Landing a strong scholarship for your Master’s in the UK can make a huge difference, especially when you’re budgeting as an international student, coming from Nigeria or other African countries. The good news: there are high-value, fully-funded, and partial scholarships with application windows closing soon. The better news: if you act fast, you still have time.
Drawing on years of experience helping students navigate international study, here’s a breakdown of which scholarships to target, what you need, the critical deadlines, and how to make your application stand out.
Why you should act now
This isn’t just about saving money; it’s about timing and opportunity. Here’s why the next few weeks (August–October) are the most crucial time in your application year:
- Early Closing Dates: Many of the biggest, most competitive UK Master’s scholarships, like Chevening and Commonwealth, close early (often between August and November) for the following year’s intake.
- High-Value Awards: These awards often cover a large part (or all) of tuition and may include stipends, flight support, and living costs, turning a financially daunting journey into a viable one.
- Currency Offset: As a Nigerian or African student, securing a scholarship can critically offset exchange rate fluctuations, reduce your reliance on loans, and free you to focus on your studies rather than part-time jobs.
- Strict Deadlines: Universities and scholarship bodies treat scholarship deadlines more strictly than admission deadlines. Missing the scholarship window often means you lose access to financial support, even if you still secure an admission offer later.
Top Scholarships to Consider (Closing Soon)
Here are some of the strongest options available with deadlines approaching fast. Check each scholarship’s official website for your specific country details, course eligibility, and the exact closing date.
| Scholarship | What it Offers | Deadline (Approximate) | Eligibility Brief |
| Chevening Scholarships | Fully funded one-year Master’s: tuition, living allowance, flights, and professional network. | Applications typically close early-November 2025 for 2026 entry. | Nigerians eligible (check country page), a Bachelor’s degree + a minimum of 2 years (2,800 hours) work experience required. |
| Commonwealth Master’s | Fully funded for students from developing Commonwealth countries: tuition, airfare, living stipend, etc. | Applications typically close mid-October 2025 for 2026 entry. | African applicants (including Nigeria) from eligible countries; a strong academic record is required; must commit to returning home. |
| Rhodes Scholarship | Prestigious, fully funded scholarship to the University of Oxford covering full tuition + stipend. | Deadlines vary by country/region; some August–October 2025 (e.g., West Africa is often late August). | Highly competitive; exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to service required. |
| GREAT Scholarships | Postgraduate taught scholarships: minimum £10,000 toward tuition at participating UK universities. | Application window varies by institution; many close between May and July or later in mid-2025. | Open to international candidates from “GREAT target countries” (Nigeria is often eligible). |
| University-specific awards | E.g., tuition fee reductions, regional scholarships. E.g., University of Birmingham 125th Anniversary Scholarship (£4,000). | Deadlines vary widely; many are soon for Sept 2025/26 entry or may be auto-applied upon admission. | Check eligibility by country and programme. |
Tip: Even if a deadline seems “far,” submit your documents early. Many universities set programme deadlines, which then feed into the scholarship decision process. Secure your admission offer first!
How to Prepare a Strong Application
A strong scholarship application is built on meticulous organisation. Here’s a checklist of what you should have ready right away:
- Academic Transcripts: Your first degree, certified if needed.
- English Language Test: e.g., IELTS/TOEFL scores (if required by the institution or scholarship). Book this test now if you haven’t.
- CV/Resume: A professional, UK-style CV that highlights your leadership, community work, and career impact. UK scholarships love ‘return-to-home-country’ impact stories.
- Personal Statement/Essay: The most important part! Tailor it to the scholarship’s values (e.g., leadership for Chevening, development for Commonwealth).
- References: Usually 2 academic or professional referees. Get their consent and ensure they have the link/template to submit before the deadline.
- University Admission Offer (or Conditional): Many scholarships require you to apply for admission to the university before or at the same time as the scholarship.
- Deadlines Calendar: Create a clear list of each scholarship’s opening & closing date and set reminders a full week ahead.
- Country-Specific Eligibility: Double-check that Nigeria or your specific African country is explicitly eligible for the award.
Application Strategy: What Worked for People We Asked
Having helped many students from Nigeria (and been through similar systems), here are proven strategies to maximise your chances:
- Start with Your Strongest Possibility: Target the most prestigious, fully-funded award first (like Chevening or Commonwealth). Sometimes, aiming high pays off.
- Personal Statement Skeleton: Write a high-quality “master” personal statement, then adjust it slightly for each scholarship, addressing their specific questions—don’t start writing from scratch every time.
- Localise Your Impact: Tailor your statements to mention your country’s context (Nigeria or relevant African region) and how you will use the UK Master’s to generate meaningful change back home.
- Use Your Network: Talk to alumni from Nigeria who have won these scholarships. Search LinkedIn; many are happy to share tips.
- Back-up Plan: Apply for multiple scholarships (at least 2-3). If you don’t get full funding, smaller awards or university-specific ones still help significantly.
- Document Everything: Double-check every document. One missing signature, a blurry scan, or an incorrectly named PDF can invalidate your entire application.
- Follow Up: After submitting, check your email (and spam folder) regularly for any additional requests (PDF upload, interview scheduling, etc.).
Deadlines You Should Bookmark (For 2026 Intake)
These are the immediate deadlines you should be working towards for study commencing in September/October 2026:
- Rhodes Scholarship (West Africa): Closes Late August 2025 (West Africa constituency).
- Commonwealth Master’s: Closes Mid-October 2025 (for many countries).
- Chevening: Closes Early November 2025 (for the cycle starting Sept/Oct 2026).
- GREAT: Varies by institution; check the university site, but many closing windows are mid-2025.
Act now: August – October is a key window. The sooner you start, the better your chances.
How You Can Position Yourself as a Nigerian or in Africa
- Eligibility is Non-Negotiable: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for your country, as many scholarships have regional quotas.
- Beyond Grades: Your academic record matters, but leadership potential and a clear ‘future contribution’ plan are often just as important, if not more so.
- Time Zone Matters: UK deadlines may convert to Nigerian time early morning or late evening, so set your own deadline a full day earlier to avoid last-minute panic.
- The Big Picture: While the scholarship may cover tuition in GBP, ensure you have a plan to manage flights, visa costs, and start-up living costs (even fully-funded awards have initial gaps).
- Commitment to Return: Some programmes expect you to return home after your Master’s (e.g., Commonwealth). Make a compelling case for how you will.
- Stay Organised: One missing document can invalidate your application. Use your checklist religiously.
Let’s Wrap Up here
Securing a scholarship can transform your Master’s experience in the UK from “good” to “life-changing.” It opens doors not only financially but network-wise, giving you the confidence to focus on study, growth, and future impact.
If you’re planning to apply for the September 2026 intake, treat this moment as your opportunity. The deadlines are closer than you might think. Prepare carefully, submit early, and use your Nigerian / African context as your unique strength.
Ready to apply?
Get your documents organised, browse 2026/27 scholarships available and get started this week.