previous academic qualifications. * Degree Certificates: Copies of awarded degree certificates. * Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed overview of academic and professional experience. * Research Proposal: A comprehensive outline of the proposed research project. * References: Academic references from two individuals familiar with the applicant's academic abilities. * Proof of English Language Proficiency: IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent scores if English is not the applicant's first language. It is highly recommended to prepare these documents in advance to ensure a smooth application process. ## How to Apply Prospective candidates must first apply for a postgraduate research degree at the University of Leeds. Once an offer of admission for a research degree is received, eligible candidates will then be invited to apply for the Africa Scholarships. The scholarship application process typically involves submitting an online application form and potentially an essay or personal statement outlining their research interests, academic achievements, and reasons for applying for the scholarship. Detailed instructions on how to apply for the scholarship will be provided to eligible applicants by the university. ## Key Dates The deadline for the Africa Scholarships 2025 is not explicitly stated on the provided page. However, applicants should generally refer to the postgraduate research application deadlines for their chosen program, as scholarship applications often run concurrently or shortly after an offer of admission is made. It is crucial to monitor the University of Leeds scholarships website for updates on specific deadlines for the 2025 intake. ## Selection Criteria Selection for the Africa Scholarships is highly competitive and based on academic merit and research potential. The selection committee will typically consider: * Academic Excellence: Demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in previous studies. * Research Proposal Quality: The originality, feasibility, and potential impact of the proposed research project. * Relevant Experience: Any research experience, publications, or professional experience relevant to the chosen field of study. * Suitability for the Program: How well the applicant's research interests align with the expertise available at the University of Leeds. * Contribution to the University Community: Potential to contribute positively to the academic and cultural life of the university. ## Tips * **Start Early:** Begin your postgraduate research application well in advance of any deadlines to allow ample time for document preparation and submission. * **Craft a Strong Research Proposal:** This is a crucial component of your application. Ensure it is well-structured, clear, and demonstrates a strong understanding of your chosen field. * **Secure Strong References:** Choose referees who know your academic abilities well and can provide detailed, positive recommendations. * **Demonstrate English Proficiency:** If required, ensure you achieve the necessary English language scores before applying. * **Monitor the Website:** Regularly check the University of Leeds scholarships website for any updates or new information regarding the Africa Scholarships 2025. * **Contact Admissions:** If you have any specific questions about the application or scholarship, do not hesitate to contact the University of Leeds admissions team or the scholarship office. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official University of Leeds scholarship page: [https://scholarships.leeds.ac.uk/scholarship/204/africa-scholarships-2025](https://scholarships.leeds.ac.uk/scholarship/204/africa-scholarships-2025)

Africa Scholarships 2025 eligibility for United Kingdom applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be a national of an African country, ordinarily resident in Africa, and applying for a research degree at the University of Leeds.

Documents required for the Africa Scholarships 2025 application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Research proposal or statement of purpose (500–2,000 words for PhD)
Published or unpublished writing sample (PhD and research-led Masters)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Africa Scholarships 2025 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://scholarships.leeds.ac.uk/scholarship/204/africa-scholarships-2025 and verify the sponsor's stated criteria match your profile — currently: "Applicants must be a national of an African country, ordinarily resident in Africa, and applying for a research degree at the University of Leeds.". Sponsor rules change between intakes, so always confirm against the live call.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host UK university first via UCAS (undergraduate) or the postgraduate portal. Most UK scholarship sponsors will not assess your funding application without a conditional offer letter.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Book IELTS Academic for UKVI (target 6.5+ for UG/taught Master's, 7.0+ for research). Request sealed PDF transcripts, brief 2–3 referees in writing, and prepare your passport bio page at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://scholarships.leeds.ac.uk/scholarship/204/africa-scholarships-2025, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, University of Leeds will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.
8
Plan your UK Student visa and arrival
Once funded, accept your university place to trigger your CAS, book a UKVI-approved TB test (£80–£200), then apply for the Student visa (£524 + £776/year IHS). Budget 3–6 weeks of processing and collect your BRP within 10 days of arrival.

Africa Scholarships 2025 deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Ready to apply?

Cross-check the latest eligibility rules and deadline on the sponsor's official portal before you start your application.

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Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Africa Scholarships 2025?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Masters level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by University of Leeds, and be able to relocate to United Kingdom for the duration of the programme.

Is the Africa Scholarships 2025 fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

What UK visa do I need for the Africa Scholarships 2025?+

Most scholarship holders enter the UK on a Student visa (formerly Tier 4). You apply after receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university, and must show proof of funds, your scholarship award letter, and a valid TB test certificate (required for most African nationals). Apply at least 3 months before your course start date.

Sources

UK Student visa

What English-language score do UK universities require?+

UK universities typically require IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for undergraduate and taught Masters, and 7.0 overall (no band below 6.5) for research degrees and competitive programmes. For the Student visa itself, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI unless your degree was taught entirely in English in a majority-English-speaking country.

Can I stay and work in the UK after my scholarship ends?+

Yes — the Graduate Route lets you stay for 2 years after completing an undergraduate or Masters degree (3 years for a PhD) to work or look for work at any skill level, with no sponsorship required. You must apply before your Student visa expires and have completed your course at a UK Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance.

Sources

Graduate visa

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