Overview / About the Scholarship
The Africa Scholarship is the University of Lincoln's flagship regional award, designed to make high-quality British education accessible to high-achieving students from Nigeria. Recognising the deep academic ties between the UK and West Africa, this scholarship rewards students who have demonstrated consistent excellence in their undergraduate studies at recognised Nigerian institutions. Within this 250-word overview, it is essential to emphasise that the University of Lincoln values the diverse professional and cultural perspectives Nigerian students bring to the classroom. The award is tiered to reflect academic performance: students graduating with a Second Class Upper (2:1) or higher receive the maximum £5,000 discount, while those with a Second Class Lower (2:2) receive £4,000. Unlike many competitive awards, the Africa Scholarship is automatic.
This means that Nigerian applicants do not need to undergo a gruelling secondary application process; instead, their eligibility is confirmed at the time of their admission offer. This provides immediate financial clarity for self-funded students planning their relocation to the UK. Furthermore, this scholarship can often be combined with the Early Payment Discount of £1,000, potentially totalling up to £6,000 in savings. For Nigerian scholars, this reduction significantly eases the financial burden of pursuing specialised Master’s degrees in fields such as Engineering, Business, or Computer Science, allowing them to focus on achieving their long-term career ambitions in a TEF Gold-rated academic environment.
Scholarship Value / Benefits
Direct Tuition Waiver: An automatic deduction of up to £5,000 from the first-year tuition fees.
Financial Relief: Significantly reduces the overall cost of study, helping meet the financial requirements for the UK Student Visa.
Automatic Award: No separate scholarship application form or interview is required for Nigerian applicants.
Stackability: Eligible students may also claim a further £1,000 "Early Payment Discount" for paying fees early.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a candidate must:
- A national of Nigeria (or having permanent residency status in an African country except Egypt).
- Be assessed as an Overseas fee payer.
- Hold a conditional or unconditional offer for a full-time postgraduate taught program commencing in 2026/27.
- For £5,000: Hold a Bachelor’s degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 (Second Class Upper).
- For £4,000: Hold a Bachelor’s degree equivalent to a UK 2:2 (Second Class Lower).
- Be a self-funded student.
Level & Field of Study
Level: Postgraduate Taught (Master’s level only—MA, MSc, LLM, MBA).
Fields of Study: Available across all academic disciplines (e.g., Business, Science, Arts, Engineering).
Exclusions: Postgraduate Research degrees (MPhil/PhD).
- Distance learning or online-only courses.
- Pre-Master's programs (though students progressing from a Lincoln Pre-Master's are eligible).
Host University / Provider Info
The University of Lincoln is a modern, top-tier institution located in one of the UK’s most beautiful historic cities.
- Teaching Quality: Rated TEF Gold, the highest possible standard for teaching excellence in the UK.
- Student Satisfaction: Consistently ranked in the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey).
- Campus: The Brayford Pool waterfront campus offers a stunning environment in the heart of Lincoln.
- Employability: 96% of graduates are in work or further study within six months of finishing their course.
Required Documents
Undergraduate Transcripts: Full marks sheets and degree certificates from your Nigerian university.
Nigerian Passport: Copy of the identification page.
University Offer Letter: Proof of admission to a full-time Master's program.
English Proficiency: WAEC/NECO (C6 or above) or IELTS results as per course requirements.
How to Apply
Submit Course Application: Apply for your chosen Master's program via the University of Lincoln website or an authorized agent.
Wait for Offer: Once your academic documents are verified, the university will issue a conditional or unconditional offer.
Automatic Assessment: The Admissions team will automatically check your degree classification from Nigeria.
Award Confirmation: If you meet the criteria, the Africa Scholarship amount will be clearly stated in your formal Offer Letter.
Secure Your Award: Accept your offer and pay the required CAS deposit to secure both your place and the scholarship.
