Scholarships are a big part of studying in the UK. There are many scholarships available for studies in the UK, and they ease the financial pressure of Nigerian students. While most Nigerian students plan to study in the UK, only a few know about the underrated and overlooked UK scholarships.
Everyone knows about the prestigious Chevening or Commonwealth Scholarships. Still, there are dozens of UK scholarships Nigerians can apply for that often go unnoticed – yet they provide generous funding, sometimes covering up to 100% of tuition and living expenses.
With rising tuition fees and living costs, discovering the right funding options that Nigerian students can access is crucial for affordability and peace of mind.
If you’re ready to uncover the UK scholarships Nigerians often miss, this guide is your roadmap to affordable education in one of the world’s best study destinations.
Why Look Beyond the Popular Scholarships?
The competition for flagship scholarships like Chevening or Commonwealth is fierce. Only around 3% of applicants succeed each year. But there’s good news: lesser-known UK scholarships and bursaries have far fewer applicants and often focus on niche areas like sustainability, entrepreneurship, creative writing, or STEM innovation.
By exploring these overlooked UK bursaries, Nigerian students can access generous financial support, easier eligibility criteria, and flexible application timelines.
Top Hidden UK Scholarships for Nigerian Students
Here’s a curated list of unique, underrated, and lesser-known funding options designed to support ambitious Nigerian students.
GREAT Scholarships (Nigeria) – British Council Partnership
The GREAT Scholarships are co-funded by the British Council and UK universities. For Nigerian students, this scheme offers around £10,000 towards postgraduate tuition across multiple UK universities like the University of Nottingham, University of Hull, and Aston University. It is Ideal for students looking for partial but substantial tuition support.
The University of the West of England (UWE) Chancellor’s Scholarship
UWE Bristol offers one of the most overlooked UK bursaries, providing a 50% tuition discount for international students from countries like Nigeria. Recipients also get networking opportunities and internship placements with local UK businesses. Perfect for high-achieving students with leadership potential. Average value: £8,000–£10,000.
University of Sussex – Nigerian Students Award
The University of Sussex runs a country-specific grant exclusively for Nigerian students worth £3,000 towards first-year tuition. This is a hidden gem among cheap education UK grants, particularly suitable for self-funded undergraduates or postgraduates. It has a simple application process and is automatically considered upon admission.
Think Big Scholarship – University of Bristol
This prestigious yet under-applied scholarship awards between £6,500 and £13,000 for international students based on academic merit and future potential. While globally known, few Nigerian applicants realise how accessible it is with a strong personal statement.
Open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships (University of Sheffield)
For those pursuing development-related master’s programs, this scholarship covers full tuition fees, accommodation, and a monthly stipend. It is one of the most generous funding options Nigerian students can access.
University of Hertfordshire Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship
A £2,000–£5,000 award given to outstanding Nigerian students. This is one of the overlooked UK bursaries that can be combined with other merit-based grants, reducing total study costs significantly. Applicable to both January and September intakes.
Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship
For Nigerian students open to studying in Wales, this grant offers £10,000 towards master’s tuition fees at universities like Swansea or Cardiff. It’s one of the funding options Nigerian students rarely explore. It is perfect for STEM or sustainability-focused students.
University of East Anglia (UEA) International Development Scholarships
The University of East Anglia (UEA) offers partial scholarships worth up to £5,000 for students from developing countries, including Nigeria. It supports those pursuing degrees in business, economics, and international relations. This scholarship combines strong career prospects with financial aid.
The Hornby Trust Scholarship – English Language Teaching
An often-overlooked opportunity for educators, the Hornby Trust Scholarship funds Nigerian teachers who want to pursue an MA in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the University of Warwick. It covers full tuition, accommodation, and living costs.
University-Specific GREAT Variations
You now know about GREAT Scholarships, but do you know that each participating university controls its own selection criteria and eligible programs? For the 2026-27 academic year, postgraduate scholarships are available to Nigerian students at Brunel University London, Cranfield University, Edge Hill University, Edinburgh Napier University, Imperial College London, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, Royal Holloway, UCL, University of Bath, University of Kent, University of Reading, University of Southampton, and University of Warwick.
Strategic approach: Rather than applying to the most competitive GREAT universities, target institutions where your program ranks highly but overall applications remain moderate. Bath Spa University for engineering, Reading for agriculture, and Edinburgh Napier for computing are great choices. These overlooked UK bursaries at excellent universities receive fewer applications than London institutions.
Why These Scholarships Matter
The average annual tuition for international students in the UK ranges between £13,000 and £30,000, while living costs average £12,000–£15,000 per year. With such figures, even a partial UK scholarship for Nigerians can save students over £10,000 annually.
These affordable education UK grants are often the difference between giving up on your UK study abroad dream and turning it into a reality.
How to Maximize Your Chances
To secure these UK scholarships, Nigerian students can apply by following these proven tips:
- Maintain a GPA of 3.5/4.0 or higher
- Write a strong personal statement focusing on leadership and impact
- Collect academic and professional recommendation letters early
- Apply at least 6–8 months before your desired intake
- Research lesser-known universities with automatic scholarship consideration
UK universities are increasingly focused on attracting bright minds from Nigeria, with over £150 million worth of scholarships available to international students every year. But many of these overlooked UK bursaries go unclaimed simply because applicants don’t know they exist.
By strategically applying for these funding options, Nigerian students can turn one of the world’s most expensive study destinations into an affordable, life-changing opportunity.
Ready to discover the UK scholarships Nigerians actually win? Contact Aspire Global Pathways today for personalized scholarship guidance that goes beyond the obvious.
FAQ’s
- Which UK scholarships are available for Nigerian students?
Many UK scholarships that Nigerians can access include Chevening, Commonwealth, and GREAT Scholarships.
- Are there any overlooked UK bursaries for Nigerians?
Yes, several overlooked UK bursaries, such as Think Big, Sussex Nigeria Award, and UCL Global Master’s, are lesser-known but valuable.
- How can Nigerians apply for UK funding options?
Students can explore funding options in Nigeria for UK studies through official university portals and British Council listings.
- What financial aid options are there for Nigerian students in the UK?
Multiple financial aid UK international programs provide up to 50% 70%tuition coverage for Nigerian students.
- Can Nigerians get cheap education grants in the UK?
Yes, many universities offer cheap education UK grants for eligible Nigerian applicants each academic year.