Imagine earning a prestigious degree in the United Kingdom without having to pay thousands of pounds in tuition fees, accommodation, and daily living expenses. For international students, including Nigerians and other eligible applicants from developing countries, fully funded UK scholarships can make this opportunity possible. Some awards provide tuition coverage, monthly living allowances, return flights, and additional financial support that can add up to tens of thousands of pounds over the course of a degree.
Get Paid $50,000 to Study in the UK: 2027 Scholarships That Cover Everything explores the genuine funding opportunities available for students planning to begin their studies in 2027. However, there is an important distinction: a scholarship worth $50,000 or more in total support does not necessarily mean that a university or government will hand you $50,000 in cash. Most fully funded scholarships pay tuition fees directly and provide living allowances or other benefits according to their terms.
In this guide, you will discover leading UK scholarship programmes, what their funding covers, who can apply, the documents you need, and how to submit a strong application. You will also find official application links and practical advice for avoiding scholarship scams.
What Does It Mean to Get Paid $50,000 to Study in the UK?
Getting paid $50,000 to study in the UK generally refers to receiving a scholarship package whose combined value may reach or exceed $50,000. It does not mean every successful applicant receives a fixed $50,000 cash payment.
A fully funded scholarship is a financial award designed to cover the major costs of an approved academic programme. Depending on the scholarship, it may include tuition fees, a monthly living allowance, travel expenses, visa costs, and other approved benefits.
For example, a student receiving a scholarship that covers £25,000 in annual tuition fees and provides £20,544 in living allowances would receive financial support worth £45,544 before counting any travel or other eligible benefits. The actual value depends on the university, course fees, duration of study, and the scholarship’s conditions.
There are three important types of funding to understand:
- Fully funded scholarships: Cover tuition and provide substantial support for living costs, often alongside travel or other approved expenses.
- Partially funded scholarships: Pay a portion of tuition fees or provide a fixed contribution towards educational expenses.
- Living-cost stipends: Provide regular financial support for accommodation, food, transport, and other everyday expenses.
For students seeking to study in Britain in 2027, the best approach is to compare the complete funding package rather than focusing only on the headline amount.
Get Paid $50,000 to Study in the UK: 2027 Scholarships to Consider
Several established scholarship programmes can help international students finance a UK education. Their eligibility requirements, award values, and application deadlines differ, so applicants should read the official terms carefully.
The following opportunities are particularly worth investigating for the 2027–2028 academic year.
1. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2027
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is one of the most relevant options for eligible students from Nigeria and other participating low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the programme supports talented students who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK and whose education can contribute to development in their home countries.
What does the scholarship cover?
According to the published programme information, benefits include:
- Approved university tuition fees.
- Return airfare between the scholar’s home country and the UK.
- A monthly living allowance of £1,712 at the published standard rate, or £2,000 for scholars studying at universities in the London metropolitan area.
- A study travel grant for eligible study-related travel.
- Certain additional allowances for eligible scholars with dependent children, subject to the programme’s rules.
At the published monthly rates, 12 months of living support would amount to £20,544 outside London or £24,000 in London. Tuition and eligible travel benefits are additional. These figures illustrate the potential value of the package; they are not a guaranteed cash payment or a promise that every applicant will receive an award.
Who can apply?
Applicants generally need to:
- Be citizens of, or hold eligible status in, a participating Commonwealth country.
- Be permanently resident in an eligible country.
- Hold a qualifying first degree, normally at least an upper second-class honours standard, or meet the stated alternative qualification requirements.
- Demonstrate that they cannot afford UK study without the scholarship.
- Be available to begin their studies in September or October 2027.
The programme supports eligible full-time taught master’s courses linked to its development priorities. Applicants should explain how their proposed education will benefit their country or community.
Application deadline: The official 2027–2028 programme page lists a closing deadline of 20 October 2026 at 16:00 British Summer Time (BST). This is an imminent deadline for applicants planning to start in 2027.
Official application link: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/
Applications are submitted through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s official application system, CSC Central. Check the programme page for the current application form and instructions before submitting.
2. Commonwealth Shared Scholarships 2027
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships are another strong option for eligible international students who need financial assistance to pursue a master’s degree in the UK.
These awards are jointly supported by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and participating UK universities. They focus on selected courses that align with development priorities and are intended for talented candidates who would otherwise struggle to fund their education.
What does the scholarship cover?
The standard funding package includes approved tuition fees, return airfare, visa costs, and a living allowance. Other eligible benefits depend on the applicable award terms.
The programme is particularly useful for applicants who have identified a suitable course at a participating university and can demonstrate how the qualification will help address development challenges.
Who is eligible?
Applicants generally must be citizens of and permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country, meet the required academic standard, demonstrate financial need, and be available to begin their studies in autumn 2027.
Not every master’s course or university participates. The scholarship is limited to approved courses and institutions.
When can you apply?
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission has indicated that applications for the 2027–2028 Shared Scholarship round are scheduled to open in early November 2026 and close in mid-December 2026. The list of approved courses and exact application dates should be checked when published.
Official information: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/commonwealth-shared-scholarships/
You should also contact the university offering your preferred course to find out how it selects or nominates candidates.
3. Chevening Scholarships 2027–2028
Chevening is a UK Government scholarship programme for emerging leaders who want to develop their professional knowledge, leadership skills, and international networks.
It is particularly attractive to applicants who have a clear career direction and can explain how studying in the UK will help them create positive change after graduation.
What does Chevening cover?
The scholarship package includes:
- Approved tuition fees.
- Economy-class travel to and from the scholar’s country of residence through an approved route.
- A monthly living allowance.
- An arrival allowance and departure allowance.
- Payment of the scholar’s eligible visa application fee.
- A contribution towards required tuberculosis testing, where applicable.
- An eligible travel top-up allowance.
The monthly stipend depends on whether the scholar studies inside or outside London and is subject to annual review. Therefore, applicants should check the latest official terms rather than relying on an outdated figure.
Chevening is primarily intended for eligible one-year taught master’s programmes. It is not a general funding scheme for every undergraduate or doctoral course.
Who should apply?
Strong candidates should have a compelling professional background, a clear explanation of their leadership potential, and a realistic plan for using their UK education to contribute to their field or country.
Applicants must also meet the programme’s current eligibility requirements and course-selection rules.
Important deadline update: As of 9 October 2026, Chevening’s official Nigeria page states that applications for the 2027–2028 scholarship cycle are closed. If you missed the deadline, use the official website to monitor announcements for the next cycle rather than paying anyone who claims they can reopen your application.
Official scholarship information: https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/nigeria/
What does it cover? https://www.chevening.org/faqs/what-does-a-chevening-scholarship-cover/
4. Oxford Clarendon Scholarships 2027
The Clarendon Fund at the University of Oxford supports academically outstanding graduate students across a wide range of subjects.
It is a competitive option for applicants seeking a master’s degree or Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) at one of the UK’s leading universities.
What is included?
Clarendon scholarships cover full course fees and provide a grant towards living expenses for eligible scholars during their period of fee liability. Funding arrangements and the precise duration are specified in the award conditions.
For reference, Oxford reported a minimum annual living-cost grant of £20,780 for full-time Clarendon scholars in 2025–2026. That is a historical published rate, not a confirmed 2027–2028 allowance. Applicants should check Oxford’s current funding page for the applicable amount.
Who can apply?
Clarendon welcomes eligible applicants across nationalities and academic disciplines. Selection is based on academic merit and potential.
One useful feature is that eligible applicants do not normally need to submit a separate Clarendon scholarship application. You must submit your graduate course application by the relevant December or January deadline to be considered.
How to apply:
- Identify an eligible master’s or DPhil programme at Oxford.
- Check its course-specific admissions and funding deadlines.
- Prepare your academic records, references, and any required statement or research proposal.
- Submit your graduate application before the applicable funding deadline.
Official application information: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/clarendon/applicants
5. Oxford Graduate Scholarships and Other University Awards
Oxford also offers a range of graduate funding opportunities beyond Clarendon. The eligibility requirements and funding levels vary by award, subject, nationality, and academic programme.
Some scholarships cover full course fees and provide a living-cost grant, while others offer partial support. Oxford’s official funding pages indicate that more than 1,200 full or partial graduate scholarships are expected to be available to new students for the 2027–2028 academic year.
This does not mean that every scholarship is fully funded or open to every international student. You must check the conditions of each award.
How to find suitable awards:
- Search Oxford’s graduate scholarship listings.
- Check whether your country, course, or academic department is eligible.
- Review whether you must submit a separate funding application.
- Confirm the admissions deadline that determines scholarship eligibility.
Official funding page: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/fees-and-funding/funding/scholarships
6. University of Bristol Think Big Scholarships
The University of Bristol’s Think Big programme provides tuition-fee support for eligible international undergraduate and postgraduate students.
It is worth considering for students who want to study at a UK university but do not qualify for a government-funded award.
For the 2026 entry cycle, published postgraduate award values included £6,500, £13,000, and £26,000 for eligible courses. These figures are useful examples of the programme’s scale, but they should not be treated as confirmed awards for 2027 entry.
Think Big awards are generally applied as tuition-fee discounts rather than unrestricted cash payments. They do not automatically cover accommodation, food, travel, or every other cost of studying abroad.
How to apply:
- Select an eligible course at Bristol.
- Submit your university admission application.
- Check the scholarship page for the relevant entry year.
- Follow the published instructions for submitting the scholarship application.
Official scholarship page: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/fees-finance/scholarships/
The university’s 2026 scholarship round is closed, so prospective 2027 students should wait for the applicable new-entry information and verify the next deadline.
Comparison of UK Scholarships for 2027
The table below summarises the main differences between these opportunities. It distinguishes scholarships with broad living-cost support from awards that may cover tuition only.
| Scholarship | Main funding benefits | Study level | 2027 status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Master’s | Tuition, living allowance, airfare and eligible additional benefits | Master’s | Deadline listed as 20 October 2026 |
| Commonwealth Shared | Tuition, living allowance, airfare and visa costs | Selected master’s courses | Expected to open in November 2026 |
| Chevening | Tuition, living allowance, travel and eligible visa-related costs | Mainly one-year master’s | 2027–2028 applications closed |
| Oxford Clarendon | Full course fees and living-cost grant | Master’s and DPhil | Apply by the relevant course funding deadline |
| Other Oxford graduate awards | Full or partial funding, depending on award | Varies | Check each award’s conditions |
| Bristol Think Big | Tuition-fee contribution | Eligible undergraduate and master’s courses | 2026 round closed; check 2027 details |
Important: Scholarship values, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change. The official programme pages are the final authority for the entry year you intend to join.
