Many international students, including those in Africa, dream of earning a Masters degree from top universities abroad. However, tuition fees and living expenses can make this dream seem impossible. The good news is that you can now study for a Masters degree online from anywhere in the world and pay nothing for tuition.
Several reputable universities and organizations offer online Masters programs with 100% scholarships for international students. These fully funded scholarships cover all tuition costs and, in some cases, provide additional benefits such as learning materials and access to advanced online resources.
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we will outline the top 15 online Masters programs with full scholarships, explain their eligibility criteria, and show you how to apply.
Summary Table: Top 15 Online Masters Programs With 100% Scholarships for International Students
Below is a quick summary of the programs, tuition coverage, and eligibility:
| Program Name | University/Provider | Scholarship Coverage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People MBA Program | University of the People (USA) | 100% tuition via various scholarships | Fully online, accredited, flexible schedule |
| Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships | Various UK Universities | 100% tuition and study materials | For students from eligible developing countries |
| EdX MicroMasters + Scholarship Pathways | MIT, Harvard, and partner universities | 100% tuition for selected pathways | Stackable into full Masters degrees |
| University of London Online Masters Scholarships | University of London (UK) | Full tuition coverage for selected courses | Flexible, globally recognized degrees |
| Arizona State University Online Masters Scholarships | ASU (USA) | 100% tuition through Mastercard Foundation | Covers programs in sustainability and education |
| Coursera + University Sponsored Scholarships | Various (e.g., University of Illinois, Imperial College) | 100% tuition for selected Masters programs | Fully online with optional live sessions |
| Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Scholarships | University of Edinburgh (UK) | 100% tuition and course materials | For students in low-income countries |
| Global Online Learning Initiative (GOLI) Masters | Penn State University (USA) | Full tuition and resource access | Professional development focused |
| IU International University of Applied Sciences Online Masters Scholarships | IU (Germany) | Up to 100% tuition coverage | Study management, IT, data science |
| University of Cape Town Online Masters Scholarships | UCT (South Africa) | Full tuition for selected online programs | Accessible across Africa |
| Yale University Online Masters in Public Health Scholarships | Yale University (USA) | Full tuition through Global Health Scholarships | Combines online classes and short residencies |
| FutureLearn Online Masters with Scholarship Support | Various UK Universities | 100% tuition for scholarship recipients | Short modular learning, stackable into Masters |
| Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Online Masters | EU Partner Universities | Full tuition and study costs | European partner programs in multiple disciplines |
| World Bank + Arizona State University EdPlus Scholarships | ASU EdPlus (USA) | 100% tuition for African professionals | Focused on leadership and innovation |
| Open University Masters Scholarships (Online) | The Open University (UK) | Full tuition coverage for selected students | Affordable living, flexible study |
1. University of the People MBA Program (USA)
The University of the People (UoPeople) is a fully accredited online university offering several Masters programs, including an MBA, with the option to study tuition-free. Scholarships are available to cover all assessment and registration fees, making the entire program 100% free.
Key Features
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Fully online and self-paced learning.
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Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
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Open to international students globally, including Africa.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and meet the university’s English proficiency requirements. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage (all assessment and registration fees included).
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Access to high-quality digital learning resources.
2. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships (UK)
The Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships enable students from developing countries to pursue a UK Masters degree entirely online with full tuition coverage.
Key Features
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Sponsored by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
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Delivered by top UK universities such as the University of London, SOAS, and the University of Edinburgh.
Eligibility
Applicants must be from an eligible developing Commonwealth country and hold a Bachelor’s degree.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition and course material costs.
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Access to online libraries and resources.
3. EdX MicroMasters + Scholarship Pathways
EdX partners with prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, and Columbia to offer MicroMasters programs that can lead to full online Masters degrees. Many partner institutions offer 100% scholarships for high-achieving international students.
Key Features
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Highly flexible and stackable into Masters programs.
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Partnered with globally recognized universities.
Eligibility
Merit-based selection; applicants must demonstrate academic excellence.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage for eligible students.
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Access to mentorship and career development resources.
4. University of London Online Masters Scholarships (UK)
The University of London offers several online Masters programs in law, business, computer science, and more, with full scholarships available for exceptional international students.
Key Features
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Globally recognized degrees.
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100% online and flexible learning options.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet academic requirements and demonstrate financial need.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage for selected programs.
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Free access to university digital libraries.
5. Arizona State University Online Masters Scholarships (USA)
Through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Arizona State University (ASU) offers online Masters programs in fields such as sustainability and education with full tuition coverage.
Key Features
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Fully online, accredited Masters programs.
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Designed for students in Africa and other developing regions.
Eligibility
Students must be from Africa or a developing country and demonstrate leadership potential.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition and digital learning materials.
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Career development and mentoring opportunities.
6. Coursera + University Sponsored Scholarships
Top universities such as the University of Illinois, Imperial College London, and HEC Paris offer fully online Masters programs via Coursera. Many offer scholarship pathways that can cover 100% of tuition for international students.
Key Features
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Fully online, flexible learning schedules.
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Programs in business, data science, computer science, and more.
Eligibility
Varies by university but generally requires a Bachelor’s degree and English proficiency.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage for scholarship recipients.
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Professional certificates included.
7. Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Scholarships (UK)
The University of Edinburgh provides scholarships for international students pursuing online Masters degrees in fields such as public health, data science, and international development.
Key Features
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Programs last 3 years on a part-time basis.
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Scholarships target students in low-income countries.
Eligibility
Applicants must reside in eligible countries and have a strong academic record.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage.
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Access to the university’s online resources.
8. Global Online Learning Initiative (GOLI) Masters (USA)
The GOLI initiative, run by Penn State University, offers online Masters programs with full scholarships for international students.
Key Features
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Programs in education, business, and professional development.
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Fully online and flexible.
Eligibility
Applicants must show leadership potential and financial need.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition and course material costs covered.
9. IU International University of Applied Sciences Online Masters Scholarships (Germany)
IU International University offers online Masters programs in IT, management, and data science, with scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition fees.
Key Features
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Accredited European university.
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Flexible learning with live and recorded sessions.
Eligibility
Open to international students worldwide. Selection is based on academic merit and need.
Scholarship Benefits
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Up to 100% tuition fee coverage.
10. University of Cape Town Online Masters Scholarships (South Africa)
UCT provides online Masters programs in public policy, management, and applied economics with scholarships covering full tuition for African students.
Key Features
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Top-ranked African university.
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Programs designed for working professionals.
Eligibility
Applicants must be African residents with strong academic backgrounds.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition and course materials.
11. Yale University Online Masters in Public Health Scholarships (USA)
Yale’s Online Masters in Public Health (MPH) program offers Global Health Scholarships that fully cover tuition for international students from low-income countries.
Key Features
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Combines online learning with short in-person residencies.
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Prestigious Ivy League degree.
Eligibility
Students must show a strong record in public health or related fields.
Scholarship Benefits
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100% tuition coverage.
12. FutureLearn Online Masters with Scholarship Support (UK)
FutureLearn partners with UK universities to offer modular Masters programs. Many provide full scholarships to international students from developing countries.
Key Features
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Modular, flexible learning.
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Wide variety of subjects.
Eligibility
Applicants must be international students with demonstrated need.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage.
13. Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Online Masters (EU)
The Erasmus+ program supports online Masters programs across European partner universities with full scholarships available.
Key Features
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European university collaboration.
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Programs in diverse fields from engineering to social sciences.
Eligibility
Open to students from partner countries, including African nations.
Scholarship Benefits
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100% tuition coverage.
14. World Bank + Arizona State University EdPlus Scholarships (USA)
ASU’s EdPlus program partners with the World Bank to offer fully funded online Masters programs for African professionals.
Key Features
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Focus on leadership, education, and innovation.
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Combines flexible online learning with career mentorship.
Eligibility
Applicants must be African professionals with leadership potential.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage.
15. Open University Masters Scholarships (Online) (UK)
The Open University (UK) offers several online Masters degrees and provides scholarships to cover the entire tuition for international students with financial need.
Key Features
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Fully online learning.
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Recognized across the UK and globally.
Eligibility
Applicants must demonstrate academic merit and financial need.
Scholarship Benefits
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Full tuition coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I really study for a Masters degree online for free?
Yes. The programs listed above offer 100% tuition scholarships for international students, making it possible to earn a recognized Masters degree online without paying tuition fees.
2. Are these online Masters degrees recognized by employers?
Yes. All the programs mentioned are offered by accredited universities and are widely recognized by employers worldwide.
3. Do I need a Bachelor’s degree to apply for these online Masters programs?
In most cases, yes. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required for admission.
4. Do the scholarships cover living expenses?
Because these programs are online, living expenses are typically not covered. However, you save costs by studying from home.
5. Can I work while studying for these online Masters programs?
Yes. Online programs are flexible, allowing you to continue working while studying.
6. Are these scholarships only for African students?
No. Most are open to international students from all developing countries, but African students are strongly encouraged to apply.
7. How competitive are these scholarships?
They are competitive, but preparing strong applications with excellent academic records and clear personal statements will increase your chances.
8. When should I apply for 2025 scholarships?
Most scholarships open from September to February. Always check individual deadlines.
9. What documents are required for these scholarship applications?
Typically, you need academic transcripts, a personal statement, recommendation letters, and proof of English proficiency.
10. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?
Yes. Applying to multiple programs improves your chances of receiving a scholarship.
Conclusion
Earning a Masters degree no longer requires huge tuition fees or traveling abroad. With these top 15 online Masters programs with 100% scholarships for international students in 2025, you can study from the comfort of your home, improve your skills, and gain a globally recognized qualification.
What you should do next:
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Shortlist the programs that match your career goals.
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Review eligibility and application deadlines carefully.
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Prepare strong applications with complete documents.
Start applying today and take the first step towards your fully funded online Masters degree.