The Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme (MASS) is a fully funded initiative offered by the Government of Mauritius. It is designed to nurture academic excellence across African Union member states and Commonwealth African nations by providing financial support for studies at public higher education institutions in Mauritius. The program reflects Mauritius’ strong commitment to enhancing education across the African continent and leveraging higher education as a key factor in development.
Overview of the Scholarship
MASS supports students at different academic levels including Diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, MPhil, and PhD programs as long as they study full-time on campus in one of Mauritius’ public universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, healthcare, and travel costs, making it a comprehensive opportunity for eligible African students.
Benefits
Recipients of the scholarship receive a range of key benefits: full coverage of tuition fees, a monthly living stipend, provision of basic healthcare in public hospitals, and a return airfare from their home country to Mauritius at the start and end of their academic program. This assistance ensures scholars can focus on their studies and research without excessive financial concerns.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must be citizens of an African Union or Commonwealth African country Mauritian nationals and foreign residents in Mauritius are not eligible under this scheme. For undergraduate programs (Diploma or Bachelor’s), candidates should be at least 18 years of age but not older than 26 by a specified cutoff date. For postgraduate studies (MPhil, PhD, or combined programs), the maximum age is generally capped at 40 by the same date.
Moreover, applicants must have already applied (or been accepted) for a full-time on-campus program at a public higher education institution in Mauritius. Importantly, the application for the scholarship must be made through a “nominating agency” in the applicant’s home country usually the country’s Ministry of Education or an equivalent body. The nominating agency reviews applications, endorses eligible candidates, and forwards them to the Mauritian authorities. In many countries, only a limited number of nominees (often up to fifteen) can be submitted.
Duration of the Scholarship
The scholarship duration depends on the academic program:
- Diploma: up to 3 years
- Bachelor’s degree: up to 4 years
- MPhil: up to 2 years, plus 6 months for thesis defense
- MPhil / PhD combined: up to 4 years, plus 6 months for defense
- PhD only: up to 3 years, plus 6 months for dissertation defense
This structure ensures that the scholarship aligns with realistic completion timelines, including time allocated to finalize research work or defend a thesis.
Application Process
- Admission to a Mauritian Institution: First, prospective students must apply (and ideally receive conditional admission) to a full-time, on-campus course at a public university in Mauritius.
- Endorsement: Applicants then submit their scholarship application via their country’s nominating agency. This body endorses a shortlist of candidates.
- Submission: The endorsed applications, along with required documentation such as academic transcripts, proof of admission or application to a Mauritian university, a medical certificate, a detailed personal statement (and research proposal for postgraduate candidates), and letters of recommendation are sent to the Ministry of Education in Mauritius.
- Final Selection: The Mauritian Ministry reviews all nominations and makes the final decision on scholarship awards. Selected students enter into a scholarship agreement and prepare for travel and enrollment.
Key Conditions and Responsibilities
Students who receive this scholarship must maintain their status in good standing, adhere to the regulations of their host institution, and comply with Mauritius’ immigration requirements. They are expected to complete only the approved course; switching programs is typically not allowed. Scholarships may be revoked if academic performance falls short of expectations or if scholarship terms are violated. At the end of their studies, scholars are required to return to their home country, as the scholarship covers round-trip travel.
Strategic Importance
This scholarship has a dual purpose: it helps ambitious African students access quality higher education, and it contributes to capacity building across the continent. By investing in young talents from Africa, Mauritius promotes regional development and strengthens academic collaboration within the AU and Commonwealth network.
Conclusion
The Mauritius-Africa Scholarship Scheme is a strong example of a government-led effort to support Pan-African education. Through comprehensive financial coverage including tuition, living costs, healthcare, and airfare the program removes many barriers to higher education for eligible students. Its structured, merit-based application process ensures that the most qualified and motivated students benefit. For students from eligible African countries, MASS represents a valuable gateway to world-class education in Mauritius, coupled with a life-changing multicultural experience.
