Liberia Joined the Commonwealth in 2023 — And Most Liberian Students Don’t Know What That Means for Their Scholarship Options
On January 30, 2023, Liberia became the 56th member of the Commonwealth of Nations. This is not a ceremonial milestone. It means Liberian students are now eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships, a major fully funded scholarship pathway to UK universities that was previously completely unavailable to Liberians.
Commonwealth Scholarships are administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) and funded by the UK government. They cover full tuition, monthly living allowance, and travel costs. Until January 2023, Liberian students had no access to this pathway. Now they do.
Combined with an active Chevening program, six Liberian scholars completed their UK degrees in 2024-25 and returned home and strong access to DAAD, CSC China, Fulbright, and Australian Awards, Liberian students in 2026 have more scholarship pathways available than at any previous point in Liberia’s history.
This guide covers every major pathway with confirmed 2026 information.
1. Chevening Scholarship — United Kingdom (£1,378-1,690/month)
Chevening is actively functioning in Liberia with a track record of funded scholars.
The British Embassy and British community in Liberia are delighted to welcome back the 2024–25 cohort of Liberian Chevening Scholars and celebrate their achievements.
The 2024-25 cohort returned with degrees including:
- MA in Human Rights (University of Sussex)
- MSc in International Business and Development (University of Sussex)
- MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine (University of Oxford)
- MSc in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (University of Sussex)
- MA in International Development Management (University of Bradford)
- MA in Water and Wastewater Processes (Cranfield University)
This year also marks a historic milestone, as Austine Moan Baryo becomes the first visually impaired candidate to be awarded a Chevening Scholarship through support from the Liberia Disability Project, funded by the Chevening Alumni Association.
What Chevening covers:
- Full university tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance: £1,690 (London) / £1,378 (outside London)
- Economy class return airfare
- Additional academic grants
Requirements:
- 2 years of work experience (~2,800 hours)
- IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 79+
- Must return to Liberia after scholarship
Critical practical warning for Liberian applicants: There are no UK visa processing centres available in this country. If your application is successful you will be required to travel to an alternative country to apply for your UK visa.
There are no TB testing facilities available in this country. If your application is successful you will be required to travel to an alternative country to take a test. Applicants will be expected to meet all costs associated with travelling to an alternative country; however, scholars may be eligible for a discretionary reimbursement of some travel costs.
Next cycle: Applications open August 2027, close November 2027.
Apply at: chevening.org/scholarship/liberia/
2. Commonwealth Scholarship — United Kingdom (New Since January 2023!)
This is the most important scholarship development for Liberian students in recent history.
Liberia joined the Commonwealth of Nations on January 30, 2023, making Liberian students eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) for the first time.
What Commonwealth Scholarships cover:
- Full university tuition fees
- Monthly living allowance
- Economy class return airfare
- Thesis/dissertation grants
- Study travel grants within the UK
Commonwealth Scholarship categories available to Liberian students:
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships — fully funded 1-year Master’s at UK universities
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme — partnerships with specific UK universities (confirmed: University of Birmingham is participating — Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme 2025 at University of Birmingham)
- Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships — online study option
Selection criteria: Academic excellence, development impact, commitment to returning and contributing to Liberia’s development.
Important: As a new Commonwealth member (2023), Liberia’s initial scholarship allocations may be smaller than established members. Apply strongly, with a compelling development impact narrative.
Apply through: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission — cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk — nominations typically go through Liberia’s Ministry of Education.
Typical deadline: Applications open October-December for the following academic year.
3. Australian Awards — Australia (Full Funding)
Australia Awards are fully funded scholarships for citizens of developing countries, including Liberia, to study at Australian universities.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Return economy airfare
- Establishment allowance
- Monthly living stipend
- Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover)
- Pre-course English tuition if required
Key eligibility for Liberian students:
- Must be a Liberian citizen
- Must return to Liberia for a minimum of 2 years after completing the award
- Must meet academic and language requirements of the Australian institution
IELTS requirement: Typically 6.5+. English language support is available through the pre-departure English program for applicants who don’t initially meet requirements.
Apply through: The Australian Embassy covering Liberia (typically Accra or Nairobi) — dfat.gov.au/australiaawards
Deadline: Applications typically open in February and close in April-May for the following year’s intake.
4. DAAD Scholarships — Germany (€934-1,300/month)
DAAD is open to Liberian students across its Sub-Saharan Africa programs. Given Liberia’s post-conflict reconstruction context, DAAD’s development-related programs are particularly relevant.
Key DAAD programs for Liberian students:
DAAD Study Scholarships: For graduates wanting to pursue Master’s degrees in Germany. Monthly stipend €934 for Master’s. Deadline: mid-October for the following year.
DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses): Specifically designed for students from developing countries in fields directly relevant to their home country’s development. For Liberian students in public health, forest management, infrastructure, governance, or peacebuilding, EPOS directly addresses Liberia’s post-war development priorities.
DAAD Helmut Schmidt Programme: For public policy and good governance, highly relevant to Liberia’s institutional development needs. Typically opens June 1, closes July 31.
Language note: Many DAAD programs accept a free MOI Certificate instead of IELTS for English-medium programs. Get the correct format at: MOI Generator
Nearest DAAD contact: DAAD Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa — daad.de
5. CSC China Scholarship (CNY 3,000-3,500/month + Free Tuition)
Liberia restored diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in 2003, and Liberia is included in China’s FOCAC scholarship framework for African countries.
What it covers:
- Full tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend: CNY 3,000 for Master’s (~USD 410), CNY 3,500 for PhD (~USD 480)
- Free university accommodation
- Health insurance
No IELTS required — MOI Certificate accepted for English-medium programs.
How to apply:
- Embassy Track (Type A): Contact the Chinese Embassy in Liberia (Monrovia) — Education Section handles FOCAC scholarship nominations
- University Track (Type B): Apply directly to Chinese universities with CSC scholarship codes at campuschina.org
Typical deadline: Embassy track December-January; university route varies by institution.
6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program — USA
The United States-Liberia relationship is historically unique — Liberia was founded in 1822 by freed American slaves, making it one of the US’s oldest diplomatic partnerships in Africa. The Fulbright program reflects this ongoing relationship.
What Fulbright covers:
- Full tuition at a US university
- Monthly living stipend
- Round-trip economy airfare
- Health insurance
Priority fields: Given Liberia’s development context, Fulbright typically encourages applications in public health, education, governance, economic development, and environmental management.
How to apply: Through the US Embassy in Monrovia — contact the Public Affairs Section at gn.usembassy.gov
Deadline: Typically July for the following academic year — confirm with the US Embassy Monrovia.
7. GKS Korea (Global Korea Scholarship)
GKS Korea has the lowest published GPA minimum of any major government scholarship (2.64/4.0) and requires no English test, making it one of the most accessible fully funded scholarships for Liberian students.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend: ~USD 650-700
- Funded Korean language preparation year
- Round-trip airfare
No IELTS required — Korean language preparation is provided in Year 1.
Apply through: Korean Embassy — Embassy Track typically closes February.
8. MEXT Japan Scholarship
Japan’s government scholarship is open to Liberian students. The MEXT Embassy Track is applied for through the Japanese Embassy in Monrovia.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Monthly stipend: JPY 143,000-147,000 (~USD 950-980)
- Round-trip airfare
- Funded Japanese language preparation year
Deadline: MEXT Embassy Track typically closes in May-June with exams in your home country.
Contact: Japanese Embassy in Monrovia or the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission.
9. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports talented African students from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate transformative potential.
Target profile: Students with financial need, strong academic records, and demonstrated commitment to serving their communities.
Why particularly relevant for Liberian students: Liberia’s post-civil war context and development challenges mean Liberian applicants often have compelling personal stories of resilience and community service — exactly the profile this scholarship seeks.
Partner universities: Multiple African and international institutions. Check current partner list at mastercardfdn.org/scholarships
10. Erasmus Mundus — Europe (€1,100-1,400/month)
Erasmus Mundus is open to students of all nationalities. Liberian students are eligible for any consortium offering programs in their field.
What it covers:
- Full tuition across 2-3 European universities
- Monthly stipend €1,100-1,400
- Travel and installation allowances
Deadline: Most consortiums close January-February for September intake.
Apply at: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus — search by field of study.
11. Stipendium Hungaricum — Hungary (Europe, Full Funding)
Hungary’s government scholarship is open to students from developing countries including Liberia.
What it covers: Full tuition + accommodation support + monthly stipend (~EUR 115-130) + health insurance.
Apply at: stipendiumhungaricum.hu — deadline typically January-February.
12. Turkiye Burslari — Turkey (All Nationalities, Full Funding)
Open to students from all countries, Turkiye Burslari covers full costs and provides a Turkish language preparation year.
What it covers: Full tuition + accommodation + monthly allowance (~USD 300-350) + Turkish language year.
Apply at: turkiyeburslari.gov.tr — deadline typically February.
Quick Reference: Scholarships for Liberian Students 2026
| Scholarship | Monthly Amount | IELTS? | Key Note | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening (UK) | £1,378-1,690 | Yes 6.5+ | Visa/TB travel required | November |
| Commonwealth (UK) | Living allowance | Yes | New since Jan 2023! | Oct-Dec |
| Australian Awards | Living stipend | Yes 6.5+ | 2-yr return obligation | April-May |
| DAAD (Germany) | €934-1,300 | No (MOI OK) | EPOS for development | October |
| CSC China | CNY 3,000-3,500 | No (MOI OK) | FOCAC track | Dec-April |
| Fulbright (USA) | Living stipend | Yes | US Embassy Monrovia | July |
| GKS Korea | ~$650-700 | No | Min GPA 2.64/4.0 | February |
| MEXT Japan | ~$950-980 | No | Embassy track, exams | May-June |
| Mastercard Foundation | Full funding | Varies | Disadvantaged background | Varies |
| Erasmus Mundus | €1,100-1,400 | Per program | Europe mobility | Jan-Feb |
| Stipendium Hungaricum | EUR 115+/month | Per program | Hungary, Europe | Jan-Feb |
| Turkiye Burslari | ~$300-350 | No | Turkish language year | February |
The Commonwealth Membership — What it Actually Changes
Before January 2023, Liberian students could not apply for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships, or most other Commonwealth-administered programs.
After January 2023, all of these are accessible.
What to do now:
- Visit the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
- Contact Liberia’s Ministry of Education about the Commonwealth scholarship nomination process — many CSC scholarships are nomination-based
- If you’re targeting a specific UK university already, check whether it participates in the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme
This is a genuinely new door that was closed as recently as 2022. Use it.
Practical Tips for Liberian Applicants
1. Plan for Chevening visa and TB test travel If you win Chevening or any UK scholarship, you cannot complete your visa application or TB test in Liberia. Plan and budget for travel to Ghana or another country where UK Visa Application Centres and approved TB test clinics operate. This cost should be factored into your pre-departure budget.
2. Contact the Liberia Chevening Alumni Association The Liberia Chevening Alumni Association is active and was involved in the historic Disability Project. Alumni networks are the best source of current, practical application advice. Reach out before applying.
3. For Commonwealth — approach through Ministry of Education The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission works through national nominating agencies. In Liberia, this means contacting the Ministry of Education about how nominations are being administered now that Liberia is a Commonwealth member.
4. Use MOI Certificate for DAAD and CSC China Both DAAD and CSC China accept a free Medium of Instruction Certificate instead of IELTS for English-medium programs. Generate the correct format at: MOI Generator
5. GKS Korea for applicants without strong English test scores GKS Korea requires no English test, has a minimum GPA of only 2.64/4.0, and provides a funded Korean language year. It’s the most accessible major scholarship for Liberian students who don’t yet have a strong IELTS score.
FAQ
Is Liberia eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships?
Yes, Liberia became the 56th member of the Commonwealth of Nations on January 30, 2023. Liberian students are now eligible for Commonwealth Scholarships, including Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme.
Is Chevening active in Liberia?
Yes, six Liberian Chevening Scholars completed their studies in 2024-25 and returned home. The program is active and producing results. Note that UK visa processing and TB testing require travel to another country.
Can Liberian students apply for DAAD without IELTS?
Yes, DAAD accepts a free Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate for English-medium programs. Generate the correct format at MOI Generator
What is the easiest fully funded scholarship for Liberian students?
GKS Korea has the lowest barriers: minimum GPA 2.64/4.0, no English test, and provides a funded Korean language year. It’s the most accessible major government scholarship for Liberian students.
Why is the US-Liberia Fulbright relationship significant?
Liberia was founded in 1822 by freed American slaves and has maintained close US ties since. This shared history gives Fulbright cultural and historical resonance, and the US Embassy in Monrovia actively administers the program.