Most guides about scholarships for Burundian students are generic lists of international programs with no specific Burundi angle. This one is different.
Burundi is explicitly included in the Rhodes Scholarship East Africa constituency, which covers Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi. One scholarship is awarded for the entire East Africa region annually. The 2027 cycle applications are open now with an August 2026 deadline.
Burundi is also specifically named in the DAAD Leadership for Africa program, a dedicated scholarship track for young academics and refugees from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda for Master’s degrees in Germany.
These two facts alone set this guide apart from every generic scholarship list. Add Burundi’s French-Kirundi linguistic background, OECD-DAC status, and East Africa regional partnerships, and the picture becomes substantially richer than most Burundian students realize.
1. Rhodes Scholarship — East Africa Constituency, Oxford University
The Rhodes Scholarship is the world’s most prestigious postgraduate award. Burundi is explicitly included in the East Africa constituency alongside Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
What it covers:
- Full University of Oxford tuition fees for at least two years
- Annual living stipend (~GBP 19,800/year, GBP 1,650/month) covering accommodation and living expenses
- Return economy airfare
- Visa and NHS surcharge support
Requirements:
- Citizen of Burundi with at least 5 years residence in the last 10 years (or in Kenya)
- Outstanding academic record
- Leadership potential and commitment to service
- Between 19 and 26 years old on October 1 of the application year
- Completed or near-completing an undergraduate degree
Important note for Burundian candidates: The Rhodes Trust acknowledges that candidates studying in Burundi face structural challenges in Oxford admissions. The official guidance states that Burundian candidates “will have a greater chance of successful admission to Oxford if they have an Honours degree from a university outside their country or if they have studied to Masters level within their country.” This is honest, practical guidance, not a discouragement.
Application deadline for 2027 cycle: August 2026 — check rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk for exact date.
Apply at: rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/applications/east-africa/
One scholarship is awarded annually for the entire East Africa constituency, extremely competitive, but Burundian students who have studied internationally or completed postgraduate work locally are competitive.
2. DAAD Leadership for Africa — Germany (Burundi Explicitly Listed)
This is one of the most important programs for Burundian students and one of the least known. The DAAD Leadership for Africa (LfA) program explicitly lists Burundi as an eligible country alongside Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.
The program serves two distinct groups:
Group 1: Burundian national graduates: Highly qualified graduates from Burundi who meet German university Master’s requirements.
Group 2: Refugees from Burundi: Burundian refugees holding recognized refugee status in host countries, a dedicated pathway acknowledging Burundi’s displacement context.
What it covers:
- Full tuition at a German public university
- Monthly living allowance
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance
- German language preparation course (if needed)
Fields: All disciplines except Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, and Nursing.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree meeting German university requirements (typically upper second class minimum)
- Not more than 6 years since completing last academic degree
- Strong motivation for development-oriented study
Contact: DAAD Regional Office Nairobi covers Burundi — lfa.nairobi@daad.de
Apply at: daad.de (check current cycle deadlines — typically October–January)
The DAAD Regional Office for Africa based in Nairobi covers Burundi with the same programs available as other East African countries. Burundian students are explicitly served by this regional office.
3. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) — China
Burundi maintains active diplomatic and development ties with China. CSC scholarships are open to Burundian students.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Free university dormitory
- Monthly stipend: CNY 3,000 (Master’s), CNY 3,500 (PhD)
- Medical insurance
Requirements:
- No IELTS required — MOI Certificate accepted for English programs
- No universal GPA minimum
Deadline: February–May 2027 depending on university.
Apply at: study.csc.edu.cn
Best fields for Burundian students in China: Agriculture, environmental science, public health, civil engineering, computer science, education, directly relevant to Burundi’s development priorities around food security, infrastructure, and human capital.
Pro tip: Contact Chinese professors directly in your research area before applying. A professor acceptance letter strengthens CSC applications significantly.
4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program targets Sub-Saharan African students with demonstrated leadership potential. Burundi is an eligible country.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Living expenses
- Travel allowance
- Mentorship, leadership development, and post-graduation career support
Key partner institutions:
- University of Edinburgh (UK)
- Cornell University (USA)
- McGill University (Canada)
- Sciences Po (France)
- University of Toronto (Canada)
- Several leading African universities
Who it targets: Academically strong students from disadvantaged backgrounds with clear leadership and community commitment. This program explicitly values potential and character alongside academic records.
Apply through: Mastercard Foundation partner universities — mastercardfdn.org
5. Chevening Scholarship — United Kingdom
The UK government’s Chevening Scholarship is open to Burundian students for a one-year Master’s at any UK university.
What it covers:
- Full tuition (no cap)
- Monthly living allowance (~GBP 1,236 in London)
- Return economy airfare
- Visa fee reimbursement
Requirements:
- Burundian national
- Bachelor’s degree
- At least two years of work experience
- IELTS 6.5
- Must return to Burundi for two years after the scholarship
Deadline: Applications open August 2026, close November 5, 2026.
Apply at: chevening.org
Burundi’s post-conflict context, peacebuilding narrative, and active civil society give Burundian applicants compelling leadership stories that Chevening’s selection committees respond to strongly, particularly in public policy, governance, peace and conflict studies, and development.
6. DAAD EPOS — Germany
DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses) is open to Burundian working professionals with at least two years of experience.
What it covers:
- EUR 850/month living allowance
- Health insurance
- Travel allowance
- Tuition free at German public universities
Fields: Engineering, environmental sciences, economics, public health, agriculture, social sciences.
Language: No IELTS needed for English-medium programs, free MOI Certificate accepted. French academic background opens German-French joint programs.
Deadline: October–January.
Apply at: daad.de
7. DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarships for Sub-Saharan Africa
The DAAD Regional Office Nairobi explicitly lists Burundi as part of its coverage area. The In-Country/In-Region program funds postgraduate study at top African regional universities without requiring students to go to Europe.
What it covers:
- Full tuition at African universities
- Stipend up to EUR 8,920/year
- Health insurance
- Study and research allowances
Deadline: Call for applications typically September–December annually.
Apply through: daad-kenya.org
This program is particularly practical for Burundian students who may face visa or logistics challenges traveling to Europe, world-class African university education funded at the same level.
8. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees — Europe
As a “Partner Country” applicant, Burundian students compete in a less crowded pool and receive higher funding.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- EUR 1,400/month living allowance
- Travel and installation allowances
- Health insurance
Strong programs:
- MESPOM — Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management
- Global Studies (EMGS) — International relations
- VLIR-UOS ICP Programs — Belgium-based development Master’s for African students
VLIR-UOS note: Belgium’s VLIR-UOS scholarship program covers East African students for specific development-focused programs. Less competition than general Erasmus Mundus pools.
Deadlines: Most programs: November–January.
Apply at: eacea.ec.europa.eu
9. Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) — South Korea
Fully funded with the lowest minimum GPA of any major scholarship — 2.64/4.0.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- KRW 1,000,000/month (~USD 700)
- One year free Korean language training
- Round-trip airfare
- Settlement allowance
- Medical insurance
Requirements:
- CGPA minimum 2.64/4.0
- No IELTS — MOI Certificate accepted
Deadline: Embassy Track: February–March 2027.
Apply through: Korean Embassy covering Burundi.
10. Turkiye Burslari — Turkey
Fully funded, no IELTS required, open to Burundian students.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Free university dormitory
- Monthly stipend
- Turkish language course (paid)
- One-way airfare
- Health insurance
Requirements:
- No IELTS required
- Minimum 75% equivalent GPA
- Under 30 for Master’s, under 35 for PhD
Deadline: January–February 2027.
Apply at: tbbs.turkiyeburslari.gov.tr
11. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary
Fully funded and significantly less competitive than DAAD or Chevening.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- HUF 43,700/month (~EUR 115)
- Free accommodation or housing allowance
- Health insurance
Deadline: January–February 2027.
Apply at: stipendiumhungaricum.hu
12. Pan African University — African Union
The Pan African University (PAU) network offers fully funded Master’s and PhD degrees for African students. As an African Union member, Burundian students are eligible.
PAU campuses:
- PAUSTI — Science, Technology, and Innovation (Kenya) — strongest East Africa option for Burundian students given proximity
- PAUWES — Water and Energy Studies (Algeria)
- PAUISTI — Governance, Humanities, and Social Sciences (Cameroon)
- PAUSMED — Life and Earth Sciences (Nigeria)
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation
- Medical insurance
Apply at: pau.ac.za
PAUSTI in Kenya is particularly accessible for Burundian students given geographic proximity and the East Africa academic network.
Burundi’s Three Key Scholarship Advantages
1. Rhodes East Africa — One Scholarship Annually, Burundi Eligible The Rhodes Scholarship East Africa constituency covers only five countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi. One scholarship is awarded annually. Burundian candidates who have studied internationally or completed postgraduate work domestically are specifically encouraged to apply. This is a dedicated regional pool, not a global competition.
2. DAAD Leadership for Africa — Burundi Explicitly Named DAAD explicitly lists Burundi as an eligible country for the Leadership for Africa program. This program covers both Burundian national graduates and Burundian refugees, reflecting genuine awareness of Burundi’s specific context. Contact the DAAD Regional Office in Nairobi for guidance.
3. Peacebuilding and Governance Narrative Burundi’s complex recent history, ongoing reconstruction, and active civil society create a compelling scholarship narrative for programs that value development impact and leadership commitment. Chevening, Rhodes, and Mastercard Foundation all explicitly value this kind of application context, when framed specifically and honestly.
Scholarships Without IELTS for Burundian Students
| Scholarship | Language Requirement |
|---|---|
| CSC China | MOI Certificate accepted |
| GKS Korea | No test required |
| Turkiye Burslari | No test required |
| DAAD Germany | MOI Certificate / French |
| VLIR-UOS Belgium | French or English |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Varies by program |
| Chevening UK | IELTS 6.5 required |
| Rhodes Oxford | English proficiency required |
Use ScholarWing’s free MOI Certificate Generator
Scholarship Deadlines at a Glance
| Scholarship | Country | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Rhodes East Africa | UK (Oxford) | August 2026 |
| DAAD Leadership for Africa | Germany | Oct–Jan |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Oct–Jan |
| Chevening | UK | November 5 |
| Erasmus Mundus | Europe | Nov–Jan |
| VLIR-UOS Belgium | Belgium | Nov–Jan |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | Hungary | Jan–Feb |
| Turkiye Burslari | Turkey | Jan–Feb |
| GKS Korea | South Korea | Feb–Mar |
| CSC China | China | Feb–May |
| Mastercard Foundation | Various | Per university |
| Pan African University | Africa | Check pau.ac.za |
Documents Most Programs Require
- Bachelor’s degree certificate and official transcripts
- CV — academic format, 2 pages maximum
- Motivation letter (customized per scholarship)
- Two recommendation letters
- Research proposal or study plan
- Passport copy
- Language certificate — IELTS, French proof, or MOI Certificate
- Medical certificate (CSC and some others)
- Work experience letter (DAAD EPOS, Chevening)
Free tools for every document: scholarwing.com
Practical Tips for Burundian Applicants
1. Contact DAAD Regional Office Nairobi directly DAAD’s Nairobi office covers Burundi and offers free scholarship guidance. Email lfa.nairobi@daad.de or visit daad-kenya.org for current program information and application support.
2. Rhodes East Africa deadline is August 2026 — start now One scholarship for five countries is highly competitive. If your academic record is strong and you have studied internationally or completed postgraduate work in Burundi, prepare your application as soon as the portal opens.
3. Peacebuilding is a genuine scholarship narrative Chevening, Rhodes, and Mastercard Foundation all value applicants with a clear story connecting their studies to reconstruction, governance, or community development. Burundian applicants who frame their return plan around specific contributions to Burundi’s development context are genuinely competitive.
4. DAAD Leadership for Africa covers refugees too If you are a Burundian refugee in a host country, DAAD Leadership for Africa has a dedicated refugee track. Check current eligibility requirements at daad.de.
5. Pan African University in Kenya is geographically accessible PAUSTI in Nairobi is one of Africa’s best research universities and is geographically close to Burundi. Fully funded and less competitive than European programs.
FAQ
Is Burundi eligible for the Rhodes Scholarship?
Yes, Burundi is explicitly listed in the Rhodes East Africa constituency. One scholarship is awarded annually for East Africa (Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi).
Which DAAD program specifically targets Burundian students?
DAAD Leadership for Africa explicitly lists Burundi as an eligible country. The program is managed by the DAAD Regional Office in Nairobi, which covers Burundi. Contact lfa.nairobi@daad.de for guidance.
Do Burundian students need IELTS for scholarships?
Not for most programs. CSC China, GKS Korea, and Turkiye Burslari accept a free MOI Certificate. DAAD accepts MOI Certificate for English programs. Rhodes and Chevening require English proficiency.
Is there a DAAD office covering Burundi?
Yes, the DAAD Regional Office for Africa in Nairobi covers Burundi. The same programs available in other East African countries are available to Burundian students.
Which scholarship has the lowest GPA requirement?
GKS Korea (minimum 2.64/4.0) and CSC China (no published universal minimum).
Can Burundian refugees apply for scholarships?
Yes, DAAD Leadership for Africa has a dedicated refugee track for Burundians holding recognized refugee status in host countries.