Last updated on March 13th, 2024 at 08:19 pm

This article takes you through the various scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates (plus a few sponsorship opportunities for masters programmes).

We hope that you will take advantage of the various opportunities to advance your studies locally or abroad and build a successful career.

Scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates: summary

We have highlighted the basic requirements of each scholarship to help you make an informed decision (including those related to the local scholarships in Kenya).

Ministry Of Education Kenya Scholarships

These scholarships are availed to Kenyan scholars through the ministry of education.

Egyptian Scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates

General requirements:

• Must have completed form 4 within the last 2 years (maximum).
• Candidates have obtained a score of at least 6.0 in the IELTS (not taken before January 2018).
• Satisfy the specific course requirements as set by the council of the university you’re applying to.

More information and how to apply

Click here

Algerian Government Scholarships 2023

The Government of Algeria is offering 105 scholarships to Kenyans at the undergraduate level taught in French except for Diploma in Imamat (taught in Arabic).

Students have to undergo a one (1) year preparatory French course before joining their selected programs.

The following programmes are available:

• Medicine
• Pharmacy
• Dental Surgery
• Technical Sciences
• Science of Matter
• Mathematics and Informatics
• Sciences of Nature and Life
• French Language
• Sciences of Earth and the universe
• Architecture and Urban Planning
• Sciences & technics of physical & sportive activities
• Science of maritime navigation
• Transport Engineer (option Meteorology)

Scholarship coverage

The scholarship covers the following items:

1. Tuition fees
2. Accommodation
3. Meals
4. University transport
5. Medical insurance
6. A monthly stipend (pocket money (amount to be determined)).

Note that the one-way air ticket for the successful student is not catered for in the package.

More information and how to apply

Click here.

Editors Note: We are waiting for the 2024 Algerian scholarships to be announced as the 2023 batch has already been selected.

Russia scholarships 2024

The Kenyan Embassy in Moscow Russia has announced a couple of Scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The application process is divided into 6 steps as follows:

1. Sign up then submit the scholarship application form online.
2. Attach the required scanned documents.
3. Pass a competitive selection interview in Kenya.
4. Select up to 6 Russian universities and wait until your scholarship application is approved.
5. Apply for Russian visa.
6. Arrive in Russia.

More information and how to apply

Interested Kenyans are advised to apply immediately through this link.

Greece Scholarships 2024

The Embassy of Greece via the Ministry of Education in Kenya also offers several scholarships at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels for Kenyans.

You must be already studying in one of the accredited universities in Greece to qualify for these scholarships at the Masters and Doctoral level.

More information and how to apply

Click here.

 

Fully-Funded fellowship scholarships Awards – 2024/2025

The AU (African Union) Presidency (currently led by the President of the Arabic Republic of Egypt) and the British University (in Egypt) are offering fully-funded grants and scholarships at the undergraduate level for Kenyan students in a variety of domains.

Scholarship coverage

The scholarship caters for Travel tickets, Accommodation, tuition fees and learning materials like books, other academic tools as well as your medication.

Minimum Requirements

1. Applicants must supply the following documents

• The original KCSE Certificate.
• Original birth certificate
• Copy of his/her Kenyan passport

2. Applicant’s KCSE grade must be acceptable for admission into any of the Kenyan public universities (this means you must have scored at least a C+)
3. Must have completed the KCSE within the last two years (maximum) to be eligible.
4. Candidates must have obtained a score of at least 6.0 in the IELTS (not taken before January 2018).

Areas of study

• Business Administration
• Economics
• Political Science
• Communication & Mass Media
• Engineering
• Energy & Environmental Engineering
• Informatics & Computer Science
• Dentistry
• Pharmacy
• Nursing
• English Language and Literature
• Psychology
• Law

Application procedure and other details

Visit the website

Contact: info@bue.edu.eg

Ashinaga Scholarship 2024

This scholarship is provided by the Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI), a prestigious academic leadership programme started in 2014 and targets orphaned students.

You must be committed to returning home (or to any Sub-Saharan Africa nation) to initiate transformation, innovations, and development projects to qualify.

One of the standout features of this scholarship is that you’re expected to present a thoroughly-researched proposal explaining how you’ll tackle an issue affecting your local community.

Scholarship coverage

Like most of the previously highlighted Scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates, the scholarship caters for both academic and living expenses when studying abroad.

Additionally, students shall be provided with mentorship and career guidance.

Application procedure and other details

Visit the official application website here.

Editors note: Applications re-open in August 2024

 

ICPAK Accounting and Finance Scholarship

ICPAK funds academically gifted but financially disadvantaged Kenyans to pursue selected accounting and finance courses under this scholarship programme.

The scholarship caters for your Tuition fees (four years), basic hostel accommodation plus pocket money (to help you pay for transport, food, and daily upkeep).

Eligibility criteria

1. You must have graduated from a public secondary school (in Kenya).
2. Be academically gifted –be among the top 10% immensely talented students in your school years (primary and secondary).
3. Must have scored a B+ (mean grade) and above in your KCSE examinations.
4. Must have secured admission to a Kenyan public university.
5. Be financially disadvantaged.

Application Process

You’re to pick the scholarship application form from ICPAK Secretariat offices (or download from the website here).

You should fill and submit the form together with the following documents.

1. KCSE results slip (copy).
2. Copy of your birth certificate.
3. University admission letter (include the fees structure).
4. A brief statement explaining why you (or your family) are considered needy.
5. Any other document that supports your financial incapability claim (e.g. a parent’s pay slip, letter from your chief, parent’s death certificate, etc.).

Contact details

You can send your questions to the email scholarship@icpak.com

 

Masters Scholarships in Kenya

This section focuses on masters scholarships for Kenyan students (again available via the ministry of education).

We shall also look at other fully funded scholarships for Kenyan students (Masters Level).

Cenit@EA Scholarships

The CENIT@EA scholarships were initiated by the German government and the EAC (East African Community) and aims at establishing a demand-driven Master Degree in Embedded & Mobile Systems (MSc. EMoS).

The programme is delivered at the Nelson Mandela African institution of Science and Technology (South Africa) and the applicants undergo a thorough selection process.

Scholarship coverage

The scholarship covers the tuition fees at NMAIST, a monthly allowance, rent aid, and financial assistance for research/studies as per the existing NM-AIST fee structure.

The program started on June 03, 2019 and accommodates up to 50 students.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a Kenyan.
• Holding at least a 2^nd class Bachelors degree (min. GPA 3.0/5.0) degree or its equivalent in Information Technology, Computer Science, Electronics, Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• Have at least a grade ‘B’ (overall) in the relevant subjects/fields of specialization if you’re holding an unclassified degree.
• Be proficient in the English language (written and spoken).

How to apply and access other details

Follow the link: https://oas.nm-aist.ac.tz:8443/noas/ and visit the CENIT@EA website: https://www.cenit-ea.org/

 

Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships

These are fully-funded and are ideal for learners searching for full scholarships for Kenyan students at the masters level.

Through them, you can access a wide variety of interesting courses and gain tremendously from the expertise availed by professors at a host of universities in various countries.

The program is open to other commonwealth scholars as well.

How to apply and access other details

Check for more information including the eligibility criteria, covered subjects and the universities you can study your course from at https://www.acu.ac.uk/scholarships/queen-elizabeth-commonwealth-scholarships/

Masters scholarships in Kenya offered by specific universities

Alternatively, you can search for a masters’ scholarship in some of the local universities.

Take a look.

Masters Scholarships in Kenyatta University

In line with KU’s mission of enhancing accessibility to higher education, the university occasionally offers masters scholarships covering tuition fees for students studying full time in any of the various programmes available at KU.

Scholarships Requirements

• Hold a Second Class Honors (Upper Division) at your bachelors’ degree.
• You must meet the minimum requirements for the relevant masters programmes at KU.
• All applicants supply proof of admission into their chosen masters programme at KU.

Mode of Application

Visit Room 114 (the Admission Section), KU, Main Campus and request for information about the deadline.

Contact information

Email: registrar-acad@ku.ac.ke

University Of Nairobi Scholarships

You can also apply for a Master’s in German Studies Programme at the University of Nairobi under a scholarship.

Application requirements

1. Hold at least a Bachelors degree in Germanistik (or DaF) (major/minor)
2. German Language proficiency (German language level B2)

Duration of the scholarship

24 months starting on 1st October of every even year.

Value of the scholarship

• Monthly stipend amount to 240 Euros (Kenyans) or 380 Euros (Non-Kenyans)
• University fees
• An annual research allowance
• Insurance (Non-Kenyans only)
• Travel allowance (Non-Kenyans only)

How to apply and access other details

Visit this page.

 

Medical scholarships in Kenya

Check these scholarships if you’re after a medical scholarship.

1.   British Council/ E.A.D.B Medical Training Fellowship

The EDAB (East African Development Bank) is a medical scholarship aimed at training 600 physicians to help fight non-communicable diseases especially cancer and selected neurological disorders in the east African region.

It’s managed by the Kenyan chapter of the British Council along with the Royal College of Physicians (London).

Minimum Eligibility criteria

• Hold a Bachelors of Medicine degree (Bachelor of Surgery) or MSChB
• Be enrolled in a M.Med (Masters of Medicine) programme or be a holder of a M.Med qualification
• Be based in either Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda

How to apply and access other details

Visit this link.

 

2.   DAAD Scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) provides several scholarships including fully funded masters courses in Kenya in medical courses such as Health Sciences and Psychology.

Value of Scholarship

• Tuition fees
• Research allowance
• A monthly stipend
• Travel allowance (if applicable)
• Health insurance (if applicable)
• A study visit (up to six months) to Germany (as determined by the DAAD and the host institution).

Institutions offering DAAD Scholarships

• Mount Kenya University- Nursing (Masters)
• Mount Kenya University-Public Health (Masters)
• Busitema University (Uganda)- Public Health (Masters)
• Alzalem Alazhari University(Sudan) -Family Medicine (Master)
• Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Public Health(PhD)

How to apply and access other details

Click here.

Other Scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates

Also consider the following scholarships (The list is a mixture of undergraduate and post graduate scholarships).

EABL foundation scholarships

EABL avails undergraduate sponsorship at Strathmore University and a few public universities (full university sponsorship) for deserving bright and needy learners with a minimum grade of A- (KCSE mean grade).

3 students are selected each in BCOM and BBIT (At Strathmore) while 4 students are sponsored in recognized public universities too (2 to take an engineering degree and 2 to pursue a food science undergraduate degree).

How to apply and access other Strathmore DAAD scholarship 2024 details

Click here.

Editors note: It appears as if Strathmore is not offering this scholarship at the moment. We will update the article if and when it resumes

OPEC fund scholarships

OPEC fund scholarships are issued annually to outstanding young Kenyans to pursue graduate studies in any development-related field.

How to apply and access other details

Click here.

 

USAID scholarships for Kenyan students

The United State Department’s Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs (ECA) helps connect Kenyans to dozens of educational programs through the EducationUSA programme.

These highly competitive programmes target Kenyans who will travel to the United States to seek knowledge and return to Kenya to share their newly acquired skills and expertise with their fellow communities.

How to apply and access other details about the available scholarships in USA

Click here.

British Government Scholarships

The UK government has hundreds of scholarships up for grabs for international students including Kenyans.

How to apply and eligibility details

Visit the UKCISA (U.K. Council for International Students Affairs) website 

Diploma Scholarships in Kenya

There aren’t many diploma scholarships in Kenya and the few available ones are partially funded.

Here are some of the colleges offering scholarships at the Diploma level for Kenyan students.

1. Zetech University
2. Paul’s University.

Please get in touch with these institutions to learn more about the scholarship coverage and availability.

Final thoughts

We hope that our list of scholarships in Kenya for undergraduates (plus some masters’ scholarships) will help you identify potential sponsorship opportunities and bring you closer to your dream career.

Other openings you can check are USIU Africa scholarships (link) and Moi University scholarships (link).

You can also seek financial assistance from individual sponsors in Kenya such as Manu Chandaria (you’ll need to approach them and make your case)

Finally, the best bet for undergraduate medicine scholarships is foreign universities.

Here is a good example of such scholarships.

ALSO READ:

Kenyan Universities Ranking [Top 10 Universities and Colleges in Kenya]