About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship 2027 for African Students: Fully Funded Study Opportunity in South Africa
Are you an African graduate passionate about data science, agriculture, food security, or sustainable development? The UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship 2027, Cohort 3, offers an opportunity to pursue full-time postgraduate studies at selected universities in South Africa while developing advanced research skills to address Africa’s agricultural and food-system challenges.
The African German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science (UKUDLA) invites eligible candidates to apply for this scholarship, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), with support from Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.
The programme aims to equip African researchers with data-driven skills to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable food systems.
Application Deadline: 7 November 2026
Study Destination: South Africa
Study Level: Master’s degree
Scholarship Duration: Up to 24 months
Expected Commencement: 1 February 2027
Funding: Monthly stipend, tuition support, and possible accommodation and medical-aid assistance.
About the UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship
UKUDLA brings together academic and research expertise to address challenges affecting food systems, agriculture, and environmental sustainability in Africa.
Through this scholarship, selected students undertake postgraduate studies and research that combine quantitative methods, data science, and applied agricultural or biological sciences.
The programme is particularly suitable for graduates interested in applying statistics, programming, machine learning, and other analytical methods to real-world research problems.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
The UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship provides financial support for the standard duration of the selected master’s programme, up to a maximum of two years.
Benefits may include:
Monthly stipend: €650 to support living expenses.
Accommodation subsidy: An additional €30 per month may be available when university accommodation or a student residence is unavailable.
Tuition support: Up to €3,000 per year towards tuition fees.
Medical aid contribution: Up to €20 per month, subject to the programme’s requirements and proof of payment.
Academic and research development: Access to UKUDLA Graduate Centre educational modules, short courses, workshops, and summer schools.
Funding is subject to the scholarship's terms and conditions. Applicants should consult the official call to confirm the precise benefits, payment arrangements, and any costs they must cover themselves.
Which Universities Can You Attend?
Successful applicants will undertake full-time master's studies at one of the following partner institutions in South Africa.
1. University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
The University of Mpumalanga participates in the UKUDLA consortium and provides opportunities for postgraduate education and research.
Website: https://www.ump.ac.za/
2. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
The University of the Western Cape is another participating institution offering an academic environment for postgraduate research.
Website: https://www.uwc.ac.za/
Scholarship recipients are required to reside in the city or town where their registered university is located throughout their studies.
Eligible Fields of Study and Research
The scholarship focuses on applied data science, sustainable agriculture, and resilient food systems. Relevant academic and research areas include:
Data science and computer science
Bioinformatics and computational biology
Statistics and mathematics
Agricultural sciences
Farming systems and animal sciences
Water-Energy-Food nexus research
Agricultural economics and policy
Other relevant quantitative disciplines
Potential research topics may involve climate and environmental data, agricultural productivity, food security, machine learning, predictive modelling, genomic data, geospatial analysis, and large-scale food-system datasets.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed research and the UKUDLA programme's priorities.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
To qualify for the UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship 2027, applicants should meet the following requirements:
Academic qualifications: Hold a completed four-year university degree equivalent to an honours-level qualification or be close to completing a qualifying degree.
Academic performance: Have achieved an overall average of at least 68% or an equivalent upper-second-class result.
Graduation year: Have completed their most recent university degree in 2019 or later.
Nationality and residency: Be a national or permanent resident of the African country where the chosen host university is located, or hold a valid study visa for that country.
Full-time commitment: Be willing to pursue the master's degree on a full-time basis.
Quantitative skills: Demonstrate basic knowledge of statistics, quantitative data analysis, and machine learning.
Programming skills: Have basic programming knowledge, preferably in Python or R, and an interest in large datasets and reproducible research.
English proficiency: Meet the language requirement through IELTS Band 6, TOEFL 79/80 points, or evidence that English has been the language of instruction since at least secondary school.
Academic references: Provide two academic references, including support from a potential master's supervisor.
Applicants should also demonstrate motivation, research potential, and a commitment to applying their skills to agricultural, biological, or food-security challenges.
The scholarship is expected to commence on 1 February 2027. Successful candidates must secure admission to their selected master's programme and meet any additional university-specific requirements.
Important: The nationality and residency requirements are tied to the selected host university's country. Applicants should carefully verify the official eligibility rules before applying.
Required Application Documents
Prepare the following documents for the application:
Completed online application form.
Completed and signed master's research project proposal.
Copy of a national identity document or passport.
Two recent academic recommendation letters from different university teachers.
Certified copies of university degree certificates and academic transcripts.
Proof of English-language proficiency, where applicable.
Letter of admission from the selected host university, which may be submitted later if unavailable at the initial application stage.
Required motivational statements.
Applicants must also prepare four motivational statements of approximately 250 words each, addressing:
Their research interests.
How the scholarship will contribute to their career.
The anticipated impact of their research on their community or environment.
Their academic background and career journey.
Candidates should ensure their research proposals are relevant to UKUDLA's objectives and demonstrate how their work could contribute to more sustainable, data-driven agricultural and food systems.
How to Apply for the UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship 2027
Interested applicants should review the official scholarship announcement, confirm their eligibility, identify a suitable master's programme and potential supervisor, and prepare the required documents.
Before submitting an application, ensure that your research proposal aligns with the programme's focus areas and that your academic references and motivational statements are complete.
Application Deadline: 7 November 2026
Applicants should use the official UKUDLA programme website or the relevant university's official channels to locate the current application form and submission instructions.
Final Thoughts
The UKUDLA Master’s Scholarship 2027 presents an opportunity for eligible African graduates to advance their academic careers while contributing to research on agriculture, food security, data science, and sustainable development.
With a monthly stipend, tuition support, and access to specialised academic and research development activities, the programme can help aspiring researchers develop skills that address important challenges facing African communities.
If you have a strong academic background, an interest in quantitative research, and a commitment to improving agricultural and food systems, consider preparing your application before the deadline.
Take the next step towards building your research career and contributing to Africa’s sustainable future.
Disclaimer: Scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, and application procedures should be confirmed through the official UKUDLA call before submission.
How to apply