Top 10 Free-to-Apply Scholarships in the UK for Africans and Nigerians in 2023-2024

 Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarships are a prestigious scholarship program funded by the UK government. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from developing countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

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Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarships are another prestigious scholarship program funded by the UK government. The scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from developing countries to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies in the UK. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

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 Felix Scholarships

The Felix Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from developing countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

The Felix Scholarship was founded to offer gifted underprivileged students from India and certain other developing countries the opportunity of furthering their postgraduate education by attending a university in the UK.

The primary objective of the Felix Scholarship is to stimulate the Felix scholars by exposing them to academic study, cultures, experiences, and friendships that they would not otherwise have had the chance to sample.  It is hoped that this in turn will endow them with skills and visions, enabling them, when returning to their country of origin, to contribute to the culture and welfare of their home communities.

Felix scholarships are offered at three universities – the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), part of the University of London.  The Scholarships are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic merit and financial need.

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Gates Cambridge Scholarships

The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from developing countries to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Cambridge. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

Each year Gates Cambridge offers c.80 full-cost scholarships to outstanding applicants from countries outside the UK to pursue a postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. Approximately two-thirds of these awards will be offered to PhD students, with approximately 25 awards available in the US round and 55 available in the International round.

The selection criteria are:

• outstanding intellectual ability

• reasons for choice of course

• a commitment to improving the lives of others

• leadership potential

There are approximately 250 Scholars from c. 50 countries studying in Cambridge at any one time who pursue the full range of subjects available at the University and are spread across its departments and Colleges, as well as forming their own distinctive community.

There is also a community of more than 1,700 Gates Cambridge Alumni spread across the world.

The Gates Cambridge mission is to build a global network of future leaders committed to improving the lives of others. It aims to achieve this mission by selecting outstanding scholars, providing them with financial and non-financial support at one of the world’s leading universities, and facilitating community building at and beyond Cambridge.

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 Rhodes Scholarships

The Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

Africa Leadership Centre King’s College London

The Africa Leadership Centre at King’s College London offers a number of scholarships to African students pursuing postgraduate studies in a variety of fields. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

University of Edinburgh Global Development Academy

The Global Development Academy at the University of Edinburgh offers a number of scholarships to international students pursuing postgraduate studies in a variety of fields related to global development. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

University of Sussex Development Scholarships

The University of Sussex offers a number of scholarships to international students pursuing postgraduate studies in a variety of fields related to development. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

 SOAS University of London Developing Countries Scholarships

SOAS University of London offers a number of scholarships to students from developing countries pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in a variety of fields. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Financial Support Guide

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) offers a number of scholarships to international students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in a variety of fields. The scholarships are free to apply for and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

These are just a few of the many free-to-apply scholarships available to African and Nigerian students who are interested in studying in the UK. To learn more about scholarships, students should visit the websites of UK universities and the UK government.

Additional Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Here are some additional tips for applying for scholarships:

• Start planning early. The application process for many scholarships can be time-consuming, so it is important to start planning early.
• Be organized. Keep track of all deadlines and requirements for the scholarships you are applying for.
• Write strong essays. The essays you write in support of your scholarship applications are very important. Be sure to write clear, concise, and well-organized essays that highlight your academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to your field of study.
• Get letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, and other professionals can be very helpful in your scholarship applications. Be sure to ask people who know you well and can speak to your strengths and potential.
• Proofread your applications carefully. Before you submit your scholarship applications, be sure to proofread them carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.

Conclusion

There are many free-to-apply scholarships available to African and Nigerian students who are interested in studying in the UK. By following the tips above, students can increase their chances of success in the scholarship application process.