Nigeria is one of Chevening’s largest single-country programs, and that scale is matched by a wider set of Commonwealth, foundation, and corporate-backed scholarships that consistently support Nigerian students in the UK.
The ten programs below are reliable, well-established options, and work well alongside the broader list of [fully funded scholarships in the UK](/fully-funded-scholarships-in-uk/).
1. Chevening Scholarship (Nigeria Programme)
The Chevening Scholarship runs one of its largest country programs in Nigeria, funding a one-year master’s degree at any UK university for early to mid-career professionals.
2. Chevening Nigerian LNG Scholarship
This co-funded award pairs Chevening’s standard scholarship terms with additional support from Nigeria LNG, specifically targeting Nigerian applicants in fields connected to the energy and gas sector.
3. Commonwealth Scholarship
As a Commonwealth member, Nigeria is eligible for the Commonwealth Scholarship, which funds master’s and PhD study in subjects connected to development outcomes.
4. Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
Nigerian students from lower-income backgrounds can apply for this scheme, which splits funding between the UK government and the host university to keep more places available.
5. PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme
Nigeria’s Petroleum Technology Development Fund sends graduates to UK partner universities for master’s and PhD study in oil, gas, and related technical fields, covering tuition and living costs.
6. Rhodes Scholarship
Nigeria falls within the Rhodes Scholarship’s West Africa constituency, which funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford through a dedicated regional selection process.
7. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
The [Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme](/weidenfeld-hoffmann-scholarships/) at Oxford has a consistent history of supporting Nigerian graduate students alongside candidates from other developing economies.
8. GREAT Scholarships
Nigeria has featured regularly on the GREAT Scholarships eligible country list, offering tuition reductions at partner UK universities for Nigerian postgraduate applicants.
9. Felix Scholarships at SOAS University of London
Although primarily associated with Indian applicants, the [Felix Scholarship](/felix-scholarships-soas/) programme has expanded eligibility in some years to include other developing countries. Since this changes by cycle, Nigerian applicants should confirm current country eligibility directly with SOAS before applying.
10. Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship
This scheme allows Nigerian Commonwealth Scholars to complete a UK master’s degree through distance learning without relocating, covering course fees for the length of the program.
Because Chevening and the Commonwealth schemes both run through Nigeria-based coordination points, reaching out to the British Council or Chevening’s Nigeria office directly often clarifies document requirements faster than generic guidance found online.
Nigerian applicants should also be ready to explain clearly how a proposed UK course connects to a specific gap in their home sector, since panels reviewing large applicant pools from Nigeria tend to favor candidates with a sharply defined plan over a broad general interest.
Keeping track of separate deadlines for Chevening, Commonwealth, and any sector-specific co-funded award in one place helps avoid the common mistake of missing one scheme simply because its timeline runs independently of the others.
Reference letters from senior colleagues or supervisors who can speak directly to measurable achievements tend to carry more weight with UK scholarship panels than general character references, so choosing referees with that in mind is worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is Chevening’s Nigeria programme compared to other countries?
Nigeria has consistently been one of Chevening’s largest country programmes, reflecting strong historical demand and a wide pool of eligible applicants.
What is the difference between standard Chevening and Chevening Nigerian LNG?
The Nigerian LNG award adds sector-specific sponsorship on top of standard Chevening terms, generally favoring applicants with a background or interest in the energy sector.
Is the PTDF Overseas Scholarship Scheme open to any subject?
No, it is specifically focused on oil, gas, and related engineering and technical fields tied to Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Does the Rhodes Scholarship have a fixed number of places for Nigeria?
Yes, the West Africa constituency allocates a limited and defined number of scholarships each year across eligible countries in the region.
Are undergraduate Nigerian students eligible for any of these programs?
Most of the schemes on this list are postgraduate only, so Nigerian undergraduates would need to look at university-specific undergraduate scholarships instead.
Do these scholarships require Nigerian applicants to return home afterward?
Several, including Chevening, Commonwealth, and PTDF, carry a development-focused expectation that recipients return home for a defined period after the scholarship ends.
How important is work experience for Chevening applicants from Nigeria?
It matters significantly, since Chevening generally expects around two years of relevant work experience from all applicants, regardless of nationality.