There are three major UK scholarships for Nigerian students who want to study abroad at a UK University.
If you want to study in the UK, you can take advantage of these scholarships and funding to offset the cost of your study as a Nigerian graduate student.
Most UK universities would be willing to offer you a full scholarship for Master’s and Doctorate degrees if you meet their requirements.
You can get as much as £50,000 worth of scholarship that can cover your tuition, living expenses, and sometimes your travel expenses.
Getting a scholarship in the UK may require you to have good grades. But for most scholarships, it can go beyond just having good grades, you may be required to provide strong references, and an outstanding study plan.
Some common UK scholarships that are available to Nigerian students includes Commonwealth, GREAT and Chevening scholarships. Their applications are usually open around August through November each year.
Many Nigerian scholars and graduate students benefit greatly from these scholarships every year. If you cannot cover the cost of your study in the UK, then you should probably consider applying to any of these scholarships.
These scholarships can help offset financial burdens on students and help them concentate on their studies while their tuition and living expenses are paid for by the UK Government.
Beneficiaries of these scholarships are selected based on a variety of factors and eligibility requirements. You at least need to meet those eligibility criteria to be considered. However, meeting the requirements does not guarantee selection.
Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarships is a UK Government financial aid program for international students around the world including Nigerian students.
A Chevening scholarship is aimed at individuals with great leadership and relationship building skills who will be trained to be global leaders in their various professions.
The Chevening scholarship provides financial support to graduate students to take a 1-year full-time taught Master’s program at a UK university in any program of study.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive a Chevening scholarship, you must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening eligible country including Nigeria.
- Have completed a Bachelor’s or undergraduate degree in an eligible program of study.
- Have at least two years of working experience. This may be full-time, part-time or self-employment.
- Have applied to three approved UK universities, and received an offer from one of these universities.
- Have the required documentation which includes transcripts, degree certificate, offer letter, and two references.
You must ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements to have the best possible chance of being selected.
Chevening Partner Universities
There are over 30 UK Universities where you can hold a Chevening scholarship as a Nigerian graduate student. In your Chevening application, you would be required to select three UK universities where you have applied to or received an offer of admission.
UK Universities where you can hold a Chevening scholarship includes:
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- Bangor University
- Birbeck University of London
- Bournemouth University
- Brunel University London
- Cardiff University
- Cranfield University
- Dartington Trust
- Durham University
- Lancaster University
- Nottingham Trent University
- Queen Mary University of London
- Robert Gordon University
- Swansea University
- The University of Hull
- The University of York
- Trinity College
- University of Bath
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Central Lancashire
- University of Dundee
- University of East Anglia
- University of Exeter
- University of Glasgow
- University of Huddersfield
- University of Kent
- University of Leeds
- University of Nottingham
- University of Reading
- University of Salford
- University of South Wales
- University of Southampton
- University of Stirling
- University of Surrey
- University of Oxford
- University of Sussex
- University of Warwick
- University of Westminster.
How to Apply
Applications for the Chevening scholarship usually opens around August through November each year. You will be required to submit your scholarship application through the Chevening online application system.
The Chevening programme supports individuals wishing to study a master’s degree qualification that is full-time and based in the UK, commencing in the autumn.
Distance learning courses, part-time courses, and courses less than 9 or more than 12 months in duration are not eligible. Pre-sessional courses are not supported.
It is essential that you research and identify three different courses before submitting your Chevening application.
These can be:
- Three different courses at the same university with similar course titles
- Three different courses with similar course titles at three different universities
- Three courses at three different universities, all with the same course title.
You are expected to apply to these courses as early as possible. Candidates should not enter into a financial commitment with any university unless they are selected for a Chevening award.
If a university is asking for a deposit, please let them know that you are still in the Chevening selection process and that results will be announced from early June onwards. Note that you will need to apply directly for your selected course via the university.
Your Chevening application does not constitute an application for your chosen courses. Please visit the course finder for the full list of master’s programmes.
Please note that there will be no opportunity to amend these course choices. Therefore, we recommend that you list courses to which you feel confident you will gain entry.
Chevening applies a tuition fee cap of £22,000 to MBA courses. If you select an MBA course, you will be expected to fund the remainder of the fees over the £22,000 cap.
Commonwealth Scholarships
The Commonwealth Scholarships is one of UK Government’s financial aid program administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission that is aimed at training future world leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and global influencers from Commonwealth countries to undergo a 1-year taught Master’s degree or a 4-year PhD program in a relevant field of study.
The Commonwealth scholarships have granted financial aid and assistance to over 30,000 scholars from over 18 countries since 1960.
A Commonwealth scholarship covers the cost of study including tuition, airfares to and fro UK before and at the end of your program, and your living expenses.
The Commonwealth scholarship is based on merit, a good academic standing, a strong plan of study and a potential impact on the development of the applicant’s home country.
Commonwealth Scholarships include:
- Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
- Commonwealth distance learning scholarships
- Commonwealth shared scholarships
- Commonwealth split site scholarships for low and middle income countries.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive a Commonwealth scholarship, you must:
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- Be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country, mostly the middle or lower income Commonwealth countries.
- Have the required documentation for the Commonwealth scholarship application which includes academic transcripts, degree certificate, and two reference letters.
- Not able to complete a post graduate degree program without a Commonwealth scholarship.
- Have completed a Bachelor’s or undergraduate degree with an upper second class (2:1) or lower second class (2:2). The better your grades, the more likely that you’re going to be selected.
- Be available to start your graduate program at a University in the UK.
You must also ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements to have the best possible chance of being selected.
Each scholarship provides:
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- Approved airfare from your home country to the UK and return at the end of your award (the CSC will not reimburse the cost of fares for dependants, nor the cost of journeys made before your award is confirmed).
- Approved tuition fees: full fees are covered by agreement between the CSC and the UK university, and scholars are not liable to pay for any part of the tuition fee.
- Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £1,236 per month, or £1,516 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at current levels).
- Warm clothing allowance, where applicable.
- Study travel grant towards the cost of study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
- Provision towards the cost of fieldwork undertaken overseas (the cost of one economy class return airfare to your fieldwork location), where approved.
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- Paid mid-term visit (airfare) to your home country, unless you have claimed or intend to claim spouse and/or child allowances during your scholarship, or have received a return airfare to your home country for fieldwork.
- Family allowances, as follows (rates quoted at current levels):
- If you are accompanied by your spouse but no children: spouse allowance of £266 per month for a maximum period of nine months, if you and your spouse are living together at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
- If you are accompanied by your spouse and children: spouse allowance of £266 per month and child allowance of £266 per month for the first child, and £131 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your spouse and children are living with you at the same address in the UK (unless your spouse is also in receipt of a scholarship; other conditions also apply).
- If you are accompanied by your children but no spouse: child allowance of £529 per month for the first child, and £131 per month for the second and third child under the age of 16, if your children are living with you at the same address in the UK.
How to Apply
You cannot apply directly for the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Applicants should apply through a National or Non-governmental nominating agency.
Applicants from Nigeria can apply for a Commonwealth scholarship through the Federal Scholarship Board, Abuja.
Note that nominating agencies may have their own selection process and eligibility requirements.
After applying, the nominating agency will then put forward selected candidates to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
GREAT Scholarships
The GREAT Scholarships is UK Government’s scholarship program for international students who wish to study for a graduate level degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant field.
Applicants to a GREAT scholarship must be a citizen of one of the following countries; China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, or Thailand.
To apply for a GREAT scholarship, you need to have obtained a Bachelor’s degree program in a relevant field with at least an upper second class (2:1).
GREAT scholarships are available to students from 18 countries including Nigeria to study at a UK university in different programs and courses.
Each scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year taught postgraduate course.
Each scholarship is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with participating UK higher education institutions.
As part of the programme, all GREAT scholars will be invited to a welcome event in the first semester and a networking event in the second semester.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a GREAT scholarship, you must:
- Be a Citizen of a GREAT scholarship eligible country.
- Have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field that would enable you gain admission into a graduate program.
- Have received an offer of admission from a UK university in a relevant graduate program.
- Have the required documents for a GREAT scholarship application.
How to Apply
Applications for the British Council’s GREAT Scholarships should be made after you have received an offer of admission from a UK university.
Applicants should apply for the GREAT scholarships through partner universities where they have received an offer of admission.
For Applicants who have received an offer from the University of Derby, you can apply for the GREAT scholarship here.
As part of your application you will need to include an essay of no more than 500 words about a topic you have studied previously and why you found it interesting.
This topic should be related to or have inspired you to apply for your chosen degree programme. This essay will be part of the shortlisting criteria, alongside previous academic achievement, and the potential you show.
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