Oxford University 2026-27 MSc African Studies Scholarships | Fully Funded Opportunities for African Students
- Omran Aburayya
- Oct 28
- 7 min read
If you are a prospective master’s student seeking funding for the academic year 2026-27 to follow in the footsteps of some of Africa’s future leaders, the scholarships available for the MSc in African Studies at the University of Oxford offer compelling pathways. Below is a guide covering each of the major scholarship opportunities connected with this MSc, their benefits, eligibility, application procedure and deadlines.
1. Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) Graduate Scholarships
🎓 Summary
Study level: Taught Master’s (e.g., MSc African Studies)
Target group: African students (including from refugee / displaced backgrounds, disabled scholars) accepted onto full-time one-year taught Master’s courses.
Fields/focus: The scholarship emphasises groups under-represented in Africa and supports programmes aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as health, sustainable water and energy systems, governance & policy, entrepreneurship.
Value/coverage: Covers course fees in full and provides a grant for living costs at least at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate.
Duration: For the full duration of your taught Master’s course (one year).
Application deadlines: For the MSc African Studies, application deadlines to the course are Friday 14 November 2025 and Tuesday 27 January 2026.
🌐 Scholarship overview
This AfOx scholarship is embedded within the partnership between the University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation, under the AfOx banner (Africa Oxford Initiative). It aims to support African nationals who show strong academic potential, leadership ambition and a commitment to Africa’s development.
Eligible applicants to the MSc in African Studies are automatically considered—no separate scholarship application is required for the general AfOx Graduate Scholarships if you apply for the MSc programme itself.
Within this umbrella, special sub-scholarships exist such as: the AfOx Duncan Scholarship in Sustainable Development (for students from the SADC region on MSc African Studies) and the AfOx Corpus Christi African Studies Scholarship (for African female students on the MSc).
💲 Benefits & support
Full tuition fees for the chosen Master’s programme.
A living cost grant (at least the UKRI doctoral minimum stipend rate) for the duration of the award.
Additional logistics support: in many cases travel/visa/settling-in allowances are part of the overall package (according to AfOx descriptions) though specific terms may vary.
Access to Oxford’s world-class resources: libraries, seminars, departmental networks, and the AfOx network for alumni, mentorship and impact.
The scholarship is designed to promote leadership, innovation and societal impact—so your application should emphasise how your work ties into Africa’s development challenges.
✅ Eligibility criteria
Must be a citizen of an African country and ordinarily resident in Africa.
Must hold an offer for a full-time one-year taught Master’s course at Oxford (for example the MSc in African Studies) and submit application by the course funding deadline.
Should not already hold a graduate degree (in many cases) and should demonstrate leadership potential, alignment with AfOx values (collegiality, empathy, commitment, inclusivity) and a commitment to Africa’s development.
Applicants from refugee or displaced backgrounds, or with disabilities, are explicitly encouraged and supported.
Applicants should align with one of the thematic areas emphasised in the partnership (e.g., health, green futures, innovation, integrated societies) though this may be flexible depending on your programme.
📝 Application procedure
Submit your application for the MSc African Studies (or another eligible one-year Master’s at Oxford) via the University’s graduate admissions portal by the relevant deadline (for the MSc, 14 November 2025 and 27 January 2026).
There is typically no separate application for the AfOx scholarship if you are eligible and applying to the MSc. Eligible applicants will be contacted by Student Fees & Funding and invited to complete a scholarship form.
Your application should include: academic transcripts, CV, personal statement (highlighting leadership, community impact, alignment with AfOx values), references, and proof of citizenship/residence.
Be mindful of preparing early: contacting potential supervisors or considering how your background aligns with Africa-centred development themes will strengthen your case.
2. FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship
🎓 Summary
Study level: Master’s (MSc African Studies)
Target group: South African graduate applicants (resident in South Africa, must not have previously studied outside South Africa for degree purposes).
Fields/focus: Interdisciplinary African Studies as per the MSc programme.
Coverage: Fully-funded scholarship (tuition fees + living costs) for one student per year.
Duration: Full duration of the MSc African Studies programme (one year).
Application deadlines: Applicants must apply both to the MSc course and separately to the FirstRand Scholarship process. The MSc deadlines are 14 November 2025 and 27 January 2026. The FirstRand scholarship application opens in November 2025.
📚 Scholarship overview
This scholarship is a collaboration between the FirstRand Foundation, the African Studies Centre and Wadham College at Oxford. It’s designed specifically for applicants who are ordinarily resident in South Africa, who show leadership potential, and who have not previously studied outside South Africa for degree work. One fully-funded scholarship is available annually.
🎁 Benefits & support
Coverage of tuition fees for the MSc in African Studies.
Likely support for living costs (though the published text emphasises “fully-funded” and includes tuition).
Strong leadership component: Applicants must show potential to rise to leadership and influence in South Africa.
Direct link to Wadham College and the African Studies Centre environment at Oxford, which provides a strong academic and cultural network.
✅ Eligibility criteria
Applicant must be ordinarily resident in South Africa.
Must not have previously studied outside South Africa for degree purposes.
Must apply for the MSc in African Studies AND complete a separate application for the FirstRand Scholarship for Postgraduate International Study.
Display potential for leadership and influence.
Submit applications by the specified deadlines.
📝 Application procedure
First, apply to the MSc in African Studies at Oxford via the graduate admissions portal by the relevant deadline (14 November 2025 or 27 January 2026) because only applicants to the course are eligible.
Then, apply separately to the FirstRand Oxford African Studies Scholarship via the FirstRand Scholarship application process (opening November 2025).
Documents will likely include: academic transcripts, CV, personal statement highlighting leadership and ambition in South Africa, references, proof of residence in South Africa, statement of not having studied outside South Africa for degree purposes.
Ensure you meet both the course admission requirements and the scholarship’s eligibility criteria.
3. Black Academic Futures Scholarships
🎓 Summary
Study level: Graduate study (Master’s and possibly DPhil) across academic subjects (including the MSc in African Studies)
Target group: UK Black and Mixed Black students seeking graduate study at Oxford.
Fields/focus: All academic subjects at graduate level—so the MSc in African Studies qualifies if you meet the other criteria.
Coverage: Course fees in full + a grant for living costs, for full duration of fee liability.
Duration: Duration of your graduate course at Oxford (e.g., one year for taught Master’s).
Application deadlines: Course application deadlines apply (14 November 2025 and 27 January 2026 for MSc African Studies) and scholarship is considered automatically for eligible applicants.
🌐 Scholarship overview
This scholarship scheme is funded via partnerships across Oxford and its colleges. It is open to UK Black and Mixed Black graduate students and aims to support access and success in postgraduate study. Applicants to the MSc in African Studies who are UK Black or Mixed Black may therefore be eligible under this scheme. Importantly, no separate scholarship application is required beyond applying for the course itself if you meet eligibility.
🎁 Benefits & support
Full tuition fee coverage for your graduate course.
Grant for living costs (duration matching your fee liability) so you can focus on study and research.
Access to Oxford’s resources, networks, and graduate support.
Automatic consideration, provided you meet eligibility and apply to the course.
✅ Eligibility criteria
Must be a UK Black or Mixed Black student (graduate level).
Must apply for a full-time graduate course at Oxford (e.g., MSc African Studies).
Must satisfy Oxford’s candidature and programme entry requirements.
No separate scholarship application required; eligibility is automatic for the scheme if applied to the course.
📝 Application procedure
Apply for the MSc in African Studies (or another eligible graduate programme) by the relevant deadlines (14 Nov 2025 or 27 Jan 2026).
When you submit your course application, indicate your eligibility (background) so the scholarship team is aware.
Provide usual documents for Oxford: academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, references, proof of UK residency/citizenship, and statement of relevant background.
If shortlisted, you may need to supply further documentation to the scholarships office (as per Oxford’s graduate funding instructions).
✨ Further Scholarships
Beyond these three main ones tied directly to the MSc in African Studies, there are additional scholarships explicitly mentioned for African students or for students on that MSc course:
St Antony’s DAC AfOx Scholarships – for any one-year Master’s accepted by St Antony’s College, open to students from OECD-assisted African countries. No separate application needed for eligible applicants.
Oxford & Cambridge Society of Kenya AfOx Scholarship – open to Kenyan nationals who completed undergraduate studies in Kenya; for one-year Master’s at Oxford via St Antony’s.
Broader funding sources listed include: Beit Trust Scholarships (Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe graduates), Commonwealth Scholarships via the Canon Collins Trust (Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia), Oxford‑Oak Zimbabwe Graduate Scholarship (Zimbabwe nationals/residents applying for Social Sciences master’s with public service commitment) and others.
Practical Tips & Next Steps
Given these opportunities, here are some recommended actions for you:
Ensure you are ready to apply to the MSc in African Studies at Oxford—check admission requirements, deadlines (14 Nov 2025 and 27 Jan 2026) and prepare documents (transcripts, CV, personal statement, references).
Identify which scholarship(s) you might be eligible for (African nationals → AfOx; South African resident → FirstRand; UK Black/Mixed Black → Black Academic Futures).
Tailor your personal statement or motivation to highlight leadership, community or societal impact, and alignment with Africa-focused development themes when applying for AfOx.
For FirstRand, emphasise your South African residency, your leadership potential and your commitment to influence in South Africa.
For Black Academic Futures, ensure your self-identification and document your UK background and readiness for graduate study.
Prepare in advance for the possibility of being contacted automatically for scholarship consideration (especially AfOx and Black Academic Futures) so have all supporting documents ready.
Stay aware of related deadlines, and ensure your graduate programme application is completed well in advance, as scholarship consideration depends on having an offer for the programme.
Explore Oxford’s Fees & Funding search tool and check the A-Z scholarship listing for further funding possibilities beyond those listed here.
🔗 Resources
Explore detailed information about these scholarships by visiting the official webpage linked below.