If you are a Nigerian student or graduate looking for a way to study abroad without paying expensive international tuition fees, you are not alone.

The good news is that there are fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students that can cover major study-abroad expenses, including tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel and other academic costs.

Some of the most well-known opportunities include Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Mastercard Foundation, DAAD and other university-funded scholarships.

However, finding a scholarship is only the beginning. Each programme has different eligibility requirements, application deadlines and funding arrangements.

This guide brings together some of the best fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students in 2026/2027, explains what they cover and shows you how to prepare a stronger application.

Important: Scholarship deadlines and eligibility requirements can change. Always confirm the current information on the official scholarship website before applying.

Quick List: Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students

Scholarship	Study Level	Destination	Funding
Chevening Scholarship	Master's	UK	Fully funded
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	Master's	Europe & worldwide	Full scholarships available
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program	Undergraduate/Master's	Multiple countries	Comprehensive funding
DAAD Scholarships	Master's/PhD	Germany	Varies by programme
Commonwealth Scholarships	Master's/PhD	UK	Fully funded awards available
Gates Cambridge Scholarship	Master's/PhD	UK	Fully funded
Rhodes Scholarship	Postgraduate	UK	Fully funded
University-funded scholarships	Undergraduate/Master's/PhD	Worldwide	Varies
Government-funded scholarships	Various	Various	Varies
Research scholarships	Master's/PhD	Various	Varies

What Does a Fully Funded Scholarship Mean?

A fully funded scholarship generally means that the scholarship provider pays most or all of the major costs associated with your studies.

Depending on the programme, this can include:

Full tuition fees
Accommodation
Monthly living allowance
Airfare
Visa-related costs
Health insurance
Books and study materials
Research expenses
Academic allowances

However, "fully funded" does not mean every scholarship covers exactly the same expenses.

For example, Erasmus Mundus scholarships can contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa and living expenses, while the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides financial, academic and psychosocial support, with coverage including tuition, accommodation, academic materials and other support.

Always read the official funding conditions before making financial plans.

1. Chevening Scholarship

Destination: United Kingdom
Level: Master's
For: Students and professionals from eligible countries

The Chevening Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships available to international students who want to pursue a master's degree in the United Kingdom.

It is particularly attractive to applicants interested in leadership, public service, development, business, education and other fields.

Chevening is highly competitive, so applicants should begin preparing well before the application period.

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet Chevening's eligibility requirements. Among other requirements, candidates generally need:

Citizenship of a Chevening-eligible country
An undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK master's programme
At least two years of eligible work experience
A commitment to return to their country of award for at least two years after the scholarship

Chevening states that applicants need at least 2,800 hours of work experience acquired after completing their undergraduate degree.

Is Chevening currently open?

The official Chevening website currently indicates that applications are closed for the present cycle, so Nigerian applicants should monitor the next application window rather than relying on outdated deadline information.

Official website: Check the Chevening application and eligibility pages before applying.

2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships

Destination: Europe and partner countries
Level: Master's
Eligibility: Students from around the world

If you want to study for a master's degree in Europe, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters programme should be high on your scholarship list.

One of its biggest advantages is that students can study at multiple universities in different countries as part of the same master's programme.

According to the official Erasmus+ programme, students from all over the world can apply and full scholarships are available for the best-ranked applicants. Scholarships can contribute toward participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living allowance.

How does Erasmus Mundus work?

Instead of applying to a single university in the traditional way, you apply directly to the consortium running the specific master's programme.

Many programmes involve studying in two or more countries.

When should Nigerians apply?

Most Erasmus Mundus programmes typically accept applications between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year, although individual programmes can have different deadlines.

This means you should start researching programmes and preparing your documents months before applications open.

3. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Study level: Undergraduate and Master's
Location: Multiple countries
Target: Young African students

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is another major opportunity for African students.

The programme is implemented through partner universities and organisations rather than through one central application for every student.

The Foundation says its Scholars Program has committed more than 58,000 scholarships and works with partner institutions across Africa and other regions.

The programme can provide financial, academic and psychosocial support.

Depending on the partner programme, support can include:

Tuition
Accommodation
Books and academic materials
Mentoring
Counselling
Leadership development
Travel support

The Foundation specifically advises prospective applicants to apply directly through the partner university or organisation because each partner has its own requirements and deadlines.

Important for Nigerian applicants

Do not simply search for "Mastercard Foundation application form."

Instead:

Visit the official Mastercard Foundation partner list.
Find universities offering programmes relevant to you.
Check whether the university is accepting applications.
Read its eligibility requirements.
Apply through the official institution.

4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cambridge

Destination: United Kingdom
Level: Master's
Target: Talented African students

The University of Cambridge has its own Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program designed to support talented African students pursuing master's degrees.

The programme's current themes include climate resilience and sustainability.

The scholarship can include:

Course fees
Monthly living allowance
Return flight
Laptop

The Cambridge programme says it aims to enable 500 outstanding African students to enrol in master's courses by 2030.

This is an especially attractive option for applicants whose academic or professional interests align with climate resilience, sustainability and related fields.

5. DAAD Scholarships

Destination: Germany
Study level: Mainly Master's and PhD
Target: International students and researchers

Germany is one of the most attractive destinations for Nigerian students because of its strong universities and comparatively affordable higher education system.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers numerous scholarships for international students and researchers.

However, DAAD is not one single scholarship.

Different programmes have different:

Eligibility requirements
Academic requirements
Deadlines
Funding packages
Study areas

Therefore, applicants should search the DAAD scholarship database for programmes that match their qualifications and field of study.

Tip for Nigerian applicants

Don't search only for "DAAD scholarship for Nigerians."

Search for DAAD programmes related to your degree, field and academic level.

This can uncover opportunities that a general scholarship search might miss.

6. Commonwealth Scholarships

Destination: United Kingdom
Study level: Mainly postgraduate
Target: Students from eligible Commonwealth countries

Commonwealth Scholarships provide opportunities for talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries to study in the United Kingdom.

Nigerian applicants should check the current Commonwealth scholarship cycle and the specific eligibility conditions before applying.

Because scholarship schemes and funding arrangements can change between cycles, do not rely on old blog posts that list previous deadlines.

Instead, verify the current programme directly with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and the relevant UK university.

7. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Destination: United Kingdom
University: University of Cambridge
Level: Postgraduate

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is one of the world's most competitive postgraduate scholarship programmes.

It is aimed at outstanding applicants who want to pursue eligible postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.

For Nigerian graduates with excellent academic records and a strong record of leadership, research or social impact, this is an opportunity worth researching.

Because competition is intense, applicants should begin preparing their academic documents, references and personal statements well before the deadline.

8. Rhodes Scholarship

Destination: United Kingdom
University: University of Oxford
Level: Postgraduate

The Rhodes Scholarship provides an opportunity for exceptional students from eligible constituencies to study at the University of Oxford.

It is particularly competitive and places significant emphasis on academic excellence, leadership, character and commitment to making a positive difference.

Nigerian applicants should check which Rhodes constituency applies to them and carefully follow the official eligibility requirements.

Do not assume that meeting the academic requirements alone guarantees competitiveness.

9. University-Specific Scholarships

One of the biggest mistakes scholarship hunters make is looking only for famous international scholarship programmes.

Many universities offer their own scholarships for international students.

These can include:

Full tuition scholarships
Tuition waivers
Living stipends
Research funding
Graduate assistantships
Accommodation support
Faculty-specific awards

For example, a university may offer funding specifically for students studying engineering, public health, computer science, education, economics or other fields.

How to find them

Search Google using combinations such as:

"[University name] international student scholarship"

"[University name] fully funded master's scholarship"

You can also search:

site:universitywebsite.edu scholarship international students

This approach can uncover opportunities that aren't listed on large scholarship websites.

10. Research Scholarships for Nigerian Graduates

If you are interested in a master's by research or PhD, don't restrict your search to traditional scholarships.

Look for:

Research assistantships
Graduate assistantships
Fully funded PhD positions
Research grants
Doctoral scholarships
University fellowships
Funded research projects

For postgraduate research applicants, contacting potential supervisors can also be useful.

A professor may have funding connected to an ongoing research project even when there is no scholarship advertised with the exact phrase "fully funded scholarship."

How to Find More Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians

Finding scholarships is much easier when you have a system.

Instead of randomly searching Google every few days, create a scholarship tracker.

Your spreadsheet should contain:

Scholarship	Country	Degree	Deadline	Funding	Eligibility	Status
Chevening	UK	Master's	Check official site	Full	Yes/No	Preparing
Erasmus Mundus	Europe	Master's	Varies	Full	Yes/No	Researching
Mastercard Foundation	Various	UG/Master's	Varies	Comprehensive	Yes/No	Researching
DAAD	Germany	Master's/PhD	Varies	Varies	Yes/No	Preparing

This simple system can prevent you from missing deadlines.

Documents Nigerian Students Should Prepare Before Applying

One of the biggest advantages you can give yourself is preparing your documents before applications open.

Commonly requested documents include:

1. Academic transcripts

Request official or certified transcripts early.

Some universities can take time to process transcript requests.

2. Degree certificate

If you have already graduated, keep a digital copy of your certificate available.

If you are still completing your degree, check whether the scholarship accepts applicants awaiting graduation.

3. CV

Create a scholarship-focused CV highlighting:

Education
Work experience
Leadership
Volunteering
Research
Awards
Professional certifications
Community involvement

4. Statement of purpose or motivation letter

Your statement should explain:

What you want to study
Why you chose the programme
Your relevant experience
Your career goals
How the programme fits your plans
The impact you intend to make

Avoid simply writing:

"I have always dreamed of studying abroad."

Scholarship committees want to understand why you are a strong candidate and what you intend to do with the opportunity.

5. Recommendation letters

Identify potential referees early.

Do not wait until two days before the deadline to ask someone for a recommendation.

6. English-language documents

Some universities may request proof of English proficiency.

However, requirements differ by university and programme.

Never assume that IELTS is automatically required—or automatically waived.

Check the official requirements for your specific programme.

How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship

Being academically strong helps, but scholarship applications often involve much more than grades.

1. Apply for multiple scholarships

Don't put all your hopes into one scholarship.

Create a portfolio of applications based on your eligibility.

For example, instead of applying to one programme, identify 5–10 realistic opportunities and prioritise the strongest matches.

2. Start early

The best applicants don't start writing their application the night before the deadline.

Start preparing:

CV
Personal statement
Recommendation letters
Transcripts
Certificates
Passport
English-language documents

months ahead.

3. Tell a clear story

Your application should have a logical connection between:

Your past → Your current skills → Your proposed study → Your future impact

For example:

Experience in community education → interest in education policy → master's in education development → plan to improve access to quality education.

The exact story depends on your background, but the connection should be clear.

4. Demonstrate impact

Don't just list activities.

Explain what you actually achieved.

Instead of:

"I volunteered with a youth organisation."

Say:

"I volunteered with a youth organisation where I helped organise digital-skills workshops for 80 students."

Specific evidence is more convincing than generic claims.

5. Customize every application

Do not send the same personal statement to every scholarship.

Your application should demonstrate that you understand:

The scholarship
The university
The programme
Its objectives
Why you are a good fit

Can Nigerian Students Get Fully Funded Scholarships Without a First-Class Degree?

Yes, depending on the scholarship.

Not every scholarship requires a first-class degree.

Some programmes consider a combination of:

Academic performance
Work experience
Leadership
Professional achievements
Community involvement
Research experience
Motivation
Career goals

However, eligibility requirements vary significantly.

Never assume that a lower grade automatically disqualifies you.

Instead, look for programmes whose academic requirements match your qualification.

Can Nigerian Students Get Fully Funded Scholarships Without IELTS?

Sometimes, but it depends on the university and programme.

Some universities may accept alternative proof of English proficiency or provide exemptions under specific conditions.

Others may require IELTS, TOEFL or another approved test.

The important thing is to check the official requirements for the specific scholarship and university.

Avoid applying based on claims such as "No IELTS required" unless the official institution confirms it.

Are Fully Funded Scholarships Really Free?

In most cases, legitimate scholarship applications should not require you to pay an agent to "guarantee" a scholarship.

Be extremely careful with anyone who promises:

Guaranteed scholarship
Guaranteed admission
Guaranteed visa
Secret scholarship slots
Guaranteed selection after payment

A legitimate scholarship can still have specific application or university-related costs, depending on the programme, so always verify the requirements directly with the scholarship provider.

The Mastercard Foundation, for example, explicitly directs applicants to its partner institutions because those institutions manage their own application processes and deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best fully funded scholarships for Nigerian students?

Some of the major programmes worth researching include Chevening, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, DAAD programmes, Commonwealth Scholarships, Gates Cambridge and Rhodes Scholarships.

The best scholarship for you depends on your academic level, field, experience and eligibility.

Which countries offer fully funded scholarships to Nigerians?

Nigerian students can find scholarship opportunities in countries including the UK, Germany, Canada, the United States, countries across Europe and several African countries.

The availability of funding changes by programme and academic year.

Can undergraduate students from Nigeria get fully funded scholarships?

Yes. Some scholarship programmes support undergraduate students, although many of the most well-known international awards are aimed at master's or postgraduate applicants.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, for example, operates at secondary, undergraduate and master's levels through its partner institutions.

What is the easiest fully funded scholarship to get?

There is no genuinely "easy" fully funded international scholarship.

Competition can be intense, particularly for prestigious programmes.

Your best strategy is to find scholarships where your:

academic background + experience + field + career goals

closely match the programme.

How many scholarships should I apply for?

There is no magic number, but applying to several well-matched scholarships is generally better than submitting one rushed application.

Focus on quality and eligibility, not simply application volume.

Final Advice for Nigerian Scholarship Applicants

Getting a fully funded scholarship to study abroad is possible, but you should treat the process like a project rather than a lottery.

Start by identifying scholarships that match your academic level and field.

Then create a deadline tracker, prepare your documents, improve your CV and begin working on your personal statements.

Most importantly, verify every scholarship directly with the official provider before applying.

Scholarship deadlines change, programmes are sometimes discontinued and eligibility requirements can be updated.

Don't wait until a scholarship deadline is approaching before you start preparing.

The earlier you prepare, the more time you have to submit an application that actually stands out.

Looking for More Scholarship Opportunities?

Bookmark this page and check back regularly for new scholarship opportunities for Nigerian and African students.

You can also join the LaunchPoint Africa community for scholarship, study-abroad, career and opportunity updates.

Don't wait until the deadline is tomorrow to start looking. Your next opportunity could already be open.

Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students 2026/2027: 15 Opportunities to Study Abroad