University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship 2027 for Nigerians: Up to £26,000

Imagine this: you have finally found the University of Bristol course that feels written for you. Then you open the tuition page, convert the figure to naira and quietly close the tab. If that scene feels familiar, do not give up yet—the University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship for September 2027 entry is now open.

For a Nigerian applicant, the name “Think Big” can sound like another motivational slogan until you see the figures. Undergraduate awards are worth £6,500 or £13,000 per year, while postgraduate awards are worth £3,000, £6,500, £13,000 or £26,000 for the first year. The deadline is 1pm UK time on 19 March 2027.

Think Big Scholarship 2027 at a glance

• Host: University of Bristol, United Kingdom
• Study level: eligible undergraduate and one-year postgraduate programmes
• Who can apply: overseas-fee applicants, including Nigerians
• Undergraduate value: £6,500 or £13,000 each year for up to four years
• Postgraduate value: £3,000, £6,500, £13,000 or £26,000 for the first year
• Applications opened: 27 October 2026
• Deadline: 1pm UK time, Friday 19 March 2027
• Outcome: expected by early or late May, depending on the award process
• Application fee: no separate scholarship fee stated

Always confirm the figures and dates on the official University of Bristol international scholarships page before submitting.

Who is eligible?

You can apply if you have applied to start an eligible University of Bristol course in September 2027 and will be classified as an overseas student for tuition-fee purposes. Nigerians are not restricted by nationality under the main Think Big scheme.

For undergraduate funding, the course must be full-time and delivered in person. For postgraduate funding, the official page covers eligible one-year taught master’s or master’s-by-research programmes delivered in person. Online, distance-learning and part-time courses are not eligible.

You need to submit a University of Bristol course application and receive an application ID before opening the scholarship form. The university says you do not need to hold an offer when you submit the scholarship application; however, the 2027 terms require you to receive an offer by the scholarship deadline or the application may be withdrawn.

What exactly does the scholarship cover?

Undergraduate awards

The main undergraduate scholarships are valued at £6,500 or £13,000. They can be applied each year that you pay full fees, for a maximum of four years, provided you meet the university’s progression requirements. The terms state that recipients normally need an average mark above 50% for renewal.

Postgraduate awards

Postgraduate awards are worth £3,000, £6,500, £13,000 or £26,000 and apply to the first year only. This matters if you choose a programme lasting longer than one year: do not assume the same discount will continue into year two.

The scholarship is normally applied directly as a tuition-fee reduction. It is not cash paid into your Nigerian account, and the total funding you receive cannot exceed your tuition fee. Some associated bursaries may operate differently, so read the terms attached to any award you are offered.

How to apply from Nigeria

1. Choose an eligible course. Check the mode, duration, entry requirements and tuition fee. Do not select a course only because a scholarship exists.
2. Apply to the University of Bristol. Complete the correct undergraduate or postgraduate application and wait for your Student ID, Kaplan ID or UCAS ID.
3. Open the international scholarship form. One form considers you for Think Big and other participating awards for which you are eligible.
4. Draft the three application answers. Work offline first so you can edit for clarity and stay within the 1,000-character limit for each response.
5. Check every detail. Use the same name and personal information as your course application.
6. Submit before 1pm UK time on 19 March 2027. Do not wait for the final hour; Nigerian internet and payment-day drama should not be part of your scholarship strategy.
7. Save the confirmation email. Check spam or junk if it does not arrive.

The official Think Big application guidance explains the form and assessment themes.

The three questions your answers must handle

1. Achievements beyond your grades

Bristol wants evidence of ambition and impact outside routine academic work. “I was hardworking and graduated with a good result” is too broad. A stronger answer identifies a problem, your action and a measurable outcome: perhaps you organised peer tutoring, improved a process during NYSC, led a community project or built something people used.

2. Ambassadorial potential

This is about how you build relationships and contribute to a community. You do not need to have founded an NGO. You do need a specific example showing initiative, listening, teamwork and benefit to other people. Explain what changed because you were involved.

3. Why Bristol and what comes next

Connect particular course features to a real career goal. Name relevant modules, facilities, research groups or teaching strengths only when they genuinely match your plan. Then explain how you will use the learning after graduation. Our guide to writing a study-abroad statement without copying templates can help you organise authentic evidence, although the scholarship questions need their own concise answers.

A practical answer structure

With only 1,000 characters for each question, use a compact four-part structure:

1. Context: What situation or problem did you face?
2. Action: What did you personally do?
3. Result: What changed, preferably with a number or clear outcome?
4. Future link: How will this experience shape your contribution at Bristol and beyond?

For example, instead of saying “I am passionate about helping young people,” explain that you created a weekend digital-skills class, recruited four volunteers, trained 60 students and helped 15 complete a portfolio. Real details make an application memorable.

Important warning about AI-written answers

The 2027 scholarship terms say the University of Bristol considers the use of AI or translation tools to produce scholarship applications to be cheating, with limited exceptions such as checking basic grammar and spelling or generating an occasional short phrase. That means you should not paste the questions into ChatGPT and submit the output as your own.

You may use planning resources to understand the scholarship, but your final answers must reflect your own experience and voice. A polished paragraph that contains achievements you cannot explain is not a shortcut; it is an academic-integrity risk.

Costs the scholarship may not cover

Think Big primarily reduces tuition. Depending on the award, you may still need to fund:

• the remaining tuition balance;
• UK Student visa application and immigration health surcharge;
• TB testing and any required document processing;
• proof of funds for living costs;
• flights from Nigeria;
• accommodation deposits and initial rent; and
• food, transport, winter clothing and personal expenses.

Read our real UK study-cost breakdown for Nigerians and proof-of-funds guide before deciding that a partial scholarship automatically makes the journey affordable. The JapaMap planning tools can help you map the remaining budget.

Common mistakes to avoid

• applying for the scholarship before submitting a Bristol course application;
• confusing a tuition discount with full funding;
• using generic answers that could be sent to any university;
• listing responsibilities without showing results;
• exceeding the 1,000-character limit;
• copying AI-generated or online sample answers;
• waiting until the deadline day to submit; and
• forgetting to plan for the remaining fees and living costs.

Is Think Big worth applying for?

Yes, if Bristol offers the course you genuinely want and you can build a realistic plan for any funding gap. A £13,000 or £26,000 tuition reduction can transform the budget. Even the smaller awards can help, but you should never borrow recklessly on the assumption that the highest amount is guaranteed.

Compare this opportunity with the University of Southampton GREAT Scholarship, the Oxford Clarendon Scholarship and other opportunities in our scholarships section. The right funding route depends on your level, subject and whether you need partial or full support.

In summary

The University of Bristol Think Big Scholarship 2027 is open to eligible international undergraduate and postgraduate applicants, including Nigerians. Awards range from £3,000 to £26,000 for postgraduates and from £6,500 to £13,000 per year for undergraduates. You must first apply for a Bristol course, obtain an application ID and submit the scholarship form by 1pm UK time on 19 March 2027.

Start early, answer with evidence from your real life, follow the university’s academic-integrity rules and calculate the money you will still need. Read the official Think Big 2027 page and the 2027 terms and conditions before applying.

Scholarship dates, values and eligibility can change. JapaMap does not award this scholarship and does not collect application fees.