Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships 2027/28: Eligibility, Deadlines & How to Apply

last updated september 2026.

If you want to study for a Master’s degree abroad but cannot afford international tuition and living costs, a fully funded scholarship can make the difference between an expensive plan and a realistic one.

However, finding a genuine fully funded scholarship is not simply a matter of searching for a list of opportunities.

The important questions are:

Is the scholarship actually open for your intended intake?
Are you eligible based on your nationality and academic background?
Does it cover tuition, living expenses and travel?
Do you need university admission before applying?
Does it require work experience?
Is there a separate scholarship application?
What happens if you miss the deadline?
Is the opportunity genuinely provided by a university, government or recognised organisation?

This guide focuses on those practical questions.

The scholarships discussed below include major programmes such as Chevening, Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, Oxford Clarendon and DAAD EPOS. Some 2026/27 opportunities have already closed, while applications for 2027/28 are opening or will open during the 2026–27 application season.

Research note: Scholarship deadlines and eligibility rules can change. Always confirm the final requirements on the official scholarship or university website before submitting an application.

Table of Contents

What Does “Fully Funded” Actually Mean?

“Fully funded” does not necessarily mean that every expense you could possibly have will be paid.

A strong scholarship package may cover some or most of the following:

Full tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Return airfare
Visa-related costs
Health insurance
Study or travel grants
Accommodation or rent support
Family-related allowances in some circumstances

But the exact package depends on the scholarship.

For example, Erasmus Mundus scholarships can cover participation costs and contribute towards travel, visa and living expenses. Oxford Clarendon covers course fees and provides a living-cost grant. DAAD EPOS provides a monthly scholarship, insurance and travel allowance, with additional benefits possible in certain circumstances.

Therefore, never judge a scholarship solely because its headline says “fully funded.”

Look at what the funding actually pays for.

Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships to Watch for 2027/28

The following opportunities are particularly important for international students planning a 2027/28 Master’s.

Scholarship	Destination	Typical target	Current 2027/28 status	Funding approach
Chevening	UK	Future leaders with qualifying work experience	Open	Tuition, living support, travel and specified allowances
Commonwealth Master’s	UK	Candidates from eligible Commonwealth countries	Open	Tuition, living allowance, airfare and eligible allowances
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	Europe/multiple countries	International students	Applications vary by programme	Participation costs plus travel, visa and living contribution
Oxford Clarendon	UK	Outstanding graduate applicants	Applications tied to Oxford course deadlines	Full fees + living grant
DAAD EPOS	Germany	Graduates from eligible developing countries with relevant experience	Programme-specific	Monthly stipend, insurance, travel and possible additional benefits
MEXT	Japan	International students	Nigerian 2027 embassy route closed	Government-funded study package

Important: This is not a ranking. The scholarships have different eligibility rules and funding structures. A scholarship that is suitable for one applicant may be unsuitable for another.

1. Chevening Scholarship 2027/28

Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship programme for one-year taught Master’s degrees.

For the 2027/28 cycle, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.

This makes Chevening one of the opportunities applicants should be working on immediately rather than simply bookmarking for later.

What does Chevening fund?

Chevening provides a comprehensive funding package that includes:

Tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Return economy airfare
Visa application cost
Other specified allowances and travel-related support

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet Chevening’s eligibility requirements.

Among other requirements, applicants must:

Be a citizen of an eligible country or territory
Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies them for a UK Master’s programme
Have at least 2,800 hours of work experience acquired after completing their undergraduate degree
Commit to returning to their country of award for at least two years after the scholarship ends

The work-experience requirement deserves special attention.

Chevening explains that the 2,800-hour requirement is roughly equivalent to two years of full-time work, but the experience must have been acquired over a minimum two-year period.

Eligible experience can include full-time employment, part-time work, voluntary work and paid or unpaid internships.

A common mistake

Do not simply write “I have worked for four years” and assume that automatically satisfies the requirement.

You need to understand how your periods of employment and hours worked fit Chevening’s calculation rules.

Current deadline

6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC

Who should consider Chevening?

Chevening is particularly relevant to applicants who already have meaningful post-undergraduate work experience and can demonstrate leadership, networking and a clear reason for pursuing their chosen Master’s.

It is not designed simply as a funding shortcut for someone who has just graduated.

2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027/28

The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is another major UK-funded opportunity for applicants from eligible Commonwealth countries.

Nigeria is included among the eligible countries for the 2027/28 programme.

Applications for the 2027/28 academic year opened on 8 September 2026 and close at 16:00 BST on 20 October 2026.

The programme is intended for full-time taught Master’s study in the UK.

What does it fund?

The scholarship package includes support such as:

Approved airfare
Full approved tuition fees
Monthly living allowance
Study travel grant
Certain additional allowances where applicable

The exact benefits should always be checked against the current CSC documentation.

Basic eligibility

Applicants must generally:

Be a citizen of, or have refugee status in, an eligible Commonwealth country
Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country
Be available to begin study in September/October 2027
Hold at least an upper-second-class degree, or the relevant lower-second-class-plus-postgraduate qualification route
Demonstrate that they cannot afford to study in the UK without the scholarship

Important point for Nigerian applicants

Being Nigerian does not automatically make an applicant eligible.

You still have to satisfy the academic, residency, financial and other programme requirements.

The CSC also asks applicants to explain their education, employment history and how their experience relates to the proposed programme.

Current deadline

20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST

3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Erasmus Mundus is different from scholarships such as Chevening because you are applying to individual Joint Master’s programmes rather than one single universal scholarship application.

These programmes are delivered by international university consortia.

Depending on the programme, students may study in more than one country.

What can the scholarship cover?

The Erasmus+ programme states that Erasmus Mundus scholarships cover participation costs and contribute towards:

Travel
Visa
Living allowance

The exact structure depends on the individual programme.

When do applications open?

There is no single Erasmus Mundus deadline.

The official Erasmus+ guidance says applications are generally submitted between October and January for courses beginning the following academic year, but individual Master’s programmes set their own deadlines.

This distinction is important.

If you see a website saying:

“Erasmus Mundus deadline: January 15”

do not automatically assume that January 15 applies to every Erasmus Mundus programme.

It may apply to only one programme.

How to apply

The process is generally:

Find an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master relevant to your academic background.
Visit that programme’s official website.
Check the entry requirements.
Check the participating universities.
Check whether scholarships are available for the intake.
Check the programme’s exact application deadline.
Prepare the required documents.
Submit the application through the programme’s specified system.

Who should consider Erasmus Mundus?

It can be particularly interesting if you are comfortable with an international programme involving multiple universities or countries and your academic background matches one of the available programmes.

4. Oxford Clarendon Scholarship

The Clarendon Fund is one of the major graduate funding schemes at the University of Oxford.

Oxford says Clarendon offers more than 200 new fully funded scholarships each year.

There is an important application advantage:

You do not submit a separate Clarendon scholarship application.

Instead, you apply for an eligible Oxford graduate course by the relevant December or January admissions deadline.

You are then automatically considered for Clarendon.

What does Clarendon cover?

Clarendon scholarships cover:

Course fees in full
A grant for living expenses

Oxford states that there are no restrictions based on nationality or ordinary residence.

How does the application work?

The process is essentially:

Choose Oxford course → prepare graduate application → submit by the relevant course deadline → automatic Clarendon consideration

This is different from Chevening, where you apply directly for the scholarship.

Important warning

Do not wait until a general “Clarendon scholarship deadline” without checking the deadline for your specific Oxford course.

Oxford makes clear that the relevant December or January deadline depends on the course.

5. DAAD EPOS Scholarships in Germany

DAAD EPOS supports development-related postgraduate courses at selected German universities.

This opportunity is particularly interesting for applicants from eligible developing countries who already have relevant professional experience.

What does EPOS provide?

Current DAAD information lists benefits including:

€992 monthly payment for graduates
Health, accident and personal liability insurance
Travel allowance where applicable
Possible rent subsidy
Possible allowance for accompanying family members in certain circumstances

The funding duration depends on the programme and can range from 12 to 42 months.

Work experience requirement

DAAD states that EPOS applicants generally need at least two years of professional experience.

This immediately makes EPOS different from scholarships aimed primarily at recent graduates.

An important Germany funding warning

Do not assume that every Master’s degree in Germany is tuition-free.

Germany has many public universities where tuition is not generally charged, but exceptions exist. DAAD also notes that some states and programmes can charge tuition fees to international students.

Therefore:

“Germany has low tuition” is not the same thing as “this particular Master’s programme has no tuition.”

Check the university and programme individually.

6. MEXT Scholarship: Important 2027 Update for Nigerian Applicants

The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship is another major international scholarship programme.

However, Nigerian applicants searching for “MEXT 2027” need to pay attention to the date.

The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria published the 2027 Embassy Recommendation application and marked it closed.

The published deadline was:

8 June 2026

Therefore, as of September 2026, a Nigerian applicant should not be told that the 2027 Nigerian embassy application is still open.

This is exactly why scholarship articles need current verification instead of simply recycling last year’s information.

If you missed the 2027 embassy deadline, monitor the official Japanese scholarship channels for future cycles and check whether another application route is applicable to your circumstances.

How to Decide Which Scholarships Are Worth Your Time

Instead of applying randomly, create an eligibility filter.

For every scholarship, ask these questions:

1. Is my nationality eligible?

Some scholarships are global.

Others are restricted to specific countries.

2. Does my degree meet the academic requirement?

Check:

Degree level
Degree classification
Subject requirements
Professional qualifications
Required academic background

3. Do I need work experience?

This can immediately eliminate some programmes.

For example, Chevening requires qualifying post-undergraduate work experience, while DAAD EPOS generally requires at least two years of professional experience.

4. Do I need admission first?

This varies considerably.

For Clarendon, your Oxford graduate application is what triggers automatic scholarship consideration.

For Erasmus Mundus, you normally apply through the specific Joint Master’s programme.

Other scholarships have their own application structures.

5. Is English-language proof required?

Never assume that every scholarship has the same IELTS or English-language rules.

The scholarship, university and individual programme may have different requirements.

Check the exact requirements before paying for an English test.

Scholarship Funding Comparison: What Should You Check?

Before applying, create your own comparison rather than relying on the phrase “fully funded.”

Funding question	Why it matters
Full tuition?	Determines whether you still need to finance university fees
Monthly stipend?	Determines how you will support yourself
Airfare?	International travel can be expensive
Visa costs?	Some scholarships provide specific support
Health insurance?	Important for international study
Accommodation/rent?	A stipend may not cover actual housing costs
Dependants?	Family support differs greatly between scholarships
Study materials?	Some programmes provide additional allowances
Duration?	A one-year award is different from a two-year award
Renewal?	Check whether funding automatically continues

The most important lesson is simple:

Read the funding terms, not just the scholarship headline.

Do You Need University Admission Before Applying?

There is no universal answer.

Different scholarships use different systems.

Chevening

You apply for the scholarship and identify your preferred eligible Master’s courses according to Chevening’s rules.

Oxford Clarendon

You apply to Oxford’s graduate programme by the relevant deadline and are automatically considered for Clarendon.

Erasmus Mundus

You normally apply directly to the specific Joint Master’s programme.

Commonwealth Master’s

You apply through the CSC application system and must follow the current programme and nominating-body requirements.

DAAD EPOS

The process depends on the specific EPOS programme, so applicants must follow the course-specific application instructions.

This is one reason why copying a generic “10-step scholarship application process” from another website can be misleading.

Documents You Should Start Preparing Now

Even before applications open, you can prepare many of the documents commonly requested by Master’s scholarship programmes.

Academic documents

Prepare:

Degree certificate
Academic transcripts
Course descriptions where required
Academic CV
Professional certifications where relevant

Identification documents

Prepare:

Passport
National identification documents where required
Passport photograph where required

Application documents

Depending on the programme:

Statement of purpose
Personal statement
Study plan
Research proposal
Scholarship essays
Career plan
Development-impact statement

References

Contact potential referees early.

Do not wait until the final 48 hours.

A strong referee needs enough time to understand your goals and provide a useful reference.

Employment evidence

For programmes with work-experience requirements, keep records of:

Employer names
Job titles
Employment dates
Working hours
Responsibilities
Contact information
Supporting documents where appropriate

How to Build a Strong Scholarship Application

A scholarship application should answer more than:

“Why do you want to study abroad?”

A stronger application connects several things.

Your past

What have you studied and done?

Your problem

What real problem or development challenge interests you?

Your proposed study

Why is this specific Master’s relevant?

Your future

What will you do with the knowledge?

Your impact

Who could benefit from the skills you gain?

For development-focused scholarships, this connection can be especially important.

The goal is not to make your story sound dramatic.

The goal is to make it specific, credible and logically connected.

Who Should NOT Apply Yet?

This is an important question that scholarship lists often ignore.

You may need to delay an application if:

You do not meet the minimum academic requirement.
You lack mandatory work experience.
Your nationality is not eligible.
Your intended Master’s does not fit the programme.
You cannot meet the required application deadline.
You have not obtained documents that are mandatory.
You have not researched the actual university programme.
You are relying on a scholarship to cover expenses it does not cover.

Applying to every scholarship you see can waste time.

A better strategy is to identify the opportunities for which you satisfy the basic requirements first.

What If You Miss a Scholarship Deadline?

Missing one deadline does not mean your international study plan has ended.

Instead:

Step 1: Identify the next cycle

Many major scholarships operate annually.

Step 2: Find other scholarships

Do not build your entire plan around one programme.

Step 3: Apply for university funding

Universities often have scholarships that are separate from major government programmes.

Step 4: Improve your application

Use the additional time to strengthen:

Academic profile
Work experience
Leadership evidence
Personal statement
Research proposal
English-language preparation
Professional experience

Step 5: Create a deadline calendar

Record deadlines at least several weeks before they occur.

Scholarship Application Tracker

Do not keep everything in your head.

Use a spreadsheet like this:

Scholarship	Eligible?	Degree eligible?	Work experience	Admission needed?	Deadline	Funding checked?	Documents ready?
Chevening	Yes/No	Yes/No	Yes/No	Check rules	6 Oct 2026	Yes/No	Yes/No
Commonwealth	Yes/No	Yes/No	Check	Check	20 Oct 2026	Yes/No	Yes/No
Erasmus Mundus	Yes/No	Programme-specific	Programme-specific	Programme-specific	Varies	Yes/No	Yes/No
Oxford Clarendon	Yes/No	Course-specific	Usually not the core requirement	Oxford application	Course-specific	Yes/No	Yes/No
DAAD EPOS	Yes/No	Course-specific	Usually 2+ years	Course-specific	Programme-specific	Yes/No	Yes/No
MEXT	Cycle-specific	Programme-specific	Programme-specific	Route-specific	Check current cycle	Yes/No	Yes/No

The purpose of this table is not to make scholarship selection automatic.

It is to prevent avoidable mistakes.

How to Verify That a Scholarship Is Genuine

Before applying, ask four questions.

1. Who provides the scholarship?

Look for a recognised:

Government
University
International organisation
Established foundation
Recognised educational institution

2. Where does the application take place?

Be cautious when a website sends you to an unfamiliar payment page or asks you to pay someone to “secure” a scholarship.

3. Can you find the opportunity on the official website?

Search for the programme independently rather than relying only on a social-media post.

4. Is the deadline current?

A scholarship article from 2024 can easily contain a deadline that is no longer valid.

This is one of the biggest problems with scholarship content online.

Never Pay Someone to “Guarantee” a Scholarship

A legitimate scholarship does not become guaranteed because an agent claims to have an inside connection.

Be especially cautious if someone says:

“Pay me and I will secure the scholarship.”
“I have a slot reserved for you.”
“You must pay before your application can be submitted.”
“The university has already approved you.”
“Send your passport and money through WhatsApp.”
“There are only three guaranteed spaces left.”

Always verify the programme through the official provider.

A Better Strategy for 2027/28 Applicants

Rather than applying to one scholarship and hoping for the best, build a portfolio.

For example:

Group A — Major government scholarships

Examples:

Chevening
Commonwealth
MEXT

Group B — University scholarships

Examples:

Oxford Clarendon
Cambridge funding opportunities
University-specific awards

Group C — Joint international programmes

Example:

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Group D — Subject-specific scholarships

Look for funding related to your:

Academic field
Professional background
Development interest
Research area
Nationality

This approach gives you multiple routes instead of depending entirely on one scholarship.

The Most Important Mistake to Avoid

Do not apply simply because the title says:

“Fully Funded Scholarship.”

First ask:

“Fully funded for what?”

A scholarship can cover tuition and provide a stipend but still leave you responsible for some expenses.

Another programme may provide travel support but have different conditions.

Another may cover the full cost of study but only for a specific programme.

Your job is to understand the funding package before committing time to the application.

2027/28 Scholarship Planning Calendar

September–October 2026

Focus on scholarships with current deadlines.

For example:

Chevening
Commonwealth Master’s

Prepare applications immediately rather than waiting for the final week.

October 2026–January 2027

Monitor:

Erasmus Mundus programmes
Oxford graduate course deadlines
University scholarships
Other government-funded programmes

Throughout 2027

Continue looking for:

University-specific scholarships
Departmental funding
New scholarship announcements
Future 2028 opportunities

The exact schedule varies by programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest fully funded Master’s scholarship to get?

There is no reliable “easiest” major scholarship.

Eligibility, academic strength, work experience, programme fit and the quality of the application all matter.

Instead of searching for the easiest scholarship, look for scholarships where you clearly satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Can Nigerians apply for fully funded Master’s scholarships abroad?

Yes.

Nigerian applicants can be eligible for several international scholarship programmes, including the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship and various university and international scholarship programmes.

Eligibility is programme-specific.

Is Chevening fully funded?

Chevening provides a comprehensive funding package covering tuition and various living, travel and related costs, subject to its scholarship terms.

Can I apply for Chevening without work experience?

Chevening requires at least 2,800 hours of qualifying work experience acquired after completion of your undergraduate degree and over at least two years.

Is Erasmus Mundus fully funded?

Some Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarships provide substantial funding covering participation costs and contributions towards travel, visa and living expenses.

The exact terms depend on the individual programme.

Does Oxford Clarendon require a separate scholarship application?

No.

Eligible applicants are automatically considered when they submit their Oxford graduate application by the relevant deadline.

Is DAAD EPOS only for fresh graduates?

No.

DAAD EPOS generally requires at least two years of professional experience, making it particularly relevant to applicants who have already built a work history.

Is MEXT 2027 still open in Nigeria?

The Embassy of Japan in Nigeria’s 2027 Embassy Recommendation application closed on 8 June 2026.

Applicants should monitor official announcements for future cycles and other applicable routes.

Do fully funded scholarships cover dependants?

Not necessarily.

Some programmes provide family-related allowances under specific conditions, while others do not provide dependant support.

Always check the scholarship’s official funding terms.

Do I need IELTS for a fully funded scholarship?

Not necessarily.

English-language requirements vary between scholarship programmes, universities and individual courses.

Do not assume that one rule applies to all scholarships.

Final Checklist Before You Apply

Before submitting any scholarship application, confirm:

Official Scholarship Sources

Always use the official provider as the final authority because scholarship deadlines and eligibility conditions can change.

Chevening: Chevening’s official application timeline and eligibility pages.

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.

Erasmus Mundus: European Commission Erasmus+.

Oxford Clarendon: University of Oxford.

DAAD EPOS: German Academic Exchange Service.

MEXT: Embassy of Japan in Nigeria / Study in Japan.

Conclusion

Fully funded Master’s scholarships can make international postgraduate study significantly more affordable, but finding one requires more than collecting names and deadlines.

The strongest approach is to work backwards from your own circumstances.

Start with your nationality.

Then check your academic qualifications.

Check your work experience.

Identify suitable Master’s programmes.

Confirm the funding package.

Check the application route.

Finally, verify the current deadline directly with the scholarship provider.

For applicants targeting the 2027/28 academic year, the most immediate deadlines among the programmes covered here include Chevening in October 2026 and Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships later in October 2026, while Erasmus Mundus and many university scholarships have programme-specific timelines.

The key is not to apply everywhere.

It is to apply where your profile genuinely fits the requirements and where you can submit a well-prepared application.

Always verify the latest information on the official scholarship website before applying.

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