Students
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, improving the update of offers by supporting scholarships and providing on-course support to African graduates at Oxford.
Scholarships for African students at Oxford
The AfOx Graduate Scholarships aim to provide outstanding African graduates 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.
View the list of scholars here
AfOx Scholarships Selection Process
September-January- Apply for the relevant course by the earliest deadline. When selecting a college, make sure that you select AfOx Partner Colleges.
Late March – If you are eligible for consideration, you will receive an email from Student Fees and Funding with an invitation to complete a Microsoft Form application
Early April – Deadline for the Microsoft Form applications to be submitted
April-May – Application review process
Late May – Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified that they have not been successful in their application.
Early June – Interviews take place (online via Zoom)
Late June/Early July – Interview outcomes will be communicated to all candidates. Successful candidates will receive an offer letter from Student Fees and Funding and a letter from AfOx with further information.
AfOx Graduate Scholarships Partners
The AfOx Graduate Scholars are offered in collaboration with Mastercard Foundation, Standard Bank Africa's Chairman Scholarship, Oppenheimer Fund, Kennedy Institute, St Hugh's College and Reuben College.
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). 60-70 Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships are available for applicants to any full-time one-year taught master’s course at Oxford for 2024-25 entry who are African nationals, are ordinarily resident in African countries who are applying and intending to return to Africa upon completion of their studies.
The Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarships cover course fees and a grant for living costs for full-time students at the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend rate. Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.
To be considered for this scholarship, submit your application for graduate study by the relevant December/January deadline for your course, and tick the relevant box on the graduate application form. If you are eligible for this scholarship, you will be contacted by email in late March and asked to submit additional material to show how you meet the 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 AfOx Scholarships page.
The Chairman’s Scholarship covers a one-year Master’s in Social Sciences, Humanities or Mathematical or Physical or Life Sciences at the University of Oxford. Preference is given to students starting a course in any of the following:
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MSc African Studies
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MSc Education (Digital and Social Change)
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MSc Energy Systems
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MSc Environmental Change and Management
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MSc Financial Economics
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MSc in Mathematical and Computational Finance
The Oppenheimer Fund makes small awards that are linked to other scholarship schemes such as 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 include immune mediated inflammatory disease (including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease), mechano-inflammatory disease (including osteoarthritis and tendinopathy), cancer, biophysics, infection, microbiome, metabolism, aging, computational biology, heart disease and tissue healing. We have developed a fully funded AfOx Kennedy Trust Prize Studentship 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 her for more information
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.
Our livestream Q&A session features a panel of professors, admissions officers and students who share guidelines best tips for applying to Oxford.
Click here to watch our previous sessions.
We support the University of Oxford Africa Society's Mentoring Programme for prospective African applicants applying to Oxford. In the last academic year, 120 African applicants were mentored by 40 African graduates students currently studying at Oxford. The mentors lend their time and experience to help applicants with writing CV’s and personal letters, managing referees and identifying suitable scholarships.
Thriving at Oxford
Our bespoke support programmes aim to ensure that African graduates don't just survive, but thrive in Oxford.
What does matriculation mean? Where can I get a good haircut?
Read our Unofficial Guide to Oxford where students, alumni and staff share top tips on navigating Oxford and the University.
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 round table brings together research students and academic supervisors to share guidance and best tips in 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 other students, alumni and staff in an informal and relaxed environment. The aim of the mixers are 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, focussed 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 programs for experiential learning and making impactful contributions. Supported activities/projects include launching start-ups, 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.
The Program provides 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.
