NNPC–SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship Program 2026

NNPC–SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship Program 2026

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) have announced the 2026 NNPC–SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship for qualified Nigerian students.

The scholarship is designed to support outstanding Nigerians seeking postgraduate studies in courses relevant to the oil and gas industry at selected universities in the United Kingdom.

The programme is offered on behalf of the NNPC/SNEPCo Production Sharing Contract (PSC) partners and aims to develop highly skilled professionals who can contribute to Nigeria’s energy sector and national development.

For the 2026 academic session, scholarships will be awarded for one-year MSc programmes at:

• University of Aberdeen
• Newcastle University

About the Scholarship

The NNPC–SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship is one of the leading international scholarship opportunities for Nigerians interested in advancing their expertise in engineering, geosciences, data science, energy systems, and related technical fields.

The scholarship supports postgraduate training in highly specialized disciplines relevant to the oil and gas industry and provides successful applicants with access to world-class education in the UK.

The programme is targeted at academically outstanding Nigerians with leadership potential and strong professional aspirations.

Eligible Courses

University of Aberdeen

Eligible MSc programmes include:

• MSc Geophysics
• MSc Safety & Reliability Engineering for Oil & Gas
• MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering
• MSc Integrated Petroleum Geoscience

Newcastle University

Eligible MSc programmes include:

• MSc Data Science and AI
• MSc Data Science
• MSc Engineering Management
• MSc Sustainable Chemical Engineering
• MSc Artificial Intelligence
• MSc Robotics and AI
• MSc Marine and Ocean Engineering

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship will cover:

• Full tuition fees
• One economy return flight ticket from Nigeria to the UK
• Contribution towards living expenses

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

• Demonstrate intellectual ability and leadership potential
• Have a good standard of English language proficiency (minimum IELTS requirement of 6.5 where applicable)
• Secure admission into one of the eligible courses at either participating university
• Possess a degree equivalent to at least a UK Upper Second-Class Honours degree
• Have completed NYSC by September 2026
• Be Nigerian citizens residing in Nigeria
• Not have previously studied in the UK or other developed countries
• Be between 21 and 28 years old by September 30, 2026
• Possess a valid Nigerian international passport valid until at least December 2026

Important Restriction

Employees or relatives of employees of SNEPCo, Royal Dutch Shell Group companies, or the participating universities may not be eligible for the scholarship.

Application Process

Applicants are expected to:

• Apply for admission into any of the eligible programmes at the participating universities
• Obtain a formal admission offer from the university
• Complete the scholarship application process through the designated scholarship portal
• Participate in the university and SNEPCo selection process if shortlisted

The universities will process applications and shortlist candidates before final scholarship consideration.

Deadline

Completed scholarship applications must reach the participating institutions no later than:

• June 8, 2026

How To Apply

Interested candidates should first apply for admission to any of the approved MSc programmes at:

• University of Aberdeen
• Newcastle University

After securing admission, applicants should proceed with the scholarship application through the participating institutions’ scholarship platforms.

For more information on admission requirements and programme details, candidates should visit the official university websites.

Here are the official university links for the eligible programmes under the NNPC–SNEPCo Postgraduate Scholarship 2026: