Ghana Scholarships 2026-2027: CSC China, Chevening, Learn Africa & More for Ghanaian Students
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who manages Ghana’s government scholarships | Ghana Scholarships Authority (scholarships.gov.gh), under the Office of the President |
| Biggest bilateral program | Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) via Ghana — Agency No. 2881, Category Type A |
| Open RIGHT NOW (Aug 2026) | Chevening (closes Oct 6, 2026), Commonwealth Master’s/PhD (opens Sep 8, closes Oct 20, 2026) |
| Next expected windows | CSC China 2027/28 (~Oct–Dec 2026), Learn Africa Spain 2027 (~Mar–Apr 2027), World in Serbia 2027/28 (~Jun 2027), Mauritius–Africa (~early 2027) |
| Golden rule | Apply only through official channels — the Ghana Scholarships Authority warns against agents and payment demands |
Ghanaian students have access to a deep bench of fully funded international scholarships: the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) through the Ghana Scholarships Authority, UK programmes like Chevening and Commonwealth, Spain’s Learn Africa program for women, DAAD, MEXT Japan, Australia Awards and more. Some of the biggest windows — Chevening (closes October 6) and Commonwealth (opens September 8) — are open or opening right now.
This guide covers what’s open today, what opens next, and the verified details you need for each major program, all cross-checked against the official Ghana Scholarships Authority portal.
> ⚠️ Safety note (from the official portal): The Ghana Scholarships Authority states clearly that services are FREE and warns applicants never to pay agents or respond to claims of guaranteed placement. Use only the official portal and published notices.
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What’s Open Right Now (August 2026)
| Program | Level | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening (UK) | Master’s | Oct 6, 2026 | Open — apply now |
| Commonwealth Master’s & PhD (UK) | Master’s, PhD | Sep 8 – Oct 20, 2026 | Opens Sep 8 |
| DAAD Germany (various) | Master’s, PhD | Aug–Oct 2026 (per program) | Open windows |
| PWASI 2026 (Presidential West African Scholarship Initiative) | UG, Master’s, PhD | Announced Jun 3, 2026 — check the portal for the current window | Check portal |
Chevening — the flagship UK route
Ghana is a Chevening-eligible country. Requirements: minimum second-class upper degree, two years of work experience, and a commitment to return to Ghana for at least two years after the scholarship. Applications close October 6, 2026. See the full Chevening guide.
Commonwealth Scholarships (Ghana is a Commonwealth member)
As a Commonwealth member, Ghanaians can access the Commonwealth Master’s (opens September 8, closes October 20) and the Commonwealth PhD for 18 LDC countries — check your country’s status. Both are fully funded with monthly stipends. Details in our Commonwealth PhD guide.
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CSC China via Ghana (2027/28 cycle — expected ~Oct–Dec 2026)
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) for Ghanaians is coordinated by the Ghana Scholarships Authority. The 2026/27 cycle closed on December 18, 2025; the 2027/28 cycle is expected to open around October–December 2026 following the established pattern.
Verified details from the official notice (2026/27 cycle — pattern for 2027/28):
- Levels: Master’s and PhD
- Eligibility: Ghanaian citizen resident in Ghana; first degree with at least Second Class Upper (Master’s applicants); relevant Master’s + Second Class Upper (PhD applicants); not above 35 years (Master’s) / 40 years (PhD); medically fit; women particularly encouraged
- Coverage: full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend (approx. CNY 3,500 for postgraduates), health insurance
- Application route: online at campuschina.org — “Scholarship Application for Students”; Programme Category “Type A”; Agency Number 2881 (Ghana Scholarships Authority)
- Documents: certified academic certificates & transcripts, 800-word study plan/research proposal, 2 recommendation letters from professors/associate professors, birth certificate, passport photo, National Service Certificate, CV, passport bio-data (valid well beyond the cycle), plus optional pre-admission letter and language certificates (HSK/IELTS/TOEFL)
- Selection: shortlisted applicants are invited for interview — awards are very limited
> When to expect the 2027/28 notice: Based on recent cycles (November–December windows), watch scholarships.gov.gh and campuschina.org from October 2026. Prepare your documents now so you can apply within days of the notice.
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Learn Africa (Spain) — for African Women (2027 call expected ~Mar–Apr 2027)
The Learn Africa Scholarship Programme by the Women for Africa Foundation (Fundación Mujeres por África), with the Government of Spain, funds African women for postgraduate study in Spain (and Morocco).
Verified details from the 2026–2027 call:
- Scale: 100+ scholarships in the 2026-27 edition (including 28 continuation scholarships) — up from ~70 in prior years
- Levels: Master’s, PhD (doctoral), and research placements at Spanish institutions
- Eligibility: women with nationality and residence in an African country; holding or enrolled in a university degree from an African institution; meet the specific requirements of the chosen scholarship
- Fields (2026-27 emphasis): health & paramedical sciences, new technologies, social sciences & development, Hispanic studies; partners include EADA (Larsson-Torras scholarship), Planeta Formación y Universidades (20 scholarships, incl. EDUMED paramedical health programs in Morocco), FUNIBER (Universidad Europea del Atlántico — Master’s in Portuguese or French), IRNAS Sevilla (in-person research fellowship)
- Coverage: tuition, transportation, accommodation, living expenses, and health insurance
- 2026-27 window (verified): opened April 1, 2026; closed April 19, 2026 (23:59 Madrid time); one application only; apply via mujeresporafrica.es/en/programme-learn-africa
- 2027 expected: ~March–April 2027 — the program is annual
> The Ghana Scholarships Authority posted the notice as the “2027 Learn Africa Program for African Women” — it’s the same annual program. Start preparing your Spanish institution choices and documents now; the window is short (about 3 weeks).
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What Else Ghanaians Should Watch
| Program | Level | Window |
|---|---|---|
| World in Serbia (bilateral) | UG, Master’s, PhD | 2026/27 closed Jun 26, 2026; next annual round expected ~Jun 2027 |
| Mauritius–Africa Scholarship Scheme | UG, Master’s, PhD | 2026/27 cycle closed; next expected ~early 2027 |
| Australian Awards 2027 | UG, Master’s, PhD | GSA notice posted — check the Authority portal & Australian High Commission for 2027 round dates |
| MEXT Japan | UG, Master’s, PhD | Mar–May (annual) |
| GKS Korea | UG, Master’s, PhD | Annual — see GKS guide |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program | UG, Master’s | Varies by partner university — see Mastercard guide |
| DAAD In-Country / In-Region | Master’s, PhD | Autumn calls — watch DAAD |
World in Serbia (context for 2027/28)
The “World in Serbia” Scholarship Programme is a Government-of-Serbia bilateral initiative offering free study at state universities in Serbia to students from Non-Aligned Movement member countries (Ghana qualifies). Currently ~536 scholarship holders from 127 countries study under the program. The 2026/27 Ghana round closed June 26, 2026 (application via Google Form + Ghana Scholarships Authority forms + medical exam; documents submitted to the Serbian Ministry of Education). The next annual round is expected around June 2027 — a lesser-known but genuinely funded route into European universities.
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How to Apply: Step by Step (Ghana-specific)
Step 1: Register on the official Ghana Scholarships Authority portal
Create an account at scholarships.gov.gh and check the “Opportunities” page — it lists every official notice with deadlines (currently 12 notices: Serbia, PWASI 2026, Local Tertiary 2026/27, Fanaka International University College, London International Youth Science Forum, Learn Africa, Australian Awards, Thai-funded training, Mauritius–Africa, and more).
Step 2: For each program, follow the notice exactly
Each notice has its own requirements. For CSC China: complete the campuschina.org application (Type A, Agency No. 2881) and submit the hard-copy file to the Secretariat before the deadline. For Chevening: apply online at chevening.org before October 6.
Step 3: Prepare the standard document pack
Get certified copies of: academic certificates & transcripts, birth certificate, National Service Certificate, passport bio-data, CV, recommendation letters, and any language certificates. Ghanaian applicants are rejected most often on incomplete documentation.
Step 4: Watch the interview stage
CSC Ghana and several bilateral programs shortlist for interview — treat the interview as part of the application and prepare for it seriously.
Step 5: Never pay anyone
The Authority and all legitimate programs are free to apply. Anyone demanding payment for “placement” or “guaranteed scholarship” is a scam — report them to the Authority.
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Insider Tips
1. Chevening + Commonwealth = your August-October focus
Both open now: Chevening closes October 6, Commonwealth opens September 8 and closes October 20. You can apply to both — they’re independent. Start the essays this week.
2. Prepare the CSC China file before the notice drops
The 2027/28 CSC Ghana notice is expected ~October–December 2026, and the window is short. If your documents are ready (certified transcripts, 800-word research proposal, two professor references), you can submit within days — that’s a real edge.
3. Women: run the Learn Africa + FWIS + Mastercard triple play
The Learn Africa program (Mar–Apr 2027) is specifically for African women, and it stacks with the L’Oréal-UNESCO FWIS grants and Mastercard Foundation programs. See our African Women Mega-Guide for the full picture.
4. Don’t sleep on the small bilateral programs
“World in Serbia,” Mauritius–Africa, Thai-funded training, and the Serbian route draw far fewer applicants than Chevening/CSC — your odds are meaningfully better. Watch the Authority portal for each annual window.
5. The 2:1 (Second Class Upper) is the magic line
Chevening, CSC Ghana and most UK routes require Second Class Upper or better. If your classification is lower, target programs that don’t set that bar (Mastercard Foundation partner universities, MEXT, some DAAD programs).
6. Follow the official channels only
The Authority repeatedly warns: no agents, no payment demands, no social-media “guaranteed placement.” Bookmark scholarships.gov.gh and ignore everything else.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the CSC Agency Number for Ghana?
A: 2881 — the Ghana Scholarships Authority’s agency number on the campuschina.org Type A application. Using any other agency number routes your application elsewhere.
Q: When does the CSC China 2027/28 call open?
A: Not yet announced. Recent cycles closed in December (2026/27: December 18, 2025), so expect the 2027/28 notice around October–December 2026 on scholarships.gov.gh.
Q: Can Ghanaians apply for Chevening?
A: Yes — Ghana is a Chevening-eligible country. Requirements include a 2:1 degree, two years of work experience, and a two-year return commitment. Deadline: October 6, 2026.
Q: Is Learn Africa for men too?
A: No — Learn Africa is designed specifically for African women. It covers Master’s, PhD and research placements in Spain (and Morocco), with 100+ scholarships in the latest edition.
Q: Are there scholarships open to Ghanaians right now?
A: Yes — Chevening (until Oct 6), Commonwealth (Sep 8 – Oct 20), DAAD windows, and PWASI 2026 (check the Authority portal for its window). Most other bilateral programs reopen between late 2026 and mid-2027.
Q: How do I avoid scholarship scams in Ghana?
A: The Ghana Scholarships Authority publishes every legitimate opportunity and states that its services are free. Never pay an agent, never pay for “placement,” and verify any notice on scholarships.gov.gh.
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Timeline Table
| Program | Expected / Verified Window |
|---|---|
| Chevening (UK) | Closes Oct 6, 2026 |
| Commonwealth Master’s/PhD (UK) | Opens Sep 8, closes Oct 20, 2026 |
| CSC China 2027/28 (via Ghana, Agency 2881) | Expected ~Oct–Dec 2026 (verify) |
| PWASI 2026 | Announced Jun 2026 — check portal |
| Mauritius–Africa 2027/28 | Expected ~early 2027 (verify) |
| Learn Africa 2027 (Spain, women) | Expected ~Mar–Apr 2027 (verify) |
| World in Serbia 2027/28 | Expected ~Jun 2027 (annual) |
| MEXT Japan / GKS Korea | Mar–May (annual) |
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Your Action Plan
1. This week: Register on scholarships.gov.gh; start your Chevening application (deadline Oct 6) and Commonwealth draft (opens Sep 8).
2. By September 30: Certify your transcripts; draft the 800-word research proposal for CSC China; line up two professor references.
3. October–December: Submit CSC China Type A (Agency 2881) the day the notice drops.
4. January–April 2027: Apply for Learn Africa (women) when the call opens; watch for Mauritius–Africa.
5. All year: Check the Authority portal monthly — new notices appear throughout the cycle.
Ghanaian students have more funded routes abroad than most nationalities — Chevening is closing October 6, so start today. Share this with someone who’s planning to study abroad from Ghana.