The AFOx Graduate Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded offer outstanding African graduates an opportunity to pursue a fully funded master’s degree at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The scholarships are part of the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), which works to increase access to Oxford graduate education for African students and provide support before, during, and after their studies.
The current AfOx information confirms that the programme aims to support outstanding African graduates through fully funded master’s study, alongside tailored training, networking opportunities, and additional support throughout their Oxford experience. The University of Oxford also confirms that the Mastercard Foundation and AfOx partnership will offer a range of scholarships to African candidates applying for eligible taught postgraduate courses for the 2027/28 entry.
Background and Overview
The Africa Oxford Initiative, commonly known as AfOx, is a University of Oxford initiative focused on strengthening equitable partnerships between Oxford and African institutions.
One of its major activities is supporting African graduates who want to pursue postgraduate education at Oxford. The AfOx Graduate Scholarships are designed to go beyond simply paying university fees. Scholars can receive academic, leadership, networking, and career-development support during their studies and beyond.
AfOx explains that its objective is to increase the number of successful African applications to Oxford, improve the uptake of Oxford offers through scholarship support, and help African graduates thrive during their time at the University.
The programme is therefore particularly relevant to talented African graduates who want to combine an Oxford education with a long-term commitment to contributing to Africa’s development.
What the Scholarship Offers
The AfOx Graduate Scholarships are described by AfOx as fully funded master’s scholarships.
Depending on the particular scholarship stream and programme, financial support can include:
- Full course tuition fees.
- Living-cost support.
- Travel assistance.
- Visa and Immigration Health Surcharge support in applicable programmes.
- Settling-down assistance.
- Access to leadership and impact programmes.
- Academic and social support.
- Networking opportunities.
- Career and professional development support.
The exact package can vary according to the scholarship partner and eligible course. For example, the Mastercard Foundation-AfOx programme describes full-cost support covering tuition and living expenses, together with logistics support such as an economy return flight, visa and Immigration Health Surcharge fees, and a settling-down allowance.
Applicants should therefore check the scholarship attached to their specific Oxford course rather than assuming every AfOx award has the same benefits.
Eligible Study Programmes
AfOx scholarships are primarily aimed at African students applying for taught postgraduate master’s programmes at Oxford.
The University of Oxford confirms that the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program in partnership with AfOx is offering scholarships for African candidates applying for eligible taught postgraduate courses for 2027/28 entry.
Eligible courses can vary depending on the scholarship partner and academic year. Applicants should therefore identify their intended Oxford master’s programme first and then verify whether it is included among the courses eligible for the relevant AfOx scholarship.
This is especially important because not every Oxford postgraduate course automatically qualifies for every scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility depends on the specific AfOx scholarship route.
For the Mastercard Foundation-AfOx scholarship, the current Oxford information identifies several important criteria. Applicants should:
- Be a citizen of an African country.
- Be ordinarily resident in an African country, subject to specific considerations for refugees and displaced applicants.
- Apply for an eligible full-time taught master’s course.
- Submit the Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January funding deadline.
- Demonstrate a record of leadership and service within their community.
- Demonstrate alignment with AfOx values.
- Show how their previous work or plans can contribute to addressing major challenges facing Africa.
- Meet the academic and admission requirements of their selected Oxford course.
The Mastercard Foundation-AfOx programme particularly emphasises applicants who have historically been under-represented in higher education, including women, refugees and displaced people, and applicants with accessibility needs.
Leadership and Community Service
Academic excellence is important, but AfOx scholarship selection also places considerable emphasis on leadership, service, and impact.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they have contributed to their communities and how they intend to use their education to address challenges in Africa.
Examples could include:
- Community-development initiatives.
- Social entrepreneurship.
- Youth programmes.
- Research addressing African challenges.
- Public-service activities.
- Education initiatives.
- Health or development projects.
- Environmental programmes.
- Technology and innovation initiatives.
Candidates should focus on demonstrating actual contributions and explaining the impact of their work rather than simply listing activities.
AfOx Values
Applicants for the Mastercard Foundation-AfOx programme are expected to demonstrate alignment with the programme’s values, including:
- Collegiality.
- Empathy.
- Commitment.
- Transparency.
- Inclusivity.
These values reflect AfOx’s broader objective of building collaborative relationships between African scholars and the wider Oxford community.
Applicants should consider these principles when preparing their personal statements, scholarship materials, and interview responses.
Leadership and Impact Programme
The scholarship experience goes beyond academic study.
The Mastercard Foundation-AfOx programme includes a Leadership and Impact Programme, which is intended to help scholars develop collaborative leadership capabilities and build cross-sector and interdisciplinary approaches to complex social and environmental challenges.
This additional training is an important part of the AfOx model because scholars are expected to use their Oxford experience beyond the classroom and contribute to positive change in Africa.
Ubuntu Transitions
Another distinctive component of the AfOx Graduate Scholarships is Ubuntu Transitions.
Following completion of their master’s studies, scholars can receive support to undertake a period of experiential learning in Africa. AfOx describes this as a 4–6 month placement with organisations such as companies, start-ups, multinational development agencies, governments, NGOs, or research institutions.
The placements are intended to connect scholars with organisations where they can apply their skills and contribute to meaningful projects. AfOx states that Africa-based placements are preferred, although Africa-facing organisations outside the continent can also be considered.
The Mastercard Foundation programme similarly describes a 4–6 month Ubuntu Period of Service following the master’s programme.
Application Process
Applicants should begin by identifying an eligible Oxford master’s programme that matches their academic background and career objectives.
The general process involves:
- Researching eligible Oxford master’s programmes.
- Reviewing the academic and admissions requirements.
- Preparing academic transcripts and supporting documents.
- Completing the Oxford graduate application.
- Selecting the relevant funding opportunity where required.
- Submitting the application by the applicable Oxford funding deadline.
- Waiting for consideration and, where eligible, an invitation to the AfOx scholarship selection process.
- Participating in an online interview if shortlisted.
AfOx advises prospective students to apply for their chosen course by the earliest relevant funding deadline, noting that Oxford course deadlines vary. The University also advises applicants to check the specific deadline for their chosen course.
Selection Process
The AfOx selection process takes place after eligible candidates have applied for their Oxford course.
For the previous 2026/27 cycle, the AfOx website described a process in which eligible candidates were invited to an online scholarship interview between February and April, followed by scholar interviews and notification of outcomes.
However, this timeline is specifically labelled 2026/27 entry on the AfOx page and should not be presented as the confirmed 2027/28 timeline. Applicants for 2027/28 should follow the new schedule when AfOx and Oxford publish it.
Scholarship Partners
The AfOx Graduate Scholarship programme has been supported through partnerships with several organisations.
The AfOx website identifies partners including:
- Mastercard Foundation.
- Oppenheimer Fund.
- Kennedy Trust.
- Saïd Business School.
- Blavatnik School of Government.
- Partner Oxford colleges.
The exact scholarship route and eligibility requirements can depend on the partner funding the award.
The University of Oxford currently confirms the continuation of the Mastercard Foundation-AfOx partnership for African candidates applying for eligible taught postgraduate courses for the 2027/28 entry.
Application Deadline
There is no single confirmed AfOx Graduate Scholarship deadline for every 2027/28 applicant.
Instead, applicants must submit their Oxford graduate application by the relevant December or January funding deadline for their chosen course. Oxford and AfOx emphasise that the exact deadline varies by course.
Applicants should therefore check the individual Oxford course page carefully and apply by the earliest applicable funding deadline.
The previous AfOx page contains a 2026/27 selection timeline, but those dates should not be assumed to apply to the 2027/28 intake.
Support Before and After Oxford
AfOx provides support beyond the scholarship application itself.
Prospective African applicants can access initiatives such as the AfriSoc Mentoring Scheme and virtual open days designed to help students understand the Oxford application process.
Once at Oxford, scholars can access support programmes including essay-writing workshops, academic roundtables, social activities, and other initiatives intended to help African students thrive.
After graduation, the Ubuntu Transitions programme can provide opportunities for experiential learning and connections with organisations across Africa.
Why Consider the AfOx Graduate Scholarships?
The programme combines three important elements: fully funded graduate education, leadership development, and long-term support.
For African students, this can provide an opportunity to study at one of the world’s leading universities while developing skills and networks that can be applied to challenges affecting their communities and countries.
The programme’s emphasis on leadership and Africa-focused impact also makes it particularly relevant to applicants who already have a clear record of community service, professional achievement, research, entrepreneurship, or development work.
Final Thoughts
The AFOx Graduate Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded offer an important opportunity for outstanding African graduates seeking fully funded master’s study at the University of Oxford.
AfOx states that its Graduate Scholarships aim to cover course fees and living costs while providing additional training, networking, academic support, and career-development opportunities. The Mastercard Foundation-AfOx partnership is confirmed by Oxford as offering scholarships to eligible African candidates applying for taught postgraduate courses for the 2027/28 entry.
Applicants should begin by selecting an eligible Oxford master’s programme and preparing a strong graduate application. They should also demonstrate leadership, community service, alignment with AfOx values, and a clear commitment to addressing challenges facing Africa.
Because the exact application deadline depends on the chosen Oxford course, candidates should not rely on a single generic AfOx deadline. Instead, they should check their course’s December or January funding deadline and submit all required materials on time.
Current official sources: AfOx Graduate Scholarships and Oxford Graduate Scholarships.
SEO Keywords: AFOx Graduate Scholarships 2027, AfOx scholarships 2027, Africa Oxford Initiative scholarships, Oxford scholarships for African students, fully funded Oxford scholarships 2027, Oxford master’s scholarships, scholarships for African students in UK, Mastercard Foundation AfOx Scholarship, Oxford scholarships 2027, fully funded master’s scholarships UK, University of Oxford scholarships for Africans
Also Check
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded
We are hiring! NeuroGym Rehabilitation & Wellness is looking for a Doctor of Physiotherapy (both male and female can apply.
PwC Reporting & Assurance Intern Summer 2027
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CculATjfuTNKDISQGtP0uw?s=cl&p=a&mlu=4&ilr=4
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb7isAg6buMKEWUmte0K
Facebook Page:
2 thoughts on “AFOx Graduate Scholarships 2027 | Fully Funded”