The Pan African University (PAU) Scholarship is the African Union's own fully funded programme for Master's and PhD study. It pays tuition, accommodation and a monthly living stipend at one of four PAU institutes, each hosted by an established university in Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon or Algeria. You can read the full scholarship details on our scholarship page, but this guide goes further into who it actually suits and how to prepare.
Before anything else, a direct word for Pakistani readers. This scholarship is restricted to African nationals and members of the African diaspora. A Pakistani passport on its own does not make you eligible. If you hold African nationality as well, or you have family roots that could place you in the African diaspora, read on and confirm your status with PAU before investing time in an application. If neither applies, this is one to skip, and your energy is better spent on programmes open to Pakistan, such as those in our scholarships guide for Pakistani students.
The scholarship in one table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully funded (tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend) |
| Study level | Master's and PhD |
| Provider | African Union Commission / Pan African University |
| Host countries | Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria |
| Usual opening | Mid-November |
| Deadline | Mid-December (the 2026-2027 cycle closed December 15, 2025; check each year for the new call) |
| Eligibility | African nationals and members of the African diaspora |
| Official site | au-pau.org |
Four institutes, four very different study experiences
PAU has no single campus. It runs through four thematic institutes, and the one you pick decides your subject area, your supervisors and the country you live in.
- PAUSTI covers basic sciences, technology and innovation, hosted at Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya.
- PAULESI covers life and earth sciences, including health and agriculture, hosted at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
- PAUGHSS covers governance, humanities and social sciences, hosted at the University of Yaoundé II in Cameroon.
- PAUWES covers water and energy sciences, including climate change, hosted at Abou Bekr Belkaid University in Tlemcen, Algeria.
Because each institute sits inside an existing national university, daily life varies a lot. Climate, cost of living and local culture in Tlemcen have little in common with Ibadan or the outskirts of Nairobi. Choose the institute for academic fit first, then think honestly about whether you would be comfortable living there for the length of the programme.
The programme's purpose shapes the selection. The African Union created PAU to build scientific, technical and governance capacity on the continent, so that strong African students can study in Africa at international standards rather than defaulting to Western universities. Research is expected to be applied and relevant to development. Many graduates move into African ministries, regional bodies and research institutions. If your goals point that way, your application will read naturally. If you are mainly after a foreign degree as a stepping stone elsewhere, that tends to show.
What the funding package pays for
The scholarship is described as fully funded, and there is no application fee. The package includes:
- A full tuition fee waiver at your host PAU institute.
- Free or subsidized on-campus accommodation.
- A monthly living stipend for the duration of study.
- Access to research supervision and partner-university exchange opportunities.
Notice the wording on housing: free or subsidized. The exact stipend amount is not published in the material we hold, and housing terms may differ by institute. Confirm both with your institute once you have an offer, and budget for some personal costs until you know the figures.
The age limits are where most applicants fall out
PAU applies age caps that are tighter than most international scholarships, and it enforces them strictly. The limits are set lower for men and slightly higher for women, which is a deliberate step towards gender parity.
| Level | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Master's | Under 25 | Under 28 |
| PhD | Under 28 | Under 30 |
These are described as general limits, so check the exact wording and the cut-off date used to calculate age in the current year's call. If you are close to the line, do that check before anything else. A strong application from someone a few months over the limit is still a rejected application.
Academic requirements by level
For a Master's place you need a bachelor's degree with at least a second-class upper division, or an equivalent, in a field relevant to your chosen programme. For a PhD you need a master's degree, either from PAU or from another internationally recognized university, again in a relevant field. PhD applicants must also submit a research proposal that fits the thematic focus of the institute.
Some programmes add their own conditions. Conference Interpreting and Translation, for example, requires proficiency in two official African Union languages. Read the requirements of your specific programme as well as the general call.
Papers to have ready before the call opens
The call is open for roughly one month, which is not long if you are chasing certified copies and referees. Gather these early:
- The completed online AU-PAU application form.
- Certified copies of your degree certificates and transcripts.
- A valid passport or national ID confirming African nationality.
- A curriculum vitae.
- A research proposal (PhD applicants).
- Letters of recommendation.
- Proof of language proficiency where your programme requires it.
Item three matters most for anyone reading this from Pakistan. The document list expects proof of African nationality, so if you cannot produce that, sort out your eligibility question with PAU first. For general advice on getting certificates and transcripts in order, see our documents checklist for international scholarships.
Applying through the AU-PAU portal
- Watch the African Union's official announcements on au.int for the annual PAU call. The most recent one was the call for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Choose your institute (PAUSTI, PAULESI, PAUGHSS or PAUWES) and the specific programme that matches your field.
- Register and apply on the PAU online application portal before the deadline. Applications are online only.
- Upload your certificates, transcripts, CV and, for PhD, your research proposal.
- Wait for shortlisting and reply quickly to any request for an interview or extra documents.
- If selected, you receive an official admission and scholarship offer directly from PAU.
How a typical cycle runs
The pattern so far has been a call opening in mid-November and closing in mid-December. Shortlisting and interviews follow between January and March, offers go out between March and May, and the academic year starts in September or October depending on the host institute. Call dates shift from year to year, so treat these as a guide and confirm the exact deadline on the official portal each cycle.
Where applicants go wrong
The most common mistake is waiting for the call before starting. With about one month between opening and closing, anyone who starts requesting recommendation letters in late November is already behind. Have your documents and referees lined up from October.
The second is choosing an institute for its location rather than its theme. Your institute determines which supervisors are available, and a mismatch weakens both your application and your eventual research. A water engineering student belongs at PAUWES, not at PAUSTI because Kenya sounds appealing.
The third, for PhD applicants, is a vague proposal. PAU wants development-relevant research. A proposal that names a real problem on the continent and explains how your work addresses it will stand out against one that reads like a general literature review.
Finally, rely on the African Union's own announcements rather than third-party scholarship blogs for dates. Reposted calls are often a year out of date.
Frequently asked questions
Can Pakistani students apply for the PAU scholarship?
Not on a Pakistani nationality alone. The scholarship is restricted to African nationals and members of the African diaspora. If you also hold African nationality or believe you count as diaspora, confirm your eligibility directly with PAU before applying.
Who funds the PAU scholarship?
It is funded and administered by the African Union Commission through the Pan African University initiative.
Is there an application fee?
No. The application itself costs nothing.
Which countries host PAU institutes?
Kenya (PAUSTI), Nigeria (PAULESI), Cameroon (PAUGHSS) and Algeria (PAUWES).
Do women get different age limits?
Yes. The limits are generally under 25 for men and under 28 for women at Master's level, and under 28 for men and under 30 for women at PhD level.
When should I start preparing?
Well before the call opens, which has usually been in mid-November. The window is short, so transcripts, recommendation letters and any research proposal should be ready in advance.
Check the current call on the official PAU website, and see the full scholarship page for the summary of requirements.