A scholarship is every student’s dream. But scholarships do not come easy. And often there are stringent conditions attached to obtaining and keeping one. When applying for a scholarship for master’s degree, one of such conditions for potential recipients is their cumulative grade point average. Interestingly scholarships are not reserved only for the best students. You don’t need a first class bachelor’s degree to qualify for a master’s scholarship.
So, if you did not make first class in your first degree and you are wondering if there are scholarships available for you to pursue a Masters abroad, this Post is for you! You will learn about some of the Top Scholarships for Second Class Upper (2.1) graduates.
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Table of Contents
1. Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme
The CSS is a scholarship scheme that allows students from Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to study in the UK to benefit from graduate study at a University in the UK. This will help them to contribute to the development of their home countries. The Commonwealth Scholarships are offered on an annual basis for Master’s study. You must hold a first degree of either first or upper second class (2:1) classification, or lower second class (2:2) classification plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
WATCH: How to Apply for Commonwealth Scholarship for Masters & PhD
2. Australia Awards Scholarship
Australia Awards, a cornerstone of the Australian Government’s development assistance program for Africa, provides access to postgraduate education, training and professional development opportunities for suitably qualified Africans from eligible countries. On their return to the workplace, Australia Awards Alumni are expected to contribute actively to development in their home countries. The minimum grade requirement is a third class plus work experience.
3. Chevening Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with strong academic backgrounds who also have demonstrable leadership potential. The scholarship offers financial support to study for a Master’s degree at any of the UK’s leading universities and the opportunity to become part of an influential global network of over 44,000 alumni. Applicants must have a minimum of a 2.1 honors to be eligible for the scholarship.
WATCH: How to Win the Chevening Scholarship – Step by Step Tutorial
4. ARES Masters and Training scholarships
ARES Masters scholarship by the Belgium government, grants 150 spots for master degree scholarships and 70 for participation into the training programmes. You must mainly be from a developing country to be awarded this scholarship and your career goal must show openness towards development issues. If you meet all of the criteria for the ARES scholarship, you will be provided with Travel, Monthly living allowance, all assignment costs, Installation costs, Tuition fees, Registration fee, Insurance, Housing, Allowances for dependents, Return fees and completion bonus. The scholarship places more emphasis on the social impact of an applicant’s work experience and less on academic qualification.
5. MasterCard Foundation Scholars Programme
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program started in 2012 and allows students whose talent and promise exceed their financial resources to complete their education. The Program provides financial, social, and academic support to Scholars. Financial support includes tuition fees, accommodation, books, and other scholastic materials. The Scholarship Program is anticipated to benefit 15,000 young people for secondary, undergraduate and Masters levels within 8 to 10 years. Some of the participating tertiary institutions include; University of Michigan, University of California, Arizona State University, Wellesley University and Duke University. Applicants to the program must have a minimum CGPA of 3.4 to be eligible to apply.
WATCH: How to Apply to Win MasterCard Foundation Scholarship in 2020 – Fully funded
6. New Zealand Commonwealth and Development Scholarships
The two major scholarships in New Zealand are the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship and the New Zealand Development Scholarship. The former provides scholarship for students from commonwealth countries while the latter provides scholarships for students from developing countries. Both scholarships provide financial support for tuition, living costs, and airfares. For both scholarships, the partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study. Scholarship applicants need to check that they are likely to meet the minimum academic requirements and the minimum level of English required for their courses.
WATCH: How to Apply: New Zealand Development Scholarship for African/Developing Countries
7. Fulbright Foreign Scholarships
The Fulbright Foreign Student Program enables graduate students, young professionals and artists from abroad to study and conduct research in the United States. The scholarships are for study towards a Master’s or PhD degree, and can also be awarded for non-degree postgraduate studies. The number of awards varies per country, but approximately 4,000 foreign students receive Fulbright scholarships each year. The grant funds tuition, textbooks, airfare, a living stipend, and health insurance for the duration of study. Applicants are expected to possess a minimum of a 3.0 CGPA in their honors although a higher CGPA maybe required.
8. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, are the programmes managed by EACEA that currently offer scholarship opportunities. Students from all over the world can apply for a full-degree scholarship through an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree. Besides, students at master’s and doctoral level from an African country can apply for Intra-Africa academic mobility scheme scholarships. The scholarship is offered annually and is to be taken at the European Universities participating in the scholarship programme. Having a high CGPA gives you a slight edge for the scholarship.
9. Windle Trust Postgraduate Scholarship for Africans
For nearly three decades, Windle Trust International has forged formidable scholarship partnerships with a number of UK universities to provide postgraduate opportunities to young people from African countries. Each year, about 18-20 students come to the UK to study for one-year taught masters programmes. The scholarship covers all fees from tuition, airfare to maintenance stipend for the entire 12 month of study; including leadership training and coaching programme. The scholarship is open to students from Africa who hold a minimum grade equivalent to a British second class upper undergraduate degree or above.
10. The Schwarzman Scholars Program – China
Every year, up to 200 Schwarzman Scholars represent the world’s next generation of leaders. Schwarzman Scholars are selected on the basis of not only their academic aptitude and intellectual ability, but also their leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, ability to anticipate and act on emerging trends and opportunities, exemplary character, and desire to understand other cultures, perspectives and positions. Expenses for successful Schwarzman Scholars are FULLY covered by the program. Academic excellence is a requirement for successful applicants, but there is no minimum GPA or class rank required to apply.
Since you are still here, here is a bonus.
Rotary Peace Fellowship
Each year, Rotary selects individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of its peace centers. These fellowships cover tuition fees, accommodation, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. Up to 50 master’s degree fellowships are awarded at Duke University and University of North Carolina in US, and other non-US institutions. The program duration is between 15 to 24 months. The scholarships are open to all students irrespective of CGPA but work experience matters.
There you have the top ten scholarships that accept second class upper degree. There are many other scholarship opportunities out there that accept 2:1 qualification. You just have to search them out. Luckily, you can find a number of 2:1 scholarships on our website: www.afterschoolafrica.com. Also download After School Africa App on Google play store.
Which of these scholarships will you be applying for? Tell us in the comment section. Until next time, YOUR SUCCESS MATTERS!
