Many International students, especially those from West African countries, believe that studying abroad is only for those with enough influence or those with international exam results like A-Levels, IB, or SAT.
But you should know that your WAEC result can take you far beyond borders, and it can be at no cost, especially when you win fully funded scholarships.
There are universities and scholarship bodies abroad that accept WAEC results as part of their undergraduate admission requirements, especially in countries that recognize West African education systems.
In this article, we will explore scholarships abroad that you can apply for with WAEC certificate, countries you can study with this scholarship and how you can take full advantage of them.
Why do International School accept WAEC?
WAEC is more than just a local exam, it is recognized as equivalent to O-levels or GCSEs in many international schools, especially in parts of Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.
This means some universities allow direct undergraduate admission without A-levels or SAT, especially if you have strong grades and meet other requirements.
When applying, make sure your WAEC result is complete (with 5 or more credits), meets the university’s minimum grade, and that you provide a certified WAEC scratch card or transcript copy if required.
Scholarships You can Apply for with WAEC Certificate
These scholarships are undergraduate scholarships that are fully funded with a lot of benefits, including stipends, accommodation, and even travel fare.
In this section, we list the scholarships you can apply for with your WAEC and the countries you can study, if awarded those scholarships,
1. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program:
This scholarship supports talented African students with full funding and personal development training. Other benefits include tuition, stipends, accommodation, and even a laptop.
If awarded this scholarship, you will get the opportunity to study in Africa, Canada, the United States, and Europe. IELTS is not required, and you can qualify for the award with your WAEC certificate.
- Category: Undergraduate
- Benefits: Tuition, living costs, laptop, travel, and more
- Deadline: Varies by university – check HERE for the eligibility requirements
2. Australia Awards Scholarship:
Funded by the Australian government, this scholarship supports study at all levels, including undergraduate. They cover tuition, living costs, flight, accommodation, and even pre-course English if needed.
WAEC results are accepted for undergraduate programs in some partner countries, and if you win this scholarship, you get to study in Australia at no cost.
- Category: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD
- Benefits: Full scholarship, stipend, airfare, study materials
- Deadline: Closed, but you can check HERE for the selection criteria.
3. Government of Mauritius Africa Scholarships:
Mauritian Government offers fully funded undergraduate scholarships to African students, and WAEC is accepted for entry. The scholarship covers a monthly stipend and flight support for your travel.
This scholarship is available for students who are citizens and residents of member states of the African Union or African Commonwealth countries to study in Mauritius.
- Category: Undergraduate
- Benefits: Tuition, living expenses, airfare
- Deadline: Closed – check HERE on how to apply.
4. Japan Government MEXT Scholarship:
MEXT Scholarship supports undergraduates from partner countries with full tuition and a monthly stipend to study in Japan at no cost.
With WAEC, you can apply for this program and study in one of Japan’s top national universities. Additionally, travel and study expenses are covered, and you do not need Japanese proficiency to apply.
- Category: Undergraduate
- Benefits: Tuition, ¥117,000/month (~$9,816/year), travel allowance
- Deadline: Varies – check HERE for eligibility requirements.
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5. Türkiye Scholarships :
The Turkish Government Scholarship funds undergraduate students from around the world, and it accepts the WAEC for its application. It combines university admission with a full scholarship, including tuition, a monthly stipend, flight, and health insurance.
To apply, you do not need any separate exam; just meet the academic criteria and apply online. If awarded, you get to study in Turkey for free without going through the stress of admission proceess too.
- Category: Undergraduate
- Benefits: Tuition, accommodation, 1,800TL/month, health cover, airfare
- Deadline: Closed, but you can check HERE for the selection criteria.
6. Chinese Government Scholarships:
The Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) offers full funding for students with just WAEC to study in China.
It covers tuition, living expenses, medical insurance, accommodation, and even your flights.
- Category: Undergraduate & Postgraduate
- Benefits: Full funding, living costs, travel, and medical insurance
- Deadline: Varies – check HERE on how to apply.
7. Hungarian Government Stipendium Hungaricum:
Funded by the Hungarian government, the fully funded Stipendium Hungaricum accepts WAEC for undergraduate applications from over 90 countries.
It covers tuition, accommodation, insurance, and gives a monthly stipend to support you. Specifically designed for international students, you get to study in Hungary at a Hungarian state university or college.
- Level: Undergraduate
- Benefits: Tuition, monthly stipend, housing, health cover
- Deadline: Closed. Check HERE for more information on how to apply.
ONGOING SCHOLARSHIPS
Who Should Apply for Scholarship with WAEC
- You can apply if you recently completed WAEC or are awaiting results
- If you cannot afford international exams like SAT or A-levels, try applying for scholarships with your WAEC results but it must be a good one.
- Have good academic records (at least 5 credits including Math & English)
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying For Scholarship with WAEC
Though applying for scholarships with WAEC can seem easy but simple mistakes can cost you the award. From missing documents to wrong subject combinations, many students lose out unnecessarily.
In this section, we will highlight the common errors to avoid so your scholarship application stands out.
- Submitting incomplete results: Make sure your WAEC result shows all 5–9 subjects with credits in English and Math.
- Missing deadlines: Most of these scholarships have early deadlines, apply between October to March for most fall intakes.
- Skipping English proof: Even if WAEC includes English, some schools still need IELTS or a language waiver letter. This is very important.
Conclusion
Now you know that a good WAEC result can help you secure fully funded international scholarships, choose 2–3 scholarships from the list in the article. Start researching their requirements. Draft your personal statement and gather your documents.
If you are still in school, this is your chance to prepare more. Study smart, stay consistent, and aim for distinction. In our next post, we will be discussion how you can combine WAEC and NECO to apply for scholarship abroad.
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