For many Nigerian graduates, studying for a master’s degree in Australia or New Zealand can seem financially out of reach. International tuition fees, accommodation, flights, health insurance and everyday expenses can quickly turn an attractive academic opportunity into a major financial commitment.
The good news is that scholarships can reduce some of that burden. The important part is knowing which opportunities are actually open, which ones are available to international students, and which scholarships only cover tuition rather than the full cost of studying abroad.
As of September 2026, several Australian and New Zealand universities have scholarship opportunities open to international applicants for 2027 study. At the same time, some popular government-funded programmes are either closed for the current intake or do not accept applications from Nigerian citizens.
This guide focuses on realistic opportunities Nigerian applicants can investigate now, including scholarships for master’s coursework and research programmes. It also explains what each award covers, who may qualify, the documents you should prepare and how to improve the quality of your application.
Are There Fully Funded Scholarships in Australia and New Zealand for Nigerians?
Yes, but there is an important distinction.
Some scholarships can cover tuition and provide a living allowance, while others only contribute towards tuition fees. A scholarship advertised as “fully funded” should therefore be examined carefully to determine exactly what is included.
For example, the Australia Awards Africa programme provides benefits including full tuition, return air travel, an establishment allowance, Overseas Student Health Cover and a contribution towards living expenses. Nigeria is among the participating African countries. However, the 2027 Australia Awards Africa application round closed on 30 April 2026, so it is not currently open for new applications in September 2026.
This distinction matters because seeing an old social media post saying “Australia Awards is open” does not necessarily mean applications are still being accepted.
For Nigerians looking to apply now, university-level scholarships are therefore particularly relevant.
1. UNSW Scholarships for International Students, Australia
The University of New South Wales, commonly known as UNSW Sydney, currently has an international scholarship application round for students commencing in Term 1, 2027.
The scholarship programme is open to international students, including applicants seeking eligible postgraduate coursework programmes. Applications opened in July 2026 and close on 30 October 2026.
This is particularly useful for Nigerian applicants because the programme is not restricted to Australian citizens or permanent residents.
What can the scholarship provide?
The international scholarship round includes several awards. Depending on the specific scholarship for which an applicant is considered, support can include:
- Full tuition fee coverage for the minimum programme duration
- Partial tuition support
- Awards of around AUD $5,000
- Other faculty-specific international awards
One of the major opportunities listed under the application is the International Scientia Coursework Scholarship, which can provide either full tuition fees for the minimum duration of the programme or AUD $20,000 per year towards tuition, depending on the offer.
Another option is the UNSW Business School International Scholarship, which provides AUD $5,000 towards tuition for eligible programmes.
Who can apply?
Applicants generally need to:
- Be international students
- Be commencing eligible full-time study at UNSW in Term 1, 2027
- Have an eligible offer of admission
- Meet the academic and scholarship-specific requirements
- Submit the required scholarship application and supporting evidence
An important point is that applicants must receive an eligible offer of admission by the scholarship deadline.
Therefore, waiting until the final week to start the university application could create unnecessary pressure.
Why should Nigerian applicants consider it?
UNSW offers postgraduate programmes across areas such as business, engineering, law, medicine and health, science, arts and design.
For a Nigerian graduate with strong academic results and meaningful leadership and professional or community experience, this can be an opportunity worth investigating.
The scholarship is competitive, however. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not automatically mean receiving funding.
2. UTS International Research Training Program Scholarship, Australia
If your goal is a master’s by research rather than a conventional taught master’s, the University of Technology Sydney has an especially interesting opportunity.
The International Research Training Program Scholarship (IRTP) is currently open for applications for the relevant 2027 research intake. Applications opened on 7 September 2026 and close on 7 October 2026.
Unlike many ordinary tuition discounts, this scholarship can provide substantial financial support.
What does the UTS IRTP cover?
For a Master by Research, the scholarship provides:
- Tuition fee support for up to two years
- A living allowance
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Support for eligible dependants through the applicable health cover arrangements
The listed living allowance is AUD $40,500 per year, tax-free, based on the rate stated by UTS for students commencing from January 2026.
That makes this one of the more substantial research scholarship opportunities available to international students.
Who is it suitable for?
This is not simply a scholarship for someone who wants any master’s degree.
You should be considering it if you are interested in undertaking substantial academic research and can demonstrate research potential.
A competitive application will generally need to show evidence of:
- Strong academic performance
- Research capability
- A suitable research area
- Academic preparation for the proposed programme
- A credible research proposal where required
- Appropriate supervision arrangements
Research master’s programmes can be very different from taught master’s degrees, so applicants should understand the structure before applying.
A useful strategy for Nigerian graduates
If you already have a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a dissertation, research project or substantial academic research component, look at research-based programmes that connect with your previous experience.
For example, a graduate with a background in environmental science might investigate research relating to climate adaptation, water management or sustainability rather than applying randomly across unrelated programmes.
That connection can make your academic story much clearer.
3. UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship
Another Australian opportunity to keep on your radar is the UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship.
This one is particularly relevant to applicants seeking a conventional postgraduate coursework degree rather than a research degree.
However, there is an important timing point: the scholarship application period for Autumn 2027 is scheduled to open on 1 October 2026 and close on 2 November 2026.
So, as of 16 September 2026, it is not yet open, but applicants can begin preparing now.
What are the academic requirements?
The scholarship requires a very strong academic record. UTS states that applicants need an overall average of 90%, where the pass mark is 50%, or an equivalent result in a recognised bachelor’s qualification.
Applicants must also:
- Be international students
- Commence full-time study on campus in Sydney
- Be admitted to an eligible UTS postgraduate coursework programme
- Have completed a comparable bachelor’s degree within the specified period
- Submit the required scholarship application
This is therefore more suitable for Nigerian applicants with exceptionally strong academic records.
What should you do now?
If your academic profile is competitive, September is a good time to:
- Research eligible master’s programmes.
- Prepare your academic documents.
- Check whether your qualification meets UTS admission requirements.
- Prepare your scholarship responses.
- Submit your admission application where appropriate.
- Be ready for the scholarship application when it opens in October.
Preparing early can be the difference between submitting a carefully considered application and rushing one together at the last minute.
New Zealand Scholarships Currently Worth Considering
New Zealand has a different scholarship landscape from Australia.
One of the most widely known programmes is the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, which provides government-funded scholarships for eligible citizens of selected countries. However, Nigeria is not currently listed among the eligible countries on the official Manaaki country list.
That means Nigerian applicants should not assume that every New Zealand government scholarship advertised online is available to them.
University and subject-specific scholarships can provide more realistic alternatives.
4. Massey University International Creative Excellence Master’s Scholarship
For Nigerian applicants interested in creative disciplines, Massey University currently has an open scholarship that could be particularly relevant.
The International Creative Excellence Master’s Degree Scholarship is open to new international students enrolling in selected master’s programmes within Massey’s College of Creative Arts.
Applications opened on 15 July 2026 and close on 15 October 2026.
How much is it worth?
The scholarship is worth up to NZD $10,000 towards tuition fees.
Up to six awards are available, according to the current scholarship information.
This is not a full scholarship covering every cost of relocation and living in New Zealand. Instead, it reduces the tuition burden.
That distinction is important when preparing a financial plan.
Who is it for?
The scholarship is aimed at international students who are:
- New to Massey University
- Enrolling full-time
- Beginning the first year of an eligible master’s degree
- Able to demonstrate creative excellence
The eligible 2027 programmes include the Master of Commercial Music, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Screen Arts. Applicants are expected to provide a portfolio demonstrating their creative ability.
Who might benefit?
Consider a Nigerian applicant who has spent several years working in graphic design, filmmaking, music production, visual arts or another creative field.
Instead of relying only on academic grades, this scholarship gives the applicant an opportunity to demonstrate what they have actually created.
A strong portfolio should therefore be treated as part of the application itself, not as an afterthought.
5. HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing Scholarship at Massey University
Another New Zealand opportunity currently listed as open is the HOPE Foundation for Research on Ageing Scholarship at Massey University.
Applications opened on 30 July 2026 and close on 30 October 2026. The scholarship is worth NZD $7,500 for one year.
The opportunity is aimed at postgraduate research relating to ageing and its effects on individuals and society.
Can international students apply?
Potentially, yes.
The scholarship’s normal eligibility framework refers to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, but Massey states that there is discretion to consider international students of merit who are undertaking postgraduate research at a New Zealand university.
That means Nigerian applicants should not interpret the word “international” as an automatic guarantee of eligibility.
The research topic and the applicant’s circumstances need to fit the scholarship requirements.
What could a suitable research topic look like?
Potential areas might include:
- Ageing and social isolation
- Elder care
- Healthy ageing
- Age-related social policy
- Community support systems
- Technology and older adults
- The effects of ageing on families and communities
The precise suitability of a proposed topic should be checked against the current scholarship rules before applying.
What About the University of Auckland?
The University of Auckland is another institution Nigerian applicants should monitor closely.
Its International Student Excellence Scholarship is designed for new international students entering eligible undergraduate, postgraduate diploma or master’s programmes.
For Semester One 2027, eligible master’s applicants are expected to receive an invitation to apply after meeting the relevant admission and offer requirements. The university currently states that applicants need to hold an offer or conditional offer by 20 October 2026 to receive the scholarship invitation, with invitations scheduled for 21 October.
The scholarship provides up to NZD $10,000 towards tuition for eligible postgraduate study.
This is worth highlighting because the application process is different from a scholarship, where every applicant submits a separate application from the beginning.
In this case, securing admission can be an important part of positioning yourself for scholarship consideration.
How Nigerian Students Can Prepare a Strong Scholarship Application
Finding an open scholarship is only the first step.
The next question is: what makes an application convincing?
Start with the academic requirement
Check your degree classification, GPA or equivalent academic result before investing substantial time in an application.
Different universities use different systems to assess international qualifications. A strong Nigerian bachelor’s degree does not necessarily translate into the same numerical grading system used by an Australian or New Zealand university.
Always check the institution’s specific admission requirements.
Build a clear academic story
Your proposed master’s degree should make sense in relation to your previous education and experience.
For example:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science → software development experience → Master’s in cybersecurity
is a relatively straightforward academic and professional progression.
A completely unrelated programme may still be possible, but you may need a stronger explanation for the change.
Prepare a strong personal statement
A good scholarship statement should answer practical questions such as:
- Why this programme?
- Why this university?
- What have you achieved?
- What problem or area interests you?
- What skills do you want to develop?
- How will the degree contribute to your professional plans?
- Why should the scholarship support your studies?
Avoid simply writing that studying abroad has always been your dream.
Admissions and scholarship committees are generally more interested in what you have done, what you want to achieve academically and how the proposed study fits into your plans.
Gather your documents early
Depending on the university and scholarship, you may need:
- Bachelor’s certificate
- Academic transcripts
- CV
- Personal statement
- Research proposal
- Portfolio
- References
- English-language evidence
- Passport identification page
- Proof of professional experience
- Admission offer
Do not wait until the deadline before requesting documents from your university or former employer.
Coursework Master’s or Research Master’s: Which Should You Choose?
This is an important decision that many applicants overlook.
A coursework master’s generally involves taught modules, assignments, examinations, projects and sometimes a dissertation.
A research master’s places much greater emphasis on independent research under academic supervision.
Neither is automatically better.
If you want advanced professional training, a coursework programme may fit your goals. If you enjoy research and want to investigate a specific question in depth, a research degree may be more appropriate.
This distinction also matters financially because some of the strongest international scholarships are specifically designed for research students.
Do You Need IELTS to Win a Scholarship?
Not necessarily in every case, but you should not assume that an English-language requirement will disappear because you are applying for funding.
Universities set their own English-language requirements, and these can vary according to nationality, previous education and programme.
For Australia Awards Africa, for example, the 2027 programme required specified English test scores for applicants who were not exempt under the stated conditions.
For university scholarships, check the individual admission requirements rather than relying on information from social media groups or older scholarship posts.
Common Mistakes Nigerian Scholarship Applicants Should Avoid
One of the biggest mistakes is applying for every scholarship without checking eligibility.
A scholarship may be advertised as “international” but still be restricted to a particular nationality, programme, gender, academic discipline, residency status or type of student.
Other common mistakes include:
- Using an old scholarship deadline
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Copying another person’s personal statement
- Applying for a programme unrelated to your background without explanation
- Ignoring research requirements for research degrees
- Assuming a tuition scholarship covers living expenses
- Waiting until the final day to submit
- Paying someone who claims they can guarantee a scholarship
- Confusing university admission with scholarship selection
A scholarship award is never something a legitimate consultant can guarantee.
A Simple Application Plan for September and October 2026
If you are a Nigerian graduate hoping to begin a master’s degree abroad in 2027, the following approach can help.
September 2026
Research suitable programmes and identify scholarships for which you genuinely qualify.
At the same time, organise your academic transcripts, certificates, CV and passport.
October 2026
Pay close attention to deadlines.
The current opportunities mentioned above include the UTS IRTP deadline on 7 October, the Massey Creative Excellence Scholarship on 15 October and the UNSW international scholarship round on 30 October.
The UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship also opens on 1 October for its 2027 Autumn intake.
November and beyond
Continue monitoring university scholarship pages because scholarship rounds do not all follow the same calendar.
Some universities release new awards several months before an academic intake, while others advertise scholarships connected to particular faculties, research projects or programmes.
Final Thoughts
For Nigerian students planning a master’s degree abroad, Australia and New Zealand remain destinations worth researching, but scholarship availability needs to be approached carefully.
As of September 2026, opportunities such as the UNSW international scholarship round, UTS International Research Training Program Scholarship, Massey University’s International Creative Excellence Master’s Scholarship and selected research funding opportunities provide avenues for international applicants to investigate. The UTS Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship is also approaching its October opening period.
At the same time, some popular programmes should not be presented as currently open when they are not. The 2027 Australia Awards Africa application period has already closed, while Nigeria is not currently listed among the eligible countries for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship.
The smartest approach is therefore not simply to search for the phrase “fully funded scholarship”. Start with your academic background, choose programmes that genuinely fit your goals, check the nationality and programme requirements, understand exactly what each award covers, and prepare your documents before the deadline approaches.
Scholarship rules, deadlines and eligibility conditions can change between intakes. Always confirm the latest requirements with the university or scholarship provider before submitting an application.
