Top Scholarships to Study in the UK for Nigerian students 2024

Last updated on May 22nd, 2023

Yearly sees hundreds of applications open for UK scholarships for Nigerian and other international students studying abroad. The scholarships could be partially or fully funded, depending on the organization’s aim or the individual sponsoring it. It could also be for undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Hence, you have various alternative scholarships to study in the UK as a Nigerian student.

However, based on the values of the scholarship sponsors, there are various criteria for rewarding applicants. For example, some scholarships may be need-based, academic-based, or both.

This article will highlight various scholarships to study in the UK for Nigerian students, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, and other options. You will also learn about the general tuition fee to study in the UK. Here we go!

Table of Contents

1 What is the Overall Tuition Fee for Studying in the UK for Nigerian Students?
2 What is the Average Cost of Living in the UK for Nigerian Students?
3 Top Scholarships to study in the UK for Nigerian Students

What is the Overall Tuition Fee for Studying in the UK for Nigerian Students?

Studying an undergraduate course in the UK for Nigerian students will require around £10,000 per year. For postgraduates, it will cost about £12,000 per year. However, medicine or MBA courses cost higher, which could be as high as £32,000 per year. In addition, social science and humanities degrees cost lower than other courses. Laboratory and clinical degree courses are also higher than social science and humanities courses.

What is the Average Cost of Living in the UK for Nigerian Students?

Before ascertaining the average cost of living in the UK, you must consider your standard of living, accommodation, location of the campus, and other factors. However, living in the UK as a Nigerian student can cost around £22,000 annually.

Top Scholarships to study in the UK for Nigerian Students

Pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom can be financially demanding and has discouraged many from taking steps to study in the country. However, with the help of scholarships, many have been able to study their dream course in the UK. The university, individuals, or the government of the UK can provide the scholarships. In addition, there are also financial aid packages in various forms that students may be eligible for, which also helps them in pursuing their courses.

Click here to learn how to get a CAS to study in the UK

Here’s the list of some of the best scholarships to study in the UK for Nigerian students:

#1. British Chevening Scholarships for International Scholarships

The British Chevening Scholarship is one of the top UK scholarships for which Nigerian students can apply. It provides one-year financial support for anyone wishing to apply for a postgraduate program in any UK university. Besides, it covers over 12,000 courses within 150 universities, entailing an 8 – 12-week program. These programs must also be in journalism, science, innovation, and cybersecurity.

Scholarship worth

Over £18,000 (8.2 million) worth of scholarship is covered by the British Chevening Scholarships. Moreover, it covers tuition fees, visa costs, and living and travel expenses.

Scholarship application deadline

Each year, the scholarship window opens around August and closes in November.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the British Chevening Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

You must possess a bachelor’s degree, and two years of experience is mandatory.
You can apply for a minimum of three courses in the UK and must also have an offer from any of the courses.
Chevening English Requirements and the UK university’s English proficiency criteria must be met.
Your English Proficiency Test Scores must meet the benchmark for eligibility.

#2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship

This scholarship program is sponsored by the European Union (EU) to promote the relationship between the EU and other parts of the world. If you wish to pursue a joint master’s degree from any of the Erasmus Mundus program-affiliated colleges, you can apply for the scholarship if you meet the requirements. In addition, the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship includes 24 grants offered to Nigerian students and other third-world countries and EU/EEA nationals. Being a fully funded scholarship, it also covers all financial needs of the beneficiaries, such as tuition fees, travel allowances, monthly allowances, and installation costs.

Scholarship worth

Beneficiaries of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship will be awarded the amount that covers their tuition fees, insurance, monthly stipend, library and laboratory costs, and other miscellaneous expenses.

Scholarship application deadline

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is open between October and January each year.

Eligibility Criteria

The following conditions are necessary before applying for the scholarship:

You must possess a first degree in any selected fields
You must show extensive knowledge in such a field

#3. AS Hornby Educational Trust Scholarship

Established in 1961, the AS Hornby Scholarship Program was designed in honor of AS Hornby, the Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary creator. The scholarship is one of the top scholarships to study in the UK for Nigerian students. However, you must be an English teacher coming to the UK to pursue a one-year master’s degree in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the University of Warwick.

Scholarship worth

The scholarship provides a monthly stipend that covers the cost of living, tuition fees, language tests, and visas.

Scholarship Application Deadline

You must apply for the scholarship on or before November 30

Eligibility

To qualify for the scholarship, you must:

Have a full-time university degree in English or Education.
Have a three-year of experience as a full-time teacher.
Fulfill the English proficiency test specified by the university.

#4. Felix Scholarships

If you are an underprivileged Nigerian student looking for scholarships to study in the UK, you may qualify for Felix Scholarships. The scholarship is available for a postgraduate program in the United Kingdom. There are 20 scholarships per year for successful candidates.

Scholarship worth

The scholarship covers the tuition fees and additional funds worth GBP 78,840 (40 Million naira)

Scholarship Deadline:

The deadline for the Felix Scholarships is January 31.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the scholarship, you must:

Not be above 30 years
Be a Nigerian, although you must not live and study in the country.
Apply for full-time postgraduate studies with any of the accredited universities.
Be willing to return to Nigeria after the successful completion of your studies.

#5. Rhodes Scholarships

Another top scholarship to study in the UK for Nigerian students is the Rhodes Scholarship. It was first awarded in 1902 and currently awards five scholarships yearly to study at Oxford University. To qualify, you must be willing to pursue a postgraduate degree course for one or two years.

Scholarship worth

The scholarship worth is up to £59,490 (20 Million naira). This covers tuition fees, living costs, and economy-class air tickets.

Scholarship Application Deadline:

The deadline for the scholarship is the end of July each year

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for the Rhodes Scholarship, you must:

Possess a formal education at any Nigerian institution for at least 4 – 10 years.
Be between 19 and 25.
Obtain a first-class degree in your undergraduate studies.

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#6. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

One of the leading scholarships to study in the UK for Nigerian students is the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellow Plan. The government of 53 Commonwealth countries offers scholarships to study in the UK to nationals of Commonwealth countries. Besides, the scholarship has seen over 30,000 students through schools in the UK.

Scholarship worth

Scholarship Award includes tuition fees, airline fares, and other miscellaneous allowances.

Scholarship Application Deadline

The scholarship deadline is October 30 each year

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the scholarship, you must:

Be a resident of Nigeria
Below 40 years
Appear for a personal interview in Abuja.

#7. Coventry Academic Performance Scholarship

Coventry University is one of the leading UK universities, offering courses in diverse fields. Due to its popularity, it has attracted Nigerian students to the UK to study their desired courses. In addition, Coventry University awards diverse scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate courses to ensure equal opportunities for its students.

One such scholarship is the Coventry Academic Performance Scholarship. It is a merit-based scholarship awarded to bright students due to their high academic performance.

Scholarships worth

The scholarship value is up to £1,500 (0.6 Million naira), covering tuition fees.

Scholarship Deadline

New application submissions for the scholarship starting in September every year.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the scholarship, you must meet the following conditions:

Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or postgraduate course
If enrolled in postgraduate programs, you must have at least 2:1 or equivalent qualifications
If you are to study an undergraduate course, you must have an A – grade or equivalent.

#8. Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The University of Cambridge is one of the best UK universities to obtain a degree in any of the accredited programs of the school. For decades, many Nigerian students have graduated from the university with good grades. Some of them studied with the aid of scholarships, which Gates Cambridge Scholarships are inclusive.

Scholarship worth

The scholarship is awarded to 55 students of international origin, including Nigerians, covering tuition fees and other allowances.

Scholarship Deadline

The scholarship deadline is January every year

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the scholarship, you must:

Not be a UK resident
Be enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. or MSc/MLitt course in any UK university. (Non-degree courses are exclusive.)

#9. Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship

There are several scholarships available at the University of Edinburgh to Nigerian students. Edinburgh Doctoral College Scholarship is awarded to doctoral students of international origin. Besides, it covers tuition fees and other costs.

Scholarship worth

The scholarship covers the tuition fees and extra stipend

Scholarship Deadline

The scholarship deadline is February every year

Eligibility criteria

You are eligible for the scholarship if you are:

Enrolled in any of the on-campus courses
A full-time or part-time student

#10. University of West London International Ambassador Scholarships

This scholarship is one of the scholarships available at the University of West London. It is provided to 100 applicants and is worth £5,000 (0.4 Million naira) for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It also covers tuition and other expenses.

Scholarship Award

100 scholarships worth up to £5,000 (0.4 Million naira)

Scholarship Deadline

The scholarship deadline is March every year

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the scholarship, you must:

Have a full-time offer letter from the university in any undergraduate and postgraduate courses
Have a prior 4-tier visa

Conclusion

The above are the top 10 scholarships to study in the UK. Remember to check your eligibility before applying. The universities offering them are also important, as you would meet the conditions of admission before you can qualify for the scholarships.