For many Nigerian students, the idea of getting a Master’s degree abroad sounds exciting until we start thinking about the cost. Tuition fees, accommodation, flights, visa fees, feeding and other expenses can quickly turn that dream into something that feels almost impossible.
But what if you did not have to pay for all of it yourself?
This is where Master’s scholarships come in.
Over the past few years, fully funded scholarships have become one of the biggest opportunities available to students who want to study outside Nigeria. The good thing is that there are scholarships specifically designed for international students, including Nigerians. Some cover tuition fees, while others also cover accommodation, monthly stipends, flights, health insurance, and even visa-related expenses.
The important thing, however, is not just knowing that these scholarships exist. You need to know which ones you qualify for, what they require and when to apply.
Here are some worth putting on your radar.
1. Chevening Scholarship – United Kingdom
If you have ever searched for fully funded Master's scholarships, there is a good chance you have come across Chevening.
Funded by the UK Government, Chevening supports outstanding students from eligible countries to study a one-year taught Master's degree in the United Kingdom.
For the 2027/28 academic year, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and will close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
The scholarship covers major costs including tuition, travel and a living allowance.
But Chevening is not simply about having good grades. The programme places a strong emphasis on leadership, networking, career plans, and your potential to create impact.
Basic requirements include:
You must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country, including Nigeria.
You need an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK Master's programme.
You must have completed your undergraduate degree at least two years before the application deadline.
You need at least 2,800 hours of work experience, including paid or voluntary work and internships.
You must apply to three eligible UK Master's courses.
You must intend to return to your country for at least two years after the scholarship.
So, if you are still an undergraduate, don't panic if you cannot apply yet. Instead, start building experiences that could strengthen your future application.
Deadline: 6 October 2026.
Link: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. Commonwealth Master's Scholarship – United Kingdom
Another major opportunity is the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship.
Nigeria is among the countries eligible for this scholarship, which is aimed at students from eligible Commonwealth countries who would otherwise struggle to finance postgraduate study in the UK.
The 2027/28 application window opened on 8 September 2026 and closes on 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST.
The scholarship supports full-time Master's study and provides funding for tuition, living expenses, return airfare and other approved allowances.
Some of the major requirements are:
You must be a citizen of an eligible Commonwealth country, including Nigeria.
You must be a permanent resident of an eligible Commonwealth country.
You should normally hold at least an upper-second-class (2:1) undergraduate degree by the beginning of the academic year.
You must demonstrate that you cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship.
You must be nominated by an approved nominating agency.
You need to demonstrate how your proposed study will contribute to development.
One thing to remember is that the Commonwealth Scholarship is not simply a “free Master's abroad” opportunity. Your application needs to show why your education matters beyond you.
Deadline: 20 October 2026.
Link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters – Europe
Erasmus Mundus is particularly interesting because it can allow you to study in more than one European country during your Master's programme.
Instead of spending the entire programme at one university, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's programmes are delivered by groups of universities across different countries. Some programmes may have students moving between countries as part of their studies.
Full scholarships are available for highly ranked applicants and can contribute towards participation costs, travel, visa expenses and living costs.
Applications are generally made directly to the specific Master's programme, and most programmes accept applications between October and January for the following academic year.
Basic requirement:
You generally need a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, or you can apply while completing your final year, provided you graduate before the Master's programme begins.
The exact requirements, documents, and deadlines vary for each Erasmus Mundus programme.
This is one scholarship where you should not just search “Erasmus scholarship” and stop there. Find a programme related to your course, check its official website and read its requirements carefully.
Typical application period: October 2026–January 2027, depending on the programme.
4. DAAD EPOS – Germany
If Germany interests you, the DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) scholarship is worth investigating.
DAAD EPOS supports graduates from developing and newly industrialised countries who want to study selected development-related Master's programmes at German universities.
Unlike some scholarships, EPOS places considerable importance on professional experience.
Applicants generally need:
A Bachelor's degree in an appropriate field.
Strong academic performance.
At least two years of relevant professional experience.
Evidence of motivation connected to development.
Appropriate language proficiency for the chosen programme.
A clear intention to use the knowledge gained to contribute to development in the applicant's professional or home environment.
The scholarship can provide a monthly allowance, insurance and travel support, with additional benefits possible depending on circumstances.
One important thing is that there is no single deadline for every EPOS programme. Each participating Master's programme has its own deadline. For the 2027/28 intake, applicants need to check the specific programme they are interested in.
This makes DAAD particularly useful for graduates who already have some work experience and want to connect their Master's degree to development.
Deadline: Varies by programme, with many applications falling between late 2026 and early 2027.
5. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship – France
France also has an interesting opportunity through the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship.
The scholarship is designed to attract high-performing international students to French Master's and doctoral programmes, particularly future leaders in areas such as science and technology, law, political science, economics and management.
For Master's applicants, the scholarship generally targets candidates under 30.
Eligible Master's fields include areas such as:
Biology and health
Ecological transition
Mathematics and digital fields
Engineering sciences
History and French language/civilisation
Law and political science
Economics and management
One major difference is that students do not apply directly to Campus France. A French higher education institution submits the application on the candidate's behalf.
For the 2027 cycle, the call is expected to run from October 2026, with applications reaching Campus France in January 2027. Individual universities may set earlier internal deadlines.
So if Eiffel interests you, you should start researching French universities early.
Deadline: January 2027 to Campus France; university deadlines may be earlier.
In Conclusion,
For many Nigerian students, studying abroad can seem like a distant dream, especially when the cost of tuition and living expenses is considered. But scholarships show that the cost does not always have to be the reason the dream ends. These opportunities are not only about getting a degree from a foreign university. They can provide students with the chance to experience new cultures, meet people from different backgrounds, gain international exposure and develop skills that can shape their careers.
The opportunities are out there, but finding them is only the first step. The real challenge is preparing early enough to take advantage of them. Sometimes, the difference between “I wish I could study abroad” and actually doing it is simply knowing where to look—and being prepared when the opportunity comes.