Studying in the UK has long been a dream for many African students. The UK remains one of the top destinations for higher education, offering globally recognized degrees, world-class teaching, and valuable cultural exposure. For students from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, scholarships are often the most critical factor in making this dream possible. This guide brings together the most relevant scholarships for Africans, highlights opportunities tailored for Nigerian and Ghanaian applicants, and gives practical advice for navigating the challenges of studying abroad.

University of Surrey (African Students)

The University of Surrey offers multiple financial support options:

• Forever Surrey Scholarship (Undergraduate): Provides up to £16,000 in partial funding across undergraduate study.

• International Excellence Award (Postgraduate): Worth £5,000, awarded to outstanding postgraduate applicants.

Areas of Specialization

Surrey is particularly strong in Engineering, Business Administration, Science, and Management. Many programs offer placement years, providing valuable UK work experience.

Fees & Living Costs

• Undergraduate tuition: £15,75,420 – £29,25,780 (approx. in INR).

• Postgraduate: £20,00,000 – £22,00,000 annually.

• Accommodation: £2,45,540 – £4,33,015 per year.

To apply, visit the University site:  University of Surrey

Aston University (African Students)

The Ferguson Scholarship is specifically designed for African students, including those from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, and provides up to £22,500 in tuition fee support.

Areas of Specialization

Aston excels in Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences—fields that are well-suited for international careers.

Fees & Deadlines

• Undergraduate fees: £16,550 – £20,600 per year.

• Postgraduate fees: £16,550 – £22,800 annually.

• Application deadline: June 30, 2025.

To apply, visit the University site:  Ferguson Scholarship

University of Stirling (African Students)

• Undergraduate Scholarship: £2,000 per year (up to £8,000 in total).

• Postgraduate International Excellence Scholarship: £7,000 tuition waiver.

Areas of Specialization

Stirling is known for Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Management, and Computing.

Fees & Intake

• Undergraduate tuition: £14,000 – £19,000+.

• Postgraduate tuition: £16,610 – £24,600 annually.

• Scholarships are available continuously for the 2025/26 cycle.

To apply, visit the university site:  University of Stirling Scholarship

Chevening Scholarships (African Students)

One of the most prestigious UK government scholarships, Chevening fully funds a one-year master’s degree.

Key Benefits

• Covers tuition, living expenses, and accommodation.

• Provides access to a powerful alumni network.

Eligibility & Timeline

• Open to students from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, among 160+ nations.

• Applications open: August 2025.

• Interviews: March–May 2026.

• Decisions: June 2026, with courses starting in September/October.

This scholarship is highly competitive, making early preparation essential.

To apply, visit the university site: Chevening Scholarships 

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (African Students)

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), this program supports students from low and middle-income countries.

Key Features

• Covers full tuition, airfare, and living costs.

• Targets master’s students pursuing courses linked to development goals.

• Open to students from Nigeria and Ghana, among other eligible nations.

Deadline

Applications for the 2025–26 academic year usually open in November 2025 and close in December 2025.

To apply, visit the university site: Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

University of Nottingham – Africa Postgraduate Excellence Award (African Students)

• Offers up to £8,000 tuition fee reduction.

• Specifically designed for talented African students, including those from Nigeria and Ghana.

Areas of Study

Wide range across sciences, business, humanities, and engineering.

To apply, visit the university site: University of Nottingham.

University of Edinburgh – MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (African Students)

• Fully funded scholarships for talented African students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Covers tuition, living costs, and travel.

Focus Areas

Priority for programs that support leadership and development in Africa, such as social policy, business, health, and education.

Relevance

This is one of the strongest fully funded scholarships for Ghana and scholarships for Nigeria, given its focus on African leadership.

To apply, visit the university site: University of Edinburgh

Challenges Faced by Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Kenyan Students

During Application

• Accessibility of Information: Understanding eligibility, timelines, and documentation is often confusing.

• High Competition: Prestigious awards like Chevening and Commonwealth are highly competitive.

• English Test Scores: IELTS/TOEFL requirements can be a hurdle.

• Visa Complications: The UK visa process is lengthy and requires financial documentation.

During my Studies in the UK

• Accommodation Issues: Affordable housing is often scarce.

• Financial Gaps: Scholarships may not cover all living expenses.

• Cultural Adjustment: Students may face loneliness and cultural shock.

• Budget Management: Balancing tuition, rent, and daily costs can be stressful.

Advice for Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Kenyan Students

1. Start Early: Research scholarship opportunities at least a year in advance.

2. Contact Admissions: Universities often provide guidance and sometimes hidden funding opportunities.

3. Prepare Visa Documents Early: Avoid last-minute stress.

4. Budget Realistically: Factor in food, travel, and emergencies.

5. Network Actively: Join African student associations for academic and social support.

Final Word

If you're aspiring to study in the UK, remember these key targets:

• Scholarships for Nigeria: Royal Holloway GREAT, Birmingham Highfliers, and other African-specific awards like the Africa Excellence Award at Nottingham.

• Scholarships for Ghana: University of Stirling’s Ghana Scholarship, Stirling International Excellence, and Edinburgh’s Mastercard Foundation program.

• Scholarships for Africans broadly: Chevening, Commonwealth, Rhodes, Clarendon, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann, Cambridge Trust.

• Combine university-specific scholarships (like at Surrey, Aston, and Stirling) with national and pan-African award routes to strengthen your application portfolio.

• Important: Always cross-check fee figures, deadline dates, and eligibility via official university and scholarship sites.

Your journey begins now—plan strategically, prepare diligently, and stay confident. With clear effort and early action, your UK study dream can become a reality.