Tunisia has one of Africa's highest tertiary enrollment rates and a strong tradition in engineering, medicine, and information technology. Tunisian students are frequent winners of prestigious European scholarships — the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Erasmus+, and DAAD Germany are all well-represented in Tunisia. France remains the top destination, followed by Germany, Canada, and Italy. Tunisia's bilingual French-Arabic education system gives graduates an advantage in Francophone scholarship programs, and English proficiency has improved markedly with the expansion of technology-sector employers.
Why Study Abroad as a Tunisian Student?
International scholarships give Tunisian 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 Tunisian students include France, Germany, Canada, UK, Italy. Language of instruction in Tunisia is primarily French and Arabic, 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 Tunisian Students
The scholarships below are verified, currently active, and open to Tunisian nationals. Use the cards to view full details, official deadlines, and the direct application link for each program.
How to Apply as a Tunisian 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. Tunisian diplomas and transcripts should be apostille-certified via the Ministry of Justice before submission to foreign universities or scholarship bodies. Tunisia acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, making document authentication more straightforward than in many neighbouring countries. For UK applications (Chevening), documents need only be officially translated into English; apostille is not required for the scholarship application itself, though the receiving university will require it.
- 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 Tunisia'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 Tunisian 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 Tunisian 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: Tunisian diplomas and transcripts should be apostille-certified via the Ministry of Justice before submission to foreign universities or scholarship bodies. Tunisia acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention, making document authentication more straightforward than in many neighbouring countries. For UK applications (Chevening), documents need only be officially translated into English; apostille is not required for the scholarship application itself, though the receiving university will require it.
Tips for Tunisian Applicants
Tunisian applicants to the Eiffel Scholarship should apply through their home institution's international relations office, as French institutions nominate candidates — you cannot apply directly. For Chevening, note that UK-Tunisia alumni networks in Tunis hold preparation workshops each summer. DAAD applicants benefit from applying through the DAAD regional office in Tunis, which provides pre-application consultations in Arabic and French. Many Tunisian applicants are unaware that the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program includes partnerships with several African universities, not only North American ones.
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.