Dreaming of a master’s degree at one of the world’s top agricultural and life sciences universities? Wageningen University & Research (WUR) has a deal for you. The Africa Scholarship Programme (ASP) pays for two full years of study in the Netherlands. The deadline is close, so read this guide carefully before you do anything else.
Africa Scholarship Programme at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host university | Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands |
| Study level | Master’s (MSc), on-campus |
| Start date | September 2027 |
| Duration of funding | 24 months |
| Funding | Fully funded |
| Who can apply | Citizens of African countries |
| Minimum grade | First Class Honours (or equivalent) and a GPA of 80% or higher |
| MSc application deadline | Before 1 December 2026 |
| Scholarship offers | 7 April 2027 |
What the Scholarship Covers
The ASP removes the biggest money worries for students. According to the official WUR scholarship page, the package includes:
- Tuition fees for the full 24 months of your programme
- Return travel between your home country and the Netherlands
- A living allowance for 24 months
- Visa costs
- Health insurance
WUR does not publish a fixed monthly allowance figure on the scholarship page. For a sense of scale, the Excellence Scholarship (a tuition waiver only) leaves students with a first-year invoice of about €16,500. That invoice covers living costs, insurance and the residence permit. It shows how much money the ASP package takes off your shoulders. For more ways to cut costs, read how to find affordable universities abroad.
Who Can Apply
You must meet every requirement below. Missing one means you will not be considered.
- You are a citizen of an African country.
- You hold a First Class Honours degree (or equivalent) with a GPA of 80% or higher in your bachelor’s.
- You have completed your bachelor’s degree before 1 December 2026, and you upload the diploma before that date.
- You have submitted a complete MSc application to WUR before 1 December 2026.
- You are unconditionally admitted to your programme.
- You meet the English language requirement before 1 December 2026.
WUR also gives preference to students who do not yet hold a master’s degree. If you already have one, your chances drop.
Notice what is missing here. You cannot be a final-year student waiting for results. WUR wants your finished diploma in the system by the deadline.
How the Selection Works (Read This Carefully)
Most blogs skip this part. You cannot apply for the ASP with a separate form. WUR describes it as a selection process you may be invited to join. Here is how it works:
- You apply for your MSc programme and meet all the requirements.
- WUR checks your admission and eligibility.
- Around March to April 2027, the WU Scholarship Selection Committee emails a group of applicants. These people reach the final stage.
- A lottery decides the recipients from that group.
- On 7 April 2027, WUR offers the scholarship to the winners. Everyone else goes on a waiting list.
So strong grades get you into the pool. Luck then decides who receives the award. You can control your preparation, but you cannot control the draw. Apply early and cleanly, and do not put all your hopes on one scholarship.
Important Dates for Applicants
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Now to 1 December 2026 | Prepare and submit your complete MSc application |
| 15 April (non-EU) | General Studielink deadline for September programmes |
| 1 December 2026 | Final deadline for ASP consideration (application, diploma, English test) |
| March to April 2027 | Final-stage selection emails |
| 7 April 2027 | Scholarship offers go out |
| September 2027 | Programme starts |
Today is 6 November 2026. You have fewer than four weeks left. If you have not booked an English test yet, do it today. Test results can take several weeks to arrive. Tracking other cut-offs too? See our list of scholarships and internships abroad with upcoming deadlines.
English Language Requirements
All WUR master’s programmes are taught in English. According to WUR, you need one of these tests, and you must reach the scores in a single sitting:
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5, speaking at least 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 90, speaking at least 22 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | Overall 62, speaking at least 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | Overall 67, speaking at least 70 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 176 to 210 or Grade C |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 180 to 230 or Grade C |
Watch out for a few traps. IELTS Online (Home Edition) and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted. IELTS, TOEFL and PTE results expire after 24 months. Some applicants are exempt, for example if they completed an entire degree taught in English in South Africa. Check the official page below for the full exemption list. Backup plans that waive the test can help too, such as options to study in Germany without IELTS on scholarship or study in Norway without IELTS.
Documents You Need
Prepare these before you log in. They go into the Osiris application portal:
- Bachelor’s degree certificate (original language plus a certified English translation if needed)
- Full academic transcript with your name, university logo and official stamp
- Proof of English proficiency
- CV of no more than two pages, in English
- Optional personal statement (useful if your degree is not an obvious match for the programme)
WUR says it will email you within two weeks if a document is rejected. That gives you time to fix mistakes, but only if you upload early.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Pick your programme. Browse the WUR master’s programmes. Read the specific entry requirements for each one. You may apply for a maximum of two programmes per intake.
- Register in Studielink. Go to Studielink and enter your personal and academic details carefully. Typos here cause headaches later.
- Check your email. Within one day, WUR sends you a student number and Osiris login details.
- Upload your documents to the Osiris portal and submit your application.
- Wait for your admission decision. Make sure you receive unconditional admission.
- Watch your inbox in March and April 2027 for a scholarship selection email.
The key official pages are:
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
Since the final step is a lottery, your goal is to make sure nothing blocks you from entering it. Try these moves:
- Apply early. Do not wait for the last week. A rejected document needs time to fix.
- Check your GPA conversion. WUR uses an international credentials guide to judge grades from different countries. Confirm how your university’s marks convert.
- Choose your programme with care. Pick a course that fits your degree. Add a short personal statement if the link is not obvious, and learn how to write a statement of purpose.
- Order your transcripts now. Official stamped copies can take weeks at some universities.
- Send a spotless file. Name documents clearly and scan them in good quality.
- Join the Virtual Open Day on 21 January 2027 if you want to ask questions live. Note that this comes after the scholarship deadline, so use the contact form for urgent questions.
Other WUR Scholarships Worth Knowing
The ASP is not your only shot. WUR runs several programmes, and the right one depends on your passport.
- Anne van den Ban Fund (ABF): Covers the same kind of package as the ASP (tuition, travel, living allowance, visa and insurance for 24 months). It is open to citizens of listed developing countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. It works by invitation, and results arrive in May 2027.
- WU Excellence Scholarship: A 24-month tuition waiver for students from countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, the United States and the United Kingdom. It uses the same 1 December 2026 deadline and a lottery.
- NL Scholarship: A €5,000 award for students from selected non-EEA countries, including India, Vietnam and South Africa. The scholarship page says it is not a full scholarship. Students apply by invitation before 1 May 2027.
If you are not African, the Excellence Scholarship or the NL Scholarship may suit you better. These sites list more options:
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending an incomplete application on 30 November and hoping WUR will wait. It will not.
- Submitting a transcript without the university stamp.
- Choosing a test format that WUR does not accept.
- Assuming you will win. Always keep a backup plan and apply to other funding, such as the Gates Cambridge Scholarship or the DAAD Hilde Domin Programme.
- Forgetting that WUR scholarships only cover the September start and on-campus programmes.
Why Wageningen Is Worth the Effort
WUR focuses on food, agriculture, climate, water and the environment. Few universities match its strength in these areas, and many graduates go on to work for governments, NGOs, research bodies and international companies. The ASP also supports capacity building in Africa, so the programme wants students who plan to make a difference on the continent. Mention your career goals clearly in your CV and any personal statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I apply for the Africa Scholarship Programme directly?
No. You apply for your MSc programme first. WUR then selects eligible candidates for the final stage, around March to April 2027. A lottery decides the winners, so complete your admission application correctly and before the deadline.
2. Can I apply if my bachelor’s degree is still in progress?
No. WUR requires you to complete your bachelor’s degree and upload your diploma before 1 December 2026. A final-year transcript may earn conditional admission, but the scholarship needs unconditional admission, so you must finish first.
3. Which African countries qualify?
Citizens of any African country can apply. You must still meet every other rule, including First Class Honours, an 80% GPA, English proficiency and unconditional admission to an eligible on-campus MSc programme.
4. What happens if I do not win the lottery?
WUR places the remaining candidates on a waiting list after the 7 April 2027 offers. You should also apply for other funding, such as the Anne van den Ban Fund, and check the Study in NL finance page.
Final Word
The Africa Scholarship Programme offers an outstanding chance: two years of study in the Netherlands with tuition, travel, living costs, visa and insurance covered. The deadline is 1 December 2026, and you need your diploma, your English test and your full application in before then. Open the official scholarship page today, book your English test and start uploading your documents. Good luck, and keep checking Fundedabroad.com for more funded opportunities.
Note: Details come from the official WUR website as of 6 November 2026. Always confirm the latest information on the official pages before you apply.
About the Author
Damilare Abogunrin
Content Writer | FundedAbroad.com
Damilare Abogunrin writes about international career opportunities, scholarships, internships and visa-related jobs. Through his work at FundedAbroad.com, he helps readers discover opportunities abroad, understand application requirements and find official application channels.
He focuses on making opportunity listings clear, practical and easy to understand, so readers can assess eligibility and prepare stronger applications. He encourages applicants to verify job details and immigration requirements directly with employers and official sources.