Securing Foreign Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.” – Mary Anne Radmacher.

Securing foreign scholarships for postgraduate studies opens a gateway to academic excellence and personal growth. However, navigating the vast array of opportunities and requirements demands a strategic approach.

To kick-start your journey, defining your academic goal is pivotal. Compile a list of three research areas aligned with your background. While remaining flexible to potential shifts in focus, be prepared to persuasively articulate the feasibility of redirection to programme administrators. Feel free to embrace programmes accommodating diverse backgrounds, widening your prospects.

Commence the quest for information even before undergraduate graduation, though it is never too late to start wherever you are now. Delve into comprehensive research encompassing countries, universities, pertinent researchers, prerequisites, application procedures, fees, and deadlines. A fervent Google search can be your ally here. Select a country meticulously, factoring in its alignment with your future plans, including post-study settlement opportunities and job prospects.

Supervisors play a pivotal role in postgraduate studies. Identify caring mentors through email interactions and social platforms like Twitter. Additionally, if financial constraints loom, seek programmes waiving application fees and entry tests, optimising your resources wisely. For Nigerian graduates, your National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year bears significance, necessitating specific actions to propel your aspirations.

Preparation is the cornerstone of success. Forge a robust academic background, seek out a compatible supervisor by crafting a compelling cover email with attached CV and transcripts, and draft a compelling Motivation Letter/Statement of Purpose. Proficiency tests like IELTS/TOEFL/TOEIC and GRE/GMAT are essential, along with a comprehensive research proposal (mainly for PhD applications). Certain awarding agencies conduct specific tests which you should be abreast of. It is also important to highlight community service and leadership experience to bolster your profile.

Explore various renowned scholarships, assistantships, and studentships tailored for postgraduate pursuits: Commonwealth, MEXT (Japan), DAAD (Germany), Assistantships (USA/Canada; dependent on supervisor funding or high GRE scores), Hong Kong Postgraduate Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), Erasmus Mundus, Chevening, The World Academy of Science (TWAS), MasterCard Foundation, Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme (Hungary), Chinese Academy of Science, Australia Awards, among others.

By methodically approaching each stage—defining goals, acquiring information, meticulous preparation, and exploring diverse funding options—you can optimise your chances of securing a coveted foreign scholarship for your postgraduate journey. This journey promises not just academic excellence but also invaluable cross-cultural experiences, enriching your personal and professional horizons.

If you are aged from 18-40 years and you like the idea of belonging to a community of excellent and righteous young men or you are even above 40 and you'd like to be one of our mentors, feel very free to join the Real Boys Forum (RBF) by clicking on https://bit.ly/therbf.

#ejdansu #RealBoysForum #Academics