Scholarships for Tanzanians 2026
Tanzania is eligible for dozens of fully-funded international scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, flights, and health insurance. This guide lists every major scholarship available to Tanzanian citizens, with deadlines, eligibility, and application tips.
Application Tip: Most scholarship deadlines are 9-12 months before the course start date. If you want to start in September/October, begin applications the previous November-February.
Fully-Funded Scholarships
| Scholarship | Country | Level | Covers | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master's | Full tuition, stipend, flights, visa | Aug-Nov |
| Commonwealth Shared | UK | Master's/PhD | Full tuition, stipend, flights | Oct-Dec |
| DAAD (In-Country/Region) | Germany | Master's/PhD | Full tuition, stipend, insurance, flights | Oct-Nov |
| DAAD (Development-Related) | Germany | Master's/PhD | €861-1,200/month + full tuition | Jul-Oct |
| Fulbright | USA | Master's/PhD | Full tuition, stipend, flights, insurance | Feb |
| Australia Awards | Australia | Master's/PhD | Full tuition, stipend, flights, insurance | Feb-May |
| Chinese Govt. (CSC) | China | All levels | Full tuition, accommodation, stipend | Jan-Apr |
| Mastercard Foundation | Various | Undergraduate/Master's | Full funding | Varies by university |
| Turkiye Burslari | Turkey | All levels | Full tuition, stipend, flights, accommodation | Jan-Feb |
| Hungarian Stipendium | Hungary | All levels | Full tuition, stipend, accommodation | Jan-Feb |
| Korean Government (GKS) | South Korea | All levels | Full funding | Feb-Mar |
| Japanese MEXT | Japan | Undergraduate/Master's/PhD | Full tuition, stipend, flights | Apr-May |
| New Zealand Scholarships | New Zealand | Master's | Full tuition, stipend, flights | Feb-Mar |
| Swedish Institute (SI) | Sweden | Master's | Full tuition, stipend, flights, insurance | Jan-Feb |
| Aga Khan Foundation | Various | Master's | 50% grant, 50% loan (interest-free) | Mar |
Chevening Scholarship (UK) - Most Popular
Chevening is the UK government's flagship scholarship, and Tanzania has one of the highest allocations in East Africa.
- Eligibility: Tanzanian citizen, 2+ years work experience, bachelor's degree (2:1 or above), return to Tanzania after studies
- Covers: Full tuition (up to £18,000), monthly stipend (£1,133-£1,389), return flights, visa, TB test, arrival allowance
- Fields: Any Master's programme at any UK university (1 year)
- Apply: Online at chevening.org. Choose 3 UK university courses.
- Selection: Written application → shortlist → interview at British High Commission, Dar es Salaam
- Timeline: Apply Aug-Nov → Interview Feb-Mar → Results Jun → Start Sep
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers multiple scholarship types for Tanzanians:
- In-Region Programmes: Study at African universities with German support (e.g., UDSM, Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology). Stipend: €300-850/month.
- Development-Related Postgraduate Courses: Study in Germany. Stipend: €861/month (Master's) or €1,200/month (PhD) plus tuition, flights, insurance.
- Research Grants: Short-term (1-6 months) or long-term research stays in Germany.
- Language Course Scholarships: Intensive German language courses at Goethe-Institut centres.
Note: For programmes taught in German, you typically need TestDaF or DSH certification. Many Master's programmes are now offered in English.
Application Tips for Tanzanian Students
- Start Early: Begin preparing 12-18 months before your intended start date. Get transcripts, references, and test scores ready.
- Personal Statement: Focus on your impact on Tanzania. Scholarships want to fund future leaders who will return and contribute.
- References: Approach referees 2 months in advance. Provide them with your CV and a draft of your statement.
- IELTS Scores: Take the test 3-6 months before deadlines. You may need to retake. See our IELTS guide.
- Apply to Multiple: Apply for 3-5 scholarships simultaneously. Do not put all hopes on one.
- Community Service: Demonstrable community impact strengthens applications significantly.
FAQ
It depends. Chevening requires 2+ years. Commonwealth varies. DAAD development-related requires 2+ years. Fulbright prefers it. Australia Awards require 2+ years. Undergraduate scholarships (Mastercard Foundation, Turkiye Burslari) do not require work experience.
Yes, and you should. Apply to every scholarship you are eligible for. You can always decline offers if you receive multiple. However, note that some scholarships (like Chevening) require you to declare other funding applications.