Planning a master’s degree in Europe for 2027? Start with the award’s actual funding terms and application route. A scholarship labelled “fully funded” should cover tuition and provide meaningful support for living costs; travel, visa and family costs differ by scheme.
Four routes worth comparing
- Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, UK: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) offers one-year taught master’s awards to eligible applicants, including Nigerians. It covers approved tuition, approved return travel and a living stipend. The 2027/28 round is open and the CSC application closes 20 October 2026 at 16:00 BST. You must also apply through an approved nominator, which may set its own deadline.
- Chevening, UK: The Nigeria award page describes a funded one-year UK master’s, including tuition, travel, visa and living support. Its 2027/28 application deadline is 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Eligibility includes post-degree work experience and a commitment to return home for at least two years.
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: These multi-university programmes welcome applicants worldwide. Erasmus+ says full scholarships are available to top-ranked applicants on participating courses; they cover participation costs and contribute to travel, visa and living expenses. Apply to an individual programme from the official catalogue, because each consortium sets its own scholarship rules and deadline.
- DAAD EPOS, Germany: DAAD’s Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS) fund selected master’s and postgraduate programmes for qualified applicants from eligible developing countries with at least two years of professional experience. Funding includes monthly payments, insurance contributions and, where applicable, travel support. Check the 2027/28 course and deadline list rather than assuming one common closing date.
Which should you prioritise?
If you already have substantial post-graduation work experience, compare Chevening and DAAD EPOS. If your proposed degree has a clear development impact in Nigeria, examine Commonwealth’s selection criteria. If you want to study across more than one European country, search Erasmus Mundus programmes that match your subject. You can pursue several routes, but tailor each application to its own questions and rules.
Prepare before the deadline
- Shortlist specific courses and confirm that their scholarship track is available for 2027 entry.
- Gather transcripts, degree documents, a current CV and referees. Check whether an admission application is separate from the funding application.
- Write a concrete account of the work you want to do after graduation. Match it to the programme’s aims and word limits.
- Recheck the official call immediately before submission; a university or nominator can have an earlier deadline.
Status checked 24 September 2026. Funding conditions and dates can change.