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Zimbabwe Presidential Scholarship - The Insider Guide

Office of the President and Cabinet (Zimbabwe) (Government)  ·  Updated June 13, 2026

Historically known as the Presidential National Scholarship Programme, this initiative was designed to send disadvantaged but highly intelligent Zimbabwean students abroad. It heavily utilizes bilateral agreements, sending students primarily to South Africa (though this has declined due to funding issues), Russia, China, and India.

Quick Overview

Scholarship Name
Zimbabwe Government Scholarship
Host Country
Eligible Countries
Zimbabwe
Degree Level
Bachelors, Masters
Financial Coverage
Partial
Application Window
January - March (Varies)

Full Requirements & Details

Academic Requirements

Min. CGPA
3.0
Offer Degrees
Bachelors, Masters
Subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine, Physics
Seats Available
Limited annually
Study Gap Allowed
No Restrictions (Gap Allowed)
Research Publication
Optional
Work Experience
No
Age Range
No Age Limit

Language Requirements

IELTS
No
TOEFL
No
GRE
Not Required
Local Language
English
Local Lang Test
No
Study Languages
English, Varies by Host Country

Financial Details

Type
Partial
Fund Details
See Description
Monthly Stipend
USD 0/mo
Tuition
Full
Living Costs
Partial
Travel & Health
Yes / No
Application Fee
Free (No Application Fee)
Spouse Allowed
No

What Matters Most

Statement of Purpose 7/10

Motivation Letter 7/10

Recommendation Letter 8/10

Interview 8/10

Required Documents

CV Passport Transcript Certificate

Why You Should Apply

Due to the severe economic challenges in Zimbabwe, securing foreign exchange to study abroad is nearly impossible for average citizens. This scholarship facilitates the diplomatic heavy lifting—the host country waives tuition, and the Zimbabwean government provides your flights and a supplementary living allowance in USD.

Application Process

Calls for applications are usually published in state-owned newspapers (like The Herald) and on government portals. You submit physical applications to the provincial government offices. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed locally and then vetted by a central national committee.

How to Win This Scholarship

The selection is aggressively targeted at students from rural and marginalized provinces to ensure regional equity. You must have outstanding A-Level results (15 points is often the unofficial baseline for top programs). Your application must prove genuine financial hardship.

Furthermore, you must apply for critical shortage fields like clinical medicine, mining engineering, or specialized agriculture; business and arts degrees are almost never funded.

Benefits After Completing Study

It allows brilliant minds to escape the local economic constraints and gain internationally recognized STEM degrees.

The reality of this scholarship is economically terrifying. The Zimbabwean government has a long, documented history of failing to disburse the USD living stipends to students stranded abroad, leading to extreme hardship. You absolutely must have a private financial backup plan to survive while studying in Russia or China.

Official Source

For complete details and to verify all requirements, please refer to the scholarship provider's official website.

Visit Official Source