STUDY FUNDING
Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Every scholarship on this page is open to Nigerian applicants. They are grouped by where you would study, and each one links to its official application page. Funding is competitive, so start early and confirm each deadline before you apply.
Multiple countries3 awards
Mastercard Foundation Scholars
Full funding for talented young Africans at partner universities worldwide, with leadership development built in.
African studentsUndergraduate & master'sLeadership focus
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
European Union funding to study one master's across two or more European countries, covering tuition and a living allowance.
Master'sSeveral countries
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship
A development-related master's for professionals from Nigeria and other World Bank member countries, with relevant work experience.
World Bank memberMaster'sMid-career, 3+ yrs
United Kingdom5 awards
Chevening
Applications for the fully funded 2027–2028 Chevening Scholarship are open until 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Eligible Nigerians can apply for a one-year taught master's in the United Kingdom, subject to the current degree, post-graduation work-experience and return-home requirements.
Nigeria eligibleMaster'sOpen · closes 6 Oct 2026
Commonwealth Scholarships
UK government awards for Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, with around 800 places a year and a development focus.
CommonwealthMaster's & PhD
Gates Cambridge
Full funding for outstanding postgraduates at the University of Cambridge, open to applicants from any country outside the UK.
PostgraduateCambridge
Clarendon Scholarship
Fully funded graduate scholarships at the University of Oxford, awarded on academic merit and open to all nationalities.
All nationalitiesGraduateOxford
Rhodes Scholarship (West Africa)
Three fully funded postgraduate places at Oxford each year for the West Africa constituency, which includes Nigeria.
West AfricaPostgraduateOxford
United States3 awards
Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The US government's flagship exchange, funding master's and doctoral study, applied through the US Mission in Nigeria.
Master's & PhDVia the US Mission
Knight-Hennessy Scholars
Full funding for graduate study at Stanford University, open to citizens of all countries, with around 100 scholars a year.
All nationalitiesGraduateStanford
Hubert Humphrey Fellowship
A funded year of professional development in the US for experienced mid-career professionals, run by the US State Department.
Non-degreeMid-career
Canada3 awards
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship
The University of Toronto's top award for international undergraduates, covering tuition, books, fees, and residence for four years.
InternationalUndergraduateToronto
UBC Donald A. Wehrung Award
A need-based award at the University of British Columbia for international undergraduates, covering tuition and living costs.
InternationalUndergraduateNeed-based
Canada Graduate Research Scholarship
Doctoral funding for international students in a Canadian PhD programme, the scholarship that replaced the discontinued Vanier award (international places are capped).
InternationalPhD
Australia3 awards
Australia Awards (Africa)
Fully funded master's study in Australia for Nigerians with relevant work experience, run by the Australian government.
Nigeria eligibleMaster'sNeeds work experience
Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship
A University of Melbourne fee sponsorship for undergraduates from countries with limited financial opportunity, which includes Nigeria.
Nigeria eligibleUndergraduateFee sponsorship
Research Training Program (RTP)
Australian government funding for international research master's and PhD students, awarded through Australian universities.
InternationalResearch master's & PhD
Germany4 awards
DAAD
Germany's academic exchange service, where Nigeria is one of the most successful countries in the world, with monthly stipends.
Master's & PhD
DeutschlandStipendium
A merit award of 300 euros a month for students at German universities, open to all nationalities and applied for through your university.
All nationalitiesUndergraduate & master'sVia your university
Heinrich Böll Foundation
Scholarships for academically strong, socially engaged students, with priority for developing-country applicants before a master's in Germany.
Developing countriesMaster's & PhDValues-based
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
A German political foundation funding committed international students and doctoral candidates, with a monthly stipend.
Non-EUMaster's & PhDValues-based
Netherlands3 awards
NL Scholarship
A 5,000 euro first-year award from the Dutch government and universities for non-EEA students, including Nigerians (formerly the Holland Scholarship).
Non-EEABachelor's & master's5,000 euros
Amsterdam Merit Scholarship
A University of Amsterdam award for outstanding non-EU master's students, reducing tuition and adding an allowance.
Non-EU/EEAMaster's
Radboud Scholarship Programme
A Radboud University award that cuts tuition to a few thousand euros and covers visa, permit, and insurance, for non-EEA master's students.
Non-EEAMaster's
France2 awards
France Excellence Eiffel
The French foreign ministry's award for top international students. Your French university submits the application on your behalf.
Master's & PhDVia the institution
Émile Boutmy Scholarship
Sciences Po's award for non-EU students, a substantial tuition exemption across a bachelor's or master's degree.
Non-EUBachelor's & master'sSciences Po
Sweden3 awards
Swedish Institute Scholarships (Global Professionals)
Fully funded master's study in Sweden for applicants from Nigeria and 33 other countries, aimed at experienced future leaders.
Nigeria eligibleMaster'sNeeds work experience
Lund University Global Scholarship
Tuition scholarships at Lund University for fee-paying students from outside the EU and EEA.
Non-EU/EEABachelor's & master'sTuition
Uppsala University Global Scholarships
Tuition scholarships at Uppsala University for non-EU/EEA master's students (formerly the IPK scholarships).
Non-EU/EEAMaster'sTuition
Finland3 awards
Finland Scholarship
For new non-EU students at participating Finnish universities: first-year tuition plus 5,000 euros, awarded through admission.
Non-EU/EEAMaster'sFirst year
University of Helsinki Scholarship
Tuition scholarships, with a relocation grant, for non-EU master's students at the University of Helsinki.
Non-EU/EEAMaster'sTuition + grant
Aalto University Scholarship
Full tuition-fee waivers at Aalto University for talented non-EU/EEA students, awarded during admission.
Non-EU/EEABachelor's & master'sTuition waiver
China3 awards
Chinese Government Scholarship
Funded study in China through the China Scholarship Council, covering tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.
Bachelor's to PhD
Schwarzman Scholars
A fully funded one-year master's at Tsinghua University in Beijing, open to all nationalities, with full living support.
All nationalitiesMaster'sTsinghua
Yenching Academy
A fully funded master's in China Studies at Peking University, covering tuition, accommodation, and a living stipend.
Master'sPeking University
Japan1 award
MEXT (Japanese Government)
Japan's government scholarship covering tuition, a monthly allowance, and airfare, applied for through the Japanese Embassy or a university.
Undergraduate to PhDVia the embassy
South Korea1 award
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
South Korea's government scholarship for international students, covering tuition, airfare, living costs, and health insurance.
Undergraduate & graduate
Türkiye1 award
Türkiye Burslari
One of the largest government scholarships in the world, fully funding study in Türkiye including tuition, stipend, and housing.
Undergraduate & postgraduate
How to apply, and how to stay safe
Most of these awards open once a year, and the strongest applications start months ahead. Prepare your transcripts, references, and a clear study plan early, and apply directly through the official programme website every time.
No legitimate government or university scholarship charges a fee to apply, to process, or to guarantee an award. Anyone asking you to pay for a scholarship, or to send money to release one, is running a scam. Apply only on the official sites linked above.