Supporting word-class training for African students at Oxford
AfOx Graduate Scholarships
By 2050 the majority of the world’s student age population will be in Africa. African graduates and researchers will play a key role in contributing to the future of not just the continent, but the world. We are taking a multi-pronged approach aimed at increasing the number of successful African applications to Oxford, improving the uptake of offers by supporting scholarships and providing on-course support to African graduates during their time at the University.
Scholarships for African students at Oxford
The AfOx Graduate Scholarships aim to provide outstanding African graduates with the opportunity to undertake a fully funded Masters degree at the University of Oxford. Going beyond providing course fees and living costs, the AfOx scholarships deliver tailor-made training programmes, networking opportunities and support for students before, during and following their time at Oxford.
AfOx Scholarships Selection Process (2026/27 entry)
September-January: Ensure you apply for the relevant course by the earliest deadline, ensuring that you meet the specific funding deadline for your course. To begin your application, please click here to learn more about courses, fees and funding, and applying to Oxford. Please be aware that the exact deadline can vary depending on the course. As such, it's recommended that prospective students check the specific application deadline for their chosen course well in advance.
Most postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford have application deadlines in December or January, but not all. Visit the University Graduate Admissions website for more information.
Oxford Admissions office processing applications
February - April: If you are eligible for consideration, you will receive an email from Student Fees and Funding with an invitation to an AfOx scholarship interview (online via Zoom).
April - June AfOx will conduct scholar interviews.
By July 2026: Candidates will be informed of the outcome of their AfOx scholarship interview. Successful candidates will receive a scholarship offer letter from Student Fees and Funding and an information pack from AfOx with further information about arrival in Oxford and the induction programme.
AfOx Graduate Scholarships Partners
The AfOx Graduate Scholarships are offered in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation, Standard Bank Africa's Chairman Scholarship, Oppenheimer Fund and the Kennedy Institute.
The University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation have established an innovative and ambitious partnership under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx) to offer a range of scholarships for African candidates applying for taught postgraduate courses at the University of Oxford for 2025/26 entry.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholarships at the University of Oxford cover course fees and a grant for living costs for taught postgraduate students at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed taught postgraduate course.
To be considered for this scholarship you must submit your application for graduate study by the relevant December/January deadline for your course. Eligible offer holders will be automatically considered and contacted by Student Fees and Funding via email. Eligible candidates will be invited to demonstrate how they meet the following selection criteria.
In awarding the Scholarships the panel looks at four areas: 1) Academic merit and potential 2) Leadership experience and capacity development 3) Alignment with AfOx values and themes 4) Commitment to Africa’s development.
For more information about these scholarships, visit the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Oxford page.
The Oppenheimer Fund makes small awards that are linked to other scholarship schemes in order to offer full scholarship awards. Scholarships are available for applicants who are applying to a full-time master’s course, and who have previously studied at a South African university.
If you fulfil the eligibility criteria and apply for your course by the relevant December or January deadline for your course you will be automatically considered for the Oppenheimer Fund scholarships as part of the standard admissions process, or contacted directly by the University and invited to apply. Please see the standard scholarship selection terms for more information about the application and selection process.
The Kennedy Institute is a world-leading research institute that carries out basic and translational research into immune function and inflammatory disease. Their research covers immune mediated inflammatory disease (including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and mechano-inflammatory disease (including osteoarthritis and tendinopathy), as well as working on cancer, biophysics, infection, the microbiome, metabolism, aging, computational biology, heart disease and tissue healing. The fully funded AfOx Kennedy Trust Prize Studentship has been developed in order to build links between African universities and institutes and the Kennedy Institute.
Click here for more information.
Saïd Business School has made a pledge to continue to invest in Africa and support the next generation of African leaders. Saïd Business School understands the impact that the youth can have in driving the opportunities in Africa and we advocate for companies both in Africa and abroad to recognise the value in investing in job-creating industries in Africa. Saïd Business School's aim is to support young, inspiring Africans looking to leave their mark on the continent and to understand the role big business plays in driving economic growth.
The AfOx graduate scholarship will cover 100% of course fees, a grant for living costs and one return flight to and from the UK. Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course. The scholarship also provides logistics support, including an economy return flight, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, settling down allowance. The first year includes a Leadership and Impact Programme, which supports scholars to develop the collaborative leadership qualities needed to build cross-sector, interdisciplinary solutions to address complex social and environmental problems. Beyond this, the scholarship provides academic and social support programs and links with the broader AfOx networks across the UK and Africa.
After completing their Master’s Program, Scholars will be supported to take up 4-6 months placements in leading Africa-based organisations for their Ubuntu Period of Service. The scholars will work on initiatives in Africa, receiving mentoring from leading Africa-based academics and practitioners, enabling the Scholars to develop pathways to building impactful careers in Africa. Scholars will be linked with research, business and policy leaders based in the continent for mentorship and experiential learning.
Click here for more information
We are delighted that the following colleges have partnered with us:
Balliol
Christ Church
Corpus Christi
Green Templeton
Hertford
Kellogg
Linacre
Mansfield
Oriel
Reuben
Somerville
St Cross
University College
Worcester
AfOx Graduate Admissions Support
We support the University of Oxford Africa Society's Mentoring Programme for prospective African applicants applying to Oxford through virtual open days and the AfriSoc Mentoring Scheme.
Thriving at Oxford
Our bespoke support programmes aim to ensure that African graduates don't just survive, but thrive in Oxford.
Read our Unofficial Guide to Oxford where students, alumni and staff share top tips on navigating Oxford and the University.
Click here for more information.
Adjusting to a new academic environment and style of writing can be challenging. At the start of every academic year we facilitate a writing workshop for students to discuss essay formats, dissertation writing, references and how to synthesise information.
Our DPhil roundtable brings together research students and academic supervisors to share guidance and top tips for undertaking a DPhil in Oxford.
The Thrive Fund supports African graduate students to pursue activities that will ensure the viability of academic projects, meet unexpected and urgent financial circumstances and support urgent needs that might be considered appropriate by the award committee.
Our graduate social mixers are an opportunity for African students to come together and interact with fellow students, alumni and staff in an informal and relaxed environment. The aim of the mixers is to help build a flourishing community, create networks and provide institutional support for African graduate students in Oxford.
Ubuntu Transitions
The Ubuntu Transitions period is both a personal growth and a career development opportunity, focused on turning passion into action in a meaningful and impactful way. Through our vast network across the continent, AfOx matches African Oxford graduates with the appropriate people, firms and programmes for experiential learning and making impactful contributions. Supported activities and projects include working in corporates, start-ups, multinational development agencies, Governments, NGOs or research institutions. Placements in Africa-based institutions are preferred, although Africa-facing organisations outside the continent will also be considered.
The terms of the placements are tailored to meet the Scholars’ needs and aspirations as well as the host institutions’ priorities. The projects undertaken are required to align with the four AfOx themes (Healthy People, Green Futures, Integrated Societies, Innovation for Prosperity) and directly contribute to the improvement of society.
Participating Scholars are provided with a modest salary for 4-6 months upon completion of their studies, and a connection with Oxford will be maintained during their placements. Firms are welcome to extend the opportunity beyond the funded period. Upon completion, Scholars must demonstrate that they have developed their technical, leadership and entrepreneurship skills to build and contribute to enterprises that create meaningful employment and drive positive change in Africa.
If you wish to participate, kindly send an email to afox@ndm.ox.ac.uk.
Thames' Flowing Tapestry: Reflections of my Oxford Experience
Emmanuel Uzim is a Standard Bank Africa Chairman scholar from Nigeria studying the MSc in Energy Systems at the University of Oxford. In this blog, he reflects on his Oxford experience.
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