LordMagnusThe cost of studying in the UK can be difficult to manage, even after you secure admission. Tuition, accommodation, travel, and daily expenses can add up quickly, so choosing a scholarship that fits your course and nationality matters.
This guide covers seven established UK scholarship options for international students, including Nigerian applicants. You’ll find what each award is for, what its funding may cover, and how to approach its application route. A scholarship is competitive, so meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee an award.
Scholarship rules and deadlines can change between application cycles. Use the details below to narrow your options, then compare your course and application year with the current information from the scholarship provider or university.
1. Chevening Scholarship
Chevening is a UK government scholarship for eligible international applicants pursuing a master’s degree in the UK. It is an option to consider if you are planning a one-year postgraduate course and meet the requirements for your country and application cycle.
For Nigerian applicants, the 2027–28 application cycle opened in August 2026 and is listed as closed as of October 13, 2026. The Nigeria page does not provide an exact closing date in the information available here, so avoid relying on dates from previous cycles when planning a future application.
Chevening’s award terms and eligibility rules are set for each cycle. Check the current requirements for nationality, academic background, work experience, eligible courses, and any other conditions before you decide that you qualify. The exact funding package should also be confirmed for the cycle you plan to apply to.
You may need to apply to eligible UK courses separately from your scholarship application. Give yourself enough time to compare course requirements, prepare your application responses, and gather supporting documents. Use CHEVENING NIGERIA and CHEVENING APPLICATION TIMELINE to check the current application status and instructions.
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship supports eligible candidates from Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, who plan to pursue full-time taught master’s study in the UK. It is worth considering if your academic plans meet the scheme’s purpose and you can follow the nomination route required for your country.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, or CSC, describes its scholarships as covering full tuition, return airfares, a living-cost stipend, and other allowances. The exact terms depend on the award and application cycle, so check what applies to your intended year of study.
The application route is an important part of this scholarship. Candidates are nominated through a nominating agency, which means you should identify the relevant process and deadline for Nigeria rather than assuming you can apply through the same route as every other Commonwealth applicant. The university application may also have its own requirements and timeline.
Start by confirming that your course is full-time and taught at the master’s level. Then review the scholarship’s current eligibility criteria and nomination instructions. For programme details and general funding information, consult COMMONWEALTH MASTER’S SCHOLARSHIPS and COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP COMMISSION FAQS.
3. Commonwealth PhD Scholarship
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship is a separate option for eligible candidates from Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, who want to pursue full-time doctoral study in the UK. It may suit you if your research plans match the scheme’s requirements and you can complete the required nomination process.
The CSC’s current information lists a monthly stipend of £1,712, rising to £2,000 for universities in the London metropolitan area. These are the current stated rates, not a guarantee of the amount for a future award year. Check the terms for your application cycle before you build a budget around them.
The PhD route differs from the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship. You should review the doctoral eligibility rules, nomination instructions, and research requirements separately. You’ll also need to check the university’s admission process, since scholarship eligibility does not replace a PhD application or guarantee an offer.
Do not use a previous cycle’s deadline as your planning date. The scholarship page may update its instructions for each year, and your nominating agency may publish separate guidance. Review COMMONWEALTH PHD SCHOLARSHIPS and COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP COMMISSION FAQS for the current award information.
4. GREAT Scholarships
GREAT Scholarships are offered through participating UK universities. For Nigerian students applying for the 2026–27 academic year, the British Council lists awards worth £10,000 toward tuition fees for eligible one-year taught postgraduate courses.
The award is a tuition contribution, not a promise to cover your full study and living costs. You should calculate the remaining amount you’ll need for fees, accommodation, food, travel, and other expenses before accepting an offer. Your university and course also need to match the scholarship’s current eligibility rules.
The British Council lists 14 participating institutions for Nigerian applicants: Brunel University of London, Cranfield University, Edge Hill University, Edinburgh Napier University, Imperial College London, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, Royal Holloway University of London, University College London, the University of Bath, the University of Kent, the University of Reading, the University of Southampton, and the University of Warwick.
You apply through the participating university’s scholarship process, and deadlines vary by institution. Check whether you need a separate scholarship application, an admission offer, or additional documents. Use GREAT SCHOLARSHIPS NIGERIA and GREAT NIGERIA ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION to identify the current university-specific instructions.
5. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge supports eligible postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge. Nigerian citizens apply in the international round, and the scholarship is intended for applicants who meet the programme’s nationality, course, and degree requirements.
For the 2027–28 cycle, applications opened on September 11, 2026. International deadlines are December 8, 2026, or January 6, 2027, depending on the course. The deadline attached to your Cambridge course is the one to follow, so check it before you begin preparing your materials.
You submit the Gates Cambridge scholarship application as part of your Cambridge postgraduate application. This means you need to plan for university admission and scholarship requirements at the same time. A course may have its own application deadline, and some courses may not qualify for the award.
Read the selection criteria before writing your scholarship responses. Then explain your academic plans and suitability with clear examples that respond to the application prompts. Check the GATES CAMBRIDGE TIMELINE and GATES CAMBRIDGE FAQS for current deadlines, eligible courses, and application instructions.
6. Clarendon Scholarship
Clarendon is a University of Oxford scholarship programme for graduate study. International applicants can be considered across nationalities, ordinary-residence backgrounds, and fields of study. Eligible courses include full-time and part-time master’s and DPhil programs.
Clarendon covers full course fees and provides a living-cost grant. Your exact course and application deadline matter because scholarship consideration is linked to your graduate-course application. Oxford’s guidance says applicants are automatically considered when they submit a complete course application by the relevant deadline.
This route may save you a separate scholarship application, but you still need to submit a complete and competitive graduate application on time. Oxford course deadlines can differ, so find the deadline for your intended program rather than relying on a general date.
Check the current rules for your course, funding coverage, and application process before you submit. Use OXFORD CLARENDON SCHOLARSHIPS and Oxford’s graduate funding information to review the details for your planned year of study.
7. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme is an Oxford graduate funding option for applicants from specified countries. Nigeria is included in the programme’s eligible-country list, but you also need to choose a course included in the current course list.
The award covers 100% of course fees and provides a living-cost grant of at least £20,780. It also includes leadership development, mentoring, and networking. Check the current terms to understand how the award applies to your course and whether you will need other funds for costs outside the stated coverage.
To apply, you need to submit an application for an eligible full-time Oxford course, select the scholarship in your graduate application, and include a scholarship statement. The relevant course deadline is usually in December or January, but you should use the deadline listed for your specific course and application year.
The leadership component is part of the programme, so read its requirements before applying. Your statement should respond to the scholarship’s criteria and use specific examples from your academic, professional, or community experience. Review WEIDENFELD-HOFFMANN SCHOLARSHIPS AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME for its country list, eligible courses, and current instructions.
How to Compare These UK Scholarships
Start with eligibility, not the award amount. A large scholarship will not help if your nationality, course, or study level does not meet its rules.
Use this comparison to identify which options deserve a closer review. Details marked as variable should be checked against the current scholarship and university information.
| Scholarship | Study level or destination | Nigerian applicant route | Funding information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | One-year master’s in the UK | Check current Nigeria eligibility and cycle requirements | Confirm current award terms |
| Commonwealth Master’s | Full-time taught master’s in the UK | Nomination route applies | Full tuition, return airfare, living-cost stipend, and other allowances under CSC information |
| Commonwealth PhD | Full-time PhD study in the UK | Nomination route applies | Current listed stipend is £1,712 monthly, or £2,000 in London |
| GREAT Scholarships | Eligible one-year taught postgraduate courses | Apply through a participating university | £10,000 toward tuition for listed 2026–27 Nigerian awards |
| Gates Cambridge | Eligible postgraduate study at Cambridge | Apply in the international round | Check current award terms |
| Clarendon | Eligible Oxford graduate courses | Complete the course application by its deadline | Full course fees and living-cost grant |
| Weidenfeld-Hoffmann | Listed full-time Oxford graduate courses | Select the award in the graduate application and submit a scholarship statement | Full course fees, living-cost grant of at least £20,780, and programme activities |
A scholarship’s coverage may not equal your total cost of attendance. Separate tuition from living expenses, travel, accommodation, and other costs so you can see how much funding remains necessary.
What to Check Before You Apply
Each scholarship has its own rules, even when two awards support similar degrees. Confirm these details on the official scholarship or university page:
- Your nationality is eligible for the award.
- Your course and study level meet the requirements.
- The award is available for your intended application year.
- You understand whether funding covers tuition, living costs, travel, or only part of these expenses.
- You know whether to apply directly, through a university, or through a nominating agency.
- You have the correct application and course deadlines.
- You know whether scholarship consideration is automatic or requires extra forms.
- You have checked whether you can hold the award alongside other funding.
Keep the scholarship application separate from the university application in your planning. Some routes combine them, while others require a nomination or a university-specific scholarship form. Missing a separate step can affect your eligibility even if your academic application is strong.
Plan Your Application Calendar
A clear calendar reduces last-minute work and helps you manage multiple applications. Record each scholarship deadline next to your university deadline, reference requests, required documents, and any interview date.
Start preparing early if you need academic records, references, or a course offer. Some awards require you to explain your academic direction, future plans, or leadership experience. You’ll have more time to respond to the actual selection criteria when you do not leave the application until the final weeks.
Use the current cycle’s instructions to set your dates. This is especially important for awards with course-specific deadlines, such as Gates Cambridge, Clarendon, and Weidenfeld-Hoffmann. A general scholarship deadline may not match the deadline for your chosen program.
Choose the Scholarship That Fits Your Study Plan
If you are applying for a one-year master’s degree, compare Chevening, the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, and eligible GREAT Scholarships. Your nationality, course, and funding gap will help you narrow the choices.
If you plan to pursue doctoral study, review the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship and check whether your research plan and university meet its current rules. If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge, look closely at Clarendon, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann, and Gates Cambridge. Each has a different course list and application process.
These scholarships are established programs, but none guarantees funding simply because you meet its basic criteria. Your best next step is to shortlist awards by nationality, course, and study level, then prepare against the exact requirements for your application year.
LordMagnus