UK scholarships for developing countries 2025

Pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom offers a wealth of opportunities for students from developing countries. The UK is home to world-renowned universities and provides a diverse cultural experience. To support international students, several scholarship programs are available for the 2025 academic year. This article outlines some of the prominent scholarships, their benefits, eligibility criteria, and application procedures.

1. Chevening Scholarships

Chevening is the UK government’s global scholarship program aimed at developing global leaders. It offers fully funded scholarships for a one-year master’s degree in any subject at any UK university.

Benefits:

• Full payment of tuition fees.
• Economy travel to and from your country of residence.
• Arrival and departure allowances.
• Coverage of visa application costs.
• Monthly personal living allowance to cover accommodation and living expenses.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country.
• Commit to returning to your home country for at least two years after your scholarship ends.
• Have at least two years of work experience (equivalent to 2,800 hours).
• Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s program.
• Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from at least one by the specified deadline.

Application Timeline:

• Applications Open: August 6, 2024
• Application Deadline: November 5, 2024
• Interviews: February to April 2025
• Results Announcement: From June 2025
• Unconditional Offer Deadline: July 11, 2025
• Course Commencement: September/October 2025

Application Procedure:

1. Online Application: Submit your application through the Chevening online application system by the specified deadline.
2. University Applications: Apply to at least three eligible UK university courses and secure an unconditional offer from at least one by July 11, 2025.
3. Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview at the British embassy or high commission in their home country.

For detailed information: Chevening UK Government Scholarships Programme 2025

ALSO READ: Masters Scholarships in the UK for Developing Countries

2. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship program, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, is designed for students from least-developed and lower-middle-income Commonwealth countries. It supports full-time master’s study on selected courses, jointly supported by UK universities.

Benefits:

• Full tuition fees.
• Monthly stipend of £1,378 (or £1,690 for universities in the London metropolitan area).
• Round-trip airfare from your home country to the UK.
• Warm clothing allowance (if applicable).
• Thesis grant for the preparation of a thesis or dissertation.
• Study travel grant for study-related travel within the UK or overseas.
• Coverage of mandatory tuberculosis (TB) test costs, where required for a visa application.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
• Be available to start academic studies in the UK by September 2025.
• Hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honors standard, or a lower second-class degree and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a master’s degree) by September 2025.
• Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country.
• Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.

Application Timeline:

• Application Deadline: December 12, 2024

Application Procedure:

1. University Admission: Apply to a participating UK university for an eligible master’s program.
2. Scholarship Application: Submit a separate application through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s Electronic Application System (EAS) by December 12, 2024.
3. Supporting Documents: Provide proof of citizenship or refugee status, a copy of a valid passport or national ID, full transcripts of all higher education qualifications, and an admission letter from a participating UK institution.

3. Reach Oxford Scholarships

The Reach Oxford Scholarship is available for students from low-income and developing countries who, for political or financial reasons, or because suitable educational facilities do not exist, cannot study for a degree in their own countries.

Benefits:

• Course fees.
• Grant for living costs.
• One return airfare per year.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have been offered admission into any of the undergraduate programs at the University of Oxford.
• Possess exceptional academic results and leadership qualities.
• Be willing to return to their home country after the completion of their studies.
• Priority is given to applicants who have not studied at an undergraduate level before.

Application Timeline:

• UCAS Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
• Scholarship Application Opens: January 15, 2025
• Scholarship Application Deadline: February 12, 2025 (by noon UK time)
• Selection Process: March 2025
• Results Announcement: April 2025

Application Procedure:

1. UCAS Application: Apply to the University of Oxford for an undergraduate course through UCAS by October 15, 2024.
2. Scholarship Application: If offered a place, complete the Undergraduate scholarship application online form by February 12, 2025.

ALSO READ: Fully Funded Scholarships for Masters in the UK for Nigerian Students

4. GREAT Scholarships

In partnership with the British Council and the GREAT Britain Campaign, several UK universities offer scholarships to students from specific countries, including Nigeria, for the 2025 academic year.

University of Warwick – GREAT Scholarships 2025

Benefits:

• One award of £25,000 for a Nigerian student pursuing a taught master’s course in WMG.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a Nigerian national residing in Nigeria and assessed as international for fee purposes.
• Have applied to one of the specified taught master’s courses at the University of Warwick to begin studies in 2025.
• Have received a conditional or unconditional offer and accepted it.
• Not be in receipt of any other source of funding.

Application Timeline:

• Applications Open: December 16, 2024
• Application Deadline: April 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm UK time.

Application Procedure:

1. University Application: Apply to one of the specified taught master’s courses at the University of Warwick.
2. Scholarship Application: Complete the scholarship application form available on the university’s website.

ALSO READ: Commonwealth Scholarships for Nigerian Students

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