Scholarships for Kenyan Students 2026
Dozens of fully funded scholarships are available to Kenyan students every year, covering tuition, living expenses, flights, and health insurance. This guide lists the most prestigious and accessible scholarship programmes, with deadlines and application tips.
Pro Tip: Start preparing 12-18 months before deadlines. Most competitive scholarships require strong academic records, leadership experience, community involvement, and a clear study plan. Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously.
UK Scholarships
Fully FundedChevening Scholarship
- Level: Master's degree (1 year)
- Covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend (GBP 1,300+), flights, visa, arrival allowance
- Eligibility: 2+ years work experience, bachelor's degree, return to Kenya for 2 years
- Deadline: Usually September-November each year
- How to apply: chevening.org - online application
- Kenya allocation: Approximately 25-30 scholars per year
Fully FundedCommonwealth Scholarship
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Covers: Full tuition, stipend, flights, thesis allowance
- Eligibility: First class or strong upper second degree
- Deadline: Usually October-December
- How to apply: Through the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO
Partial/FullUniversity-Specific
- Oxford (Rhodes/Clarendon): Full funding for exceptional candidates
- Cambridge Gates: Full PhD funding
- Edinburgh Global: GBP 5,000-10,000 tuition reduction
- Warwick, Manchester, UCL: Various international scholarships
US Scholarships
Fully FundedFulbright Foreign Student Program
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Covers: Full tuition, living stipend, health insurance, flights
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, strong academic record, leadership
- Deadline: Usually April-May (for following year start)
- How to apply: Through the US Embassy Nairobi, EducationUSA office
Fully FundedMastercard Foundation Scholars
- Level: Undergraduate and Master's
- Covers: Full tuition, accommodation, stipend, mentoring
- Universities: Duke, Stanford, Wellesley, McGill, USIU-Africa, and more
- Eligibility: Academic talent, financial need, commitment to Africa
- Deadline: Varies by university
Merit-BasedOther US Opportunities
- YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative): Leadership fellowship at US universities
- Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship: Professional development (mid-career)
- Graduate assistantships: Many US universities fund master's/PhD through teaching or research assistantships
European Scholarships
Fully FundedDAAD Scholarship (Germany)
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Covers: EUR 934/month (Master's), EUR 1,300/month (PhD) + tuition + insurance + travel
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, 2+ years work experience (for some programmes)
- Deadline: Usually September-October
Fully FundedErasmus Mundus (EU)
- Level: Joint Master's (study in 2-3 European countries)
- Covers: EUR 1,400/month + tuition + travel + insurance
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree, varies by programme
- Deadline: Usually January-March (for October start)
Fully FundedNetherlands Fellowship (NFP)
- Level: Short courses and Master's
- Covers: Tuition, visa, travel, living allowance
- Eligibility: Mid-career professionals from Kenya
- Deadline: Varies by programme
Australia & Other Scholarships
Fully FundedAustralia Awards
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Covers: Full tuition, return flights, living allowance, health insurance, introductory academic programme
- Eligibility: 2+ years work experience, bachelor's degree, under 42 years (PhD under 50)
- Deadline: Usually April-June (for February start next year)
- How to apply: australiaawardafrica.org
Fully FundedNew Zealand Scholarships
- Level: Master's and PhD
- Covers: Full tuition, living allowance, travel, health insurance
- How to apply: Through MFAT (NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
Fully FundedJapanese MEXT Scholarship
- Level: Undergraduate, Master's, PhD
- Covers: Full tuition, monthly allowance (JPY 143,000-145,000), flights
- How to apply: Through the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi
- Deadline: Usually April (for April start next year)
Application Tips for Kenyan Students
- Start early: Begin researching and preparing 12-18 months before deadlines
- Perfect your English: Take IELTS/TOEFL early. Aim for 7.0+ IELTS for competitive scholarships
- Get strong references: Build relationships with professors and supervisors who know your work well
- Write a compelling personal statement: Show your story, motivation, career goals, and how you will contribute to Kenya
- Demonstrate leadership: Community service, student leadership, professional achievements
- Apply widely: Apply to 5-10 scholarships simultaneously to increase your chances
- Follow instructions exactly: Many applications are rejected for not following basic requirements
- Visit EducationUSA Nairobi: Free advising for US studies at the US Embassy
Frequently Asked Questions
Most competitive scholarships look for a first class or strong upper second class degree (equivalent to 3.5+ GPA on a 4.0 scale). However, many scholarships also heavily weight leadership experience, community involvement, and professional achievement. A lower GPA can be offset by exceptional work experience and a compelling personal statement.
Yes, and you should. Apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for. Some (like Chevening) may restrict you from holding concurrent awards, but you can apply to multiple and choose if you receive more than one offer. The more applications you submit, the higher your chances of success.
Yes, though most fully funded scholarships are for postgraduate study. For undergraduates: Mastercard Foundation Scholars (multiple US universities), Japanese MEXT, university merit scholarships, and sports scholarships (especially for US colleges). Some UK universities offer international student bursaries for undergraduates.