5 UK Scholarships African Students Can Still Apply For in November 2026

By: Ekanem Ekpenyong | Education & Scholarship News

Checked: 6 November 2026

African students hoping to study in the United Kingdom still have opportunities to secure scholarships for the 2027 academic year, with several universities and scholarship organisations accepting applications or preparing to open their application portals.

From tuition fee discounts to major postgraduate funding opportunities, these scholarships provide opportunities for eligible African students, including Nigerians, to pursue higher education in the UK.

Here are five opportunities worth considering.

Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship – £10,000

The Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarship offers a £10,000 reduction in tuition fees to an eligible Nigerian student enrolling in a full-time master's programme in January 2027.

Who can apply?

Nigerian citizens who live in Nigeria.
Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree.
Students who have an offer for a full-time master's programme at Royal Holloway.
Applicants who meet the university's English-language requirements.

Deadline:

Master's course application: 9 November 2026.
Scholarship application: 15 November 2026.

Documents needed:

Undergraduate degree certificate.
Academic transcripts.
Admission offer.
Scholarship statement.
Evidence of English-language proficiency, where required.

How to apply: Visit the official "Royal Holloway GREAT Scholarships page" (https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/scholarships/royal-holloway-great-scholarships/).

University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Edinburgh offers postgraduate scholarships to eligible African students with strong academic and leadership potential who have had limited access to educational opportunities.

The programme provides opportunities for master's study on campus and online, alongside mentorship and work-based placement opportunities.

Who can apply?

Eligible African students.
Applicants with strong academic and leadership potential.
Students with limited access to educational opportunities.
Applicants who meet the programme's admission and eligibility requirements.

Deadline: 19 November 2026, at 5:00 p.m. GMT.

Important: Applications are currently open to invited applicants only. Students must have attended the programme's information session and meet its eligibility requirements.

Documents needed:

Academic transcripts and certificates.
Personal statement.
Evidence of leadership and community involvement.
Other supporting documents requested by the programme.

How to apply: Visit the official "Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars application portal" (https://mcfspedinburgh.smapply.io/prog/202728_postgraduate_scholarshipon-campus_and_online/).

University of Dundee Vice-Chancellor's Africa Postgraduate Scholarship – £6,500

The University of Dundee is offering a £6,500 scholarship to eligible African students enrolling in a postgraduate taught programme in January 2027.

Nigeria is among the eligible countries.

The scholarship is designed to support international students pursuing full-time postgraduate education at the university.

Who can apply?

Students from eligible African countries, including Nigeria.
International fee-paying students.
Applicants holding an offer for an eligible full-time, on-campus master's programme.
Students whose programme tuition fee is at least £22,250.

Deadline: 31 January 2027.

Documents needed:

Academic transcripts.
Undergraduate degree certificate.
Admission application documents.
Passport or nationality evidence.
Other documents required for admission.

How to apply: There is no separate scholarship application. The university automatically assesses eligible applicants.

Visit the official "University of Dundee scholarship page" (https://www.dundee.ac.uk/scholarships/vice-chancellors-africa-postgraduate-scholarship-january-2027).

University of Dundee Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship – £8,000

Another opportunity available at the University of Dundee is the Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship.

The scholarship offers £8,000 towards tuition fees for eligible international students beginning a full-time master's programme in January 2027.

Nigerian students are included among the eligible nationalities.

Who can apply?

Nigerian and other eligible international students.
Applicants holding an offer for a full-time, on-campus taught master's programme.
Students with international fee status.
Applicants with a UK first-class degree or an equivalent qualification.
Students whose programme tuition fee is at least £22,250.

Deadline: 29 January 2027.

Documents needed:

Undergraduate degree certificate.
Academic transcripts.
Admission offer.
Evidence of nationality.
Other documents requested by the university.

How to apply: Visit the official "University of Dundee Global Excellence Scholarship page" (https://www.dundee.ac.uk/scholarships/global-excellence-scholarship-postgraduate-january-2027).

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships – 2027/2028

African students interested in fully funded postgraduate education in the UK should also prepare for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

The scholarship supports talented students from eligible Commonwealth countries who cannot otherwise afford to study in the UK.

It is designed for students who want to acquire knowledge and professional skills that can contribute to development in their home countries.

Who can apply?

Citizens of eligible Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.
Applicants with the academic qualifications required for an approved master's course.
Students who cannot afford to study in the UK without financial assistance.
Applicants who meet the programme's development-impact and other eligibility requirements.

Applicants must also satisfy the programme's residency and previous-study conditions.

Application opening date: 10 November 2026.

Deadline: 8 December 2026, at 4:00 p.m. GMT.

Documents needed:

Academic transcripts.
Degree certificates.
References.
Personal statement.
Evidence of citizenship.
Supporting documents required by the selected university and scholarship programme.

Applicants must apply for an approved master's course at a participating UK university in addition to submitting their scholarship application.

How to apply: Visit the official "Commonwealth Shared Scholarships website" (https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-applications/).

Important Advice for African Scholarship Applicants

Before applying for any scholarship, students should take the following steps:

Confirm that their country is included in the scholarship's eligibility list.
Check whether the scholarship requires an admission offer before applying.
Prepare academic transcripts and degree certificates.
Obtain recommendation letters from lecturers or previous employers where required.
Prepare a strong personal statement explaining their academic goals and future plans.
Check English-language requirements.
Apply before the official deadline.

Students should also remember that not every scholarship covers all expenses. Some provide full funding, while others only reduce tuition fees.

Applicants should therefore read the official scholarship conditions carefully before making financial commitments.

Final Word

Studying in the United Kingdom remains a realistic goal for many African students willing to research funding opportunities and prepare their applications early.

With deadlines approaching in November and December 2026, eligible applicants should begin preparing their documents rather than waiting until the last minute.

Always use official university and scholarship websites to submit applications. Avoid agents or individuals promising guaranteed scholarship awards in exchange for money.

Research and deadline verification date: 6 November 2026.

Version 1.0. 54gist stories are edited before publication and updated as facts change. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.

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