Key facts
- Status
- Runs each year Last closed 29 December 2025
- Provider
- Access Bank
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The 2025/2026 cohort closed on 29 December 2025.
VerifiedNo open round · the last round we could find closed on 29 December 2025 Access Bank and Udacity have run a cohort roughly every year since 2021, usually opening between October and December, so watch the Udacity programme page from October 2026 for the next call. Latest update ↓
The Advance Africa Scholarship is a free online technology training programme funded by Access Bank and delivered by Udacity. It gives young Africans, including South Africans, full access to Udacity nanodegrees in business analytics, programming, data science, product management and digital marketing, with the bank using the programme to find future talent. It is fully digital, so there is no relocation and no fees.
About the Advance Africa Scholarship
- Learning tracks: business analytics, programming (web and app development), data science and analytics, product management and digital marketing, with cybersecurity, cloud and AI tracks in some cohorts.
- Covers the full Udacity nanodegree, project reviews, mentoring and a certificate and digital badge on completion.
- Runs in two phases: a short challenge course for all applicants, then the full nanodegree for the best performers.
- No stipend is paid; the value is the training, which normally costs several thousand dollars.
Advance Africa Scholarship eligibility requirements
- Citizen of an African country, including South Africa, and based in Africa.
- Typically aged 20 to 30; recent graduates and early-career professionals are preferred.
- A STEM background or a demonstrated interest in a technology career.
- Reliable access to a laptop, internet and electricity, and the time to complete the weekly hours.
- Consent to Udacity sharing your data with Access Bank.
How to apply for the Advance Africa Scholarship
- Open the programme page at Udacity’s Access Bank scholarship site when a cohort is announced.
- Complete the online application, choosing one learning track and answering the motivation questions honestly.
- If selected, complete the challenge phase on time; nanodegree places go to the most active learners.
Advance Africa Scholarship closing date
29 December 2025 for the last cohort (closed). Expect the next call between October and December 2026.
Contact details
- Programme page: Udacity Access Bank scholarship
- Udacity support: www.udacity.com
South Africans looking for funded tech training should also see the Adapt IT bursary, the Accenture scholarship and our IT bursaries list.
FAQs
1. When does the Advance Africa scholarship open for 2027? +
The 2025/2026 cohort closed on 29 December 2025. Access Bank and Udacity have run a cohort roughly every year since 2021, usually opening between October and December, so watch the Udacity scholarship page from October 2026.
2. What is the Advance Africa scholarship? +
A free online technology training programme funded by Access Bank and delivered by Udacity, offering nanodegree courses in business analytics, programming, data science, product management and digital marketing to young Africans.
3. What does it cover? +
Full access to the Udacity nanodegree, project reviews and mentoring, a certificate and a digital badge on completion. There is no cash stipend and no tuition to pay.
4. Who qualifies? +
Citizens of African countries, including South Africa, typically aged 20 to 30, who are recent graduates or early-career professionals with an interest in technology, have a laptop and reliable internet, can commit the required weekly hours and consent to Udacity sharing their data with Access Bank.
5. How do I apply? +
Complete the online application on the Udacity programme page when a cohort opens, choosing a learning track and answering the motivation questions. Selected applicants are enrolled in a short challenge phase before the full nanodegree.
6. Is there a job at the end? +
No guarantee, but Access Bank uses the programme as a talent pipeline and top performers may be considered for roles at the bank.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2025/2026 cohort closed on 29 December 2025. Access Bank and Udacity have run a cohort roughly every year since 2021, usually opening between October and December, so watch the Udacity programme page from October 2026 for the next call. The details below are from the last cohort.
Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.
Apply on the provider’s website