Pursuing a Master’s degree abroad can be expensive but scholarships like the NPC/SPDC Joint Venture (JV) Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship by Shell (through SPDC) make it possible for many talented Nigerians to access world-class education. If you’re aiming for a fully funded MSc opportunity in 2025, this post breaks down what we do know, what to watch out for, and how to prepare a strong application.
What Is the Shell Postgraduate Scholarship?
The scholarship is offered by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), operator of the NPC/SPDC Joint Venture, under its social investment / education programmes. It is often called the Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship or Shell Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship. (Mediangr)
Key features:
- It is fully funded (or nearly fully) for one-year taught MSc programmes in the UK. (Mediangr)
- Covers tuition, a economy return-flight ticket from Nigeria to the UK, and a contribution toward living expenses (stipend). (Mediangr)
- It is non-committal: neither Shell/SPDC requires recipients to work for Shell after graduation, nor are recipients “bonded” for a certain period. (Mediangr)
Who Is Eligible (Requirements)
Here are the eligibility criteria for 2025/2026 based on what the Shell SPDC scholarship website and related sources confirm. Be sure to double-check every requirement against the official scholarship announcements.
| Requirement | What Is Required |
|---|---|
| States / Geographic Origin | Must be indigenes of Rivers, Imo, Delta, or Bayelsa States (i.e. parts of the Niger Delta). (Mediangr) |
| Residency | Must currently reside in Nigeria. (Mediangr) |
| Degree and Academic Performance | Must hold (or expect to hold by the time of taking up the scholarship) a degree of equivalent to a UK Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) or sometimes strong 2:2 with exceptional credentials (but the announced requirement is 2:1 or its equivalent). (Mediangr) |
| NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) | Must have completed NYSC by September 2025. (Mediangr) |
| Age | Between 21-28 years old by 30 September 2025. (Mediangr) |
| English Proficiency | A good standard of English: at least IELTS 6.5 (or meeting the UK university’s language requirement). (Mediangr) |
| Passport & Travel Validity | Valid Nigerian international passport, valid till at least December 2025. (Mediangr) |
| Not previously funded / travelled | Applicants must not have already had the chance to study in UK or another developed country; also relatives of Shell employees or recent former employees are often excluded. (Mediangr) |
Eligible Universities & Courses
The current iteration (2025/2026) of the scholarship is partnering with three UK universities:
Some of the courses qualifying under this scholarship include (but might not be limited to):
- MSc Exploration Geophysics (Mediangr)
- MSc Electronic / Electrical Engineering (Mediangr)
- Other engineering, geophysics and oil & gas-related subjects often considered relevant. (Mediangr)
Application Portal & Deadline
Here’s what’s known about where and when to apply:
- Applications are submitted only after getting an offer of admission from one of the eligible universities (Imperial, Leeds, Aberdeen). (Mediangr)
- Application forms are then accessed via the websites of those universities. (Mediangr)
- Deadline: Completed scholarship application forms must reach the participating universities by 15 April, 2025. (Mediangr)
What Is Not Clear — And What to Confirm
There are some important points that either are not confirmed for all applicants, or may differ depending on where you are (Lagos vs Niger Delta) or course you apply for:
- Lagos-specific eligibility: The current scholarship explicitly requires indigene status in Rivers, Delta, Imo or Bayelsa states. So Lagos graduates (unless originally from one of those states) may not be eligible under this specific Niger Delta scheme. If you are from Lagos, check if there is a broader Shell postgraduate scholarship scheme open to all states.
- Exact courses offered: While some courses are listed, it’s not fully clear whether all oil & gas-related MSc programmes are eligible. Applicants should confirm via the university’s scholarship pages whether their intended course is eligible under the Shell SPDC scheme.
- Amount of living expense / stipend: While the stipend is “a contribution” based on ACU living rates, the exact amount is not always disclosed and likely varies. You should check the university offer letters and budgeting requirements. (Mediangr)
- Transportation and visa: The coverage includes a return flight, and likely medical insurance per UK visa requirements. But visa cost, visa processing, and other incidental costs might not be covered (or may be partially covered). Double check with the university and Shell before applying. (Mediangr)
- Application fee or admission fee: Confirm whether any of the partner universities require payment of admission or processing fees for postgraduate applications in your intended programme, and whether Shell will reimburse or cover them.
Comparison: Shell SPDC Postgraduate vs Other Scholarships
If you’re considering your options, here’s a comparison between this Shell scholarship and some others frequently relevant for Nigerian MSc candidates:
| Feature | Shell SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship | PTDF Overseas MSc Scholarship | Other (Commonwealth / University Specific UK Scholarships) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | SPDC / Shell Nigeria | PTDF (Federal Government Business) | Various (UK govt, individual universities, foundations) |
| Geographic restriction | Indigenes of Rivers, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa (Niger Delta States) | Usually open to Nigerians in general if course is oil & gas-related or energy sector relevant | Varies by scholarship: some open to Nigerians broadly, some restricted to certain regions/states |
| Universities | Imperial, Leeds, Aberdeen (UK) | PTDF partner institutions in UK, Germany, France, Malaysia & CPESK in Nigeria | Varies widely; could include many UK universities, or local, or online |
| Time of award / duration | One year MSc (2025-2026) | Usually 1-2 years depending on country, course | Usually 1 year (taught Masters); research courses may be longer |
| What’s covered | Tuition, return flight, living stipend (partial), medical insurance per visa rules | Tuition, flights, living, health insurance etc. depending on scholarship | Varies – some cover full cost, others only tuition or partial stipend |
| Deadline | 15 April, 2025 | PTDF’s deadline for UK courses was 28 May, 2025 (scholarship.ptdf.gov.ng) | Varies – often earlier in the year, sometimes mid-year depending on institution |
Tips for Applicants
If you think you are eligible (or partially so), here are strategies to strengthen your application and avoid common issues:
- Apply for admission early: Since you need an offer from one of the partner universities before applying for the Shell scholarship, make sure you meet university admission deadlines. Sometimes university offers must be conditional or unconditional before applying for the scholarship.
- Plan your documents:
- Degree transcripts and certificates
- NYSC certificate or evidence
- Passport with sufficient validity
- Proof of state/indigenous origin
- Proof of residence in Nigeria
- IELTS (or equivalent) or English proficiency documents
- Show leadership and relevance: Beyond grades, the scholarship often wants to see leadership potential, clarity on why the programme is relevant to the oil & gas sector, and what you plan to bring back to Nigeria.
- Check the eligibility of your course with the specific university and make sure it aligns with Shell’s priority areas (oil & gas, energy, engineering, geophysics, environment etc.).
- Avoid common pitfalls like missing deadlines, invalid or expired passports, failure to provide NYSC or equivalent, or not meeting required grades (2:1 etc.).
Conclusion
The Shell SPDC Niger Delta Postgraduate Scholarship for 2025/2026 offers a powerful opportunity for qualified candidates in the Niger Delta to pursue one-year MSc degrees in top UK universities, fully funded with tuition, travel, and living support. However, strict eligibility (especially around origin, academic performance, English proficiency, and NYSC) means you must carefully check whether you qualify under this specific scheme.
If you are from Lagos (or elsewhere outside the Niger Delta), keep an eye out for more inclusive Schemes—Shell or partner organizations occasionally launch broader postgraduate or country-wide scholarships. In the meantime, gather all necessary documents, prepare a strong statement of purpose, apply to universities early, and don’t miss deadlines.