Deadline: January 31, 2026
The AfOx Graduate Scholarships are part of an ambitious partnership between the University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation, delivered through the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx). The programme is designed to expand access to world-class graduate education for African students at a time when, by 2050, the majority of the world’s student-age population will be in Africa. AfOx takes a multi-pronged approach that increases successful African applications to Oxford, improves uptake of offers through scholarships, and provides structured academic, leadership, and wellbeing support throughout a scholar’s time at the University.
The AfOx Graduate Scholarships provide fully funded one-year taught master’s degrees at the University of Oxford. Beyond covering full course fees and a living cost grant of at least £20,780, the scholarships include tailored training programmes, leadership development, networking opportunities, and support before, during, and after study at Oxford. For the 2026–27 academic year, up to five AfOx Graduate Scholarships are available specifically for the Oxford MBA programme, delivered in partnership with the Saïd Business School Foundation, while additional AfOx and Mastercard Foundation scholarships support a wider range of eligible master’s courses across the University.
The scholarships are open to African citizens who are ordinarily resident in African countries, including those from refugee or displaced backgrounds, and who have not previously completed a graduate degree. Applicants must demonstrate a strong record of leadership, service, and commitment to Africa’s development, as well as alignment with AfOx values of collegiality, empathy, commitment, transparency, and inclusivity. Particular encouragement is given to candidates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, women, refugees or displaced persons, and persons with disabilities, recognising the structural barriers these groups face in accessing higher education.
Under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Oxford, selected scholars receive comprehensive support that goes beyond academics. This includes logistical support such as return flights, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, settling-in allowances, and access to emergency support funds. Scholars participate in a Leadership and Impact Programme alongside their academic studies and join a strong pan-African and global alumni network. A distinctive feature of the programme is the Ubuntu Period of Service, undertaken after completion of the master’s degree, during which scholars spend 4–6 months working with Africa-based organisations, including startups, NGOs, research institutions, governments, or development agencies, to deliver tangible impact on the continent.
Eligible fields of study align with Africa’s most pressing challenges and the AfOx thematic areas linked to Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, including public policy, governance, health sciences, climate and environmental sustainability, water and energy systems, entrepreneurship, innovation, and youth employment. In addition to master’s programmes, the partnership has expanded to include funding for the PGDip in Global Health Research (Part-Time) for the 2026–27 entry, further broadening access to advanced training in critical health research fields.
There is no separate initial scholarship application. Applicants must first apply for an eligible Oxford course through the Graduate Admissions Portal by the relevant December or January funding deadline for their programme. Eligible offer holders will then be contacted by Student Fees and Funding and invited to complete a scholarship application. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to online interviews between February and June 2026, with final decisions expected by July 2026 for master’s programmes, and August 2027 for the PGDip Global Health Research awards.
Through the AfOx Graduate Scholarships and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Oxford aims to support hundreds of African scholars, equipping them with advanced knowledge, leadership skills, and lifelong networks to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s social, economic, and environmental transformation.
