For many Afghan students, a scholarship is not just a financial advantage — it is the only viable pathway to a university education abroad. This guide compiles the most reliable and currently active scholarships open to Afghan nationals, including programmes specifically designed for students in displaced or difficult circumstances.
1. Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) — Most Accessible Fully Funded Option
The Türkiye Scholarships (Türkiye Bursları) is the single most important scholarship for Afghan students seeking fully funded study abroad. Afghan nationals are among the largest beneficiary groups historically, and the programme includes a built-in language learning year that removes the Turkish language barrier.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Covers | Full tuition + monthly stipend (~₺1,500–3,500/month) + accommodation + health insurance + return airfare + Turkish language course |
| Duration | Bachelor's: 4–5 years; Master's: 1.5–2.5 years; PhD: 4–5 years |
| English/Turkish requirement | None required to apply for Turkish-medium programmes — language course included in Year 1 |
| English requirement (if choosing English-medium programmes) | IELTS 5.5–6.0 or TOEFL equivalent |
| Gender restriction | None — Afghan women are explicitly eligible and have been awarded this scholarship |
| Application | turkiyeburslari.gov.tr — online application |
| Application window | January – February each year |
| Results | May – June |
| Document flexibility | The application requires academic transcripts; for students with incomplete documentation, partial records are often submitted with supporting statements |
Who it suits best: Afghan students at bachelor's, master's, or PhD level who want a fully funded pathway without requiring a pre-existing IELTS/TOEFL score (for Turkish-medium programmes). Language adjustment from Dari/Farsi to Turkish is relatively fast compared to European languages.
See our full guide: Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) Complete Guide and Studying in Turkey for Afghan Students.
2. DAFI — UNHCR Scholarship for Afghan Refugee Students
The DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) programme, administered by UNHCR and funded primarily by the German government, provides scholarships for refugees to pursue undergraduate education in countries of asylum.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Registered refugees and asylum seekers with UNHCR documentation — Afghan nationals with refugee status in a country where DAFI operates |
| Covers | Tuition fees + monthly living stipend (amounts vary by country) |
| Countries where DAFI operates | 50+ countries including Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, India, Kenya, Jordan, and others — depends on UNHCR country office |
| Level | Primarily undergraduate; some countries offer graduate support |
| English requirement | Depends on the language of instruction in the country of asylum |
| Application | Through UNHCR offices in the country of asylum — not a direct online application |
Key note: DAFI is country-specific — it supports study in the country where the refugee is registered, not international study broadly. If you are an Afghan refugee registered in Turkey, DAFI Turkey supports study at Turkish universities. It does not fund travel to a third country.
How to apply: Contact the UNHCR office in your country of asylum and register for the DAFI programme during the annual selection period (typically early in the calendar year). Selection is based on academic merit and refugee status documentation.
3. ICCR Scholarship (India) — Government Fully Funded
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has historically allocated a specific annual quota of scholarships for Afghan nationals under bilateral cultural exchange agreements. This programme has been one of the primary pathways for Afghan students to access higher education in English-medium institutions.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Covers | Full tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation assistance |
| Duration | Full degree duration |
| Level | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| English requirement | IELTS or TOEFL for some institutions; not uniformly required for ICCR applicants |
| Application | Via ICCR portal (iccr.gov.in) and/or Indian Embassy/mission serving Afghan nationals in your location |
| Application window | Typically January – April each year |
| Note | Availability varies — verify current Afghan allocation with ICCR directly |
Language note: Dari speakers often find Hindi/Urdu relatively accessible due to shared vocabulary from Persian/Sanskrit roots. Many ICCR scholarship holders report faster language adjustment than expected.
4. OSUN — Open Society University Network Afghan Student Scholarships
Following the events of 2021, the Open Society University Network (OSUN) created dedicated funding for Afghan students displaced from their home universities, with a particular focus on women's education.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Focus | Afghan students (including women) who had to leave Afghanistan mid-degree or who cannot access higher education inside Afghanistan |
| Covers | Tuition + living support at OSUN member universities |
| OSUN member universities | Bard College (USA), Central European University (Vienna), American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan), and others |
| Application | Via OSUN and individual member institutions — check opensocietyuniversitynetwork.org |
| English requirement | Varies by host institution — IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL equivalent at most OSUN member institutions |
| Gender priority | Programmes with explicit priority for Afghan women affected by education access restrictions |
Who it suits best: Afghan students (especially women) who were mid-degree in Afghanistan and were displaced, or who completed school but cannot access degree-level study inside Afghanistan.
5. DAAD — Afghan Development Programme and General Scholarships (Germany)
DAAD has specific programming for Afghan nationals, including through the Afghan University Support programme and general DAAD scholarship categories open to students from Afghanistan.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Afghan-specific programme | DAAD has supported Afghan universities through the Afghan University Development Programme — graduates of supported Afghan universities may have enhanced access |
| General DAAD scholarships | Standard DAAD postgraduate scholarships are open to Afghan nationals; see DAAD Scholarship Guide |
| English requirement (English master's in Germany) | IELTS 6.0–7.0 or TOEFL band 4.0–5.0 |
| German requirement (German-taught) | TestDaF 4 or DSH-2 |
| Document note | DAAD requires verified academic transcripts — a significant challenge for many Afghan applicants; contact DAAD directly about their processes for applicants with documentation gaps |
6. Chevening Scholarship (UK) — Afghan Nationals Eligible
The UK government's Chevening scholarship is open to Afghan nationals (subject to current UK foreign policy and eligibility verification). It funds a one-year master's degree at a UK university.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Covers | Full tuition + monthly allowance + airfare + visa fees |
| English requirement | IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6.0); IELTS UKVI Academic for the visa specifically |
| Work experience | 2 years minimum |
| Application window | August – November |
| Availability | Verify current availability for Afghan nationals at chevening.org/eligibility — allocations can vary year to year |
Note on visa access: UK visa access for Afghan nationals is complex and depends on individual circumstances (location, passport/travel document status). Confirm with the British Embassy serving your current location.
7. Afghan Girls Scholarship Fund and Similar Women-Focused Programmes
Several international programmes specifically target Afghan women's access to higher education:
| Programme | Focus | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Afghan Girls Scholarship Fund | Afghan women, tertiary education | afghangirls.org |
| AWEF (Afghan Women's Educational Fund) | Afghan women in higher education | Independent organisation |
| Malala Fund Higher Education Commitments | Girls' education including Afghanistan | malala.org |
| University-specific funds | Many Western universities have created specific Afghan women's emergency funds since 2021 | Check individual university international pages |
For Afghan women who cannot currently access education inside Afghanistan, these programmes often provide the primary pathway to continuing education abroad.
8. Documents for Scholarship Applications
Many of the scholarships above require academic transcripts and diploma certificates. For Afghan students, obtaining verifiable official documentation is often the biggest practical barrier. See our Documents Guide for Afghan Students — which covers how different scholarship programmes handle documentation gaps, what alternatives are accepted, and what supporting evidence to prepare.
Scholarship Timeline
| Scholarship | Application Window | Destination | IELTS/TOEFL Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye Scholarships (YTB) | January – February | Turkey | No (Turkish-medium) |
| DAFI (UNHCR) | Through UNHCR office (annual) | Country of asylum | Depends |
| ICCR | January – April | India | Sometimes |
| OSUN | Rolling / year-round | Various | Yes (5.5–6.5) |
| DAAD | October – December | Germany | Yes (English master's) |
| Chevening | August – November | UK | Yes (IELTS 6.5) |
For most Afghan students, the priority order is: (1) Türkiye Scholarships for breadth and accessibility, (2) DAFI if you have UNHCR refugee registration, (3) ICCR for India, (4) OSUN for displaced students needing an immediate pathway. Building an IELTS score unlocks all English-medium options simultaneously.
Start IELTS preparation with Gabble — AI-powered speaking and writing practice with instant band-level feedback, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. An IELTS score is the single qualification that opens the most doors across the widest range of scholarship programmes.