For many Nigerian graduates, pursuing a master’s degree or PhD abroad can feel financially out of reach. Tuition fees, accommodation, flights, insurance, books and everyday living costs can quickly add up. The good news is that there are legitimate postgraduate scholarships for Nigerians that can reduce or even cover many of these expenses.
The challenge is knowing which opportunities are genuine, understanding what each scholarship actually pays for, and preparing an application before the deadline.
This guide highlights some of the scholarships for Nigerian students worth watching for upcoming study opportunities. It covers major programmes in the United Kingdom, Europe, Germany and other destinations, along with practical advice on eligibility, applications and avoiding common mistakes.
Important: Scholarship rules, deadlines, participating universities and available courses can change from one academic year to another. Always confirm the latest information on the official scholarship or university website before submitting an application.
What Are Postgraduate Scholarships?
Postgraduate scholarships provide financial support to students who want to study beyond their first degree. They can support a master’s degree, PhD or another recognised postgraduate programme.
Scholarships can be:
- Fully funded, covering most major study and living expenses
- Partially funded, covering tuition or a specific portion of the costs
- Tuition-only awards
- Living-cost grants
- Research funding for doctoral students
- University-specific scholarships
- Government-funded international scholarships
A scholarship described as “fully funded” does not necessarily mean that every personal expense will be paid. Applicants should always check the official funding terms.
For Nigerian students, some of the most attractive opportunities are offered by governments, universities and international organisations.
1. Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarship remains one of the best-known opportunities for Nigerians who want to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
Chevening is funded by the UK government and is designed for people who demonstrate leadership potential, professional experience and a desire to make a positive contribution after their studies.
For the 2027–28 academic year, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and are scheduled to close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Interviews are scheduled for March to April 2027, with successful candidates expected to begin their UK studies in September or October 2027.
This makes Chevening particularly important for Nigerians planning ahead for the 2027 intake.
The application is highly competitive, so applicants should not treat it like a simple academic scholarship. Your leadership experience, career direction, achievements and plans for creating impact matter.
Applicants should also allow enough time to prepare strong essays and obtain suitable references.
Best for: Nigerian professionals and graduates seeking a master’s degree in the UK who can demonstrate leadership, career development and future impact.
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is another major UK opportunity for students from eligible Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.
The programme supports talented candidates who may otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate study in the UK. It focuses on development-related areas and aims to help scholars gain knowledge and skills that can contribute to sustainable development in their home countries.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has announced that applications for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are scheduled to open on 8 September 2026 and close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026. The scholarships are intended for study beginning in September or October 2027.
For Nigerians searching for fully funded master’s scholarships, this is an opportunity worth putting on the calendar.
Applicants should carefully review the eligible subjects, participating universities, application requirements and nomination arrangements before applying.
The scholarship is particularly relevant to candidates whose proposed study connects clearly with development priorities.
3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Another Commonwealth opportunity worth monitoring is the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
Unlike some scholarships where applicants apply independently for a broad award, Shared Scholarships involve participating UK universities and approved courses.
For the 2027/28 academic year, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission expects applications from candidates to open in early November 2026 and close around mid-December 2026. The CSC expects to support around 180 new awards, although the final number and participating courses can vary.
The programme is designed for one-year taught postgraduate courses and is not intended for research degrees or undergraduate study.
This means Nigerian applicants should begin researching participating universities and eligible courses before applications open.
4. GREAT Scholarships for Nigerian Students
The GREAT Scholarships programme offers another route for Nigerians interested in postgraduate study in the UK.
For the 2026–27 academic year, GREAT Scholarships provide £10,000 towards tuition fees for eligible one-year taught postgraduate courses. Nigeria is among the participating countries.
Unlike some fully funded scholarships, GREAT Scholarships generally provide a contribution towards tuition rather than paying every cost associated with studying abroad.
Applicants must meet the requirements of the individual university and scholarship. These may include holding an undergraduate degree, meeting English-language requirements and demonstrating an interest in the proposed subject.
Deadlines also vary by university.
Therefore, Nigerian applicants should not assume that one deadline applies to every GREAT Scholarship.
Best for: Graduates who want to study in the UK and need substantial tuition support but may have another source of funding for remaining costs.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
If you are open to studying in more than one European country, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programmes deserve serious attention.
These master’s programmes are delivered by international groups of universities. Students may study in different countries during the same degree, depending on the specific programme.
The official Erasmus+ programme states that students from around the world can apply and that full scholarships are available for the best-ranked applicants. Scholarship support can contribute towards participation costs, travel, visa expenses and a living allowance.
Most Erasmus Mundus applications are submitted between October and January for programmes beginning in the following academic year, although each master’s programme sets its own timetable.
This is particularly useful for Nigerians searching for scholarships to study abroad because there is no single country restriction within the programme.
However, each course has its own academic requirements. Applicants should therefore search the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue and select programmes that match their previous degree and career goals.
6. Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
For academically outstanding Nigerian graduates, the Clarendon Fund at the University of Oxford is one of the opportunities worth watching closely.
Clarendon scholarships are open to applicants from all nationalities, including Nigeria, and cover course fees while also providing a grant for living expenses. More than 200 new scholarships are offered each year, although the number can change.
One useful feature is that applicants do not normally submit a separate Clarendon scholarship application.
Instead, candidates applying for an eligible new master’s or DPhil course by the relevant December or January funding deadline are automatically considered.
This makes the university application itself extremely important.
Clarendon is highly competitive and places strong emphasis on academic excellence and future potential. A strong academic record, carefully selected course and convincing personal statement can therefore make a major difference.
For Nigerians considering Oxford scholarships for postgraduate study, checking the deadline for the specific Oxford course is essential.
7. DAAD Scholarships for Nigerians and Other Africans
Germany is another destination Nigerian graduates should consider when searching for postgraduate funding.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) operates several scholarship programmes for international students and researchers.
One particularly relevant route is the DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme supports selected postgraduate courses, including master’s and doctoral study, at participating institutions in the region.
DAAD currently lists open calls for 2027 scholarship starts between January and July 2027 for selected master’s programmes for students from Sub-Saharan African countries.
The programme can provide support such as a monthly scholarship, study and research allowances and, depending on the programme, tuition fees and other benefits. Exact support varies by course and institution.
DAAD also has scholarship opportunities specifically involving Nigeria. Its scholarship database should be checked regularly because programmes, institutions and deadlines change.
For Nigerian applicants, the key lesson is simple: do not search only for “DAAD Germany scholarship.” Search the official database for the specific programme, degree level, field and country eligibility.
8. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is another major scholarship initiative supporting young people across Africa and other regions.
The programme works through partner universities and organisations rather than using one universal application form.
According to the Mastercard Foundation, its Scholars Program supports talented young people facing significant barriers to educational opportunity. Support can include financial, academic and psychosocial assistance, depending on the partner programme.
The programme supports master’s-level study in some partner institutions, but it does not currently provide scholarships for PhD candidates through the general Scholars Program.
This distinction is important because many websites incorrectly describe every Mastercard Foundation opportunity as available for all postgraduate levels.
Nigerian applicants should identify the specific partner institution and check whether Nigerians are eligible for the particular programme.
The Foundation’s network includes African and international institutions, and new partnerships can change the opportunities available to applicants.
How to Find the Right Postgraduate Scholarship
Finding a scholarship is only the first step. The better approach is to identify opportunities that match your academic background and career plans.
Start by answering five questions:
1. What degree do you want?
Decide whether you are looking for a master’s, MPhil, MBA, DPhil or PhD.
A scholarship may support one level but not another.
2. What do you want to study?
Scholarships can be broad or subject-specific.
For example, one programme may accept applicants from almost every discipline, while another may focus on public health, agriculture, engineering, climate change, development studies or technology.
3. Where do you want to study?
Consider the UK, Germany, Europe, Canada, the United States, Africa and other destinations.
Do not choose a country simply because a scholarship is popular. Consider the university, course quality, career opportunities, visa requirements and total cost of living.
4. What can you realistically afford?
Even with a scholarship, you may need money for expenses not covered by the award.
Before accepting a scholarship, understand exactly what it covers.
5. When is the deadline?
A strong application submitted late is still an unsuccessful application.
Create a scholarship calendar several months before the deadline.
Documents Nigerian Scholarship Applicants Should Prepare
Many postgraduate scholarship applications request similar documents.
You may need:
- International passport or accepted identification
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Study or research proposal
- Reference letters
- Proof of English-language proficiency where required
- Admission application or university offer
- Evidence of professional experience
- Certificates showing relevant achievements
Not every scholarship requires all of these documents.
The important point is to prepare early.
For example, academic transcripts can take time to obtain, while references should not be requested at the last minute.
How to Write a Strong Scholarship Application
A good scholarship application should answer a simple question: Why should this organisation invest in you?
Avoid writing only about how much you need money.
Financial need can be relevant, but scholarship providers also want to understand your academic ability, motivation, leadership, career plans and potential impact.
Explain what you have already done.
Then explain what you want to achieve.
Finally, connect the scholarship to your future plans.
For example, instead of simply saying, “I want to study public health because I am passionate about helping people,” explain the specific problem you have observed, what you have done about it, what skills you need to gain and how the proposed degree will help you contribute to solving the problem.
Use specific evidence wherever possible.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes is applying without reading the official eligibility criteria.
Other common problems include:
- Using the same personal statement for every scholarship
- Applying for courses that do not match your academic background
- Ignoring word limits
- Submitting generic career goals
- Using unverifiable achievements
- Waiting until the deadline to request references
- Paying unofficial agents who promise guaranteed scholarships
- Assuming admission automatically means scholarship funding
- Failing to check whether the scholarship is fully or partially funded
Be particularly careful with scholarship scams.
Legitimate programmes publish official eligibility requirements, application procedures and contact information. If someone claims they can guarantee a scholarship in exchange for a large payment, treat the offer with extreme caution.
When Should Nigerians Start Applying?
The best time to start is before applications open.
For example, Chevening’s 2027–28 application period opened in August 2026 and closes in October 2026. Commonwealth Master’s applications for the 2027/28 academic year are scheduled around September and October 2026, while Commonwealth Shared Scholarship applications are expected later in the year.
Erasmus Mundus applications commonly fall between October and January, while Oxford Clarendon consideration depends on the relevant graduate course deadline in December or January.
These different timelines show why applicants should not wait for one scholarship before starting their search.
A better strategy is to maintain a list of several suitable programmes and work on applications throughout the year.