Commonwealth Scholarship for Nigerian Students

As a Nigerian, you do qualify to get the Commonwealth scholarship. However, you need a decent GPA due to the competitiveness. Usually, Commonwealth scholarships are given to talented people who can make a positive difference globally and are part of the UK’s commitment to the Commonwealth. Every year, about 700 students get the Commonwealth scholarship for Nigerian students to pursue postgraduate degrees at UK universities.

Since Nigeria is a Commonwealth country and think you can impact the world but can’t pay for your UK studies by yourself, then you may be the perfect person for a Commonwealth Scholarship.

What is the Commonwealth Scholarship?

Commonwealth Scholarships are for students from the Commonwealth who can’t afford UK study. They fund various postgraduate studies, supporting future leaders and innovators.

This historic scholarship is the UK’s main scheme for international development goals. It aims to bring exceptional talent to UK universities and support sustainable development abroad.

Commonwealth Scholarship for Nigerian Students 2024

Currently, there are 3 active Commonwealth scholarships you can apply for as a Nigerian. There are many more but those aren’t for Nigerians but for other African countries. So, since our focus is on Nigeria, below is the best Commonwealth scholarship for Nigerian students:

1. Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum (CDPF) 2024

Let’s begin with CDPF. I personally helped a disabled Nigerian friend to apply for this Commonwealth scholarship for Nigerian students and they got it. The CDPF unites disabled individuals from all Commonwealth countries, regardless of impairment type, gender, age, race, indigenous & geographical background, religion, or political affiliation, aiming for a unified voice to advocate for the equal opportunities of all disabled people.

This application route is specifically for disabled candidates. You must show how their studies will improve the lives of disabled people in their country. CDPF operates in 47 countries, listed below for scholarship eligibility.

As a Nigerian, you are eligible for:

1. Master’s
2. PhD

2. HALI Access Network 2024

A collective of non-profit organizations in Africa, HALI Access Network is dedicated to helping high-achieving, low-income (HALI) students pursue international higher education. HALI aims to equalize the international education field, enhancing inclusion, access, and scholarship support for outstanding students who cannot afford their educational aspirations.

This application pathway is exclusively for those associated with a HALI Access Network member organization. A complete list of members can be found on the HALI website, and you should consult the organization you’re affiliated with for specific selection criteria.

The HALI Access Network accepts Master’s and PhD applications only from candidates linked to a HALI Access Network member organization in Nigeria and some other African airline countries:

3. Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

At number 3, we have FAWE, the best Commonwealth scholarship for Nigerian students. Now, this is a pan-African NGO founded in 1992. They focus on girls’ education rights in Africa. Based in Nairobi and active in 33 African countries, FAWE’s approach includes demonstrative interventions, advocacy, and research to transform girls’ education and achieve gender equity in education across Africa. FAWE encourages applications from female candidates from Nigeria and some other listed African countries which you can find on the FAWE application website.

Commonwealth Scholarship for Nigerian Students Eligibility Criteria

1. You must be from a Commonwealth country, a citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or British protected person.
2. You need at least an upper second class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree. For a PhD, you also need a relevant master’s degree.
3. You must need the scholarship to afford UK study.

Each scholarship or fellowship has different criteria.

Types of Scholarship Awards Offered

The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission provides various scholarships:

• Commonwealth Split-site Scholarships (for low- and middle-income countries)
• Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
• Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
• Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for least developed countries and fragile states)
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (for high-income countries)

CSC Development Themes

Every Commonwealth Scholarship falls under six key CSC development themes:

1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security, and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion, and opportunity

You can choose any study area, but the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission prioritizes those most relevant to their development criteria.

What Financial Support is Offered?

Most scholarships cover all costs. This includes your tuition, travel to and from the UK, and a living allowance for your time here.

Application Process

The application process varies by scholarship. You might need to apply through a National Nominating Agency, a university, or a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Application Requirements

For your online application, you should have a scanned copy of your passport, academic transcript, university degree certificate, two references, and if available, your admission letter.

Application Deadline

The annual deadline for applications is typically in December. To see the specific dates for the 2023/24 scholarships, visit the relevant scholarship page on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.

The Commission thanks the universities that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with it. In this agreement, these universities contribute 20% of the overseas tuition fee. This significant contribution helps the Commission offer more awards to citizens of least developed and middle-income countries. Scholars with Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, PhD Scholarships for least developed countries and fragile states, and Split-Site Scholarships are placed only at universities that have this MOU with the Commission.

• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• King’s College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Manchester
• University of Glasgow
• University of Warwick
• University of Bristol
• University of Southampton
• University of Sheffield
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• University of Nottingham
• University of Birmingham
• University of Sussex
• University of Exeter
• Lancaster University
• University of York
• University of Leicester
• University of Bath
• University of East Anglia
• University of St Andrews
• Loughborough University
• University of Surrey
• Queen Mary, University of London
• University of Reading
• Newcastle University
• University of Strathclyde
• University of Aberdeen
• SOAS, University of London
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• City, University of London
• Heriot-Watt University
• University of Kent
• Cardiff University
• Royal Veterinary College
• St George’s, University of London
• University of the West of England
• University of Dundee
• University of Hull
• University of Stirling
• University of Essex
• Brunel University London
• Queen’s University Belfast
• University of Brighton
• Swansea University
• University of Plymouth
• University of Salford
• University of Portsmouth
• University of the West of Scotland
• University of Hertfordshire
• Northumbria University
• University of Greenwich
• University of Central Lancashire
• Coventry University
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• University of Westminster
• Oxford Brookes University
• Sheffield Hallam University
• Leeds Beckett University
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of West London
• Birmingham City University
• Liverpool Hope University
• University of Chester
• Aston University
• Keele University
• University of Worcester
• Writtle University College
• Bishop Grosseteste University
• Robert Gordon University
• Harper Adams University
• Royal Agricultural University
• Edinburgh Napier University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Falmouth University
• Staffordshire University
• Anglia Ruskin University
• Aberystwyth University
• Bangor University
• Bournemouth University
• Kingston University
• Lincoln University
• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• The Glasgow School of Art

NGOs and Charitable Body Nominators

NGOs and charitable bodies can nominate candidates for Commonwealth PhD Scholarships and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships.

Besides the criteria we have talked about in this article, each nominator has their own eligibility and selection rules. It’s your job to check if you are eligible before applying through them. Because these agencies get lots of queries, they won’t reply or consider applications from those who don’t meet the criteria.

Make sure to read the details below and on the agency’s website thoroughly to confirm you meet all the requirements of the Commonwealth scholarship for Nigerian students you choose.

Read also: Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students 2024