Too many talented Nigerians give up on studying abroad the moment they see their result — convinced that without a First Class, the fully funded scholarships worth £30,000 to over $70,000 a year (roughly ₦60 million to ₦105 million) are forever out of reach. It’s one of the most expensive myths in the scholarship application game. The truth? Plenty of fully funded and partial scholarships accept a Second Class Upper (2:1), a Second Class Lower (2:2), or even lower — and some of the world’s most prestigious awards don’t set a minimum grade at all, judging you on leadership, experience, and potential instead.
If your degree isn’t a First Class, this guide is your green light. There are real, generous scholarships you can apply for without a first class degree — in the UK, USA, Canada, and beyond — and knowing them means your study abroad dream isn’t dead; it just needs the right targets. This guide reveals the scholarships that look past your class of degree, what each is worth in pounds, dollars, and naira, who qualifies, and how a Nigerian with average grades can still win free tuition abroad. Let’s get you funded, First Class or not.
The Myth: “No First Class, No Scholarship”
Let’s kill the myth first, because it stops too many Nigerians cold. The belief that fully funded scholarships require a First Class is simply false. As 2026 funding guidance confirms, “grades only represent one part of a student’s background” — many scholarship providers “also consider financial need, personal essays, leadership experience, volunteer work, or career goals.”
In fact, some funding “considers leadership, professional experience, country priorities, gender equity, development goals, field shortage, or financial need” far more than raw grades. The world’s funders know that a 2:2 graduate with real leadership and a clear mission can contribute more than a 4.0 student with no drive. So a Second Class result — upper or lower — is not a closing door; it just redirects you toward the many awards that weigh the whole person. Here are the scholarships you can apply for without a First Class.
Scholarships That Accept A 2:2 (Second Class Lower)
Yes — even a Second Class Lower (2:2) qualifies for real, funded scholarships. These are the awards that explicitly set their bar below a First Class:
| Scholarship | Min. Grade | Value | Naira (≈) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunel University (STEM Master’s) | 2:2 | up to £30,000 | ₦60m |
| ISS Netherlands (MA) | 2:2 | 40% tuition | varies |
| University of Bedfordshire | 2:2 | Tuition reduction | varies |
| Commonwealth PhD | 2:2 (first degree) | Full funding | ₦70m+ |
| DeVry (GPA-tiered) | 2.0+ GPA | up to $2,500/semester | ₦3.75m |
As 2026 scholarship data confirms, Brunel University offers international students with “a minimum GPA of 2.2 in UK honours or its international equivalent” a scholarship worth up to £30,000 (₦60m) for STEM master’s degrees — covering tuition plus a stipend. The International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in the Netherlands funds MA students with a 2:2 minimum (40% of tuition). And the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship accepts a Second Class Lower (2:2) first degree for doctoral applicants. So even with a 2:2, fully funded and substantial partial awards are genuinely within reach.
The Big Awards With No Minimum Grade At All
Here’s what surprises most Nigerians: some of the world’s most prestigious fully funded scholarships set no minimum grade requirement at all. They care about leadership and potential, not your class of degree.
The standout is Chevening — the UK government’s flagship fully funded Master’s award. It requires “an undergraduate degree” and “two years of work experience” — but no minimum grade. A Nigerian with a 2:2 and strong leadership and a compelling career vision can absolutely win Chevening (worth over £35,000 / ₦70m). Similarly, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program prioritises “academic talent and a commitment to giving back to Africa” and “economic disadvantage” — selecting on potential and mission, not solely on grades.
The lesson: for these elite awards, your personal statement, leadership record, and career goals matter far more than whether you scored a First. A motivated 2:1 or 2:2 graduate with a powerful story is exactly who they fund.
Scholarships That Reward Things Other Than Grades
Beyond grade-flexible awards, entire categories of scholarships weigh factors where your grades are almost irrelevant. Target these:
Need-based scholarships — funded on financial need, not grades (the need-blind US universities, many development-focused awards). If your family can’t afford study abroad, this is your lane.
Leadership and community-service awards — funded on your volunteering, activism, and leadership (Mandela Washington Fellowship, many foundation scholarships).
Field-shortage awards — funded because your field is in demand (STEM, nursing, engineering), where countries want the skill more than top grades.
Gender-equity scholarships — like the Schlumberger Faculty for the Future (women in STEM) and AAUW, which prioritise women’s advancement.
Country-specific and development awards — funded because you’re from a developing country with a development goal, weighing impact over GPA.
As funding experts advise, the smart low-grade strategy is to “apply for smaller awards, assistantships, employer sponsorship, country-specific funding, and affordable programs” — and to lean on the factors other than grades where you’re strong.
The Pro Strategy: Turn A Weak GPA Into A Strong Application
Here’s how a Nigerian without a First Class builds a winning application despite the grade:
Lead with your strengths, not your GPA. If your major-course grades are strong even if your overall average is weak, emphasise those — “if your overall average is weak but your grades in major courses are strong, you may still have a chance.” Highlight work experience and leadership — for awards like Chevening, these outweigh grades entirely. Write a powerful, authentic personal statement centred on your purpose and giving back to Nigeria. Target the right awards — grade-flexible (Brunel, ISS), no-minimum (Chevening, Mastercard), and need/leadership/field-based ones. Apply to many — odds compound. And consider a strong Master’s to “redeem” a weak bachelor’s — excelling at postgraduate level reopens doors a weak first degree closed.
A weak GPA narrows your options, but it doesn’t end them — strategy and a strong story do the rest.
Step-By-Step: How A Nigerian Without A First Class Wins Funding
Step 1 — Drop the myth. A 2:1 or 2:2 (or strong major grades) qualifies for many real scholarships. Don’t self-reject.
Step 2 — Target grade-flexible awards (Brunel up to £30,000, ISS, Bedfordshire) and no-minimum awards (Chevening, Mastercard Foundation).
Step 3 — Build your non-grade case — leadership, work experience, volunteering, and a clear development mission.
Step 4 — Lean into need-based, field-shortage, gender-equity, and country-specific awards where grades matter least.
Step 5 — Write a standout personal statement that makes your story, not your GPA, the headline.
Step 6 — Apply to many, 12–18 months early, through official portals only — and never pay an agent for a scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a scholarship without a First Class degree? Yes, absolutely. Many fully funded and partial scholarships accept a Second Class Upper (2:1), Second Class Lower (2:2), or lower — like Brunel University (2:2, up to £30,000 / ₦60m) and the Commonwealth PhD (2:2 first degree). Some prestigious awards like Chevening and the Mastercard Foundation set no minimum grade at all, judging leadership and potential instead.
Which scholarships accept a 2:2 (Second Class Lower)? Brunel University’s STEM master’s scholarship (up to £30,000 / ₦60m), the ISS Netherlands MA funding (40% tuition), the University of Bedfordshire, and the Commonwealth PhD Scholarship (which accepts a 2:2 first degree) all accept a Second Class Lower. Many need-based and leadership-based awards also have flexible grade requirements.
Does Chevening require a First Class degree? No. Chevening requires an undergraduate degree (the equivalent of a UK 2:1 in most cases, but with no strict minimum grade emphasised) plus two years of work experience and demonstrated leadership. It judges applicants primarily on leadership potential and career vision rather than top grades, so a 2:1 or even 2:2 graduate with a strong profile can win.
What scholarships should I target if my grades are average? Target grade-flexible awards (Brunel, ISS), no-minimum-grade awards (Chevening, Mastercard Foundation), and categories that reward factors other than grades — need-based, leadership/community-service, field-shortage (STEM, nursing), gender-equity (Schlumberger, AAUW), and country-specific development awards. Lean on whichever strengths you have.
Can a good Master’s make up for a weak bachelor’s degree? Yes. Excelling in a Master’s can “redeem” a weak undergraduate result, reopening doors for further scholarships and opportunities. Many funders also focus on your most recent and relevant qualifications, so a strong postgraduate performance can outweigh an average first degree.
Final Word: Your Class Of Degree Is Not Your Ceiling
Come back to that expensive myth — the talented Nigerian who abandons the study abroad dream because they didn’t get a First Class. The truth that should change everything: a First Class is not the price of admission to fully funded scholarships. Awards worth ₦60 million to ₦105 million a year accept a 2:1, a 2:2, strong major-course grades, or no minimum grade at all — because the world’s funders know that leadership, experience, financial need, and a clear mission to give back often matter far more than your GPA. Chevening, the Mastercard Foundation, Brunel, the Commonwealth PhD, and dozens more are genuinely open to you.
So stop self-rejecting. Drop the myth, target the grade-flexible and no-minimum awards, and build an application where your story — your leadership, your work, your vision for Nigeria — does the talking, not your transcript. Lean into need-based, field-shortage, and gender-equity awards where grades barely register, write a personal statement that makes a panel remember you, and if your first degree was weak, consider a strong Master’s to reopen every door. Your class of degree is a single line on a CV — it is not your ceiling, and it is certainly not the end of your dream to study abroad for free.
For verified guidance on scholarships with flexible grade requirements and how to win them, explore the resources at cmfanskills, and read our breakdown of the 7 scholarship mistakes that get Nigerians rejected and which is easier to win, undergraduate or postgraduate scholarships — so you can target the awards where your profile, not just your grades, wins funding.
