10 Fully Funded Scholarships for Nigerians That Don’t Require IELTS (2025/2026)
One of the biggest fears Nigerian students have when applying for international scholarships is the IELTS requirement. The exam costs around ₦60,000–₦80,000 and many students worry their score won’t be competitive. The good news: there are major fully funded scholarships that either do not require IELTS at all, or will accept alternatives.
Here are 10 scholarships available to Nigerians where IELTS is not a barrier.
1. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
**IELTS status: Not required by Chevening itself**
Chevening does not have an IELTS requirement as part of its application. However, your chosen UK university may require proof of English. Since Nigeria’s official language is English and most university instruction is in English, many UK universities will accept:
– A letter from your university confirming all teaching was in English
– Some accept WAEC/NECO English results
Check each university’s specific language policy before applying.
**Covers**: Tuition, living allowance, flights, visa
**Level**: Master’s
**Official site**: chevening.org
2. MEXT Japan Government Scholarship
**IELTS status: Not required**
MEXT (Japan’s Ministry of Education) does not require IELTS or TOEFL. Most postgraduate courses at Japanese universities participating in MEXT are offered in English. If your previous degree was in English (as most Nigerian degrees are), this satisfies the language requirement.
After arrival in Japan, the Japanese government funds a **6-month intensive Japanese language course** to help you settle in.
**Covers**: Tuition, housing allowance, monthly living stipend (~¥117,000), round-trip airfare
**Level**: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
**Official site**: Embassy of Japan in Nigeria
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EU)
**IELTS status: Not required for Nigerian applicants in most programmes**
Because Nigeria is an English-speaking country, most Erasmus Mundus programmes accept a **Letter of English Proficiency** from your previous university instead of IELTS. Some individual programmes within Erasmus Mundus do require IELTS — always check the specific programme’s requirements.
**Covers**: Full tuition, €1,000–€1,500/month stipend, travel allowance, health insurance
**Level**: Master’s
**Official site**: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
4. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
**IELTS status: Not required by CSC**
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not require IELTS. Nigerian applicants are accepted on the basis that Nigeria is a Commonwealth country with English-medium universities. As with Chevening, individual UK universities may have their own requirements, but most will accept an English medium of instruction letter.
**Covers**: Full tuition, living allowance, flights, visa
**Level**: Master’s, PhD
**Official site**: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
5. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
**IELTS status: Not required**
Chinese universities accept WAEC/NECO certificates or a letter of English proficiency for admission to English-taught programmes. For Chinese-taught programmes, a basic HSK (Chinese proficiency) certificate may be needed, but many postgraduate programmes in Chinese universities are entirely in English.
**Covers**: Full tuition, free accommodation on campus, monthly living allowance
**Level**: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
**Apply through**: Embassy of China in Abuja
6. Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
**IELTS status: Not required**
South Korea’s Global Korea Scholarship does not require IELTS or TOEFL. Applicants accepted for English-taught programmes need only show their previous degree was in English. The government provides a 1-year Korean language course free of charge upon arrival.
**Covers**: Full tuition, monthly allowance (~KRW 900,000), airfare, Korean language training
**Level**: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
7. DAAD Scholarship — In-Country/In-Region Africa Programme
**IELTS status: Not required for English-medium programmes in Africa**
For the DAAD In-Country programme (studying within Sub-Saharan Africa), IELTS is typically not required since the host universities teach in English. For Germany-based DAAD programmes taught in English, IELTS may be needed — check the specific programme.
**Covers**: Tuition, monthly allowance, research grants
**Level**: Master’s, PhD
**Official site**: daad.de
8. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
**IELTS status: Not required for most partner universities in Africa**
For the Mastercard Foundation partner universities based in Africa (University of Ibadan, AUST Abuja, African Leadership University, etc.), IELTS is generally not required for Nigerian applicants. For international partner universities (Cambridge, Berkeley, Toronto), English language tests may be required.
**Covers**: Full tuition, stipend, accommodation, laptop
**Level**: Undergraduate, Master’s
**Official site**: mastercardfdn.org
9. ARES Scholarships (Belgium)
**IELTS status: Not required**
The ARES (Académie de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur) scholarship from Belgium funds Nigerian students for master’s or postgraduate training programmes. Because most programmes are in French, French language ability is often required — but some English programmes are available, and IELTS is not mandated.
**Covers**: Monthly allowance, travel, housing, tuition
**Level**: Master’s, postgraduate training
10. Michigan State University Fully Funded Scholarships
**IELTS status: Not required (university-specific waiver available)**
Michigan State University offers fully funded scholarships for international students including Nigerians. Some programmes offer IELTS waivers, particularly for applicants who studied in English for their entire undergraduate degree.
**Covers**: Full tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend
**Level**: Master’s, PhD
How to Prove English Proficiency Without IELTS
If a scholarship or university accepts alternatives to IELTS, here is what you can submit:
1. **English Medium of Instruction (EMI) letter** — A letter from your previous university stating that all courses were taught in English. Most Nigerian universities will issue this.
2. **WAEC/NECO certificate** — Showing a credit or above in English Language
3. **TOEFL iBT** — Accepted by most institutions and often cheaper than IELTS
4. **Duolingo English Test** — Increasingly accepted at US universities; significantly cheaper than IELTS
5. **PTE Academic** — Accepted by most Australian and UK institutions
Key Takeaway
IELTS is not the only path to international study. Many prestigious fully funded scholarships explicitly waive IELTS for students from English-speaking countries like Nigeria. Always check the **specific programme’s language requirements**, not just the scholarship’s general FAQ.
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