7 Popular Scholarships for International Students Globally
Studying abroad can be expensive, especially when you add tuition fees, accommodation, flights, visa expenses, insurance, food, and other living costs. For many students in Nigeria and other developing countries, these expenses can make an international degree look almost impossible. However, scholarships have created another path for students who have strong academic records, clear career goals, leadership experience, research interests, or a convincing reason for wanting to study abroad.
Every year, universities, governments, and international organisations provide scholarships to students from different parts of the world. Some cover tuition fees while others go much further by providing money for accommodation, living expenses, travel, health insurance, and other study related costs. The level of funding depends on the particular scholarship and programme, so students should always check the official requirements before applying.
One thing that often surprises Nigerian students is the number of international scholarship opportunities available to them. You do not necessarily need to come from a wealthy family or have studied at one of the most expensive universities in Nigeria. What matters is finding scholarships that match your academic background and then preparing an application that clearly shows why you deserve the opportunity.
You may have seen scholarship posts online and wondered whether they are actually real or whether someone is simply trying to collect money from applicants. That concern is understandable. There are unfortunately many fake scholarship advertisements online. The safest approach is to identify the official scholarship website, read the eligibility requirements yourself, and apply through the recognised application channel.
In this guide, we look at seven well known scholarship programmes that attract international applicants from around the world. Some are particularly relevant to Nigerian students because Nigeria is included among the eligible countries for certain programmes.
1. Chevening Scholarships in the United Kingdom
Chevening is one of the best known international scholarship programmes in the United Kingdom. It is funded by the UK Government and is designed for outstanding individuals who have the potential to become future leaders and make an impact in their countries and beyond. The programme gives successful scholars the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in the UK while joining a global network of Chevening alumni. (Chevening)
For Nigerian applicants, Chevening is particularly worth researching because Nigeria has its own Chevening programme page and application information. The scholarship is highly competitive, so simply having a good academic record is not enough. Applicants need to demonstrate leadership, experience, clear career goals, and a strong reason for choosing their proposed course and university.
If you are a Nigerian professional who has been working for a few years and you want to use a master’s degree to move into a larger role in your industry, Chevening could be one of the programmes worth adding to your scholarship list.
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships in Europe
If you like the idea of studying in more than one European country during the same master’s programme, Erasmus Mundus is an opportunity you should know about.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes delivered by groups of universities. Students can study at several participating institutions in different countries as part of the same programme. The official Erasmus+ website states that students from around the world can apply and that full scholarships are available for the best ranked applicants. (Erasmus+)
The scholarship support can contribute to participation costs as well as travel, visa expenses, and living costs. Programmes generally last between one and two academic years, depending on the specific course.
This is particularly interesting for students who want international exposure rather than staying in one university throughout their degree. Imagine starting your programme in one European country and later moving to another institution as part of the same academic experience. That is one of the features that makes Erasmus Mundus stand out.
Applications are made directly to the institution running the particular programme, and application periods commonly fall between October and January for programmes beginning the following academic year. However, students should check the individual programme website because deadlines can differ. (Erasmus+)
3. DAAD Scholarships in Germany
Germany is already a popular destination for international students, and the DAAD scholarship system is one of the major reasons many students consider studying there.
The German Academic Exchange Service known as DAAD provides information about numerous scholarship opportunities for international students and researchers. Its scholarship database allows applicants to search for programmes based on their country, academic level, subject area, and other criteria. (DAAD)
DAAD is not just one single scholarship with one universal set of requirements. There are different funding programmes, so students need to search the database carefully and identify the opportunity that matches their academic background.
This is important because a student may see someone posting about a DAAD opportunity on social media and assume that the same requirements apply to every DAAD programme. They do not.
For a Nigerian student interested in postgraduate study in Germany, the DAAD database can be a useful starting point for finding suitable programmes and checking the exact eligibility requirements.
4. Fulbright Foreign Student Program in the United States
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program is another major international scholarship opportunity for students interested in studying or conducting research in the United States.
The programme supports graduate students, young professionals, and artists from outside the United States. According to the official Fulbright website, the programme operates in more than 160 countries and around 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. (Foreign Fulbright Program)
One important point is that the application and selection process varies from country to country. Applicants should therefore look for the Fulbright information specifically meant for their home country rather than relying on general information from another country.
For Nigerian applicants, this means checking the relevant Fulbright office or US Embassy information and carefully following the application instructions provided for Nigeria.
The programme can be particularly attractive to students who want to pursue graduate level education and research in the United States while becoming part of a large international academic community.
5. MEXT Scholarship in Japan
Japan offers another major government funded scholarship through the Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology commonly known as MEXT.
The MEXT Scholarship covers several categories of international students. These include research students, undergraduate students, teacher training students, Japanese studies students, college of technology students, specialised training college students, and participants in the Young Leaders Program. (日本留学情報サイト Study in Japan)
Applicants can generally apply through embassy recommendation or university recommendation depending on the scholarship category and programme. Because the requirements can vary, applicants are advised to follow the latest official application guidelines rather than relying on old scholarship information shared on social media. (日本留学情報サイト Study in Japan)
For Nigerian students, this can be an interesting option if you are considering Japan for undergraduate study, postgraduate research, professional training, or other eligible programmes.
Japan may seem far away when you are sitting in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, or Port Harcourt and thinking about studying abroad. But the distance should not stop you from researching the opportunity if your academic background fits the requirements.
6. Türkiye Scholarships
Türkiye Scholarships is the government funded scholarship programme of Türkiye and is open to international students from countries around the world.
The programme offers opportunities across different levels of higher education including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes. The official scholarship information states that support can include tuition fees, accommodation, health insurance, university placement, and other academic, social, and cultural facilities. (Turkey Scholarships)
The programme is particularly interesting for students who want a scholarship that can support more than just tuition.
For example, paying tuition is only one part of the cost of studying abroad. A student still has to think about where to live, how to pay for healthcare, and how to manage daily expenses. A scholarship that includes several of these areas can make a significant difference.
Türkiye Scholarships also has specific academic and age requirements depending on the level and programme. For example, the official criteria list minimum academic achievement thresholds and different age limits for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral applicants. (Turkey Scholarships)
7. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is another important opportunity for students from eligible low and middle income Commonwealth countries who want to pursue a full time taught master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
Nigeria is currently listed among the eligible countries for the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship. The programme is aimed at talented and motivated candidates who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK and focuses on developing knowledge and skills that can contribute to sustainable development. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)
Applicants generally need to meet academic requirements and demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship. The application process also involves specific documentation and may involve a nominating agency depending on the programme. (Commonwealth Scholarships UK)
This is one opportunity Nigerian graduates should keep on their scholarship radar, especially if they are interested in postgraduate study and have a clear connection between their proposed programme and development in their home country.
How to Choose the Right Scholarship
Finding seven popular scholarships is useful, but applying randomly to every opportunity you see is not the best strategy. The better approach is to compare each scholarship against your own profile before spending time preparing an application.
Start by checking your academic level. Some opportunities focus mainly on master’s programmes while others include undergraduate or doctoral applicants. MEXT, for example, has several categories covering different levels of study while Erasmus Mundus focuses on joint master’s programmes. (日本留学情報サイト Study in Japan)
You should also check the eligible countries, age requirements, academic requirements, work experience expectations, English language requirements, and application deadlines. These details can change between scholarship cycles, so never assume that an old blog post or WhatsApp message contains the current requirements.
Tips for Nigerian Students Applying for International Scholarships
A strong scholarship application usually requires more preparation than simply filling out an online form. Start gathering your academic documents early and keep clear digital copies of your certificates, transcripts, CV, recommendation letters, passport, and other documents that may be requested.
Your personal statement also matters. Avoid writing something that sounds like it was copied from a scholarship template. Explain your actual experiences, what you have achieved, what problem you want to solve, and how the proposed programme fits into your future plans.
It is also worth applying for several suitable scholarships rather than putting all your hopes on one programme. Scholarship competitions can be extremely competitive, and even excellent candidates can be unsuccessful in a particular cycle.
Most importantly, use official scholarship websites. You should never have to pay someone simply because they claim they can guarantee a scholarship for you. No legitimate agent can guarantee that you will be selected.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many students lose opportunities because of simple mistakes rather than a lack of ability. One common mistake is waiting until the deadline is only a few days away before starting the application. Another is submitting the same personal statement to every scholarship without adapting it to the programme.
Other mistakes include uploading incomplete documents, ignoring eligibility requirements, using false information, missing interview appointments, and relying entirely on information shared in WhatsApp groups.
Scholarship information changes regularly, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official website before applying.
Final Thoughts
These seven scholarships represent some of the major international funding opportunities that students around the world can explore. Chevening can open a path to postgraduate study in the UK while Erasmus Mundus offers the opportunity to study through joint master’s programmes across different institutions. DAAD provides access to a wide range of funding opportunities in Germany while Fulbright supports graduate students and other eligible participants heading to the United States. MEXT provides several study categories in Japan while Türkiye Scholarships and Commonwealth Scholarships offer additional opportunities for international students including eligible applicants from Nigeria. (Chevening)
The important thing is not to look at these scholarships as a guaranteed ticket to study abroad. They are competitive opportunities, and each has its own requirements. Take your time to find the programmes that actually match your qualifications, prepare your documents properly, and apply through the official channels.
For a Nigerian student who has been saying I want to study abroad but I do not know where to start, scholarship research can be a good place to begin. You may not win the first opportunity you apply for, and that is normal. What matters is learning from each application and continuing to look for programmes that genuinely match your profile.
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