Many Nigerian students dream of studying in Europe, but the cost of tuition, visa requirements, and language exams like IELTS often become a barrier. The good news is that several European universities and governments are now offering fully funded scholarships that do not require IELTS.
If you’re looking for genuine opportunities to study abroad without the stress of paying fees or passing English tests, this guide is for you. Below are ten fully funded scholarships available to Nigerians in 2025 — and yes, you can apply without an IELTS certificate.
1. DAAD Scholarships – Germany
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers hundreds of scholarships every year for international students, including Nigerians. These are fully funded and cover tuition, travel, health insurance, and monthly living expenses.
For most DAAD programs, IELTS is not mandatory if your previous degree was taught in English. Instead, a letter from your university confirming the medium of instruction is often accepted.
Popular programs include engineering, economics, public policy, and environmental science.
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees – European Union
This prestigious scholarship program is funded by the European Union and allows students to study in two or more European countries under a joint master’s degree program.
It covers full tuition, travel, health insurance, and a generous monthly stipend. Many Erasmus programs waive the IELTS requirement if you can provide proof that your undergraduate studies were conducted in English.
Nigerians are one of the top recipients of this scholarship globally, and the application process is free.
3. University of Debrecen Stipendium Hungaricum – Hungary
The Hungarian government sponsors the Stipendium Hungaricum program, which provides full scholarships to Nigerian and other international students. The scholarship includes tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and a monthly allowance.
Several Hungarian universities, including the University of Debrecen, accept a certificate of English proficiency from your previous school instead of IELTS.
Programs are available at undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels.
4. University of Pécs Scholarship – Hungary
The University of Pécs offers full scholarships under the Hungarian Government’s program for students from developing countries, including Nigeria.
No IELTS is required if your previous education was in English. A letter from your secondary or university institution confirming your English proficiency is usually enough.
Fields of study include health sciences, business, engineering, and natural sciences.
5. VLIR-UOS Scholarships – Belgium
The VLIR-UOS scholarship supports students from developing countries, including Nigeria, to pursue master’s programs in Belgian universities. It is fully funded, covering tuition, flights, living expenses, and insurance.
You don’t need IELTS if you can show that your bachelor’s degree was taught in English. This makes it one of the best options for Nigerians with strong academic backgrounds.
Eligible courses are mostly development-related, such as environmental studies, agriculture, and public health.
6. University of Porto Scholarships – Portugal
Portugal is becoming a popular study destination for international students. The University of Porto offers scholarships to outstanding international applicants, especially those from Africa.
Although IELTS is sometimes listed, most departments accept a certificate of English language proficiency from your previous institution in Nigeria.
Scholarships include tuition waivers, accommodation, and monthly living support.
7. Charles University Scholarships – Czech Republic
Charles University is one of the top universities in Central Europe. It offers a number of fully funded scholarship opportunities for international students, including those from Nigeria.
The university accepts proof of English-medium education in place of IELTS. Applicants must show strong academic results and a motivation to study in Europe.
Available programs range from humanities to social sciences and natural sciences.
8. Czech Government Scholarships
The Czech government offers fully funded scholarships to students from developing countries for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral studies. Nigerians are eligible to apply.
These scholarships cover tuition, accommodation, health insurance, and monthly stipends. Some programs require a basic Czech language course, but others are offered in English and do not require IELTS if you can prove English proficiency from your former school.
9. Italian Government Scholarships for Foreign Students
Each year, the Italian government offers scholarships to international students, including Nigerians, to pursue degrees in Italy. These scholarships include tuition waivers, insurance, and monthly financial support.
IELTS is not compulsory. Many Italian universities accept a letter from your previous university or secondary school stating that English was the language of instruction.
Programs are available in engineering, arts, business, and science.
10. Slovak Government Scholarships
Slovakia provides scholarships through its National Scholarship Program for students from selected countries, including Nigeria. These are available for master’s and PhD studies, as well as research visits.
Most Slovak universities accept students without IELTS if they have a certificate of English proficiency or their previous studies were conducted in English.
This is a lesser-known but valuable opportunity for Nigerian students seeking affordable, high-quality education in Europe.
How to Apply Without IELTS
If you’re applying for any of the scholarships above and want to skip IELTS, here’s what to do:
Request a Letter of English Proficiency from your former school (university or secondary). This letter should state that English was the medium of instruction.
During the application, upload this letter in place of an IELTS score where allowed.
Read the application instructions carefully. Some universities clearly mention they accept such letters instead of formal English tests.
Double-check deadlines and ensure your passport and academic documents are ready and valid.
Final Thoughts
Studying in Europe is possible — even without IELTS. These ten scholarships prove that you don’t have to let language tests stop your dream of getting a world-class education.
Many Nigerian students are already studying in Europe for free, and you can be one of them. Start by researching the right programs, prepare your documents, and apply before deadlines.
Here at Krain Naija News, we are committed to bringing you verified, useful, and human-written information to help you succeed. Keep following us for more opportunities in scholarships, jobs, and travel in 2025.
