Introduction
Are you a Nigerian student looking to study in the UK but struggling to afford the cost? Perhaps you’re seeking for UK scholarships for Nigerian Students? Then read on.
Studying in the UK is a remarkable opportunity that only a few get to experience. With highly-ranked universities and colleges, innovative teaching styles, and state-of-the-art facilities, the UK is the perfect destination for higher education. On the other hand, the education system in Nigeria is not as it used to be.
As a Nigerian student, it’s understandable to aspire to study in top-tier institutions like those in the UK, especially considering the motivation provided by the ongoing ASUU strike. However, studying in the UK can come at a high price that not all Nigerians can afford. Consequently, many Nigerian students search for scholarship opportunities.
It’s worth noting that scholarships can be fully or partially funded. To help you in your search, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 UK scholarships for Nigerian students. Enjoy!
GREAT Scholarship
What is a GREAT Scholarship?
The Chevening scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for deserving Nigerian students to pursue postgraduate studies at UK universities across various subjects. This scholarship is worth a minimum of £10,000, which is intended to cover the full tuition for one year. This is especially helpful considering that universities in the UK can cost anywhere between £10,000 to £26,000.
The GREAT scholarship, which is jointly funded by the UK higher institutions, the UK university’s GREAT Britain campaign, and the British Council, provides additional opportunities for Nigerian students to receive scholarships to study in the UK. Students who are awarded this scholarship are referred to as GREAT scholars. As part of the program, GREAT scholars will be invited to attend two networking events during their postgraduate program—one in the first semester and the other in the second semester.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for the GREAT scholarship, Nigerian students must meet several requirements, including holding an international passport and an undergraduate degree, as well as having an offer of admission to a UK university.
They must also have taken an English test such as the IELTS UKVI, be interested and motivated in the applied subject area, and have a personal or academic connection with the UK.
Additionally, GREAT scholars must attend networking events and maintain contact with the British Council and their Higher Education Institution.
Finally, they are expected to serve as ambassadors of the scholarship and mentor future Nigerian students interested in studying in the UK. These requirements ensure that only the most qualified and committed Nigerian students are selected for the GREAT scholarship.
How to apply?
After meeting the conditions mentioned above, you can head to the website of any UK University offering the GREAT scholarship and apply, following their unique guideline. If your application is successful, the university you applied to will contact you. You should note that each university has its unique dateline for application. The scholarship funding will be issued to you by the university after registration.
Chevening Scholarship
I am not trying to scare you, but the Chevening scholarship is very competitive because it is a prestigious award. Being a Chevening scholarship beneficiary will be such a great addition to your CV. That is why it is worth applying because the worst thing that can happen is that you don’t get selected. Chevening is a fully funded scholarship to study for a master’s degree in any UK university.
What is Chevening Scholarship
The Chevening scholarship is awarded to individuals with strong academic backgrounds who have demonstrated leadership potential. Chevening scholarship is funded by the foreign, commonwealth & development office and partner organizations. it was founded in 1983. Now, 1500 student worldwide enjoys the Chevening scholarship annually.
How does it work?
The selection process is rigorous. Suitable candidates are hand-picked by various British embassies and high commissions worldwide. If selected, you will get a fully funded scholarship, a living allowance, and a return ticket to the UK. Being a Chevening scholarship beneficiary allows you exclusive networking events, workshops, talks, internships, and volunteering opportunities.
Who is it For?
The Chevening scholarship is awarded to ambitious individuals who have demonstrated strong leadership potential. With a sound academic background and an excellent record of rising to prominence in their country across various fields. Quiet a mouthful, l know, but the bottom line is that The Chevening organizers are looking for ambitious students with good academic backgrounds and leadership qualities. So, if you believe you have these qualities, Chevening is for you.
How to Apply
You can apply for the Chevening scholarship in four easy steps.
Step 1: Go to the Chevening website and choose your country from the dropdown list.
Step 2: Check the Eligibility criteria
Step 3: An independent reading committee will assess those that are eligible, creating a long list of applicants.
Step 4: When you are selected among the candidates, you will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview with the British embassy or high commission in your country. During the interview, you will submit two reference letters. They will also ask you about your personal and professional goals and how the Chevening scholarship will help you achieve them.
Step 5: The panel will score your performance against global Chevening criteria.
What is the Deadline
Unfortunately, the 2022 – 2023 edition deadline is already closed, so if you are interested, you will have to wait for the next one.
Commonwealth Scholarships
About 800 talented students with potential from Commonwealth countries (including Nigeria) are granted the commonwealth scholarship every year.
What are Commonwealth scholarships?
The commonwealth scholarship attracts outstanding talents to UK universities while supporting sustainable development overseas. It is a fully funded scholarship for postgraduate and PhD students.
Who can apply?
You can apply for the Commonwealth scholarship if
- You are a citizen or a permanent resident of a commonwealth country. Note that Nigeria is a commonwealth country.
- If you are a refugee or a UK-protected Individual.
- If you have an undergraduate degree with a minimum of upper second-class honours.
- If you are chasing your PhD, you should have an appropriate Masters’s degree.
- It would be best if you were financially unable to afford to study in the UK without a scholarship.
- Check the CSC website for more details.
What types of awards are available
There are various commonwealth scholarships available; below, you will find some.
- Commonwealth PhD scholarship for least developed countries and fragile states
- Commonwealth split-site scholarship for low and middle-income countries
- commonwealth master’s scholarships
- commonwealth distance learning scholarship
- commonwealth PhD scholarship for high-income countries
- Commonwealth medical fellowships
- Commonwealth professional fellowships
You will get a fully funded scholarship, a to-and-fro plane ticket, and a living allowance if selected.
How to apply?
There are three primary ways to apply for the commonwealth scholarship. You can use it through the national nomination agency, a UK University, or a non-governmental organization, and you can also visit the CSC application page.
What are the commonwealth scholarship requirements?
To apply for the commonwealth scholarship, you need the following.
- A scanned copy of your international passport
- your University transcript
- Your degree certificate
- Two reference letter
- An Admission letter (if you have one)
What is the Deadline For the Applications
The application is usually open until December. Check out the CSC website for more information.
Wider UK Government Funding
The UK government also hands out hundreds of scholarships, bursaries, and financial support to students from many countries. Check out the UK council for international student affairs (UKCISA) website to find more scholarship opportunities. Or check here to find out more about the postgraduate scholarships.
Institution Specific Scholarships
UK institutions provide a variety of scholarships for Nigerian students, based on various factors. These include academic, merit, and excellence scholarships. If you excel in exams such as WAEC/NECO, SAT, IELTS, etc., you may be eligible for an academic excellence scholarship. Alternatively, if you have good results in any relevant exams, you can contact us to discuss your chances and see if we can find you a good scholarship.
Performance-based scholarships: are also available to students who excel in extracurricular activities such as football, dance, and tennis. While they are not as common as academic excellence scholarships, they do exist. If you are interested, you can contact us to discuss your options and chances.
Subject-specific scholarships: are offered by universities to students from a specific department, course, or subject. For example, Aston University provides a partial scholarship to female engineering students. If you are a lady interested in studying Engineering in the UK, you should consider Aston University. Note that you can contact us to make your application for free (T and C apply).
Equal Access or Sanctuary scholarships: are available to refugees or asylum seekers in the form of a tuition fee reduction, waiver, or maintenance award. An asylum seeker is a person who runs to another country to escape persecution from their home country. An example of this is an LGBTQ person who seeks asylum in the UK to escape persecution if LGBTQ is banned in their country.
Disability scholarships: are also available to students with disabilities, long-term mental illnesses, learning difficulties, or other special needs. Visit any UK university website to find more details on these scholarships.
Undergraduate Funding
Although undergraduate funding is not typical, they still exist. There are two categories of undergraduate scholarship. The UK schools offer the first category; the other is provided by the government and other organizations here in Nigeria. An example of such a scholarship is the PTDF scholarship. The UK government also offers scholarships to Nigerian students. Check it out or visit the university and colleges admissions service in the UK(UCAS) website for more details.
6 Tips for applying for a scholarship
- Do Your Research:
- Check the eligibility criteria
- Consider timelines
- Write a tailored application for each application
- Seek assistance before you submit
- Just go for it
Conclusion
That is it for UK scholarships for Nigerian students. I will advise you to check the UK university website for updates frequently. Also, bookmark our page, as we will post scholarship opportunities as soon as we find them. Contact us if you need guidance about studying in the UK, USA, Canada, and Dubai. Our consultation is free. Also, check out our other blog post if you like this post. Cheers