Securing a scholarship to study abroad is the key to unlocking a world-class international education. At ApplyBoard, we eliminate financial barriers by matching you with top scholarship opportunities in 2027—including fully funded scholarships for Nigerian postgraduate students. Leveraging our partnerships with 1,500+ institutions, we give Nigerian applicants direct access to funding that covers everything from partial tuition to full living expenses. Below are five top scholarships for Nigerian students in 2027 to kickstart your journey.
Find Scholarship-Eligible Programs
Filter thousands of global undergraduate and master's degrees by tuition cost, location, and available funding opportunities for Nigerian students.
1. Trent University International Prestigious Scholarships (Canada)
- Level: Undergraduate
- Overview: Offered by Trent University—a proud ApplyBoard partner—this prestigious award is designed for incoming international undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, community leadership, and financial need.
- What it Covers: Selected awards provide up to CAD $15,000 per academic year, with the potential to receive up to CAD $60,000 over a four-year degree. These awards contribute towards tuition and mandatory ancillary fees but should not automatically be considered fully funded scholarships.
- 2027 Application Information: Applications generally open November 1 and close February 15 each year.
Note: International students may also be considered for Trent's automatic entrance scholarships, which range from CAD $2,500 to $5,500 annually, depending on their admission average.
2. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Overview: Funded by the UK Government, the Chevening Scholarship provides scholarships for outstanding individuals to pursue eligible one-year master's degrees at UK universities.
- What it Covers: Chevening is a fully funded scholarship that generally covers university tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, return economy travel to the UK, and eligible additional allowances, including visa-related costs.
- 2027 Application Information: Applications for the 2027–2028 Chevening cycle are closed. Prepare for a future application cycle by reviewing the eligibility requirements and strengthening your leadership and professional experience.
Note: Applicants must have an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK master's program, at least 2,800 hours of eligible work experience acquired after completing their undergraduate degree, and a commitment to return to their home country for at least two years after their scholarship.
3. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (United Kingdom)
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Overview: The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and supports students from eligible Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria. The program focuses on students who would not otherwise be able to afford postgraduate study in the UK.
- What it Covers: The scholarship generally covers approved tuition fees, return airfare, and a living allowance. Additional allowances may be available under the applicable scholarship terms.
- 2027 Application Information: Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are scheduled to open on November 10, 2026, and close on December 8, 2026.
Note: Applicants generally need a first degree equivalent to at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree. Those with a lower second-class degree may qualify if they also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master's degree.
4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (Multiple Countries)
- Level: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Overview: The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is focused on African talent, this program supports students who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- What it Covers: Scholarship support can include tuition, accommodation, books and academic materials, living expenses, mentoring, counselling, and leadership development. The exact benefits depend on the participating institution and scholarship arrangement.
- 2027 Application Information: There is no single application deadline for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Each participating institution manages its own admissions, scholarship applications, eligibility criteria, and deadlines. Consult the official partner directory and confirm that the specific opportunity accepts applicants from Nigeria.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships (Europe)
- Level: Postgraduate (Master’s)
- Overview: The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are internationally recognized postgraduate programs jointly delivered by a consortium of higher education institutions. Students typically study at multiple universities in different countries and benefit from an international academic experience.
- What it Covers: Erasmus Mundus scholarships can cover participation costs and provide contributions towards travel, visa expenses, and living costs. Under the current program funding framework, the individual scholarship contribution is calculated at €1,400 per month for the duration of the master's program.
- 2027 Application Information: Nigerian students can apply directly to participating Erasmus Mundus programs. Application deadlines vary by course, but many programs accept applications between October and January for the following academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Prominent opportunities include Trent University International Prestigious Scholarships, Chevening Scholarships, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters.
- Availability depends on your academic level, program eligibility, and target study destination.
- Yes. Nigerian undergraduate students can explore fully funded or substantial financial support opportunities such as eligible Mastercard Foundation partner scholarships.
- Other institutions, including Trent University, offer competitive awards that significantly reduce tuition fees, though they may not cover all living expenses.
- Nigerian students can pursue Chevening Scholarships and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships for postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom.
- Chevening applications for 2027–2028 are closed, while the 2027–2028 Commonwealth Shared Scholarship application window runs from November 10 to December 8, 2026.
- Yes. Canadian post-secondary institutions offer various entrance and merit awards to international students from Nigeria, including Trent University's International Prestigious Scholarships.
- Award amounts, academic criteria, and application deadlines differ by university.
- English-language requirements vary. Some universities accept alternative proficiency tests or offer exemptions based on prior instruction completed in English.
- Always review the specific language testing policy of your selected institution and scholarship provider prior to submitting your dossier.
- Start preparing 6 to 12 months ahead of your intake. Key 2027 scholarship deadlines can close late in the preceding year, such as the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship deadline on December 8, 2026.
- Other major funding streams, such as Erasmus Mundus joint master's programs, often accept applications into January 2027.
- Identify degree programs aligned with your academic background and target destination.
- Monitor official university funding directories, bilateral government scholarship portals, and development funds, paying close attention to eligibility requirements and funding coverage limits.
Maximize Your 2027 Scholarship Opportunities with ApplyBoard
The journey from Nigeria to a world-class university is a bold step, but with the right scholarships for Nigerian students 2027, it is entirely within your reach. Whether you are applying for fully funded undergraduate programs or competitive UK scholarships, ApplyBoard streamlines the application process—ensuring you find the perfect match among thousands of global programs.
Apply to 150,000+ Global Programs
Ready to study abroad in 2027? Apply to multiple top universities through one platform—with built-in quality checks for a ~95% application success rate.