The UNICAF Scholarship makes world-class university education accessible to African students by offering online degree programs with tuition savings of up to 75 percent.
I have seen how fast online learning has grown across Africa. Many people who once had no access to good universities can now study from their homes. Internet costs are lower, and more schools are offering full online degrees.
This change is giving new hope to students who want quality education without leaving their country. The Unicaf Scholarship plays a big role in this shift. Through the Unicaf scholarship online system, learners join global universities and earn real degrees that fit their time and budget.
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What Is the Unicaf Scholarship Programme?
The Unicaf Scholarship is an education support programme that allows African students to study online with accredited international universities. It reduces tuition fees for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD degrees, offering flexible digital learning from institutions in the UK and Africa. The scholarship helps students access global education from home.
Certain people do not have the luxury to move to another country to complete their education. The Unicaf Scholarship Programme tries to help with that by making university degrees more reachable. You don’t have to go anywhere. Instead, you study online through their system.
They call it the Unicaf scholarship online platform. It connects students in Africa with real universities — like the University of Suffolk or Liverpool John Moores University. Classes are online, but the degrees are real. And while it’s not completely free, the scholarship cuts the fees way down. That’s what makes it possible for many students to finally start their degree.
Who Can Apply for the Unicaf Scholarship?
To qualify, applicants must be citizens or legal residents of eligible African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Malawi, or Zambia. Entry requirements vary by degree level, ranging from a high school certificate for undergraduate studies to a master’s qualification for doctoral programmes. English proficiency and academic records are usually required.
Countries You Must Live In
Learners need to be based in Africa to qualify for this scholarship. The eligible countries for this scholarship are Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria. Sometimes more are added.
The list isn’t fixed. You’ll want to check directly on the Unicaf website before applying to be sure your country is covered. You also need to be either a citizen or legally living there.
What You Need to Have Studied
You don’t need the same qualifications for every course. It depends on the level.
- A high school certificate is fine for an undergraduate program.
- For a master’s degree, you’ll usually need a bachelor’s from a recognized university.
- If you want to pursue a doctorate, you’ll need a related master’s degree.
They may ask for past transcripts. Sometimes, proof of English skills is required, too.
Is There an Age Limit?
There isn’t a strict age rule. Most people applying are 18 or older. Some are much older. What matters more is if you meet the course entry criteria. Age doesn’t usually stop anyone from getting in.
Which Universities Partner with Unicaf?
Unicaf partners with globally recognised institutions including the University of Suffolk, Liverpool John Moores University, and the University of East London. It also operates Unicaf University in Malawi and Zambia. These partnerships provide accredited online degrees in fields such as business, education, technology, and health management.
Some of the universities that work with Unicaf are based in the UK. A few are in Africa, too. These aren’t short courses. They are full degree programs, just delivered online.
You will see names like the University of Suffolk, Liverpool John Moores University, and the University of East London. There’s also Unicaf University in Malawi and Zambia.
“We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.”
Peter Drucker
They offer a bunch of different courses. Business is common. So is education. IT, health, and other areas show up too. It depends on the school. Not every course is available at every university. New ones get added sometimes.
All of it happens online. You log in, study, do assignments — everything through their platform.
How to Apply for the Unicaf Scholarship Online?
Applications are submitted directly on the Unicaf website. Students fill out a short online form with personal details and study preferences. After review, the admissions team contacts applicants for document verification and eligibility checks. Approved candidates receive details about tuition discounts and can register for their chosen online programme.
You don’t need to go anywhere to apply. It’s all done online. First, visit the Unicaf website. There’s a short form. It will prompt you to enter your name, your residential address, and the degree you want to pursue.
After sending that, someone from Unicaf usually gets in touch. They might ask for your school papers. Sometimes a resume. If the course needs English, they may check for that too.
Then comes the review. If you meet the rules, you’ll hear back. They’ll tell you how much of the tuition the scholarship can cover. If you accept it, you’ll finish the registration.
Once that’s done, you’ll be set up with a student account. All classes and materials are online. Emails guide you through each part.
There’s nothing to print. No interviews or paperwork in person. It’s made to work from wherever you are.
What Are the Benefits of Studying Through Unicaf?
The Unicaf Scholarship provides major tuition discounts, flexible online learning, and recognised degrees from top universities. Students can study from any location, balance work and family, and receive tutor support throughout the course. Graduates earn fully accredited qualifications that improve job prospects and global career opportunities.
Lower Tuition Costs
University education can be expensive. The Unicaf Scholarship helps by covering a large part of the tuition. You still pay some fees, but it’s much less than the full amount.
Study from Anywhere
All learning is done online. Hence, there is absolutely no need to move or travel. Simply join the classes from any place. Study during the break at work or wherever you have internet readily available.
Flexible Schedule
You don’t have to study at fixed hours. The platform lets you plan your time. That’s useful if you have a job or family responsibilities.
Ongoing Tutor Support
You’re not alone. Tutors help you during your course. If you have any doubt, you are free to enquire and get the right guidance.
Recognized Degrees
These are full academic programs from real universities. When you finish, you earn a proper qualification that can help with your career or further study.
Success Stories or Examples
Unicaf University has celebrated thousands of graduates across Africa. In 2024, more than 600 students earned degrees at a ceremony in Malawi, and in 2025, Kenya hosted its first alumni dinner. These stories show how online study through Unicaf opens real academic and professional opportunities across borders.
Malawi Graduation Milestone
Transport back to the year October 2024, when a graduation was held at the Bingu International Conference Centre in Malawi. It wasn’t a small event. Over 600 students finished their degrees through Unicaf University.
The university shared the photos and full story on its official news page. One of the headlines was about celebrating the sixth graduating class. That post came from the official unicaf.org site.
Alumni Networking in Kenya
Something exclusive happened in Kenya. It was on August 1, 2025, when Unicaf hosted its first alumni dinner in the African country. The amazing thing is that it was not a casual meetup, but it was based on the theme of self-belief. Former students, staff, and guests came together to talk, connect, and build a stronger network. This story also appeared on Unicaf’s own website.
Global Partnerships, Recognized Degrees
Then there’s the case from the UK side. More than 500 students who had been studying online graduated from the University of East London. They earned full degrees — MBAs, data science, and more — all through Unicaf’s model. That update, again, was posted under their alumni news.
Conclusion
The Unicaf Scholarship isn’t just about lower tuition. It’s a real route to recognized degrees, built for students who need flexibility and access. From remote towns in Africa to online classrooms tied to global universities, the programme is working. If you’re exploring options, check our pillar guide for full context and also consider the MINDS Scholarship Programme for postgraduate study across Africa.
Both can be part of your next step — choose what fits your goals and circumstances best.
FAQs
How does the Unicaf scholarship work?
You don’t get the full thing free. But the cost drops a lot. Here’s what happens — you fill out their form online. Name, where you live, and what you want to study. Then someone from their team gets back to you. They ask for your documents, like school results and maybe a CV.
After checking all that, they tell you how much discount you’re getting. If it looks good, you go ahead and start. Everything’s online. Classes, assignments, tutor chats — all of it. You study at your own pace, and the degree comes from the university, not Unicaf.
Is Unicaf scholarship free?
The Unicaf Scholarship is not entirely free. It covers a significant percentage of tuition fees, while students pay the remaining balance. The exact discount depends on the programme, university, and applicant background. This shared-cost model makes international degrees affordable without compromising on accreditation or quality.
What universities partner with Unicaf?
Degrees earned through Unicaf are issued by the partner universities themselves, such as the University of East London or Unicaf University. These institutions are accredited in their home countries, so graduates receive valid, recognised qualifications that are accepted for employment and further study worldwide.
There are a few — mostly from the UK. The University of Suffolk is one. Then there’s Liverpool John Moores University and the University of East London. Those are the big ones. They also run Unicaf University in Malawi and Zambia.
These aren’t short-term courses. You do the full degree, online. Same subjects, same exams. When you finish, your certificate comes from the university itself — not Unicaf. So yeah, it’s valid. And you can use it for jobs or applying for more study later on.
Who qualifies for Unicaf scholarships?
You have to live in one of the approved countries in Africa. They don’t accept just anyone. Then, depends on what level you’re applying for. For a bachelor’s, they’ll need your high school results. For a master’s, you need a degree already.
If it’s for a PhD, they’ll ask for a master’s too. They also check if your English is okay. Not always with a test, but sometimes. There’s no strict age rule. As long as you can handle the work and meet the entry stuff, you can try.
Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.
