It is not enough to wish for a scholarships, you have to find one that suits you and submit an application. At Nkedugists, we have put together some useful scholarship information for students who want financial support for their education.
There are different ways to find scholarships, from checking university websites to looking out for government awards and international competitions. The important thing is to know which opportunities fit your qualifications and which ones are still accepting applications.
How to Find Scholarships Online
If you want to find more scholarships, these are some places to start:
- Search recognised scholarship databases and university websites.
- Follow Nkedugists for scholarship announcements and application updates.
- Ask your school counsellor, lecturer or academic adviser about available funding.
- Check government scholarship announcements in Nigeria and your intended study destination.
- Ask your preferred university about financial aid for local and international students.
- Look for scholarships offered by companies, foundations and professional organisations.
- Speak with former scholarship recipients who can share their experience.
Do Nigerian students need to fill out FAFSA to apply for scholarships? No, FAFSA is not a general requirement for Nigerian scholarships. It is the US federal student-aid application, and it applies to eligible students under US financial-aid rules.
International Scholarships for Nigerian Students in 2026/2027
Several universities and organisations offer funding to international students. Below are some opportunities with official information available for the 2026/2027 academic period.
1. GREAT Scholarships 2026/2027
The GREAT Scholarships programme offers eligible Nigerian students £10,000 towards tuition fees for selected one-year taught postgraduate courses at participating UK universities.
For 2026/2027, participating institutions include Brunel University of London, Cranfield University, Imperial College London, Nottingham Trent University, Royal Holloway, University College London, the University of Bath, the University of Southampton and others.
Who can apply For GREAT Scholarships 2026/2027?
Nigerian applicants generally need an undergraduate degree, must meet the selected university’s English-language requirements and must satisfy the individual scholarship conditions.
How do you apply?
Choose a participating university, check its eligible courses and follow the scholarship application instructions on its official website. Deadlines vary by institution.
2. Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship for Nigerians
Royal Holloway, University of London, has a GREAT Scholarship worth £10,000 towards tuition fees for one eligible Nigerian student joining a full-time taught Master’s programme in January 2027.
Applicants need to hold a Nigerian passport, reside in Nigeria, meet the university’s entry requirements and receive an offer for an eligible course.
Application deadlines:
- Master’s course application: November 9, 2026.
- Scholarship application: November 15, 2026.
Applicants must submit a supporting statement of no more than 400 words, explaining their academic achievements, choice of degree and future plans, check here.
3. University of Exeter Scholarship for Nigerian Students
The University of Exeter offers eligible Nigerian students a £10,000 tuition-fee reduction for selected taught Master’s programmes in the 2026/2027 academic year.
For January 2027 entry, the award covers specified courses in business, finance, management, computer science, data science and engineering. Not every Master’s programme is eligible.
Who can apply?
Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or passport holders, qualify for international tuition-fee status and hold an offer for an eligible programme.
The scholarship is automatically allocated to qualifying applicants, so a separate application for this particular award is not required.
Deadline: December 1, 2026, for the advertised January 2027 award.
4. Swansea University Research Excellence Scholarships (SURES)
Swansea University has offered Research Excellence Scholarships to support outstanding doctoral researchers. Previous awards included tuition fees, a stipend and training support.
However, the SURES information in our original article referred to the October 2022 intake. Those dates and requirements are no longer current.
Students interested in doctoral funding should check Swansea University’s official postgraduate research funding announcements for the next available round.
5. Federal Government Scholarships in Nigeria
Nigerian students can also look out for scholarship announcements from the Federal Ministry of Education and other recognised public agencies.
The available awards, eligible courses, application periods and selection criteria depend on each programme. Do not assume that an announcement from a previous year is still open.
Where can you check? Visit the Federal Ministry of Education website:
Students interested in petroleum-related education funding can also check the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF). Its 2026 In-Country Scholarship application period ran from April 27 to June 5, 2026, and has closed. Check the official portal for future announcements.
What Documents Are Needed to Apply for a Scholarship?
The documents depend on the scholarship provider, but applicants may be asked to submit:
- Academic certificates and transcripts.
- An admission or offer letter.
- A personal statement or scholarship essay.
- A curriculum vitae (CV).
- Recommendation letters.
- Proof of identity or nationality.
- English-language test results, where required.
Some scholarships allow students to apply before receiving admission, while others require an offer letter first. Read the instructions for the specific award.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
Once you find a suitable opportunity, read the eligibility conditions, prepare the required documents and submit the application through the official portal before the deadline. For essay-based awards, explain your achievements and goals in your own words and follow the stated word limit.
Be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed scholarship in exchange for money. Verify any fees directly with the institution or organisation offering the award, and never share your bank PIN, password or one-time verification code.
What Happened to the Scholarships Listed in Our Old Article?
Some scholarship announcements in our earlier article were published for the 2021–2022 academic period. Their deadlines have passed, so they should not be treated as current opportunities.
- Windsor College Master’s Scholarship: The original article listed a December 2021 deadline. A current equivalent award has not been verified.
- Global Student Contest Scholarships: The old listing referred to the 2022–2023 competition. Current continuation of that specific contest has not been established.
- Swansea SURES: The old dates applied to the 2022 doctoral intake. Check the university for a future round.
- Siemens MBA Scholarship: The original ICM MBA award and its current availability could not be independently confirmed.
We have kept the useful scholarship-search advice while separating expired announcements from opportunities with current official information.
Nkedugists Advice
A scholarship can make continuing your education easier, but finding the right one takes a little research. Start with your preferred course and study level, check the available funding and pay attention to application deadlines.
If you are applying to a university abroad, check both the course admission requirements and the scholarship conditions. An offer of admission does not always mean you have been awarded funding.
Keep checking official announcements for new opportunities, and share this guide with other students who may find it useful.
