A master’s degree can be expensive when you add tuition fees and living expenses. But there are many Nigerian scholarships for masters degree to help offset these costs.
Whether you want to study in Nigeria or abroad, these scholarships will support you to focus on your studies and career.
Here are the top 10 Nigerian scholarships for masters degree 2024-2025.
Top 10 Nigerian Scholarships for Masters Degree
1. Leiden University Excellence Scholarship (LExS)
Leiden University in the Netherlands offers LExS to international students including Nigerians who are pursuing full-time Master’s degree programs. This scholarship comes in three tiers: €10,000, €15,000, or the total tuition fee minus the statutory tuition fee. To be eligible you must have excellent academic performance and hold a non-EEA/non-EFTA passport.
The scholarship is for the duration of the study program. However, it excludes LLM (non-advanced) at the Leiden Law School. Applications are based on academic excellence so make sure your grades and application materials stand out.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/scholarships/sea/leiden-university-excellence-scholarship-lexs
2. MTCP Scholarship (Malaysia) 2024
The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) scholarship is a good one if you want to study in Malaysia. This fully funded scholarship by the Malaysian government is for students from developing countries including Nigeria to pursue a Master’s degree.
The duration of the MTCP scholarship is 24-36 months and it covers tuition fees, travel expenses and monthly allowance. Application closes June 30, 2024. This is good for those who want international experience in a multicultural and affordable country like Malaysia.
Official Scholarship Website: https://mtcp.kln.gov.my/scholarship
3. Japan Government (MEXT) Scholarship 2025
Japan Government MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology) scholarship is available through two routes: Embassy Recommendation and University Recommendation. Nigerian students can apply through Embassy Recommendation by submitting documents to the Japanese embassy in Nigeria, going through a screening process, and getting selected.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and round-trip airfare. Applications are open throughout the year depending on the program and students are expected to arrive in Japan by September or October. If you want to study in a technologically advanced and culturally rich country like Japan, this is a good opportunity.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.ng.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/edu.html
Read More on List of Universities in FCT Abuja
4. Griffith Remarkable Scholarship (Australia)
Griffith University in Australia offers the Griffith Remarkable Scholarship to international students including Nigerians who are pursuing a Master’s degree. The scholarship covers up to 50% of the tuition fees for the entire program.
To be eligible you must not be an Australian or New Zealand citizen and must have excellent academic performance. You must have applied to study at Griffith University before applying for the scholarship. The trimester 3 2024 deadline is August 4, 2024.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.griffith.edu.au/international/scholarships-finance/scholarships/griffith-remarkable-scholarship
5. University of Manchester GREAT Scholarship 2025
The University of Manchester, in partnership with the British Council, is offering the GREAT Scholarship for Nigerian students who want to study for a Master’s in the UK. This £15,000 scholarship is for students who are academically excellent.
You must have a conditional or unconditional offer from the University of Manchester to apply. The GREAT Scholarship is highly competitive and applicants will be selected based on their academic performance and application form.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/finance-and-scholarships/funding/great-scholarships/
6. Queen Mary University of London Business and Management Postgraduate Scholarships
Queen Mary University of London is offering the Business and Management Postgraduate Scholarship to Nigerian students studying Master’s in business-related fields. The scholarship is worth £5,000 off tuition fees.
To be eligible, students must have a first-class degree or equivalent in their undergraduate program and be admitted into a full-time master’s program in the School of Business and Management. No separate application is required, students will be considered automatically once admitted.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/scholarships/
7. Chevening Scholarships
The Chevening Scholarships, funded by the UK government, are the most competitive scholarships for Nigerian students. They cover full tuition fees, travel costs, and a monthly stipend to study a Master’s at any UK university.
Chevening scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded based on leadership potential and academic excellence. Applications open in August 2024 and interviews will be held at the British High Commission in Nigeria.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/
8. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships are for students from Commonwealth countries including Nigeria. These scholarships cover tuition fees, airfare, and living allowance making it a fully funded opportunity for Nigerian students to study a Master’s in the UK.
Applicants must show excellent academic performance and a strong commitment to contribute to Nigeria after their studies. Applications open in December and candidates will be selected on merit and development impact.
Official Scholarship Website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
9. The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program offers full scholarships to students from Africa including Nigeria to study Master’s at partnering universities worldwide. These scholarships cover tuition fees, accommodation, travel, and living expenses.
Partner universities include top universities such as the University of Toronto (Canada) and the University of Edinburgh (UK). The program supports academic achievement community service and leadership development so it’s a holistic scholarship.
Official Scholarship Website: https://mastercardfdn.org/all/scholars/
10. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships to Nigerian students who want to study for a Master’s in Germany. DAAD scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and living expenses.
DAAD scholarships are very competitive because of Germany’s high standard of education and low or no tuition fees for most courses. Applicants must meet the academic requirements and be proficient in German or English depending on the course. Applications open in the fall for the next academic year.
Official Scholarship Website: https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/
Conclusion
Studying for a Master’s is a big deal for personal and professional development but financial barriers can hinder it. However, there are many scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students both in Nigeria and abroad. From the Leiden University Excellence Scholarship to DAAD Scholarships in Germany, these top 10 scholarships are great opportunities to help you achieve your academic goals. Make sure to read through each scholarship’s requirements and deadlines and apply early to increase your chances.
Apply now. Good luck!
Read More:
- List of YUMSUK Courses and Programmes Offered in 2024
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