What are the best scholarships for Zimbabwean students?

Top fully-funded scholarships include: Chevening (UK, master's degree, fully funded including flights and living costs), Fulbright (USA, master's or PhD), DAAD (Germany, EUR 934-1,200/month stipend), Commonwealth Scholarships (UK, for master's and PhD), Mastercard Foundation Scholars (various universities), Mandela Rhodes Foundation (South Africa), Australia Awards, and Chinese Government Scholarships. Each has different deadlines and eligibility criteria.

When should Zimbabweans apply for scholarships?

Most major scholarship deadlines fall between August and February for the following academic year. Chevening opens in August and closes in November. Fulbright typically has an April deadline for the following year. DAAD deadlines vary by program (October-December for most). Commonwealth Scholarships close in December. Start preparing 12-18 months before your intended start date. Applications require references, essays, and academic transcripts.

Can I get a fully funded scholarship from Zimbabwe?

Yes, several scholarships cover full tuition, living expenses, flights, and health insurance. Chevening covers everything for a 1-year UK master's. Fulbright covers tuition, living costs, and flights for US study. DAAD provides a monthly stipend plus tuition waiver and health insurance. Commonwealth Scholarships are fully funded. The key is applying early, having strong academics (at least an upper second or 2:1 equivalent), and writing compelling personal statements.

Scholarships for Zimbabweans 2026

Complete guide to fully-funded scholarships for Zimbabwean students to study abroad

Chevening Scholarships (UK)

FULLY FUNDED

Level	Master's degree (1 year)
Covers	Full tuition, monthly stipend (GBP 1,347 London / GBP 1,133 elsewhere), return flights, visa, TB test, thesis grant
Eligibility	Zimbabwean citizen, 2+ years work experience, bachelor's degree (2:1 or above), return to Zimbabwe for 2 years after
Application opens	August (for the following September intake)
Deadline	Usually early November
Competition	Highly competitive. ~10-15 scholarships for Zimbabwe annually

Tips: Choose 3 UK university courses. Show clear leadership and networking potential. Demonstrate how your study will benefit Zimbabwe. Strong references are critical.

Fulbright Program (USA)

FULLY FUNDED

Level	Master's or PhD
Covers	Full tuition, monthly stipend, round-trip flights, health insurance, book allowance
Eligibility	Zimbabwean citizen, bachelor's degree, strong academics, English proficiency
Deadline	Usually April (check US Embassy Harare)
Duration	1-2 years (master's), 3-5 years (PhD)

DAAD Scholarships (Germany)

FULLY FUNDED

Level	Master's, PhD, or postdoctoral research
Monthly stipend	EUR 934 (master's) / EUR 1,200 (PhD)
Also covers	Health insurance, travel allowance, tuition (at tuition-free universities), study allowance
Programs	Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), In-Country/In-Region, Research Grants
Deadline	October-December (varies by program)

Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)

FULLY FUNDED

Level	Master's or PhD
Covers	Full tuition, living allowance, flights, thesis grant, warm clothing allowance
Eligibility	Commonwealth citizen (Zimbabwe qualifies), upper second class degree (2:1) or above
Deadline	December (for the following October intake)
Priority fields	Science, technology, sustainability, governance, public health

More Scholarships for Zimbabweans

Scholarship	Country	Level	Coverage
Mastercard Foundation Scholars	Various (Africa focus)	Bachelor's, Master's	Full tuition + stipend
Australia Awards	Australia	Master's, Short courses	Full tuition + living
Mandela Rhodes Foundation	South Africa	Postgraduate	Tuition + stipend
Chinese Government Scholarship	China	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD	Full tuition + stipend + accommodation
Turkiye Scholarships	Turkey	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD	Full tuition + stipend + accommodation
Hungarian Government Scholarship	Hungary	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD	Full tuition + stipend
Erasmus Mundus	Europe (multiple)	Joint Master's	Full + travel allowance
Gates Cambridge	UK (Cambridge)	PhD, Master's	Full (highly competitive)
Rhodes Scholarship	UK (Oxford)	Postgraduate	Full (extremely competitive)

Application Tips

Start early: Begin 12-18 months before your intended start date
Multiple applications: Apply to 5-10 scholarships to maximise chances
Strong personal statement: Link your studies to Zimbabwe's development needs. Show leadership and community impact
Academic excellence: Most require at least upper second class (2:1). Aim for distinction
References: Choose referees who know you well. Give them 4-6 weeks notice
IELTS preparation: Start 3-6 months before. Many scholarships require 6.5-7.0. See our IELTS Guide for test centres in Zimbabwe and fees, and visit AllThingsIELTS.com for practice tests and study materials
Research the program: Show specific knowledge of why that university and course suit your goals
Follow instructions exactly: Missing documents or exceeding word limits lead to automatic rejection

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you should apply to multiple scholarships to maximise your chances. Most scholarships do not restrict you from applying to others. However, some (like Chevening) may require you to decline if you receive another scholarship. Always read the terms carefully.

It depends on the scholarship. Chevening requires 2+ years of work experience. Fulbright prefers some work experience but it is not always mandatory. DAAD varies by program. Commonwealth Scholarships for developing countries often prefer candidates with professional experience. Fresh graduates can focus on academic scholarships from universities directly.