There are 15+ verified, fully funded scholarships available to Burundian students in 2026. Top programs include DAAD (Germany), Chevening (UK), Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and Erasmus Mundus. Application deadlines range from August 2026 through February 2027. Free to apply.
18 Scholarships for Burundi Students
Each scholarship below is drawn from Scholar Africa's verified database and cross-checked for eligibility, funding scope, and current deadline. Direct apply links go to each scholarship's official application portal.
The American Political Science Association (APSA) Africa Workshop provides intensive methodological training for early career African political scientists and social scientists. Fellows receive full funding to attend multi-week workshops hosted in Africa.
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) offers African students fully funded undergraduate, Master's, and PhD opportunities at Chinese universities. As part of China-Africa cooperation (FOCAC), thousands of scholarships are allocated to African countries annually, covering tuition, accommodation, and stipend.
The Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP), funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by Nuffic, provides scholarships for mid-career professionals from selected developing countries, including many African nations, to pursue Masters degrees or short courses at Dutch educational institutions. The scholarship supports professionals whose work contributes to de...
The SOAS Teaching Scholarship for PhD students invites applications from students ordinarily resident in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, as well as Black British students. The scholarship covers full tuition fees for a 3-year full-time MPhil/PhD programme plus a maintenance allowance of at least £20,622 per year (2026/27 rate). SOAS is the world's leading institution for ...
The Hyundai Motor Group Scholarships at SOAS University of London offer full funding for African students to pursue postgraduate studies at one of the world's leading institutions for Africa and Asia studies. Seven scholarships are available — six for taught Master's programmes and one for a research (MPhil/PhD) degree. Each scholarship covers full tuition fees, living stipe...
The SOAS University of London International Postgraduate Scholarship for Sub-Saharan Africa is a competitive £8,000 tuition fee waiver award for outstanding students from Sub-Saharan African countries applying for Masters programmes at SOAS. SOAS is the world's leading institution for the study of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, offering unparalleled expertise in African ...
The European Commission Intra-Africa Academic Mobility Scheme is a fully funded initiative designed to promote academic mobility within Africa, supporting Masters and PhD students as well as academic, administrative, and technical staff from participating African institutions to study at partner African universities in other African countries. The programme provides tuition ...
The Trinity College Dublin Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship provides a one-time tuition fee reduction of €2,000 to €5,000 for outstanding non-EU international students applying for full-time postgraduate taught programmes at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland for the 2026/2027 academic year. Trinity is Ireland's most prestigious university and is ranked in the top 1...
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship is a prestigious South African entrepreneurship scholarship that provides full or needs-based funding to outstanding Grade 12 learners and first-year university students who demonstrate strong entrepreneurial potential and academic performance. The programme covers university accommodation, meals, textbooks and tutoring allowance, a...
Rotary Peace Fellowships
The Rotary Peace Fellowships provide fully funded opportunities for leaders to study peace and development at leading universities worldwide, including a centre at Makerere University in Uganda specifically focused on African peace and development contexts. The programme offers up to 50 master's degree fellowships and up to 120 professional development certificate fellowship...
Carnegie Mellon University Africa (CMU-Africa), located in Kigali, Rwanda, offers merit-based graduate scholarships to talented students applying to its Master's programmes in Information Technology (MSIT), Electrical and Computer Engineering (MSECE), and Engineering Artificial Intelligence (MSEAI). CMU-Africa provides access to CMU's world-class faculty, curriculum, and res...
University of Twente Scholarship (UTS)
The University of Twente Scholarship (UTS) is a merit-based scholarship for outstanding students from EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA countries, including African students, applying for a Master of Science programme at the University of Twente (UT) in the Netherlands. The scholarship is worth between €3,000 and €22,000 for one year, with the possibility of renewal for two-year program...
The European Space Agency (ESA) African Research Fellowship, part of the EO AFRICA initiative in partnership with the African Space Agency (AfSA), supports early-career African scientists in conducting Earth Observation (EO) research. Selected fellows spend one year at ESA's ESRIN centre in Frascati, Italy, collaborating directly with ESA experts. Each fellowship provides a ...
Google PhD Fellowship Program
The Google PhD Fellowship Program recognises outstanding graduate students doing exceptional and innovative research in areas relevant to computer science and related fields, including students from African universities. The fellowship provides US$10,000 per year for up to 3 years (or until graduation) to cover stipend and research-related activities, plus travel expenses. A...
GETFund Ghana Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship
The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) Foreign Postgraduate Scholarship is a fully funded government scholarship enabling Ghanaian citizens to pursue Master's or PhD degrees at accredited institutions abroad. The scholarship provides comprehensive funding covering tuition fees, accommodation, monthly stipends, travel expenses, and health insurance for the duration of the p...
Australia Awards Africa Scholarships
Australia Awards Africa Scholarships provide citizens of eligible African countries with the opportunity to obtain a Master's qualification at an Australian tertiary institution, funded by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The programme covers the full cost of a Master's degree, including tuition fees, return international airfare, e...
University of Leeds International Excellence Scholarships
The University of Leeds International Excellence Scholarships offer financial support of £3,000, £6,000, or £16,000 to outstanding international students applying for taught Masters courses starting in September 2026. With 500 scholarships available, this is one of the largest scholarship programmes offered by a UK university. Applicants must demonstrate an excellent academi...
University of Birmingham Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship
The University of Birmingham Postgraduate High Fliers Scholarship offers £5,000 tuition fee discounts to outstanding international students pursuing a taught Masters degree at the University of Birmingham's UK campus. This scholarship is automatically awarded to eligible international students who have received an offer to study in September 2026 — no separate application is...
How to Apply — Step by Step
Competition for fully funded international scholarships is high. Burundi students who apply systematically and early significantly improve their odds. Follow this process:
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Research and shortlist
Review each scholarship's eligibility requirements — nationality restrictions, GPA minimums, age limits, and language requirements. Build a shortlist of 6–10 scholarships that match your profile.
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Prepare academic documents early
Certified transcripts, degree certificates, and a current CV are required by almost every scholarship. Get official copies stamped by your institution early — processing takes 2–4 weeks at many African universities.
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Book language tests
Most scholarships in the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100). German programmes may accept a TestDaF B2 equivalent. French institutions may require DELF B2. Book at least 3 months before your target deadline.
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Request letters of recommendation
Contact academic referees 6–8 weeks before the deadline. Give them your CV, the scholarship brief, and the submission deadline. Follow up gently two weeks before.
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Write tailored personal statements
Generic essays fail. For each scholarship, address its specific mission directly. Chevening wants leaders with a return-to-home-country plan; DAAD wants academic excellence with a clear development angle; Commonwealth prioritises development impact in your home nation.
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Submit before the deadline
System crashes and upload errors are common on deadline day. Submit at least 48–72 hours early. Screenshot your confirmation page and save the reference number.
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Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously
Most finalists apply to 5–12 scholarships per cycle. Parallel applications do not disqualify you from any programme. Systematic parallel applications significantly improve your odds.
Documents Checklist
While each scholarship has specific requirements, the following documents are commonly requested. Prepare these well in advance of any deadline.
- Academic transcripts — certified/official copies from all institutions attended
- Degree certificates — undergraduate degree certificate (for Masters and PhD applicants)
- Valid passport or national ID — at least 18 months remaining from the application date
- Letters of recommendation (LORs) — typically 2–3 from academic supervisors or employers
- Personal statement or statement of purpose — 500–1,200 words depending on the programme
- Research proposal — required for PhD scholarships; typically 1,500–3,000 words
- English language test scores — IELTS (minimum 6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100); check each programme's minimum
- Academic CV or resume — includes publications, research experience, awards, and extracurriculars
- Proof of nationality — birth certificate or national identity card
- Employer reference letter — for scholarships requiring professional experience (e.g., Chevening requires 2 years)
Always verify the specific document requirements on the official scholarship website. Requirements vary by programme and change annually — this checklist covers the common core, not every programme's unique additions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there scholarships specifically for Burundian students?
Yes — most scholarships listed accept Burundian applicants, and some like Chevening and Commonwealth allocate specific country slots.
What's the typical eligibility requirement?
Most require a strong academic record (2:1 / 3.5 GPA equivalent), language proficiency, and a clear study plan demonstrating fit with the program.
Do I need IELTS to apply?
For English-language programs, yes (typically IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+). German, French, Korean, and Chinese programs often don't require IELTS — they have their own language requirements or accept exemptions.
When are the deadlines?
Most major scholarships open August-November and close October-February. Check exact dates on each scholarship's official page.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships at once?
Yes. We strongly recommend applying to 5-10 scholarships simultaneously to maximize chances of acceptance.
Do these scholarships cover travel costs?
Most fully funded scholarships cover tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation costs, health insurance, and one or two return flights per year.
Will my Burundi qualifications be recognized abroad?
Generally yes — universities have evaluation services. You may need certified translations and credential evaluation through WES, ECE, or equivalent.
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