by Last verified: 12 October 2026. We checked every scholarship for Nigerian students below on the funder’s or university’s official website.
Searching for a scholarship for Nigerian students usually turns up long lists of awards that closed years ago. So this guide does the opposite: it lists only scholarships we verified today on official sites, with each one’s current status. Above all, note the first one, because the Commonwealth Master’s deadline is 20 October 2026.
Scholarship for Nigerian students: verified list for 2027 entry
| Scholarship | Level and value | Status and deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (UK) | A fully funded one-year Master’s | Open now; closes 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST |
| University of Manchester Global Futures (Africa) | £19,000 (nineteen thousand pounds) off Master’s tuition | Unconditional offer and form by 20 April 2027 |
| University of Leeds Masters International Excellence | £3,000, £6,000 or £16,000 off tuition | Round one 28 February 2027; round two 16 May 2027 |
| University of Leeds Undergraduate Regional | An automatic £5,000 (five thousand pounds) for Nigerian passport holders | Ongoing; no application |
| University of Glasgow Global Leadership | £10,000 (ten thousand pounds) off Master’s tuition | Opening soon; usually closes late August |
| University of Nottingham Masters Scholarship | An automatic £3,000 (three thousand pounds) for self-funded students | Ongoing for 2027 entry |
| Harvard College financial aid | Need-based undergraduate aid; zero parent contribution below $100,000 | CSS Profile by 1 November or 1 February |
| Chevening Scholarships | Fully funded Master’s, but now closed | 2027-28 closed; watch for the next cycle |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UBC | A fully funded Master’s in Canada | Winter 2027 expression of interest closed 6 September 2026 |
1. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: apply this week
For Nigerians, this is the most urgent award on the list. Nigeria is an eligible country, and the scholarship covers:
- Full tuition fees at an approved UK university.
- An approved return airfare.
- A monthly stipend of £1,712 (one thousand, seven hundred and twelve pounds), or £2,000 (two thousand pounds) in the London area.
- A study travel grant.
However, you must apply to both a nominating body and the CSC through CSC Central, and nominators often set earlier deadlines. You also need at least a 2:1 first degree (or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification) and must be unable to afford UK study without the award. Our Commonwealth Scholarship guide walks through the process.
2. UK university scholarships open to Nigerians
Next, if you plan to self-fund part of your degree, these university awards cut the bill:
- Manchester: the biggest discount here, at £19,000 for Master’s applicants domiciled in Nigeria. However, your Bachelor’s must be from Africa, and you need an unconditional offer by 20 April 2027.
- Leeds: the Excellence award is open to all nationalities with a 2:1. Undergraduates with a Nigerian passport also get £5,000 automatically.
- Glasgow: £10,000 for one-year Master’s students with First Class-equivalent grades, and Nigeria is on the eligible list.
- Nottingham: £3,000 off Master’s fees automatically for self-funded international students.
Note that most university awards require you to be self-funded, and many cannot be combined. So check each set of terms before you accept.
3. Fully funded options in the USA and Canada
For undergraduates, Harvard treats international students exactly like Americans for need-based aid. For families earning below $100,000 (one hundred thousand US dollars) a year, Harvard expects no parent contribution. Meanwhile, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC fully funds selected Master’s degrees for Africans, although the Winter 2027 window has closed.
Worked example: a 12-month plan for a Nigerian graduate
To put this together, imagine Ifeoma, who finished a BSc in Economics at UNN with a 2:1 and has two years of work experience. Here is how she could plan from October 2026:
- October 2026: first, she applies for the Commonwealth Master’s before 20 October and checks her nominator’s own deadline.
- November 2026 to January 2027: next, she applies for UK Master’s courses at Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.
- February 2027: then, she submits the Leeds Excellence application by 28 February.
- April 2027: after that, she meets her Manchester offer conditions and submits the Global Futures form by 20 April.
- August 2027: finally, she watches for the Chevening and UBC cycles for the following year.
As a result, she has a fully funded option and several partial ones running in parallel. For her essays, she uses our scholarship application guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarship for Nigerian students is fully funded?
From this list, the Commonwealth Master’s, Chevening and Mastercard Foundation at UBC are fully funded. Harvard’s need-based aid can also cover most costs for low-income families. For more options, see our fully funded Masters scholarships list.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS for these scholarships?
It depends on the university. For example, UBC asks for TOEFL or IELTS only if your Bachelor’s was not taught in English. So check each course’s English requirements.
Can I apply for several scholarships at once?
Yes, you can apply to several. However, many universities let you keep only one award, usually the highest. So read each set of terms carefully.
Official sources
- Commonwealth Scholarship Commission – Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- University of Manchester – Scholarships for Nigeria
- University of Leeds – Masters International Excellence Scholarships
- University of Leeds – Undergraduate International Regional Scholarships
- University of Glasgow – Global Leadership Scholarship
- University of Nottingham – International Postgraduate Masters Scholarship
- Harvard College – How Aid Works
- Chevening – Application timeline
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC – Graduate Admissions
Deadlines change. Always confirm details on the official pages before you apply.
