Scholarships for Tanzanian students

We have outlined the processes to apply for some of the major international scholarships open to Tanzanian students. Each guide covers who can apply, the steps to follow, the documents to prepare and the official link.

At a glance

1. Chevening Scholarship (United Kingdom)

Level: One-year taught master’s degree. Funding: Fully funded.

Who can apply

• Citizens of a Chevening-eligible country, including Tanzania
• An undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s
• At least 2,800 hours of work experience after your undergraduate degree (about two years full-time; it can be gained faster or over a longer period). Paid, part-time, voluntary and internship work all count
• Applications to three different eligible UK master’s courses, with an unconditional offer from one of them by the Chevening deadline
• A commitment to return to Tanzania for at least two years after the scholarship

How to apply

1. Check eligibility on the Chevening website.
2. Choose three eligible UK master’s courses that fit your career goals.
3. Create an account on the Chevening application portal when the round opens (usually early August).
4. Complete the four essays on leadership, networking, course choice and career plan.
5. Enter your employment history and two referees, then submit before the deadline (early October).
6. If shortlisted, attend an interview at the British High Commission (usually March to April).
7. Secure an unconditional university offer by the deadline (8 July in the 2027 cycle).

Documents: Degree certificate and transcripts, CV and employment history, referee details, details of your three courses, passport.

Status: The 2027-28 round closed on 6 October 2026. The next round is expected to open in August 2027.

Official link: chevening.org/scholarship/tanzania

2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship (United Kingdom)

Level: One-year, full-time taught master’s. Funding: Fully funded.

Who can apply

• Citizens of, and permanent residents in, an eligible Commonwealth country, including Tanzania
• A first degree of at least upper-second class (2:1), or a lower-second (2:2) plus a relevant postgraduate qualification
• Unable to afford UK study without the scholarship
• A course that links to one of the Commission’s six development themes
• Not eligible: MBA courses, or anyone who has already studied at master’s level in the UK

How to apply

1. Read the current call on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) website.
2. Choose a nominator. For Tanzania, the national nominating agency is the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Some NGOs, such as FAWE, also nominate.
3. Check your nominator’s own rules and deadline, which is often earlier than the CSC’s.
4. Choose up to three eligible UK master’s courses and check their entry and English requirements.
5. Complete the CSC online application, including your development-impact statement.
6. Upload transcripts, references and supporting documents, and complete any separate nominator application.
7. Wait for nomination and the CSC’s final selection.

Documents: Degree certificate and transcripts, CV, references, personal and development-impact statements, passport.

Status: The 2027-28 round closed on 20 October 2026. Watch the CSC site and the Ministry’s announcements from September 2027.

Official link: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarship

3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

Level: Mainly postgraduate study and research. Funding: Varies by programme.

DAAD runs many separate programmes, each with its own rules. Common requirements include a relevant degree with good grades, relevant work experience for some programmes (often two years), English or German proficiency, a motivation letter and, for research, a proposal or supervisor confirmation.

How to apply

1. Search the DAAD scholarship database by country (Tanzania), level and subject.
2. Open the specific programme and read every requirement and deadline.
3. Check whether you need an admission offer, research proposal or supervisor.
4. Prepare your documents and apply through the DAAD portal or the university, as instructed.

Documents: Certificates and transcripts, CV, motivation letter, references, language certificate, employment evidence and research proposal where required.

Official link: daad.de scholarship database

4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)

Level: Master’s, studied in at least two European countries. Funding: Fully funded for scholarship holders.

Who can apply: Holders of a bachelor’s degree, or final-year students who will graduate before the course starts, who meet the programme’s academic and language requirements. You can hold an Erasmus Mundus scholarship only once.

How to apply

1. Browse the Erasmus Mundus catalogue and pick programmes that match your background.
2. Read each programme’s own entry rules, scholarship conditions and deadline.
3. Apply through the consortium’s own portal, including the scholarship section.
4. Attend an interview if shortlisted.

Documents: Transcripts and degree certificate, CV, motivation letter, references, passport, English test results, plus any portfolio or research statement required.

Status: Deadlines vary; many programmes close between October and January for September entry.

Official link: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

5. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Level: Bachelor’s or master’s, depending on the partner. Funding: Usually full tuition, accommodation, travel and living support.

Who can apply

• Young people from Africa, applying through a partner university or organisation
• Age 29 or under for bachelor’s, 35 or under for master’s, when you apply
• Strong academic ability, leadership and a commitment to giving back to your community
• Financial need, where the partner assesses it

How to apply

1. Open the Foundation’s list of partner institutions and pick one that offers your course and accepts Tanzanians.
2. Apply for admission directly to that institution; there is no central application.
3. Complete the partner’s scholarship section, including essays and financial information.
4. Attend any interview and wait for the admission and scholarship decisions.

Documents: Certificates and transcripts, passport or ID, CV, personal statement, references, evidence of leadership and community service, financial-need information where required.

Example: The University of Cambridge runs its own Mastercard Foundation programme for one-year master’s courses, open to applicants from and living in Africa. Cambridge eligibility

Official link: Mastercard Foundation: becoming a Scholar

6. MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship (Japan)

Level: Undergraduate, research (master’s and PhD), and specialised training. Funding: Fully funded.

Who can apply: Tanzanian citizens who meet the age, academic and health requirements for their category. Research applicants need a relevant degree and a research plan in their field.

How to apply

1. Find the current MEXT announcement on the Embassy of Japan in Tanzania website.
2. Download the guidelines and forms for your category.
3. Complete the forms and prepare your certificates, recommendations and research plan.
4. Submit to the Embassy by its deadline.
5. Sit the Embassy’s first screening: document review, written exams and interview.
6. If recommended, follow the next steps for university placement.

Documents: Application forms, certificates and transcripts, recommendation letters, research or study plan, medical certificate, language evidence where required.

Status: The 2027 rounds in Tanzania closed in May 2026. The next round is expected to open around April 2027.

Official link: Embassy of Japan in Tanzania: MEXT

7. Australia Awards Africa (Australia)

Level: Master’s. Funding: Fully funded.

Who can apply

• Citizens of an eligible African country, including Tanzania, living and working in Africa
• At least 25 years old on 1 February of the year you apply
• A bachelor’s degree equivalent to an Australian one
• At least 5 years of relevant post-graduate work experience, and employed when you apply
• Willing to leave Australia for at least two years after the scholarship

How to apply

1. Read the current intake profile on the Australia Awards Africa website.
2. Choose an eligible master’s course in a priority field.
3. Register and apply online through OASIS.
4. Upload all supporting documents and submit before the closing date (usually 30 April).
5. If shortlisted, attend an interview and complete any tests.

Documents: Passport, degree certificate and transcripts, CV, employment confirmation, references, English evidence where required.

Status: The 2027 intake closed on 30 April 2026. The next intake is expected to open in February 2027.

Official link: australiaawardsafrica.org

8. Chinese Government Scholarship (China)

Level: Bachelor’s to PhD. Funding: Full or partial, depending on category.

Who can apply: Tanzanian citizens in good health who meet the age limit for their level and hold the right qualification (secondary certificate for bachelor’s, bachelor’s for master’s, master’s for PhD). Chinese-taught courses may need HSK; English-taught courses may need IELTS or TOEFL.

How to apply

1. Check announcements from the Chinese Embassy in Tanzania and Tanzania’s Ministry of Education.
2. Choose your route: the bilateral government quota (Type A, through the Ministry) or direct to a Chinese university (Type B).
3. Register on the CSC/Campus China system and select the right agency number.
4. Complete the form and upload your documents.
5. Complete any separate university application or interview.

Documents: Passport, certificates and transcripts, study plan or research proposal, two recommendation letters, language evidence, physical examination form.

Official links: campuschina.org · Chinese Embassy in Tanzania: Education

9. Türkiye Burslari (Turkey)

Level: Associate, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD and research. Funding: Fully funded, including university placement.

Who can apply

You cannot apply for a level you are already studying at a Turkish university.

How to apply

1. Read the annual call on the Türkiye Burslari website.
2. Create your own account on the application system (TBBS) and complete it yourself.
3. Upload your ID, photo, diplomas, transcripts and test results.
4. Choose your universities and programmes and answer the motivation questions.
5. Submit before the deadline (usually 20 February) and attend an interview if shortlisted.

Documents: Passport or ID, photo, certificates and transcripts, exam results, motivation statement, research proposal for PhD.

Official link: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr

10. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)

Level: Master’s in development-related fields. Funding: Tuition, living stipend, travel and insurance.

Who can apply

• Nationals of an eligible developing country, including Tanzania, with no dual citizenship of a developed country
• A bachelor’s degree earned at least three years before the deadline
• At least three years of paid, development-related work in the last six years, and in such a job when you apply
• Unconditional admission to a JJ/WBGSP participating master’s programme outside your own country

How to apply

1. Check the list of participating programmes and which window each uses.
2. Apply for admission to the programme; its deadline is usually months earlier.
3. Once admitted and shortlisted by the university, you receive the scholarship application link.
4. Complete and submit the application within your window.

Status: 2027 windows are 18 January to 26 February and 29 March to 21 May 2027.

Official link: worldbank.org JJ/WBGSP

11. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals (SISGP)

Level: Master’s. Funding: Tuition, monthly living allowance, travel grant and insurance.

Who can apply: Citizens of an eligible country (Tanzania has been eligible; confirm in the current call) with at least 3,000 hours of work experience, demonstrated leadership experience, and admission to an eligible master’s programme.

How to apply

1. Apply for up to four eligible master’s programmes at universityadmissions.se by mid-January.
2. Prepare your CV, references and proof of work and leadership on SI’s own templates.
3. Submit the separate SI scholarship application during its window (expected around 8 to 24 February 2027).
4. Watch for both admission and scholarship results in April.

Official link: si.se

12. KTH Scholarship (Sweden)

Level: Master’s. Funding: Full tuition for one or two years (year two depends on first-year results). Living costs are not covered.

Who can apply: Fee-paying students who list an eligible KTH master’s as their first priority and pay the application fee.

How to apply

1. Apply at universityadmissions.se with KTH as your first choice, and pay the fee.
2. Submit the KTH scholarship form between 1 December 2026 and 15 January 2027. No extra documents are needed; KTH uses your admission file.
3. Upload your admission documents by 2 February 2027.
4. Results are expected around 1 April 2027.

Official link: kth.se scholarships

13. Lund University Global Scholarship (Sweden)

Level: Mainly master’s. Bachelor’s applicants qualify only for Development Studies, Mathematics, Physics or Physical Geography. Funding: 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of tuition; living costs are not covered.

Who can apply: Fee-paying citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland with an excellent academic record, applying to Lund in the January round.

How to apply

1. Apply at universityadmissions.se by mid-January, ranking Lund first, and pay the fee.
2. Submit all academic documents by the admission deadline.
3. Complete the Global Scholarship form when it opens (usually early February) with your motivation letter.

Official link: lunduniversity.lu.se

14. Uppsala University Global Scholarship (Sweden)

Level: Master’s. Funding: Full tuition; living costs are not covered. About 2% of applicants are successful.

Who can apply: Fee-paying citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who meet the entry requirements of their Uppsala programme.

How to apply

1. Apply at universityadmissions.se by mid-January, ranking Uppsala first, and pay the fee.
2. Submit all documents by the early-February deadline.
3. Complete Uppsala’s scholarship form during its window (expected 16 January to 1 February 2027). There is no fee.

Official link: uu.se master’s scholarships

US universities: financial aid for international students

Many US universities offer merit scholarships, and some offer need-based aid, to international undergraduates.

1. Find universities. Start with the College Board’s CSS Profile participating institutions, then confirm on each university’s site that it gives aid to international students.
2. Complete the CSS Profile where required, at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.
3. Apply for admission through each university’s portal or the Common App.
4. Submit any separate scholarship applications and essays.
5. Review your aid offer: amount, renewal conditions and what it covers.
6. Plan for the gap between aid and the full cost of attendance before you accept.

Before you apply: checklist

• I meet the nationality, residency and age rules
• I hold the required qualification and grades
• I have the required work experience, if any
• I meet the language requirement
• I have chosen an eligible university and course
• My documents are authentic and certified
• My referees have agreed to support me
• My motivation statement and study plan are my own work
• I understand any return-home obligation
• I know whether admission and scholarship are separate applications
• I have checked the official deadline