5 Fully Funded Masters Scholarships Still Open for African Applicants
From Chevening to Commonwealth, these programmes have upcoming deadlines and strong acceptance rates for Nigerian and African applicants with the right documentation strategy. Here is what you need to know about each one.
📅 March 2026 ⏱ 7 min read ✍️ ECN Academic Advisory Team
A fully funded Masters scholarship is transformational, covering tuition, living expenses, and often flights to one of the world’s top universities. For Nigerian and African applicants, several major scholarship programmes actively seek candidates from the region. The challenge is not eligibility, it is documentation strategy.
At ECN, our scholarship assistance team has helped 61% of scholarship applicants we have worked with secure awards. What separates successful applicants from unsuccessful ones is almost never academic credentials; it is the quality of their written applications and the clarity of their personal narrative. Here are five programmes that are currently open or approaching deadlines for 2026/2027 applications.
1. Chevening Scholarship — United Kingdom
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government’s flagship international scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It offers fully funded one-year Masters degrees at any UK university, covering tuition fees, living allowance, return flights, and additional grants.
Chevening targets future leaders and influencers with strong academic credentials and demonstrated leadership potential. Nigerian applicants have historically been among the strongest represented African nationalities in the Chevening programme.
Key eligibility requirements: a minimum of two years of work experience in any sector, an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK second-class upper (2:1) or above, and a commitment to return to Nigeria for a minimum of two years after completing the scholarship.
"Chevening is not primarily an academic scholarship, it is a leadership scholarship. The four essays are the heart of your application, and they must tell a cohesive, compelling story about your leadership trajectory and your vision for Nigeria's future."
The four Chevening essay questions focus on: leadership and influence, networking, career aspirations, and why you have chosen your specific UK university and course. Each essay has a strict word limit. The most common application failure is treating these four essays as independent, they must tell a unified story.
Application window: typically August to November each year for study beginning the following September.
2. Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarships are offered to citizens of Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, for Masters study at UK universities. Unlike Chevening, Commonwealth Scholarships have a specific development focus: your proposed study must be demonstrably linked to the development needs of your home country.
Key eligibility:Â Nigerian citizenship, a first degree with upper second-class honours or above, and a clear, evidenced commitment to development impact in Nigeria upon return. The scholarship covers tuition, living allowance, flights and additional allowances.
Commonwealth scholarships are highly competitive. Applications are submitted through the Nigerian government’s nominating agency, which adds an additional tier to the selection process. Starting the process early is essential.
3. DAAD Scholarships — Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of fully funded Masters and research scholarships for African students. Germany is increasingly popular among Nigerian professionals and academics because most DAAD-funded programmes at Masters level are now taught in English, and Germany offers post-study work pathways that are among the most straightforward in Europe.
Key programmes to consider: Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS), which are specifically designed for applicants from developing countries with work experience; and In-Country/In-Region Scholarships for African students at African universities who wish to complete a portion of study in Germany.
DAAD deadlines vary by institution and programme some close as early as October for the following academic year. Research is essential. ECN recommends beginning programme identification at least 12 months before your intended start date.
4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the largest scholarship initiatives in the world, specifically targeting high-potential young Africans who face financial barriers to higher education. The programme operates through a network of partner universities in Africa and internationally, covering full tuition, accommodation, living allowance and leadership development activities.
Unlike other scholarships on this list, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is administered through partner universities rather than directly. Applications are made to a specific partner university, which includes institutions in the UK, Canada, the United States and Rwanda, and are assessed by each university’s scholarship selection committee.
Key eligibility:Â African nationality, demonstrated financial need, exceptional academic achievement, and a clearly evidenced commitment to giving back to Africa after graduation. Community service and leadership activities are heavily weighted.
ECN's Scholarship Documentation Package
ECN's scholarship assistance service covers: full scholarship identification and strategy, essay writing and editing for all scholarship questions, SOP and personal statement development, referee briefing notes, and document review and submission checklist. For a confidential assessment of your scholarship eligibility, send an enquiry to contact@employmentcareersnetwork.com.
5. AAUW International Fellowships — United States (Women Applicants)
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers International Fellowships for women who are not US citizens or permanent residents to pursue full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the United States. Fellowships are available at the Masters, doctoral and postdoctoral levels.
The AAUW fellowship is particularly well-suited to Nigerian women in professional or academic careers seeking to advance their qualifications at US institutions. The fellowship covers partial to full funding depending on the level of study, and recipients become part of the AAUW global network of women graduates.
Application deadline:Â typically November 15 each year for fellowships beginning the following academic year.
What Makes a Winning Scholarship Application
Across all of the above programmes, the most important factor separating successful from unsuccessful applicants is the quality of the written application, not academic credentials alone. Here is what ECN’s scholarship team focuses on in every application we prepare:
- A clear, specific leadership narrative;Â not a list of achievements but a story about how you have led, influenced or created change
- A credible, concrete return plan;Â what specifically you will do in Nigeria or Africa when you return, in as much detail as possible
- A well-chosen course and institution;Â demonstrating that the specific degree programme is the logical next step in your specific career trajectory
- A compelling personal narrative;Â scholarship panels are selecting for character and potential, not just grades
Applying for a Scholarship?
ECN's scholarship assistance team has a 61% success rate. Send your enquiry today for a confidential eligibility assessment and documentation strategy.
About ECN's Academic & Admissions Division
ECN's academic team, including a former university admissions officer, has achieved an 89% offer letter success rate and 61% scholarship recipient rate. Contact us at contact@employmentcareersnetwork.com or WhatsApp +234 808 075 6701.
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