Last updated: 5 Sept 2026
The Africa Scholarship Programme (ASP) funds a two-year master’s degree at Wageningen University & Research for talented students from African countries, with the explicit goal of supporting long-term capacity building across the continent. There is no separate scholarship application as your MSc program application is your scholarship application, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Wageningen University Africa Scholarship
- Sponsor: Wageningen University & Research
- Study level: Master’s (2-year, 24-month programs)
- Study in: Netherlands
- Open to: African country citizens
- Application deadline (2027 intake): 1 December 2026
- Separate scholarship application: Not required. Your MSc application is assessed automatically
What It Covers
- 100% tuition fee waiver for the full 24-month program
- Monthly living stipend for the full duration
- Return travel to and from the Netherlands
- Visa costs
- Health insurance costs
- Budget for attending one seminar in Europe (travel, accommodation, and registration)
Eligibility
- Citizen of an African country
- Submit a complete application for an eligible Wageningen MSc program before the deadline
- Receive unconditional admission to that program — conditional offers aren’t sufficient
- First Class Honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), with a GPA of 80% or higher
- Meet WUR’s English language requirements (TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic), with results submitted before the deadline
- Bachelor’s degree completed, with diploma uploaded, before the deadline
- Preference given to applicants who don’t already hold a master’s degree
Meeting these requirements doesn’t guarantee an invitation to the ASP selection process — WUR states this explicitly, since admission and scholarship consideration are assessed together but selection remains competitive.
Selection Process
- Submit your MSc application by the deadline (1 December 2026 for 2027 entry)
- WUR’s selection committee assesses all unconditionally admitted applicants for ASP eligibility
- Eligible candidates are notified by email and invited to the ASP selection procedure (typically around March/April)
- The process includes an assignment and, for shortlisted candidates, an interview
- Final selection can involve a lottery draw among eligible shortlisted candidates – some are offered the scholarship, others placed on a waiting list
- Candidates not invited by the notification date are no longer considered for that intake
Eligible Master’s Programs
ASP supports admission to a wide range of Wageningen MSc programs, particularly in food, health, life sciences, and sustainability, including:
Agroecology, Animal Sciences, Animal Breeding and Genetics, Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management, Biobased Sciences, Biosystems Engineering, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, Biology, Climate Studies, Data Science for Food and Health, Development and Rural Innovation, Earth and Environment, Environmental Sciences, Food Quality Management, Food Safety, Food Technology, Forest and Nature Conservation, International Development Studies, International Land and Water Management, Nutrition and Health, Plant Sciences, Sustainable Business and Innovation, Water Technology, and others.
Confirm your specific program’s ASP eligibility on WUR’s official page, since not every Wageningen MSc program is included.
How to Apply
- Choose an eligible MSc program and apply through Studielink. You can apply to up to two programs per intake
- Upload all required documents (transcripts, passport, CV, letters of recommendation, English proficiency scores) through the Osiris application portal
- Wait for the Admissions Office’s assessment as usually communicated within about 14 days
- Once you receive an unconditional admission decision, you’re automatically in consideration for ASP. No separate form needed
- Prepare a strong personal motivation statement as part of your MSc application, connecting your studies to your home country’s development. Our statement of purpose guide can help with structure
- Submit everything well ahead of the 1 December 2026 deadline
FAQs
Is there a separate scholarship application form?
No: your MSc program application is automatically assessed for ASP eligibility once you meet the criteria.
Is the current deadline still February 1?
No: that was for the 2026 intake, which has passed. The current cycle’s deadline is 1 December 2026, for September 2027 entry.
Can I apply if I already hold a master’s degree?
You can, but preference is given to applicants who haven’t already obtained one.
Is selection guaranteed if I meet all the criteria?
No: meeting the criteria makes you eligible for consideration, but final selection is competitive and can involve a lottery among shortlisted candidates.
Related Reading
For other Netherlands-based options, see the Maastricht University Scholarship or the University of Twente Scholarship Note both should be checked against their own current cycle status before applying.
Apply directly: Wageningen University & Research – Apply for a Master’s Programme
Kukual verifies scholarship details against official sponsor pages at the time of publication and on each update. Confirm current deadlines and program eligibility directly on WUR’s official page before applying.
