The New Year is almost here, but there’s no reason why your 2026 lock-in plans can’t start today. If a fully-funded international master’s degree sounds like a dream you want to achieve in 2026, this is the article you want to bookmark and revisit now and then.
We spoke to four Nigerian scholars who are studying for free and receiving monthly stipends while at it. They shared everything you need to know about getting a fully-funded scholarship across multiple countries. P.S., these scholarships are open till 2026.
Swedish Institute Scholarship for Global Professionals
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to study in Sweden without touching your own money, this is the scholarship you should have on your radar. According to Steve, a Nigerian who actually got it and is currently living his best tuition-free life, the SI Scholarship is designed for people who are smart and killing it in their professional lives.
This scholarship is for professionals who’ve gathered real-world experience, led projects in a major or smaller capacity, and want to channel that energy into solving bigger problems back home.
So how exactly did Steve get it? Two words: early preparation. He discovered the scholarship in 2019, and instead of rushing, he took his time to build the kind of professional profile that shows he’s been working, learning, and influencing change in his own corner of the world.
Here’s how he got the scholarship:
First, he applied for a master’s programme in Sweden. It’s important to note that this is the entry point for this scholarship. SI won’t consider candidates who haven’t applied to the Swedish university portal. The admission window is open till January. After that, he waited for the scholarship window to open (usually in February), picked a course that was actually eligible for SI funding, and ensured it aligned with his communication and marketing background.
Then, he moved on to the documentation phase. SI loves receipts. They want to see the hours you’ve worked, the roles you’ve held, the projects you’ve led, and the proof of your leadership. Steve documented everything from work hours, reference letters, leadership roles and double-checked all the tiny details that can ruin an application (like inconsistent name spelling).
But the wow effect was in his story. SI wants people who’ll return home and make an impact, and Steve showed exactly how his field, which is strategic communication, connects to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Applications are expected to open in February 2026, but the university admission process began in October.
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Erasmus Mundus isn’t a one-country, one-school deal. It’s a fully funded master’s scholarship backed by the European Union, designed to enable you to study in multiple countries. For Ridwan, that meant studying in four schools in three different countries.
So who exactly is this for? People who can adjust to new classrooms, languages, and cities every few months. If you’re flexible, curious, and open to change, Erasmus is perfect for you.
Ridwan’s journey started with persistence. He tried for years before finally getting the email that changed everything. The trick, according to him, is to stop treating Erasmus like one school and start treating it like a network of programmes. Each programme has its own theme, from climate change to data, to public policy, to engineering, and each one sits inside the Erasmus Mundus catalogue.
Ridwan says some of the eligible courses have names that sound nothing like what they actually teach. To figure out the perfect course for him, he looked through the catalogue, opened each link, read through the curriculum, and picked the one that matched his goals. That programme eventually took him through four universities in three different countries.
For the application process, Ridwan made sure his motivation letter was honest and personal, his CV followed the recommended Europass format, and his experience, including volunteering, aligned with the programme’s mission. He double-checked deadlines, file formats, and tiny details because Erasmus panels take those things seriously.
Most of the eligible courses for this scholarship are open till January 2026, so today’s a great day to start your application.
Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship
The Stephen Young Global Leaders’ Scholarship (SYGL) is a fully-funded scholarship for Nigerian professionals with MBA dreams. According to Adekanmi, this scholarship is seeking individuals with ambition, leadership, and a selfless cause.
Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, UK, offers SYGL. If you’re selected, your tuition and living expenses will be covered. It also covers leadership training, mentorship through the Stephen Young Institute, and a network of like-minded global changemakers.
Who’s this scholarship for?
- Professionals who are ready for a full-time MBA.
- People with strong academic credentials and a clear record of achievement.
- Those without other major sponsors or scholarships.
- Future leaders who think big, care about social impact, and want to use their MBA to create meaningful change.
Adekanmi recommends starting your application with intention. He first got accepted into the Strathclyde MBA because admission is necessary to access the scholarship application. Then he applied for SYGL with essays and statements that told his authentic story, showed his academic merit, and highlighted his vision for impact. He avoided generic, copy-paste statements and prepared thoroughly for the interview.
Applications for SYGL will typically begin in 2026, but we recommend that you start preparing for it today.
Think Big Scholarship
Think Big Scholarship is a partial (and sometimes full) scholarship at the University of Bristol in the UK. According to Ruth, it’s perfect for people who want to advance their education and contribute to social development.
Ruth got the scholarship in 2022 as a teacher and advocate for inclusive education. She believes that her community advocacy record, passion for education access, and a clear articulation of what she wanted to achieve earned her the scholarship.
Here’s what worked for Ruth.
- Having a real track record of advocacy, volunteering, and community work.
- Building a strong, honest application. For Think Big, she wrote three essays on why she wanted the scholarship, what she’d already done to prove herself, and what she’d do as a “Bristol ambassador.”
- Making sure your experience shines more than just academic grades. Ruth said there are people with weak GPAs who still got scholarships because their stories were solid.
- Being intentional about how you connect your past, your passion, and your goals.
This scholarship is already open, but the deadline isn’t till April 2026. We recommend starting your application early to give yourself enough time to complete something you can be confident in before submission.
