The Ministry of Education has announced the availability of 217 scholarships for Kenyan students to pursue undergraduate, Master’s, and doctoral studies in China and Hungary for the academic year 2025/2026. These scholarships are being offered under bilateral agreements between Kenya and the governments of China and Hungary.
Scholarships in China
The Chinese government has allocated 17 scholarships for Kenyan students, covering undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs. According to a notice published on MyGov, the Ministry revealed that these scholarships are intended for deserving students who meet specific academic and language requirements.
Applicants for undergraduate studies must have a minimum KCSE mean grade of B, strong grades in key subjects relevant to their chosen area of study, and must be under 25 years old. Additionally, applicants must have completed their secondary education within the last three years and possess an original KCSE certificate.
For Master’s programs, applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree with at least a Second Class Upper Division and be below 35 years of age. Prospective PhD students must hold a relevant Master’s degree and be under 40 years old.
Language proficiency is a critical criterion for admission to Chinese-taught programs. Applicants for undergraduate or general scholar programs must have HSK Level 3 proficiency in Chinese, while those applying for Master’s or doctoral programs require HSK Level 4 proficiency. However, students pursuing Chinese language studies are exempted from this requirement.
Details about the application process and requirements are available on the Ministry of Education’s website (www.education.go.ke) and the official Chinese scholarship portal (www.campuschina.org). Applications, including standard and online forms, must be submitted to the Ministry by Friday, December 6, 2024, at 5 pm.
Scholarships in Hungary
The Hungarian government has offered 200 scholarships for Kenyan students, providing opportunities in a variety of disciplines across undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD levels. These scholarships cover programs in agricultural sciences, computer science, legal sciences, economics, engineering, medical and health sciences, natural sciences, and specific one-tier Master’s programs in fields like general medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, architecture, and veterinary medicine.
The one-tier Master’s program, unique to Hungary, combines Bachelor’s and Master’s studies into a single integrated curriculum.
Undergraduate applicants must meet similar qualifications as those for China scholarships: a minimum KCSE mean grade of B, grades of B in core subjects relevant to their preferred field of study, and completion of secondary education within the last three years. They must also be under 25 years of age and possess an original KCSE certificate.
For postgraduate studies, applicants must have an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree and be below 38 years of age. PhD candidates are required to have a relevant Master’s degree and be under 45 years old.
Applications for Hungarian scholarships are managed through the Stipendium Hungaricum online portal (https://apply.stipendumhungaricum.hu), which will open for submissions starting November 15, 2024. Prospective candidates are encouraged to access detailed information on the Ministry of Education’s website. All applications, including standard and online forms, must be submitted to the Ministry by Friday, January 17, 2025, at 5 pm.
A Gateway to Global Education
These scholarships reflect Kenya’s commitment to fostering international educational partnerships and providing students with opportunities to pursue academic excellence abroad. The Ministry encourages eligible candidates to apply promptly and ensure that all required documents and qualifications are in order.
With these scholarships, Kenyan students stand to benefit not only from world-class education but also from cultural and professional exposure in two dynamic countries, China and Hungary. This initiative aims to equip the next generation of professionals with the skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s development.
