The Pan African University (PAU), an initiative of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, is inviting young, qualified, talented, and enterprising African nationals to apply for highly competitive Master’s and PhD programmes offered across its three distinguished institutes on the continent.

PAU’s mission is to deliver world-class postgraduate education that empowers a new generation of African leaders, academics, professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs committed to driving the continent’s development.

To see the list of the institutes and programs please check the page “Institutes & programmes”

For more information please download the call document by clicking here

Degree Level

Master’s and PhD

Deadlines

The application deadline is 15 December 2025

Late or incomplete applications will NOT be considered.

Pan African University Institutes and Available Programmes

Who can apply?

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

Master’s Programmes

• Not be older than 25 years for male and 28 years for female;
• Have an Undergraduate degree from a recognized university, with at least a second-class upper division or its equivalent, in a relevant field;
• Certified true copies of relevant certificates, transcripts (from university and high school);
• Passport or National I.D. card (personal details page);
• Clear coloured passport size photograph (2cmx2cm);
• Detailed CV;
• One recommendation letter from a former university lecturer;
• Names and contact details (email & WhatsApp) of three referees ;(Mandatory)
• Candidates may be required to undergo a written/oral examination after pre-selection;
• For Conference Interpreting and Translation:
  • Excellent knowledge of at least two AU official languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Spanish)
  • Competence must be reflected in bachelor's-level academic transcripts

Academic Competence must be evidenced in academic transcripts at the bachelors' level.

Doctoral (PhD) Programmes

•  Maximum 28 years old for male and 30 years old for female applicants;
• A master’s degree in a relevant field from PAU or any internationally recognized university;
• Certified copies of relevant certificates and transcripts;
• Passport or National I.D. card (biometric/ personal details page);
• Clear coloured passport size photograph (2cmx2cm);
• Detailed CV;
• Two recommendation letters from Professors;
• A 3 to 4-page Research Concept Note (tentative title, research questions, objectives, significance of the research etc…).
• Names and contact details (email & WhatsApp) of three referees.

Scholarship offer

• Full tuition;
• Living expenses;
• Medical insurance;

Please note: Successful applicants will be expected to cover all other costs and expenses not covered by the scholarship.

Application process

All applications must be submitted online at: https://www.au-pau.org/submission/.    

All applicants must submit the following documents:

Master’s students:

• Certified true copies of relevant certificates, transcripts (from university and high school);
• Passport or National I.D. card (personal details page);
• Clear coloured passport size photograph (2cmx2cm);
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• Recommendation letter from ONE of his/her former University lecturers;
• Names of 3 Reference University lecturers (with email address and WhatsApp number mandatory)

*Candidates may be required to undergo a written/oral examination after pre- selection.

*Candidates for the Master in Conference Interpreting and Translation programmes are required to have excellent knowledge of at least one of the African Union’s official languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Kiswahili and Spanish). Academic Competence must be evidenced in academic transcripts at bachelors' level.

PhD students:

• Certified copies of relevant certificates and transcripts;
• Passport or National I.D. card (biometric/ personal details page);
• Clear coloured passport size photograph (2cmx2cm);
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• Recommendation letters from 2 Professors;
• A three to four page Research Concept Note (tentative title, research questions, objectives, significance of the research etc...)
• Names of 3 Reference University lectures (with email address and WhatsApp number mandatory).

Scholarship awardees should be committed to working in Africa after graduation.

Contact

First read all the Frequently Asked Questions. If your question is not in the list then send an email.

For academic or administrative issues please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you encounter any technical issue (If something don’t work on the website), please send an email to the following address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The email should contain the following information:

1. Your Full Name
2. Your Birthday
3. Passport or National ID Card Number
4. Phone number
5. The Email used to register
6. A clear question describing your problem
7. Date and time of the incident or the issue (In the case of technical issues)
8. A screenshot of the issue you are facing (if possible).

Please use these addresses only for answers to questions. Do not send your documents to these addresses.

Downloads and Links

Pan African University website

Call document – English version

Frequently Asked Questions

Note

Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

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