Burkina Faso is a landlocked Francophone country in West Africa with a university system centred on the Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou. French is the official language and medium of instruction, giving Burkinabe students access to the same Francophone scholarship ecosystem as their neighbours in Mali, Senegal, and Togo. Morocco and Senegal host significant numbers of Burkinabe students on South-South scholarship programs. Germany's DAAD runs specific sub-Saharan Africa programs accessible to Burkinabe applicants. As a UEMOA and ECOWAS member, Burkina Faso students may also access regional mobility programs.
Why Study Abroad as a Burkinabe Student?
International scholarships give Burkinabe students access to world-class research infrastructure, global professional networks, and degrees that are recognised by employers across Africa and beyond. The scholarship programs listed on this page are all fully funded — meaning they cover tuition fees, monthly stipends, accommodation, health insurance, and in most cases, return airfare. The cost to you is time, preparation, and a compelling application.
Popular destinations for Burkinabe students include France, Morocco, Senegal, Germany. Language of instruction in Burkina Faso is primarily French, which gives you a natural advantage in scholarship programs that operate in those languages. However, English-language programs are fully accessible with IELTS or TOEFL — and several German, Dutch, and Swedish universities offer tuition-free Master's programs in English that are open to all African nationalities.
Top Scholarships for Burkinabe Students
The scholarships below are verified, currently active, and open to Burkinabe nationals. Use the cards to view full details, official deadlines, and the direct application link for each program.
How to Apply as a Burkinabe Student: 7-Step Process
- Choose a scholarship and read the eligibility criteria in full. Confirm your nationality, degree level, field of study, and age (some programs have upper age limits) all meet the criteria before investing time in the application.
- Prepare your academic transcripts. Request official transcripts from your university or the Ministry of Higher Education well in advance — processing can take 2–6 weeks. Burkinabe academic documents are issued and certified by the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur. Certified French-to-English translations are needed for Anglophone destinations. Document legalization follows the Apostille Convention — Burkina Faso acceded to the Convention, so apostille stamps are available through the Ministry of Justice in Ouagadougou.
- Sit the required language test. Most English-language programs require IELTS (minimum 6.0–6.5) or TOEFL iBT (minimum 80–90). French-language programs may require DALF/TCF. Book your test date at least 3 months before the scholarship deadline.
- Secure two or three academic/professional references. Contact referees early — give them at least 4 weeks and provide them with your CV, personal statement, and a summary of the scholarship's aims so their letters are targeted and relevant.
- Write your personal statement and motivation letter. This is the most critical document in most scholarship applications. Address why you need the scholarship, what you will study, what your career goals are, and specifically what you will contribute to Burkina Faso's development. Be specific — avoid generic language.
- Submit before the deadline — never on the day. Scholarship portals frequently slow down or crash under load on closing day. Submit at least 48 hours early. Keep a PDF copy of your submitted application.
- Prepare for the interview. Chevening, Fulbright, and Mastercard Foundation all include selection interviews. Research the scholarship's values, prepare answers to common questions, and practice with a mock interview partner or alumni.
Required Documents for Burkinabe Scholarship Applicants
- Valid passport (at least 18 months remaining validity at time of application)
- Academic transcripts (all years, certified/official copies)
- Degree certificate(s) — Bachelor's or Master's as applicable
- Language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, DALF, or TCF depending on destination)
- Two or three academic/professional reference letters
- Personal statement or motivation letter (usually 500–1000 words)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé
- Proof of Burkina Fason citizenship (national ID or birth certificate)
- Research proposal (for PhD programs and research-focused scholarships)
- Medical certificate (required by some programs, including MEXT Japan)
Document legalization note: Burkinabe academic documents are issued and certified by the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur. Certified French-to-English translations are needed for Anglophone destinations. Document legalization follows the Apostille Convention — Burkina Faso acceded to the Convention, so apostille stamps are available through the Ministry of Justice in Ouagadougou.
Tips for Burkinabe Applicants
Burkinabe applicants should pay close attention to the AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie) mobility grants, which are specifically designed for Francophone African students and have lower language-barrier hurdles than programs targeting a global audience. For Morocco's scholarship program (administered by the Agence Marocaine de Coopération Internationale), apply early through the Moroccan embassy in Ouagadougou — these seats fill quickly. For any German programs, contacting the DAAD regional office in Abidjan is a productive first step, as there is no dedicated DAAD office in Burkina Faso.
Additionally, do not overlook scholarships from South-South cooperation programs. Morocco's AMCI scholarships, Algeria's bilateral programs, and Senegal's CAMES frameworks are often under-subscribed by students who focus exclusively on European or North American programs. Proximity, lower living costs, and cultural familiarity can make these an excellent fit — particularly for undergraduate and first Master's degrees.
Finally, subscribe to Scholar Africa's free alerts to receive deadline reminders for the scholarships listed on this page. Missing a deadline by one day means waiting 12 months for the next cycle.