Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
Aga Khan Foundation · Multiple
A half-grant, half-loan programme for outstanding students from selected developing countries who have no other means of funding postgraduate study.
Application deadline
31 Mar 2027
238 days remaining
- Intake
- 2027–28 academic year
- Open to
- Selected countries in Asia and Africa
- Study level
- Masters, PhD
We never charge for applications
What the scholarship covers
- Tuition and living expenses covered
- 50 per cent grant and 50 per cent loan at low interest
- Priority given to students under 30
Eligibility requirements
- National of an AKF-eligible country
- Excellent academic record
- Demonstrated financial need
- Admission secured to a reputable university
- Willingness to repay the loan portion after graduation
Documents you will need
- Application form from the local AKF office
- Admission letter from the university
- Academic transcripts
- Financial need documentation
- Two references and a guarantor for the loan portion
How to apply, step by step
- 1
Collect the form from a local AKF office
Applications are handled by country offices, not centrally. Forms are available from January.
- 2
Secure university admission first
Priority goes to applicants who already hold an offer, so run both processes in parallel.
- 3
Document your financial need
This is assessed seriously. Prepare family income evidence and other funding you have sought.
- 4
Arrange a guarantor
Half the award is a loan, which requires a guarantor before it can be granted.
- 5
Submit to the country office
Deadlines cluster around 31 March but vary slightly by country office.
When to do what
Counting backwards from the deadline. Applications rushed in the final fortnight are the ones that fail.
24 weeks before
Begin university applications for the coming year.
16 weeks before
Contact your local AKF office about the form and deadline.
12 weeks before
Assemble financial need documentation.
10 weeks before
Identify and brief a guarantor.
6 weeks before
Request references and transcripts.
2 weeks before
Submit to the country office.
What the panel is actually looking for
- Academic excellence
- Genuine financial need with no alternative funding
- Quality of the chosen programme and institution
- Likelihood of contributing to your home country
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not understanding that half the award must be repaid.
- Applying without university admission when priority favours those who have it.
- Failing to arrange a guarantor before the deadline.
- Contacting the central foundation rather than the local country office.
Fields of study
Don't miss this deadline
We'll email you before applications for Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship close.
Apply to more than one
Even outstanding applicants are rejected for reasons outside their control, quotas, country allocations, a stronger field that year. Shortlist three or four awards you genuinely qualify for and apply to all of them.