7. Australia Awards Scholarships – Australia
Study destination: Australia
Levels: Undergraduate or postgraduate study, depending on country and programme
Australia Awards Scholarships are Australian Government scholarships for citizens of participating developing countries.
The programme provides opportunities for full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian institutions. (DFAT)
Nigeria is among the African countries listed as participating in Australia Awards Scholarships. (DFAT)
What can Australia Awards cover?
Benefits vary according to the programme and country.
Generally, Australia Awards scholarships can include:
- Return airfare
- Academic and other compulsory fees
- Establishment allowance
- Living allowance
Additional entitlements may apply depending on the specific country and scholarship conditions. (DFAT)
2027 Australia Awards deadline
This is another programme where dates are particularly important.
For African participating countries, including Nigeria, the application period for study commencing in 2027 opened on February 1, 2026 and closed on April 30, 2026. (DFAT)
Therefore, as of August 2026, the 2027 Africa round has closed.
Readers should monitor the official Australia Awards website for future application rounds rather than relying on old deadlines.
Important return-home condition
Australia Awards recipients are required to leave Australia for at least two years after completing their scholarship under the programme conditions. The programme is designed around development outcomes in participating countries rather than immigration to Australia. (DFAT)
Official resource
8. Commonwealth Scholarships – United Kingdom
Commonwealth Scholarships are designed to provide opportunities for citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries to undertake advanced study in the UK.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission operates different scholarship schemes, including master’s and doctoral opportunities.
However, applicants should avoid treating “Commonwealth Scholarship” as one universal award.
Different schemes have different:
- Eligibility requirements
- Participating countries
- Degree levels
- Application routes
- Deadlines
- Funding arrangements
For this reason, applicants should check the specific Commonwealth Scholarship Commission scheme applicable to them.
Who may benefit?
Depending on the scheme, Commonwealth opportunities can be particularly relevant to students from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
Nigeria has historically been included among eligible Commonwealth countries for relevant scholarship schemes, but applicants must check the current scheme’s country list.
Official resource
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
9. Other Government Scholarships Worth Researching
The programmes above are not the only international funding opportunities.
Depending on your nationality, academic level and field of study, you may also find government-funded opportunities from countries such as:
- Switzerland
- Hungary
- China
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Türkiye
- France
- Ireland
However, do not assume that every scholarship advertised online is fully funded.
Some may cover tuition but not living costs. Others may provide a partial tuition waiver, monthly stipend or research grant.
The safest approach is to verify each programme through the government, scholarship commission or university responsible for administering it.
Fully Funded Scholarships by Degree Level
Not every scholarship is available for every level of study.
Your first step should therefore be identifying your academic level.
Undergraduate Scholarships
Undergraduate funding can be more competitive and less common than master’s and doctoral funding.
Potential programmes to investigate include:
- MEXT
- GKS
- Country-specific government scholarships
- University-funded scholarships
- Selected international institutional awards
Always check whether the scholarship covers bachelor’s-level study.
Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships
Master’s students have a particularly large number of international scholarship options.
Some major programmes include:
- Chevening
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
- DAAD programmes
- Fulbright opportunities, depending on country
- MEXT
- GKS
- Australia Awards, where applicable
Master’s applicants should pay close attention to academic requirements, professional experience requirements and programme-specific eligibility.
Fully Funded PhD Scholarships
Doctoral funding works somewhat differently.
Many PhD scholarships are tied to:
- A research proposal
- A supervisor
- A research project
- A university department
- A funded doctoral position
DAAD, Fulbright and MEXT are among the major programmes worth researching.
University-funded PhD positions can also be extremely important.
For doctoral applicants, searching only for the phrase “fully funded scholarship” can cause you to miss funded research positions that are advertised as doctoral studentships, research assistantships or funded PhD positions.
Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Nigerian students can apply for a range of international scholarships, but eligibility depends on the individual programme.
Some opportunities particularly worth monitoring include:
- Chevening
- Commonwealth scholarships
- Fulbright opportunities
- DAAD programmes
- Erasmus Mundus
- MEXT
- GKS
- Australia Awards
Australia Awards officially lists Nigeria among its participating African countries. (DFAT)
Chevening also maintains a dedicated Nigeria programme page. (Chevening)
For Fulbright, Nigerian applicants should follow the Nigeria-specific instructions because eligibility and application procedures differ by country. (Foreign Fulbright Program)
Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students
African applicants should not restrict their search to scholarships that explicitly contain the word “Africa.”
Many major international scholarships accept applicants from numerous countries around the world.
Your search should include:
- Government scholarships
- University scholarships
- Research funding
- Development scholarships
- Regional programmes
- Joint master’s programmes
- Doctoral funding
- Professional fellowships
Australia Awards, for example, lists numerous African participating countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa. (DFAT)
What Do Fully Funded Scholarships Usually Cover?
The funding package varies considerably.
| Expense | May Be Covered? |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Often |
| Monthly stipend | Often |
| Accommodation | Sometimes directly or through an allowance |
| Airfare | Some programmes |
| Health insurance | Some programmes |
| Visa costs | Some programmes |
| Arrival allowance | Some programmes |
| Research allowance | Some programmes |
| Books/study materials | Depends on programme |
| Family expenses | Usually limited or excluded |
Never assume that a scholarship covers every expense simply because a website calls it “fully funded.”
How to Find Legitimate Fully Funded Scholarships
The internet is full of scholarship lists, but not every scholarship advertisement is legitimate.
Use this process.
1. Start With the Official Scholarship Provider
Search for the programme’s official government, university or scholarship-commission website.
For example:
- Chevening → UK Government
- Erasmus Mundus → European Union
- Australia Awards → Australian Government
- MEXT → Japanese Government
- GKS → Korean Government
- DAAD → German Academic Exchange Service
- Fulbright → U.S. Department of State/official Fulbright offices
2. Verify the Current Application Cycle
Scholarship information becomes outdated quickly.
Check:
- Opening date
- Closing date
- Study year
- Eligible countries
- Degree level
- Participating universities
- Funding package
A scholarship article from 2024 may still appear in Google even though its application deadline has passed.
3. Check Your Country Eligibility
Do not assume that because a scholarship accepts “international students,” every country is eligible for every category.
Some scholarships have country-specific quotas or priority areas.
Australia Awards is a good example: applicants must check their country profile for local eligibility requirements and priority fields. (DFAT)
4. Check the Degree Level
A common mistake is applying for a scholarship that does not fund your academic level.
For example:
- Chevening → one-year master’s
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters → master’s
- Some DAAD awards → graduates, doctoral candidates or postdocs
- MEXT → several categories
- GKS → undergraduate and graduate programmes depending on the annual call
Always check the specific programme.
5. Check the Field of Study
Some scholarships are open to almost all fields.
Others prioritize areas such as:
- Agriculture
- Engineering
- Public health
- Climate change
- Education
- Economics
- Public policy
- Technology
- Development studies
Do not assume that a scholarship is available for every course.
How to Apply for a Fully Funded Scholarship
A successful scholarship application usually requires more preparation than simply completing an online form.
Step 1: Create a Scholarship List
Make a spreadsheet containing:
- Scholarship name
- Country
- Degree level
- Field
- Opening date
- Deadline
- Eligibility
- Required documents
- Application link
- Status
Step 2: Prepare Your Academic Documents
Depending on the scholarship, you may need:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificate
- Academic records
- Passport
- CV
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Research proposal
- Proof of language ability
- Employment evidence
Requirements vary by programme.
Step 3: Build a Strong CV
Your scholarship CV should emphasize:
- Education
- Relevant work experience
- Leadership
- Research
- Volunteering
- Professional achievements
- Publications where relevant
- Certifications
- Community impact
Do not fill your CV with irrelevant information simply to make it longer.
Step 4: Write a Strong Personal Statement (Essay)
A strong scholarship essay should explain:
- Who you are
- What you have achieved
- Why your chosen field matters
- What problem you want to solve
- Why the scholarship matters
- What you plan to do after graduation
Avoid generic statements such as:
“I have always dreamed of studying abroad.”
Instead, show the committee why your academic and professional goals matter.
Check out How to Write a Scholarship Essay: Complete 2026 Guide to Winning More Scholarships
Step 5: Prepare Your Recommendation Letters
Choose referees who know your work or academic ability well.
A strong recommendation should provide specific evidence of your:
- Academic ability
- Leadership
- Professional performance
- Research potential
- Character
- Impact
Do not wait until the deadline to ask for references.
Step 6: Prepare for Scholarship Interviews
Some scholarships include interviews.
Prepare to discuss:
- Your academic background
- Career goals
- Leadership experiences
- Challenges you have overcome
- Your proposed course
- Why you chose the country
- How you intend to contribute after graduation
Your answers should be consistent with your written application.
Check out How to Prepare for a Scholarship Interview: Complete 2026 Success Guide
How Competitive Are Fully Funded Scholarships?
They can be extremely competitive.
The reason is simple: international scholarships often attract applicants from many countries while the number of awards is limited.
This means meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection.
A strong applicant should therefore demonstrate more than good grades.
Depending on the programme, selection committees may consider:
- Academic performance
- Leadership
- Work experience
- Community involvement
- Research potential
- Career plans
- Development impact
- Quality of application essays
- References
- Interview performance
- Check out How to Identify Fake Scholarship Websites in 2026: 15 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Can You Get a Fully Funded Scholarship With a Low GPA?
It depends on the scholarship.
Some programmes have explicit academic requirements. Others consider applicants more holistically.
A lower GPA does not automatically make every scholarship impossible, but it can reduce your competitiveness for highly selective awards.
If your academic record is not your strongest feature, strengthen other areas where the scholarship allows them to matter:
- Professional achievements
- Leadership
- Research
- Community impact
- Relevant experience
- Strong personal statement
Never invent achievements to compensate for academic weaknesses.
Can You Get a Fully Funded Scholarship Without IELTS?
Sometimes, but there is no universal answer.
English-language requirements can come from:
- The scholarship provider
- The university
- The specific academic programme
- The immigration authority
Some institutions may accept alternatives or waive an English test in certain circumstances.
Others may require IELTS, TOEFL or another recognized test.
Therefore, avoid articles claiming that a particular scholarship “does not require IELTS” unless the official scholarship and university requirements confirm it for your specific circumstances.
Can You Apply for More Than One Scholarship?
Yes, in many cases you can apply for multiple scholarships.
In fact, applying strategically to several suitable programmes can improve your overall chances.
However, read each programme’s rules carefully.
Some scholarships may have restrictions concerning:
- Simultaneous funding
- Previous scholarship awards
- Other sources of funding
- Admission status
- Concurrent applications
Applying to multiple scholarships is sensible, but sending the same generic application everywhere is not.
