At least 20,000 Ghanaian students studied abroad in 2024, reports ICEF.
It’s not a surprise why — especially with the various Ghana scholarships to study abroad.
In 2024, the Ghana cedi lost 27% of its value against the US dollar, making it the fifth-worst performing currency in the world of those tracked by Bloomberg.
If you find yourself affected by this, then it’s important that you find other ways to pay for tuition and living costs. Otherwise, being unable to pay your tuition or other living expenses might lead to your expulsion from the university and even the cancellation of your student visa.
But here’s where financial aid comes in clutch — whether it’s loans, scholarships, or making sure your university offers a tuition fee instalment plan, these methods are great ways to help you get your education with peace of mind.
6 Ghana scholarships to study abroad
University of British Columbia, Canada
With eight Nobel laureates, 65 Olympic medalists, and over a thousand industry-partnered research — the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada has well-maintained its acclaimed reputation.
Landing at #38 on the QS World University Rankings 2025, UBC is continuing to expand their global reach through international scholarships.
International students accepted into an undergraduate programme at UBC are automatically considered for the International Major Entrance Scholarship, and recipients can renew the amount for up to three years. In 2025, scholarships will range from 10,000 Canadian dollars (US$7,221.21) to CA$20,000 (US$14,442.41) per year.
There’s also the one-time Outstanding International Student Award, which is based on merit upon admission and will range from CA$10,000 (US$7221.21) to CA$25,000 (US$18,053.02) from 2025 to 2026.
If you seek a needs-based scholarship due to your financial situation, there’s no need to worry — the International Scholars Programme offers four need- and merit-based awards to launch your academic career. Scholars have come from Mozambique, Thailand, Slovakia, the Philippines, and more.
University of Tsukuba, Japan
Japan may be a little out of the wayside in terms of choice when looking for places to study abroad, but they’ve got an advanced economy and technological innovation, a vibrant culture, and, most importantly, high-quality educational offerings.
If that sounds up your alley, then the University of Tsukuba has an open door for you. It’s one of the top ten universities in Japan, and its research-intensive curriculum has successfully nurtured three Nobel prize-winning scientists.
They’ve got scholarships dedicated to international students, applicable no matter where you’re from, and for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The Japanese Government (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology – MEXT) Scholarship offers full rides to eligible students who want to study in Japan. However, it can only be applied through an embassy or university recommendation. Hear some advice on how this international student earned his MEXT scholarship.
Other scholarship opportunities include merit-based funding that only requires individual applications and financial support for students accepted into the doctoral programme.
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Global Futures Scholarships at the University of Manchester, UK
As one of the 24 universities among the world-class Russell Group, the University of Manchester is a transformative platform where students encounter research, problem-solving, and real-world impact. They develop new innovations in fields like biotechnology, cancer, global inequalities, and more.
In 2025, over 4.5 million pounds (approximately US$5.8 million) will be awarded to international students applying for undergraduate and master’s degree programmes through the Global Futures Scholarship, with Ghana being one of the African countries eligible for application.
The scholarship awards undergraduates 24,000 pounds (US$31,110.36) across three years of study — that’s 8,000 pounds (US$10,370.12) each year. The one condition is that they have to maintain a 60% average.
Master’s students will receive 15,000 pounds (US$19,443.97) in scholarship as a discount to the overseas tuition fees. On both levels, scholarships are awarded based on merit.
Click here to learn how to apply for a Global Futures Scholarship.
GREAT Scholarships, UK
If you want to pursue your postgraduate studies in the UK, the UK government hosts many scholarship programmes catered to aspiring postgraduate students, including Ghana scholarships to study abroad.
The GREAT Scholarship programme is one of them.
Here, Ghanaian students can apply for funding of 10,000 pounds (US$12,965.95) for a one-year postgraduate programme in selected universities across the UK. You’ll meet other UK-based GREAT scholars through networking events and build your community with people who share like-minded experiences.
The universities offering scholarship spots to Ghanaians include Imperial College London, the University of St Andrews, the University of Edinburgh, and more — all of which are some of the top institutions in the world.
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Scholarship
Ghana’s petroleum industry is rapidly growing, and the country needs more skilled talent. This is where the GNPC Foundation Scholarship Scheme comes in.
These scholarships offer funding for Ghanaian students to study both in and out of the country. Local scholarships cover undergraduate and postgraduate institutions accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission.
With GNPC, the Ghana scholarships to study abroad are offered to postgraduate students looking to pursue a master’s or a PhD at foreign institutions — specifically, in programmes that cover science, technology, engineering, maths, and special needs.
Their scholars have gone to Newcastle University, Robert Gordon University, Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, and more.
While the exact amount of the scholarship isn’t stated online, it is said to cover tuition (though tuition-free institutions are preferred), day-to-day expenses, textbooks, and an allowance for projects.
National University Singapore, Singapore
Now more than ever, Singapore’s universities have become a hot spot for students. It has the strongest economy in Southeast Asia, a modern and accessible infrastructure, top-notch education, and is a multicultural melting pot.
Lucky for incoming PhD students, the National University of Singapore — the #8 university in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2025 — offers the Industry-Relevant PhD Scholarship. This is open to international students pursuing food science and technology, mathematics, statistics and applied probability.
The scholarship fully covers your tuition fees across four years of study.
International students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programmes will receive a monthly stipend of 2,700 Singaporean dollars (US$2,038.87). Those in social sciences and humanities programmes receive a monthly stipend of SG$2,500 (US$1,887.85).
To learn more about how to apply to the Industry-Relevant PhD Scholarship, click here.