Updated October 2026.
A fully funded master’s abroad can transform a nursing career, whether you plan to specialise, teach, lead or move into public health. The biggest scholarships open to Nigerians run on a yearly calendar, and most close months before the course starts. Missing a deadline usually means waiting a full year, so here’s when to apply.
At a glance
| Scholarship | Where you study | Usually opens | Usually closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK (1-year master’s) | Early August | Early October |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK (1-year master’s) | September | October (earlier with the Federal Scholarship Board) |
| Commonwealth Shared | UK partner universities | Varies by university | Varies by university |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany (master’s) | Varies by course | Often between August and October |
| Mastercard Foundation Scholars | Partner universities in Africa and abroad | Varies by university | Varies by university |
Note: Chevening (closed 6 October 2026) and the Commonwealth Master’s (closed 20 October 2026) have already closed for 2027/28. Use the months ahead to prepare for the next round.
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
The UK government’s flagship award for future leaders.
- Covers: full tuition for a one-year master’s, a monthly living allowance, return flights and visa costs.
- You need: at least 2,800 hours (about two years) of work experience after your degree, applications to three eligible UK courses, and a commitment to return home for at least two years afterwards.
- Timing: the 2027/28 round ran from 4 August to 6 October 2026. Expect the next round around August 2027.
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships (UK)
For talented candidates from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Nigeria, who couldn’t otherwise afford to study in the UK.
- Covers: full tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend (£1,712, or £2,000 in London, at current rates).
- You need: at least a second-class upper degree (or a 2:2 plus a relevant postgraduate qualification), and you must not have studied a master’s in the UK before.
- How to apply: you can’t apply to the Commission directly. You apply through a nominating body. In Nigeria that’s usually the Federal Scholarship Board, whose internal deadline comes before the Commission’s.
- Timing: the 2027/28 Commission deadline was 20 October 2026.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are a separate scheme, offered with partner UK universities, with deadlines set by each university. Competition from Nigeria is high, because universities are asked to limit nominations from Nigeria, Ghana, India and Pakistan combined.
3. DAAD EPOS (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service funds young professionals from developing countries to take development-related master’s degrees in Germany, including programmes in public and international health.
- Covers: a monthly stipend of €992, health insurance and travel.
- You need: at least two years of relevant work experience after your first degree (internships and volunteering don’t count), a degree no more than six years old, and strong grades.
- Timing: each course sets its own deadline, so check the course you want on the DAAD website.
4. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Funds talented African students with financial need at partner universities in Africa and abroad. Each university runs its own application and deadlines, and some offer health and nursing-related programmes. Check the partner university you’re interested in directly.
How to prepare now
- Build your experience. Most of these awards want at least two years of post-qualification work.
- Get your documents ready: transcripts, degree certificate, NMCN licence and an up-to-date CV.
- Line up referees who know your work well.
- Draft your essays early, focusing on leadership, impact and your plans for Nigeria’s health system.
- Take your English test if your universities require it. See our IELTS resource library.
Beware of scams: genuine scholarships never charge an application fee or ask you to pay an agent. Apply only through official websites.
Doing a research project? NRDI offers free tools for questionnaires and statistics, which helps when you need a strong research proposal.
Read also: Easiest countries for Nigerian nurses in 2026 · All scholarship news
Sources: Business Today: Chevening 2027/28; Commonwealth Scholarship Commission; CV Studio: Commonwealth 2027 guide; Opportunity Desk: DAAD EPOS 2027/2028. Dates change each year, so always confirm on the official scholarship website.