Top African Union Scholarships Open to All African Nationals (Including Nigerians).
In Africa many students have ambitions to study more but the problem is money. Education is expensive and not all can pay. But do you know that the African Union (AU) provides scholarship opportunities to students of the African continent including Nigeria?
Such scholarships enable students to attend school without paying themselves. This article will inform you about the best African Union scholarships, requirements to apply, the covers and eligibility. This may be your chance of a lifetime once you are serious about your future.
What is the African Union?
African Union is all the African countries. It is working towards peace, unity and development in the continent. One of the ways it helps the African people is by giving out scholarships to smart but hardworking students- this is particularly in fields that will develop Africa.
Importance of African Union Scholarships
These scholarships is not only for school. They are for making leaders. AU does not want to fund students who will go and leave problems in their countries. Others will turn out to be doctors, engineers, teachers, scientists or leaders. With African Union all this is possible.
Top African Union Scholarships Open to All African Nationals
Now we should consider the most important African Union scholarships which you can apply should you be a citizen of Nigeria or any other African state.
1. Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship
This is one of the biggest and most respected AU scholarships.
What is it?
Pan African University is the university system established by the African Union. It has its branches in various African countries. It provides Master and PhD scholarships in the areas of science, technology, governance and social sciences among others.
Who Can Apply?
- Any African national
- Must have a university degree
- Must be below 30 for Master’s, and below 35 for PhD
- Must be ready to study in a different African country
What Does It Cover?
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Travel costs
- Medical insurance
- Accommodation
How to Apply?
Go to www.pau-au.africa and complete the online application form when it’s open.
2. African Union Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards
What is it?
This scholarship/award is for African scientists particularly those who are employed in Science, Technology and Innovation. Not beginners, but those who are already doing their research and need help or attention.
Who Can Apply?
- African nationals from any country
- Must have a PhD
- Must be doing scientific work that helps Africa
- Men and women are both welcome, but women are strongly encouraged to apply
What Does It Offer?
- Money award (maximum 100 000 dollars on the continental level)
- Recognition and networking opportunities
- A chance to represent Africa in global science
How to Apply?
Visit au.int/en/aurora for updates. Applications usually open every year.
3. AU-TWAS Young Scientist Fellowship
This is another African Union scholarship in partnership with TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences).
What is it?
It enables young African scientists to do research in any other African nation. Ideal for climate change workers, agriculture workers, energy workers, public health workers and water managers.
Who Can Apply?
- African nationals under 40
- Must have a PhD
- Must work in science and research
- Must be ready to travel for research purposes
What Does It Cover?
- Research expenses
- Travel allowance
- Living expenses for short-term research
How to Apply?
Application details are always posted on twas.org and au.int when open.
Can Nigerians Apply for African Union Scholarships?
Yes, Nigerians can apply to all the scholarships of the AU. Size and wealth of countries do not matter to these scholarships. Nobody can apply unless you are African.
How to Apply for African Union Scholarships
Although free, these scholarships are competitive. You must be well prepared before applying. Here are tips:
1. Get Good Grades
You have to pay more attention and concentrate more on your studies if you are still in school. Good grades are key.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Most scholarships require:
- Academic transcripts
- National ID or passport
- Recommendation letters
- Motivation Letter: Give a reason about why you require the scholarship.
- Research Proposal: Describe your aims and plan of research.
3. Apply Early
Don’t wait till the last day. Early applicants have an edge.
4. Write a Strong Motivational Letter
Tell them how the scholarship will benefit your career, what you will contribute to Africa and why you deserve it.
Fields of Study
The African Union focuses on areas that will grow the continent. Common fields are:
- Science and Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Medicine and Public Health
- Environmental Studies
- Agriculture
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Social Sciences
- Governance and Leadership
Where Will You Study?
Depending on the program, you will be sent to a university in:
- Kenya (PAUSTI)
- Algeria (PAUWES)
- Nigeria (PAULESI)
- Cameroon (PAUGHSS)
- South Africa (PAULESI Southern Campus)
Each location offers different courses. You will be placed based on your field of interest.
When to Apply?
Most African Union scholarships are opened between August and March. Please check regularly the official website: au.int or pau-au.africa to know new dates.
What You Can Do to Increase Your Chances
- Start early
- Keep your documents ready
- Get strong reference letters
- Apply to more than one scholarship
- Show that you are committed to Africa
- Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes
- Be honest in your application
FAQs
What do I do if I do not have a passport?
That’s right you can apply without having a passport. But any other document which has any valid national ID of this country must be presented i.e. national ID card, voter card or any ID permitted by the government.
In most application platforms, nationality or ID proof will be requested and therefore at least one official ID would be needed. But it’s very advisable that you start the process of getting your international passport early enough. Those who are selected will have to provide the passport later in the process.
You might be required to apply for a visa when you visit the country or to provide other documents to the host university. Some universities may even demand to have a scanned copy of your passport before they can grant you admission or draw your admission letter.
And so although you don’t need to do it in the first place, you will be required to do it later. There’s no point in doing it at the last minute. Fill up the application to your passport by going to your country as far as the immigration office or visit the country official site.
Do I need to speak French to apply?
No, you don’t need to be fluent in French to get a scholarship in African Union (AU). There are many programs available in different languages based on country and university. English is one of the languages used in some of the scholarships in AU. The supported languages are French, Portuguese and Arabic.
During the time of filling out your application, you will be given an option on which language you prefer to use. Make sure that you choose a course which is provided at that language level, so that you may be able to read what you will be learning easily. When you apply to study in a French speaking country such as Senegal or Ivory Coast, you should probably check if it’s also offered in English.
In some universities the course is available in several languages. However it’s still recommended to try to learn simple French at least when you will be living in a French speaking country. This will help you on your daily routine such as shopping, traveling and seeking help. But again, you don’t need French to get a chance to win the scholarship.
Can I work part-time as a scholarship student at the Australian universities?
The ability to work while studying will depend on the rules of the host country and the university. Some countries also allow international students to work part-time, mostly within a fixed number of hours per week.
For example, in other countries students are allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during school time and full-time during holidays. Other countries might not allow international students to work in that country so if you have a student visa. These universities also have rules regarding working students who study in a full-time program.
These are some of the questions you should ask early on. Check with your host school to see what you can and can’t get away with. Most students forget this rule even when they can work as the primary purpose of attending college is to study and graduate with success. Tuition, accommodation and living expenses are taken care of by the scholarship so you may not need to work unless you need extra money.
Conclusion
If you are a Nigerian or an African who wishes he or she could study without thinking of financial issues, one of the solutions to this question is an African Union scholarship. These scholarships are to develop a better Africa by equipping the successful students with the ingredients of success.
Start preparing. Don’t let others take your opportunity. Check the AU websites, note their updates and apply when the time comes. An opportunity can transform your life.
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