Standard duration of the degree (3-4 years for Undergrad, 2 years for Masters, 3 years for PhD)
Deadline
September 30 (Vari
Level
Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD
Acceptance
Approximately 5-10% of eligible applicants
Difficulty
High
β¨ Should I Apply for University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Merit Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
72%
Eligibility Match
8%
Win Probability
7/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
30β45 hrs
Time Required
Competitive
Competition
π Overview
π°
Award Amount
Varies by program; typically covers tuition fees and research costs
β±
Duration
Standard duration of the degree (3-4 years for Undergrad, 2 years for Masters, 3 years for PhD)
π
Deadline
September 30 (Varies annually based on admission cycles)
π¬
Fields
All disciplines offered at UDSM including Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and Education
π
Awards/Year
Approximately 50 to 100 awards annually across different categories
π
Study Country
Tanzania
ποΈ
Provider
University of Dar es Salaam
π
Acceptance
Approximately 5-10% of eligible applicants
The University of Dar es Salaam Merit Scholarship is an initiative by Tanzania's premier university to support high-achieving students. The program aims to foster academic excellence and research by reducing the financial burden on students who demonstrate exceptional intellectual potential. It is open to both domestic and international students across all faculties.
π₯ Who Should Apply
Applicants must be admitted to a degree program at UDSM. Undergraduates need high Division I scores; Postgraduates require a First Class or high Upper Second Class degree.
π€ Sponsor
University of Dar es Salaam and various donor partners
π¬ Fields of Study
All disciplines offered at UDSM including Science, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and Education
β¨ Key Benefits
The scholarship primarily covers tuition fees for the duration of the program. Postgraduate awards may include research grants and data collection allowances.
Varies (Mainly provided for specific postgraduate research grants)
Total Award
Varies by program; typically
βοΈ Travel: Noπ Accommodation: No (Students are expected to cover their own hostel costs)π Health Insurance: Check official website (Usually covered for international students under specific schemes)π Renewable: Yesπ³ App Fee: TZS 50,000 for local applicants; USD 50 for international applicants (Admission fee)
π Tuition Coverage
Yes
π Living Stipend
Varies (Mainly provided for specific postgraduate research grants)
π‘ Accommodation
No (Students are expected to cover their own hostel costs)
βοΈ Travel Allowance
No
π Health Insurance
Check official website (Usually covered for international students under specific schemes)
π Other Benefits
Research support allowance for postgraduate candidates and access to university laboratory facilities
π Renewable
Yes
π Renewal Conditions
Subject to maintaining a GPA of 3.8 or higher on a 5.0 scale each academic year
β Eligibility Requirements
π Eligible Nationalities
Tanzanian and International students with exceptional academic records
π Academic Level
Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD
π Minimum GPA
3.8 on a 5.0 scale (or equivalent)
π£οΈ English Requirement
Proficiency in English; usually satisfied by previous education in English-medium institutions
π Age Limit
Under 25 for Undergraduate; Under 45 for Postgraduate
πΌ Work Experience
Not required for Undergrad/Masters; Preferred for PhD
π Leadership
Not mandatory but considered a plus in selection
π° Financial Need
Secondary to academic merit
π― Target Students
Domestic and International Students
π Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Statement of Purpose or Research Proposal for PG)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two academic referees for postgraduate applicants)
Interview
Varies (Departmental interviews may be required for PhD candidates)
Application Fee
TZS 50,000 for local applicants; USD 50 for international applicants (Admission fee)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Two academic referees for postgraduate applicants) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Proficiency in English; usually satisfied by previous education in English-medium institutions
Interview: Varies (Departmental interviews may be required for PhD candidates)
Min GPA: 3.8 on a 5.0 scale (or equivalent)
π Application Process
Apply for university admission first. Ensure your academic transcripts are certified and your research proposal is aligned with UDSM faculty expertise.
π‘ Insider Tip: Monitor the UDSM Directorate of Postgraduate Studies and the Undergraduate Admissions office announcements specifically for 'Merit Scholarship' calls.
πΊοΈ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
β High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
β High Risk Stage
π Key Dates & Timeline
π Opens
June 1
β° Deadline
September 30 (Varies annually based on admission cycles)
π€ Interview
Varies (Departmental interviews may be required for PhD candidates)
π Study Starts
October/November
June 1
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
September 30 (Varies annually based on admission cycles)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application β no late entries
Varies (Departmental interviews may be required for PhD candidates)
Shortlisting & Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
October/November
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
βοΈ Selection Process
π Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, performance in relevant subjects, and research potential for postgraduate applicants.
β‘ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) Merit ScholarshipCurrent
Tanzania
Full Funding
Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD
β
π Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (Ismaili Scholarship)
Multiple Countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, France, USA)
Applicants must be admitted to a degree program at UDSM. Undergraduates need high Division I scores; Postgraduates require a First Class or high Upper Second Class degree.
This scholarship covers: The scholarship primarily covers tuition fees for the duration of the program. Postgraduate awards may include research grants and data collection allowances.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is September 30 (Varies annually based on admission cycles). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Competitive. Acceptance rate: Approximately 5-10% of eligible applicants. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Proficiency in English; usually satisfied by previous education in English-medium institutions, Yes (Two academic referees for postgraduate applicants) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.