Key takeaways
- "Fully funded" usually means tuition, living expenses, and extras, but each funder defines it differently.
- Master's students apply for scholarships, often separately from admission.
- PhD students apply for funded positions and find the right supervisor early.
- A few optimized applications win more than many generic ones.
- Always confirm deadlines and eligibility on official websites.
You've finished your bachelor's degree, congrats. But you want to elevate your career, so you've chosen to pursue an advanced degree. Great choice! Here's the kicker: graduate school costs a lot. Fortunately, with a fully funded scholarship, you can earn your master's or doctoral (PhD) degree with zero tuition costs and a stable paycheck to cover your living expenses.
However, fully funded graduate scholarships are highly competitive. To increase your chances, you need to be strategic. This guide explains how graduate funding works, where to find it, and how to get a fully funded graduate scholarship. Come along!
| Master's | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Main source | Scholarships (university, government, foundation) | The position: studentships, assistantships, salaried roles |
| How you apply | A scholarship application, often separate from admission | You apply for the position; funding is usually decided with admission |
| Key relationship | The funder | The supervisor or research group |
| Key document | Statement of purpose or essays | Research proposal plus statement of purpose |
| Typical length funded | 1–2 years | 3–5 years |
What is a fully funded graduate scholarship?
A fully funded graduate scholarship is a comprehensive financial award that covers the entire cost of pursuing a master's or PhD degree. Typically, it covers these main costs:
- Tuition fees: Full coverage of tuition, academic, and other student fees.
- Living stipend: You receive a regular paycheck (annual, monthly, or bi-weekly) to cover rent, groceries, or utilities.
- Health insurance: Covers medical coverage or mandatory health surcharges required by the host country or university.
- Travel costs: Includes round-trip flights (often economy) between your home country and the study destination at the start and end of the program.
- Extra allowances: Depending on the sponsor, this may include grants for settling in, attending academic events, or family relocation subsidies.
Types of graduate funding
Fully funded scholarships are generally classified into three main types by funding source. Let us consider them:
University-funded
Universities offer these directly from their own endowments or donations to attract top global applicants.
- Gates Cambridge (UK): Full-cost scholarships for full-time postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.
- Weidenfeld-Hoffmann (UK): Graduate funding hosted at the University of Oxford.
Graduate assistantships
Graduate assistantships (GAs) fall under university-funded full funding, but they are not pure scholarships. Instead, they are technically employment contracts rather than financial gifts.
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA): You assist a professor by teaching undergraduate classes, grading papers, or leading lab sessions.
- Graduate Research Assistant (RA): You work on academic research projects in lab sessions, analyzing data or writing research papers.
- Graduate Service Assistant (GSA): You work in a university office and handle professional, administrative, or technical tasks.
Government-funded
The national government sponsors these to build nationalism, global partnerships, and attract international talent.
- Chevening (UK): Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for a one-year master's degree.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program (U.S.): Funded by the U.S. government for graduate students.
- Nigeria's PTDF sponsorship: Funded by the Nigerian government to build indigenous capacity at local and global universities (e.g., Unilag and Robert Gordon University).
Organization-funded
These are backed by philanthropic organizations, non-profits, or corporate foundations focusing on specific regions, social impact, or academic fields.
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: Provides support, mentoring, and leadership training for African students at partner universities globally (e.g., Arizona State).
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe): An international study program jointly designed and delivered by a coalition of European universities (e.g., University of Amsterdam).
How to find fully funded programs
To find fully funded graduate school scholarships, look in the right places. Here are some tips to guide your search:
- Focus on PhD programs: Almost all reputable doctoral programs fund their students automatically.
- Target terminal master's degrees: A terminal master's degree is the highest academic degree you can earn in a specific field. With this, you don't have to compete with doctoral candidates for full funding.
- Search dedicated databases: Use targeted academic directories like ProFellow or the Council of Graduate Schools to find fully funded graduate programs.
Before an award goes on your shortlist, check that you actually qualify for it. Four checks rule most awards in or out quickly:
- Nationality and residence Is your country eligible? Do you need to be living there when you apply?
- Level and field Master's, PhD or both? Is your subject eligible? Many awards exclude MBAs.
- Experience and grades Chevening asks for two years of work experience; Commonwealth usually expects a 2:1.
- Commitments and rules Chevening requires you to return home for two years; MSCA has a mobility rule.
How to win a fully funded graduate scholarship
Fully funded sponsorships are competitive, but with these steps you can improve your chances:
Identify the right funding sources
Choose the right funding source (university, government, or organization) that matches your academic preferences. Also, reach out early enough to professors to ensure your proposal aligns with their priorities.
Optimize your academic profile
Aim to keep your CGPA as high as possible, since many institutions look for first-class or second-class upper division. Then, strengthen your credentials with industry certifications, aptitude tests, and English proficiency tests.
Craft a winning Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Your SOP is a chance to tell your story and sell yourself. It shouldn't read like a generic letter, but it should communicate your background, achievements, and career plans. More so, your SOP should articulate how you will use the degree to achieve real-world impact.
Secure strong recommendation letters
Ensure you secure strong academic references who can attest to your potential, character, and work ethic. Committee members use them as an external way to validate your potential beyond your transcript.
Apply broadly and track timelines
Start preparing your scholarship applications before the academic year begins. Then, apply to multiple well-researched programs to improve your chances of success. Track timelines and organize your applications to work more efficiently.
- 12–10 months before Research and shortlist Pick five to eight strong fits. For a PhD, start emailing supervisors.
- 9–7 months before Tests and documents Language tests, transcripts, references, first drafts.
- 6–4 months before Tailor and submit Get feedback on each application and submit before your own deadline.
- 3–1 months before Interviews and visas Prepare, meet any offer conditions, book visa appointments.
Your fully funded master's or PhD program starts with the right list. Find it on GradPath. It's free to start.
FAQs
Is it easier to get a fully funded master's or PhD scholarship?
They are different. Many PhD offers include funding, while master's funding usually comes through competitive scholarships.
Can Nigerians get fully funded scholarships abroad?
Yes. Nigerians are eligible for most major global scholarships, including Chevening and Commonwealth.
When should I start applying for graduate scholarships?
You should start applying about 12 months before your intended start date.
Do I need to pay anyone to apply for a scholarship?
No, you do not need to pay anyone to apply for a legitimate scholarship.
