Graduate Programs

Masters & PhD Programs

Top-ranked graduate programs for African students worldwide — with scholarships, program details and application tips.

🏛️
Masters 1 year
MSc Development Economics
University of Oxford (UK)
  • ✓World #1 or #2 ranked economics department
  • ✓Strong focus on African development and global poverty
  • ✓Access to Oxford's £7B endowment for research funding
Intake: October
Scholarships: Rhodes, Clarendon, Commonwealth
🏥
Masters 1 year full-time / 2 years part-time
MSc Public Health
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK)
  • ✓World's leading institution for global health
  • ✓Strong African research networks
  • ✓Many graduates work at WHO, UNICEF, MSF
Intake: September
Scholarships: Commonwealth, Wellcome Trust
🇺🇸
Masters 2 years
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Harvard Kennedy School (USA)
  • ✓One of the most selective public policy programs globally
  • ✓Extensive alumni network in government and international organisations
  • ✓Need-blind financial aid for international students
Intake: September
Scholarships: Fulbright, HKS Financial Aid
🇨🇭
Masters 18 months – 2 years
MSc Computer Science
ETH Zürich (Switzerland)
  • ✓#1 ranked computer science in continental Europe
  • ✓Tuition-free with minimal semester fees (~CHF 730)
  • ✓Direct access to leading tech companies and research labs
Intake: February / September
Scholarships: Excellence Scholarship, DAAD
🌍
MBA 2 years part-time / 1 year full-time
MBA
Lagos Business School (Nigeria)
  • ✓Best MBA program in West Africa (Financial Times ranked)
  • ✓Strong focus on business in African markets
  • ✓Extensive Nigerian and West African alumni network
Intake: January
Scholarships: LBS Merit Awards
🌱
PhD 4 years
PhD Agricultural Science
Wageningen University (Netherlands)
  • ✓World's leading food and agriculture university
  • ✓Significant research on African food security
  • ✓Full PhD positions often include salary (~€2,700/month)
Intake: Rolling
Scholarships: NFP Scholarship, NUFFIC
GUIDEHow to Choose the Right Graduate Program

Choosing a graduate program is one of the most important decisions of your academic career. Beyond rankings, consider:

  • 1
    Faculty alignment — Find 2–3 professors whose research matches your interests. Reaching out to them before applying can significantly strengthen your application.
  • 2
    Funding prospects — A mid-ranked program with full funding is often better than a top-ranked program that leaves you in debt. Research all funding options.
  • 3
    Career outcomes — Ask where alumni are now. The alumni network is often more important than rankings for your first post-graduation job.
  • 4
    Location and life — Will you thrive there? Research cost of living, the African/international student community, and the support systems available.
Important Questions to Ask
What is the funding rate? What percentage of PhD students receive full funding? What about Masters students?
What is the placement rate? Where do graduates go — academia, government, NGOs, private sector?
How many African students? Is there a community? Does the university have dedicated support for international students?
What is the supervisor/student ratio? For PhD programs, the quality of supervision is more important than the university's overall ranking.