Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students 2027

International students planning to study abroad in 2027 can access several university scholarships that reduce the cost of an undergraduate degree. Some universities offer annual tuition fee discounts, while others provide merit-based awards to applicants from selected countries.

For Nigerian students, six universities worth exploring are Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, the University of York, Newcastle University, the University of Sheffield and Lancaster University. Their published 2027 scholarships include awards ranging from £2,500 to £15,000 per year, depending on the institution and eligibility requirements.

These opportunities are not all fully funded scholarships. Most provide partial tuition fee support, meaning students may still need money for the remaining tuition balance, accommodation, food, travel and other living expenses.

This guide explains the available scholarships, how much they are worth, whether Nigerian applicants can apply, and what students need to do before submitting an application.

Scholarships for Undergraduate International Students in 2027: Quick Comparison

The table below summarizes six university scholarship opportunities with published information for 2027 entry.

University	Scholarship	Published award	Nigerian eligibility
Imperial College London	Imperial Inspires Undergraduate Scholarship	£15,000 per year	International applicants paying overseas fees may qualify
University of Manchester	Global Futures Scholarship	Up to £36,000 over three years	Yes, subject to qualification and other conditions
University of York	York International Undergraduate Scholarship	£5,000 per year	Yes
Newcastle University	Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship	£7,000 per year	Yes
University of Sheffield	International Undergraduate Scholarship	£2,500 per year	International applicants may qualify, subject to the published conditions
Lancaster University	Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship	£3,000 per year	Yes

The amounts shown are tuition fee awards or discounts, not necessarily cash payments to students. The universities also have different application procedures, so applicants should read the individual scholarship conditions before applying.

1. Imperial College London Imperial Inspires Undergraduate Scholarship 2027

Imperial College London is offering Imperial Inspires scholarships to support international students beginning eligible undergraduate programmes in 2027.

The undergraduate scholarship is worth £15,000 for each year of study. The university’s undergraduate scholarship page lists 150 awards for the 2027/2028 academic year.

Imperial also advertises at least 300 Imperial Inspires awards across undergraduate and selected postgraduate taught programmes. These are part of the wider initiative, so the total should not be interpreted as 300 undergraduate scholarships.

Who can apply?

The undergraduate award is open to prospective international students who:

• Pay tuition fees at the overseas rate.
• Are applying for an eligible full-time undergraduate course.
• Are new entrants to Imperial College London.
• Meet the university’s minimum academic and scholarship requirements.

Eligible courses fall within the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Imperial College Business School.

Applicants should check whether their intended course is included before applying. Being an international student does not automatically guarantee eligibility for every programme.

How much is the scholarship worth?

Successful applicants receive £15,000 for each year of their course.

This is a substantial contribution towards the cost of studying at Imperial. However, students should compare the award with their actual tuition fees and living expenses to understand how much additional funding they need.

How to apply

Applicants must first submit an undergraduate admission application through UCAS.

For 2027 entry, the published UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027. The university states that eligible applicants will be invited to apply for an Imperial Inspires scholarship if an award is available for their course and they meet the required criteria.

The scholarship application deadline is 5 February 2027. Applicants are asked to submit an optional 250-word statement explaining their motivation for studying at Imperial.

The university expects to communicate scholarship decisions by 30 April 2027.

Read the official Imperial Inspires undergraduate scholarship information before applying.

2. University of Manchester Global Futures Scholarship 2027

The University of Manchester is offering more than 350 Global Futures scholarships to international students starting undergraduate and master’s programmes in September 2027.

The university has announced that the total value of its 2027 scholarship awards will exceed £6 million.

Nigerian students are included among the eligible applicants for the Global Futures Scholarships for Africa.

How much can Nigerian students receive?

Eligible Nigerian undergraduate applicants can receive up to £36,000 over three years.

The award is structured as:

• £12,000 for the first year.
• £12,000 for the second year.
• £12,000 for the third year.

The scholarship is provided as a discount on international tuition fees.

Students must achieve at least 60% in their final examinations and assessments each year to continue receiving the award.

Who is eligible?

The scholarship is available to eligible international applicants domiciled in Nigeria, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

For Nigerian applicants, the university specifies that candidates must:

• Be domiciled in Nigeria, having predominantly lived there during the previous three years.
• Be applying for direct first-year undergraduate entry in 2027.
• Be self-funded rather than sponsored.
• Hold or be working towards an accepted qualification.
• Have an offer for an eligible full-time course at the University of Manchester.

The accepted qualifications listed by the university include A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, South African NSC or IEB, NCUK International Foundation Year and Bridge House College Foundation.

This is particularly important for Nigerian applicants with WAEC or NECO results. The university’s published list does not include WAEC or NECO as standalone accepted qualifications for this scholarship. Applicants should contact the university to confirm their individual admission and funding options rather than assume their results meet the scholarship requirements.

Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture and courses with an integrated foundation year are among the excluded programmes.

Application deadlines

The university operates two application rounds:

• Round one: 25 February 2027 for applicants taking specified examinations in 2026.
• Round two: 8 April 2027 for other eligible applicants.

Applicants must also select Manchester as their firm UCAS choice by 15 May 2027.

The application form is sent to eligible applicants after they have applied for an eligible course and received an offer.

For the full conditions, visit the official Global Futures Scholarship page.

3. University of York International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027

The University of York is offering the York International Undergraduate Scholarship to eligible international students starting their undergraduate studies in September 2027.

Nigerian students are included in the university’s published list of eligible countries.

Scholarship value

The award is worth £5,000 for each year of study.

This recurring tuition fee contribution can help reduce the cost of an undergraduate degree over several academic years.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Be from an eligible country, including Nigeria.
• Hold a conditional or unconditional offer from the University of York by 1 July 2027.
• Be classified as an overseas fee-paying student.
• Intend to study a full-time undergraduate course on the university’s campus.
• Begin their course in September 2027.

The university excludes certain pathways and study arrangements, including distance learning, part-time courses and some partner or exchange programmes.

Students who already hold a 100% tuition fee scholarship or are fully sponsored are not eligible for this particular award.

How to apply

One useful feature of the York International Undergraduate Scholarship is that eligible students do not need to submit a separate scholarship application.

The university automatically considers eligible undergraduate offer-holders.

However, students must formally accept the scholarship when they receive their award letter. The university will provide instructions and a deadline for accepting the award.

Applicants should also remember that deferring their admission may mean losing the scholarship.

4. Newcastle University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship 2027

Newcastle University is offering Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships to international students beginning eligible undergraduate degrees in September 2027.

Nigeria is included among the countries whose students can be considered.

Scholarship value

The award provides £7,000 towards tuition fees for each academic year of the eligible undergraduate course.

The scholarship is available for the duration of the course, subject to the university’s conditions.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Be domiciled in an eligible country, including Nigeria.
• Be classified as international students for tuition fee purposes.
• Receive an offer for an eligible undergraduate course.
• Apply for full-time undergraduate study at Newcastle University’s Newcastle city-center campus.
• Meet the relevant UCAS application and offer conditions.

For 2027 entry, the university identifies 13 January 2027 as the UCAS equal consideration deadline.

Applicants who receive an offer by 31 March 2027 must accept Newcastle as their firm or insurance choice by 3 May 2027 to meet the stated conditions.

How to apply

Eligible applicants are automatically considered as part of their academic application. There is no separate scholarship application form for this award.

Newcastle also advertises other international undergraduate funding opportunities, including Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarships. These are separate awards with their own conditions and deadlines.

Nigerian students should not confuse the £7,000 2027 Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship with the separately advertised Nigeria Future Leaders Scholarship. The latter’s published Nigeria country page currently identifies it as a 2026 award, so it should not be presented as a confirmed 2027 opportunity without a new official announcement.

5. University of Sheffield International Undergraduate Scholarship 2027

The University of Sheffield offers an International Undergraduate Scholarship for international students starting eligible undergraduate degrees in 2027.

The award is designed to reduce tuition fees for students who meet the university’s academic requirements.

Scholarship value

Successful students can receive £2,500 for each year of their undergraduate degree.

The maximum published value is £10,000 for a four-year programme.

The award is a tuition fee discount, not a separate living allowance.

Academic requirements

The university states that students must maintain a 60% average to receive the scholarship for subsequent years.

Applicants should read the complete scholarship conditions and check whether their intended course is eligible.

The university’s undergraduate scholarship page also lists other funding opportunities. However, some of those pages relate to 2026 entry, so students should not assume that every listed scheme is available for 2027.

How to apply

Students should apply for an eligible undergraduate course and follow the university’s scholarship instructions for 2027 entry.

Before accepting an offer, check the award’s conditions, including any requirements concerning academic progression and other scholarships.

The important point is to distinguish the confirmed £2,500 annual International Undergraduate Scholarship from other awards that may have different application procedures.

6. Lancaster University Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship 2027

Lancaster University is offering an Undergraduate International Regional Scholarship for international students from 12 eligible countries starting undergraduate study in 2027.

Nigeria is specifically included in the university’s list.

Scholarship value

The scholarship provides a £3,000 tuition fee reduction for each year of eligible undergraduate study.

It is available to international students who meet the university’s nationality or country-of-domicile requirements.

Who can apply?

The 12 eligible countries and regions are:

• Canada
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Malaysia
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Vietnam

Applicants must be classified as international fee-paying students and meet the conditions of their admission offer.

The scholarship covers eligible full-time undergraduate programmes delivered on campus at Lancaster University’s Bailrigg campus.

It does not cover periods spent away from the university, such as placement years, study-abroad periods or years in industry.

How to apply

There is no separate application form for the International Regional Scholarship.

Eligible students are automatically considered through their university application. The award is applied when they meet the conditions of their offer or accept an unconditional offer.

The scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year of entry, and repeated years of study are not covered.

Lancaster also has a separate International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship worth £3,000 per year for eligible high-achieving students who make the university their firm choice. Applicants should check the conditions of both awards before assuming they can receive them together.

Are These Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships?

No. The six scholarships discussed in this guide are primarily partial tuition fee awards.

A fully funded scholarship normally covers the major costs of studying, which may include full tuition fees and a living allowance. Some awards may also provide travel, insurance or other support.

A partial scholarship reduces part of the financial burden but does not necessarily cover the entire cost of studying abroad.

For example, a student receiving a £5,000 annual scholarship at York may still need to pay the remaining tuition balance and cover accommodation, food, transport, visa-related expenses and other personal costs.

Before accepting an award, calculate the full cost of attendance.

Consider:

• Annual tuition fees after the scholarship discount.
• Accommodation and utility costs.
• Food and daily expenses.
• Student visa and immigration-related charges.
• Travel to and from the destination country.
• Health insurance or other required charges.
• Books, equipment and course materials.

Do not make financial plans based only on the advertised scholarship amount. Ask the university for a complete breakdown of the fees and any additional costs.

How to Apply for Undergraduate Scholarships Abroad in 2027

Finding a scholarship is only the first part of the process. Students must also meet the university’s admission requirements and complete the relevant funding application.

The following steps can help you organize your applications.

1. Choose a course and university

Start by identifying the undergraduate course you want to study.

Check the course entry requirements, tuition fees, duration and available scholarship opportunities.

A scholarship should not be the only reason for choosing a university. Make sure the course fits your academic interests and future plans.

2. Confirm your academic qualifications

International universities assess applicants according to their admission requirements.

Nigerian students should check whether their WAEC, NECO, A-level, foundation or other qualifications are accepted for their chosen programme.

Some courses may require specific subjects or additional qualifications.

If the university’s website does not clearly explain how your qualification is assessed, contact its admissions office before submitting an application.

3. Check the scholarship conditions

Read the official scholarship page carefully.

Pay attention to:

• Eligible countries.
• Academic requirements.
• Eligible courses.
• Award value.
• Application procedure.
• Closing dates.
• Conditions for retaining the award.

Don’t rely entirely on social media announcements or information from old scholarship articles. Funding conditions can change between academic years.

4. Prepare your documents

Depending on the university and scholarship, applicants may need:

• Academic certificates and examination results.
• School transcripts.
• A valid passport.
• Personal statement or motivation letter.
• Reference letters, where requested.
• English language evidence, where required.
• Admission application details.

Prepare clear digital copies and check that names and other personal information are consistent across your documents.

5. Submit your university application

Many university scholarships require applicants to receive an admission offer before they can apply for funding.

Some universities automatically consider eligible students, while others send scholarship application forms to offer-holders.

Follow the procedure for the specific award rather than assuming every scholarship works the same way.

6. Monitor your application

Check your email and university application portal regularly.

Universities may request additional documents, communicate scholarship invitations or provide deadlines for accepting an award.

Save confirmation emails and copies of submitted applications.

7. Calculate your remaining expenses

Once you receive a scholarship offer, calculate how much you still need to pay.

A tuition fee award does not automatically mean that accommodation, travel and living expenses are covered.

Make sure you have a realistic financial plan before accepting an offer.

Documents Nigerian Students Should Prepare

The documents required for undergraduate scholarships vary, but preparing common application materials early can make the process easier.

Document	Why it may be required
WAEC or other accepted examination results	To assess academic qualifications
Academic transcript	To review previous academic performance
International passport	To confirm identity and support immigration procedures
Personal statement	To understand the applicant’s academic interests and goals
Reference letter	To provide an assessment from a suitable referee
English language evidence	To demonstrate that the applicant meets the university’s language requirements
Admission offer	To confirm admission to an eligible course

Not every scholarship requires every document.

For example, York and Newcastle automatically consider eligible students for the specific awards discussed above. Applicants should not prepare a separate scholarship essay unless the university requests one.

If you need help preparing your application documents, read our guide to scholarship requirements for Nigerian students studying abroad.

How to Improve Your Chances of Receiving an Undergraduate Scholarship

Scholarships are often competitive, especially when universities receive applications from students across several countries.

Although no strategy can guarantee an award, applicants can improve the quality of their applications by paying attention to the following areas.

Meet the academic requirements

Academic performance is an important part of many merit-based scholarships.

Check the minimum grades required for both admission and funding. A student who qualifies for university admission may not automatically qualify for a particular scholarship.

Apply before the deadline

Late applications may not be considered.

Create a calendar showing the admission deadline, scholarship deadline and any separate deadline for accepting an award.

Submit early enough to resolve technical or document-related problems.

Follow the application instructions

Read every question and provide the information requested.

If a scholarship asks for a personal statement, answer the actual question rather than submitting a generic essay about wanting to study abroad.

Explain your academic interests clearly

Your application should show why you selected the course and how it relates to your future plans.

Use real experiences, academic interests and achievements to explain your motivation.

Prepare a strong personal statement when required

A personal statement should explain your preparation, interests and reasons for applying.

Avoid unsupported claims or exaggerated achievements.

Our guide to scholarship motivation letter samples and writing for Nigerian students can help you understand how to organize your ideas.

Apply for scholarships that match your circumstances

Don’t spend all your time applying for awards simply because they offer large amounts of money.

Check the eligible countries, qualifications, courses and other conditions first.

An award that matches your academic background and circumstances is a more useful opportunity than one you cannot qualify for.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Undergraduate Scholarships

A scholarship application can be unsuccessful because an applicant overlooks an important condition.

Avoid these mistakes:

Assuming every international scholarship accepts Nigerian applicants: Some awards are restricted to particular countries or regions. Always check the official eligibility list.

Confusing admission with scholarship eligibility: Meeting the university’s entry requirements does not automatically mean you qualify for funding.

Using outdated scholarship information: A scholarship available in 2026 may not have the same conditions in 2027.

Treating partial awards as fully funded: Calculate your remaining tuition and living expenses before accepting an offer.

Ignoring qualification restrictions: Manchester’s Global Futures undergraduate award, for example, specifies accepted qualifications. Nigerian applicants should check this carefully.

Missing separate application deadlines: Some scholarships require additional forms after admission.

Assuming automatic consideration means automatic selection: Universities may automatically assess eligible applicants, but only selected students receive awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Nigerian students apply for undergraduate scholarships abroad in 2027?

Yes. Several universities include Nigeria among the countries eligible for their 2027 undergraduate scholarship opportunities. However, applicants must meet the individual academic, course and funding conditions.

2. Which university offers £15,000 undergraduate scholarships in 2027?

Imperial College London offers the Imperial Inspires Undergraduate Scholarship worth £15,000 for each year of study to eligible international students.

3. Does the University of Manchester offer scholarships to Nigerian undergraduates?

Yes. Eligible Nigerian applicants can receive up to £36,000 over three years through the Global Futures Scholarship. The university specifies accepted qualifications and other conditions, so applicants should check these before applying.

4. Does the University of York offer scholarships to Nigerian students?

Yes. The York International Undergraduate Scholarship offers eligible Nigerian students £5,000 for each year of study. Eligible students are automatically considered.

5. Does Newcastle University offer undergraduate scholarships to Nigerians?

Yes. The Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship offers eligible Nigerian undergraduate students £7,000 per academic year towards tuition fees.

6. Can international students receive scholarships without submitting a separate application?

Yes. Some universities automatically consider eligible applicants. York and Newcastle, for example, automatically assess eligible students for the specific scholarships discussed in this guide.

Other awards, such as Imperial Inspires and Manchester Global Futures, involve additional scholarship application steps.

7. Are these scholarships enough to cover tuition and living expenses?

Not necessarily. The six opportunities discussed are primarily tuition fee awards. Students may still need to pay the remaining tuition fees and their living expenses.

8. Can I apply for more than one undergraduate scholarship?

You may be able to apply for several scholarships, depending on each provider’s rules. However, some universities restrict combining awards or limit the total funding a student can receive.

Read the terms and conditions before accepting multiple scholarships.

9. When should I start applying for 2027 undergraduate scholarships?

Start as early as possible. Some scholarship applications depend on receiving a university admission offer first, while others have separate deadlines.

For example, Imperial’s undergraduate scholarship deadline is 5 February 2027, while Manchester has separate application rounds with deadlines of 25 February and 8 April 2027.

10. Can I get a scholarship with WAEC results?

Some universities accept WAEC results for undergraduate admission, but scholarship eligibility depends on the specific award. Manchester’s Global Futures undergraduate scholarship has a published list of accepted qualifications that does not include WAEC as a standalone qualification. Contact the relevant university to confirm your options.

Final Thoughts

Undergraduate scholarships can make studying abroad more affordable, but students need to understand exactly what each award covers.

Imperial College London, the University of Manchester, the University of York, Newcastle University, the University of Sheffield and Lancaster University have published scholarship opportunities for international undergraduates entering in 2027.

For Nigerian applicants, the next step is to compare the award amounts, confirm academic eligibility, check course restrictions and prepare the required documents.

Most importantly, do not assume that receiving a scholarship means all study expenses are covered. Check the remaining tuition fees and living costs before making a final decision.

Use the universities’ official scholarship pages to confirm the latest conditions before submitting an application, as institutions may update their information during the admission cycle.