AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD Scholarships
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB), in partnership with Shanghai Ocean University (SHOU), is inviting applications from qualified African candidates for the 2027 AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship Programme.
The scholarship provides opportunities for African students to pursue undergraduate, master’s and PhD programmes in China, with funding covering tuition fees, accommodation, meals and monthly stipends.
The initiative aims to strengthen Africa’s institutional and technical capacity in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine science and natural resource management. It also supports the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033) by developing skilled professionals who can contribute to the continent’s blue economy transformation.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to study at Shanghai Ocean University, access advanced research facilities and receive specialised professional training in marine and aquatic sciences.
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Quick Facts
- Scholarship: AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027
- Organisations: African Development Bank Group and Shanghai Ocean University
- Study Destination: China
- Study Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Eligible Countries: African Development Bank Regional Member Countries
- Study Areas: Fisheries, Aquaculture, Marine Science, Engineering, Economics, Environmental Studies and related disciplines
- Application Deadline: 17 November 2026
About the AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship
The AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship Programme is an initiative designed to support African students interested in developing expertise in fisheries, aquaculture, marine science and related fields.
Through its partnership with Shanghai Ocean University, the African Development Bank seeks to develop the technical and institutional capacity required to improve Africa’s fisheries sector, promote sustainable management of marine resources and strengthen the continent’s blue economy.
The scholarship provides opportunities for students at different academic levels, including undergraduate, master’s and doctoral studies.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful candidates will receive the following benefits:
- Full tuition fee coverage throughout the approved study programme.
- Free accommodation.
- Meals.
- Monthly stipends to support living expenses.
- Access to experienced faculty members and world-class academic resources.
- Access to modern research facilities and laboratories.
- Specialised professional training in marine and aquatic sciences.
Important Note: Successful candidates will be responsible for their international flight tickets and visa fees.
Undergraduate Scholarship Programme (Bachelor’s Degree)
The undergraduate scholarship supports qualified African candidates interested in pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree at Shanghai Ocean University.
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Eligibility Requirements
Applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:
- Possess HSK Level 4 certification with a score above 180, obtained within the last two years.
- Take the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA).
Available Undergraduate Programmes
The scholarship covers the following programmes across different colleges:
1. College of Fisheries and Life Science
- Aquaculture
- Biological Science
2. College of Marine Living Resource Science and Management
- Marine Fishery Science and Technology
- Marine Resources and Environment
3. College of Oceanography and Ecological Science
- Marine Science
4. College of Food Science and Technology
- Food Science and Engineering
- Biopharmaceuticals
5. College of Economics and Management
- International Economics and Trade
6. College of Engineering Science and Technology
- Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation
- Electrical Engineering and Automation
- Robotics Engineering
7. College of Foreign Languages
- English
Programme Duration: Four years.
Master’s Degree Scholarship Programme
The scholarship also provides opportunities for qualified African candidates to pursue master’s degrees in selected academic disciplines.
There are two additional master’s programmes with specific language and academic requirements.
1. Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI)
- Language of Instruction: Chinese
- Duration: Three years
This programme is designed to train highly skilled translators and interpreters for the global language services industry.
Students will receive training in translation practice, conference interpreting and modern translation technologies.
Language Requirement:
- HSK Level 5 or above.
2. Master of Foreign Languages and Literatures (Area Studies)
- Language of Instruction: English
- Duration: Three years
The programme focuses on Area Studies, covering regional languages, cultures, politics and economies, with particular emphasis on ocean civilisation and global governance.
It welcomes applicants from different academic backgrounds, including:
- Public Policy
- International Relations
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- STEM-related disciplines.
Applicants with STEM backgrounds who are interested in changing their academic or professional direction are also welcome.
Language Requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 or above.
- TOEFL 80 or above.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
Applicants to either of these two master’s programmes must:
- Be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country.
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
- Be no older than 30 years as of 1 September 2027.
Master’s and PhD Graduate Scholarship Programmes
The AfDB and Shanghai Ocean University also offer graduate scholarship opportunities for master’s and doctoral candidates interested in fisheries, marine science, aquaculture and related disciplines.
Programme Duration:
- Master’s Degree: Three years.
- PhD: Four years.
Available Graduate Programmes
The scholarship covers the following academic areas:
1. College of Fisheries and Life Science
- Aquaculture
- Biology
2. College of Marine Living Resource Science and Management
- Fishery Resources
3. College of Oceanography and Ecological Science
- Marine Science
4. College of Food Science and Technology
- Food Science and Engineering
5. College of Economics and Management
- Fishery Economics and Management
- Applied Economics (Chinese-taught)
6. College of Engineering Science and Technology
- Electronic Information (Chinese-taught)
- Marine Science
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Master’s Programme Eligibility Requirements
Applicants interested in the graduate master’s scholarship must:
- Be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country.
- Have experience in the fisheries or blue economy sector.
- Possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field or another discipline, provided they have an interest in pursuing a career in fisheries or the blue economy sector.
- Demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 80, obtained within the last two years.
- For Chinese-taught programmes, possess HSK Level 5 with a score above 180, obtained within the last two years.
- Be no older than 30 years as of 1 September 2027.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic performance, such as a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Chinese Language Preparation
Applicants whose Chinese language proficiency does not meet the required standard may apply for a Chinese language preparation programme lasting up to two years before commencing their chosen academic programme.
Such applicants must meet the applicable age requirements when beginning their academic studies.
PhD Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Candidates interested in the doctoral scholarship must meet the following requirements:
- Be nationals of an African Development Bank Regional Member Country.
- Have experience in the fisheries or blue economy sector.
- Possess a master’s degree in Marine Science, Aquaculture, Economics, Environmental Policy, Development Studies or a related discipline.
- Demonstrate English proficiency with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 80.
- Be no older than 35 years as of 1 September 2027.
- Have research experience, including at least one published academic paper.
- Demonstrate strong analytical, research and policy development skills.
- Possess excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
- Have experience working in multicultural environments.
Important Requirement for PhD Applicants
PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors at Shanghai Ocean University before submitting their applications.
Candidates should send the following documents to prospective supervisors for preliminary evaluation:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Research proposal.
- Published academic paper(s).
Applicants must contact a prospective supervisor before submitting their scholarship application and indicate the supervisor’s name in the application form.
Supervisor Directory:
https://ieo.shou.edu.cn/18224/list.htm
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship Programme 2027 is 17 November 2026.
Interested and qualified African candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and prepare their application documents before the deadline.
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Applicants should carefully review the available scholarship categories, academic requirements and language proficiency conditions before applying.
PhD applicants should also ensure they contact their prospective supervisors before submitting their applications.
Important Notes
- The scholarship is available for undergraduate, master’s and PhD studies.
- Applicants must meet the specific academic and language requirements for their chosen programme.
- HSK, IELTS and TOEFL requirements vary depending on the programme.
- International flight tickets and visa fees are not covered by the scholarship.
- PhD applicants are expected to contact potential supervisors before submitting their applications.
- Applicants should confirm the specific requirements for their chosen programme through the official application information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship fully funded?
Yes. The scholarship covers full tuition, accommodation, meals and monthly stipends. However, successful candidates are responsible for their flight tickets and visa fees.
2. Which country hosts the scholarship programme?
The scholarship is hosted by Shanghai Ocean University in China.
3. What academic levels are covered?
The scholarship provides opportunities for bachelor’s, master’s and PhD studies.
4. Can African students from different academic backgrounds apply?
Yes. Several programmes are available across different academic disciplines. Some master’s programmes also welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds, including STEM, social sciences and humanities.
5. What is the age limit for applicants?
For the specified master’s programmes, applicants must not be older than 30 years as of 1 September 2027. PhD applicants must not be older than 35 years as of the same date.
6. Is IELTS required for all programmes?
No. Language requirements differ by programme. Some programmes require HSK certification, while specified English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80.
7. Do PhD applicants need to contact a supervisor before applying?
Yes. PhD applicants are strongly encouraged to contact prospective supervisors and submit their CV, research proposal and published papers for preliminary evaluation. The supervisor’s name should be stated in the application form.
8. Are international flight tickets covered?
No. Successful candidates will be responsible for their international flight tickets and visa fees.
9. When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 17 November 2026.
Our Take
The AfDB Group Shanghai Ocean University Scholarship 2027 presents an opportunity for African students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in China without bearing the full cost of tuition and living expenses.
Beyond academic qualifications, the programme is particularly relevant to candidates interested in fisheries, aquaculture, marine science, environmental management, engineering and the development of Africa’s blue economy.
The availability of undergraduate, master’s and PhD opportunities also makes the scholarship accessible to candidates at different stages of their academic journeys.
Interested applicants should carefully review the requirements for their preferred programmes and begin preparing their applications ahead of the deadline.