5. Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
The SI Scholarship for Global Professionals is a fully funded Swedish scholarship for eligible international professionals pursuing selected Master’s degrees.
Nigeria is currently among the eligible countries.
What does the scholarship cover?
For the 2026/27 cycle, the scholarship included:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- SEK 12,000 monthly living allowance
- One-time travel grant of SEK 15,000 for most eligible countries
- Membership in the SI Network for Global Professionals
However, SI explicitly states that the scholarship does not cover insurance, family-member grants or the university application fee.
That is an excellent example of why applicants should examine the funding package instead of assuming “fully funded” means every expense is paid.
Work experience requirement
For applicants from Nigeria and several other listed countries, the 2026/27 rules required at least 3,000 hours of work experience accumulated through a maximum of three employers before February 2026. Leadership experience was also required.
Is the 2026/27 application still open?
No.
For the 2026/27 intake, applications for eligible Master’s programmes ran from October 2025 to January 2026, while the SI scholarship application portal was open from 9–25 February 2026.
Applicants targeting the next cycle should monitor the Swedish Institute’s official scholarship page for the new dates.
6. Fulbright Foreign Student Program
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program supports graduate students, young professionals and artists from outside the United States who want to study or conduct research in the US.
The programme operates in more than 160 countries and awards approximately 4,000 grants annually, although country-level programmes and selection procedures differ.
What does Fulbright provide?
The official programme lists benefits including:
- J-1 visa sponsorship
- Funding support
- Health benefit plan
- Enrichment activities
Who can apply?
The general requirements include:
- Being a citizen/non-US applicant under the relevant country programme
- Residing in the country of nomination when applying
- Holding the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree by the programme start date
- Having a good academic record
- Meeting English-language requirements
- Meeting additional requirements established by the applicant’s country programme
For Nigerian applicants, the relevant application process and requirements should be checked through the official Fulbright information for Nigeria or the US Embassy/Fulbright programme office.
Do not assume that the requirements or deadline for Fulbright in one country apply to Nigeria.
7. Global Korea Scholarship — GKS-G
The Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (GKS-G) is the South Korean government’s major scholarship programme for international graduate students.
For 2026, the Korean government planned to invite 2,000 international students through GKS graduate programmes. Applicants could apply through either the Embassy Track or University Track.
What makes GKS attractive?
The programme is particularly useful for students interested in studying in South Korea and offers a government-supported route into Master’s and other graduate study.
2026 status
The 2026 GKS-G application process has already progressed beyond the application stage.
The Korean government’s Study in Korea portal announced the final successful candidates on 1 July 2026.
Therefore, applicants who missed the 2026 cycle should prepare for the next announcement rather than looking for a late 2026 GKS-G application.
The official Korean government portal should be treated as the authoritative source for future deadlines and participating universities.
8. Oxford Clarendon Scholarships
The Clarendon Scholarship at the University of Oxford is another highly competitive option for international Master’s applicants.
The scholarship is open across subject areas and to applicants from all nationalities.
What does Clarendon cover?
For eligible scholars, Clarendon covers:
- Full course fees
- An annual living grant
For 2025–26, Oxford states that the living grant was at least £20,780, although the amount can change in future academic years.
How do you apply?
One useful feature of Clarendon is that there is normally no separate scholarship application.
Applicants apply for an eligible Oxford graduate course by the relevant December or January funding deadline and are automatically considered for Clarendon.
This makes the Oxford course application itself extremely important. A student should not treat the scholarship as something that can be added later after receiving admission.
Which Fully Funded Scholarships Are Still Relevant in August 2026?
This is one of the most important points for anyone searching for “fully funded Master’s scholarships 2026.”
Not every scholarship listed online is currently accepting applications.
| Scholarship | Status around August 20, 2026 | What prospective applicants should do |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening | 2027/28 applications open | Prepare and submit before 6 October 2026 |
| Commonwealth Master’s | 2027/28 opening in September | Prepare documents before 8 September |
| Erasmus Mundus | Next programme applications expected from autumn 2026 | Research programmes now |
| DAAD EPOS | Programme-specific deadlines | Check individual EPOS courses immediately |
| Swedish Institute | 2026/27 cycle closed | Prepare for the next cycle |
| Fulbright | Country-specific | Check the Nigeria programme for its current call |
| GKS-G | 2026 selection completed | Prepare for the next cycle |
| Oxford Clarendon | 2026 entry cycle closed | Prepare for the next Oxford admissions cycle |
The biggest mistake is assuming that a webpage titled “Scholarships 2026” means the scholarship is still accepting applications.
Always check the actual application status and deadline on the official programme website.
General Requirements for Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships
There is no single set of requirements that applies to every scholarship. However, most programmes evaluate some combination of academic ability, eligibility, experience, leadership, motivation and future potential.
1. A Recognised Bachelor’s Degree
Most Master’s scholarships require an undergraduate qualification that meets the academic entry requirements of the selected university or programme.
The required degree classification varies.
A scholarship may also require your previous degree to be related to the proposed Master’s course.
2. Strong Academic Performance
Academic excellence is common among successful scholarship applicants.
However, a strong academic record does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.
Competitive programmes frequently consider the complete application, including:
- Academic performance
- Professional experience
- Leadership
- Personal statement
- References
- Career goals
- Community or development impact
- Fit with the programme
3. Relevant Work Experience
Work experience is particularly important for scholarships such as Chevening, DAAD EPOS and the Swedish Institute Scholarship.
But the requirement is not universal.
For example, Chevening currently requires at least two years of qualifying work experience, while DAAD EPOS generally requires at least two years of professional experience for eligible candidates.
By contrast, other scholarships may place greater emphasis on academic potential or research ability.
4. Leadership and Community Impact
Some scholarships want evidence that you have already taken initiative and that you intend to use your education beyond personal career advancement.
Leadership does not necessarily mean being the CEO of an organisation.
It can involve:
- Leading a community project
- Managing a team
- Organising an initiative
- Professional responsibility
- Volunteering
- Mentoring
- Advocacy
- Entrepreneurship
- Student leadership
The important thing is to show what you actually did and what changed because of your involvement.
5. English-Language Proficiency
Many English-taught Master’s programmes require proof of English proficiency.
Possible tests include:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Cambridge English qualifications
- Other accepted examinations
However, the exact requirement depends on the university and programme.
Do not assume that one scholarship’s English requirement applies to another.
