Nigerians seeking to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom can now apply for the 2027/2028 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity for eligible candidates from Commonwealth countries.
The scholarship is for study beginning in September or October 2027, with applications closing at 4:00 p.m. British Summer Time on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s CSC Central application system.
According to the Federal Government, Nigerian applicants are expected to meet the scholarship’s eligibility requirements and submit their applications through the appropriate channels.
For the 2027/2028 cycle, applicants must be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country and must be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country. They must also be available to begin their studies in the UK at the start of the 2027 academic year.
A key academic requirement is that applicants should hold, by September 2027, a first degree equivalent to at least an upper second-class, 2:1, standard. Candidates with a lower second-class degree may also qualify if they have a relevant postgraduate qualification, usually a master’s degree.
The scholarship provides an opportunity for successful candidates to undertake postgraduate study in the UK without bearing the full cost of their education. The scheme is aimed at candidates who demonstrate academic potential and the ability to contribute to development in their home countries.
University of London Opportunity
One of the opportunities highlighted for the Commonwealth scholarship is the University of London’s MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies.
The programme is delivered online through the university’s Refugee Law Initiative and focuses on refugee protection, forced migration, humanitarian policy and related fields. The university describes it as one of the world’s largest programmes dedicated to forced migration studies.
However, prospective applicants should carefully distinguish between the general Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship and individual university-linked scholarship opportunities. The University of London previously offered Commonwealth-funded full scholarships for its MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies, including 10 scholarships for the October 2025 intake.
Applicants interested in the 2027/2028 cycle should therefore confirm that their chosen university and programme are included in the current Commonwealth scholarship arrangements before submitting an application.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has confirmed that applications for the 2027/2028 Master’s Scholarships are currently open, with the October 20, 2026 deadline applying to the CSC application.
