Poly to Postgrad: Your Weekly Guide to Studying Abroad

Balancing school, exams, and future plans is hard enough. For students in monotechnics and polytechnics, finding legit scholarship opportunities to study abroad can feel like a full-time job on top of everything else.

 

That’s why we’ve done the heavy lifting.

 

This week’s picks are tailored for ND and HND students who want to study abroad after graduation. Whether you’re planning for a Bachelor’s conversion, a full Master’s, or anything in between—these scholarships are worth checking out.

 

Let’s get into it.

1. Humber College International Entrance Scholarship

 

Category: Graduate Certificate

Reward: CAD $1,500–$2,500 (tuition fee reduction)

Deadline: Varies by intake

Apply: Explore Humber Scholarships

 

If you’re finishing up at a polytechnic or monotechnic and planning your next step abroad, this is a great low-pressure option. Humber College in Canada offers 2-semester graduate certificate programs that qualify you for a post-graduation work permit. You can use this to gain international experience or later transition into a Master’s program.

 

What makes it worth applying for?

• No separate scholarship application required
• Offers direct entry into graduate certificate programs
• Automatic tuition scholarship based on GPA
• Pathway to work in Canada or apply for further studies
• Accepts any certificate/diploma—doesn’t need to match your intended course

 

Eligibility criteria:

• Completed a 1-year certificate or a 2–3 year diploma at a publicly funded college
• GPA of 80% or higher
• Must apply to any Humber degree program (note: not available for certificate-only programs)
• International student status

 

Key tip:

Use the graduate certificate to build Canadian work experience and boost your chances for scholarships or admission into Canadian Master’s programs. Popular fields include AI, Data Analytics, Web Development, Mental Health, and Marketing.

2. Top-Up Bachelor’s Degrees for HND Holders at Leeds Beckett University

 

Category: Undergraduate Degree Top-Up | International Study

Reward: UK Bachelor’s Degree in One Year + Automatic €1,000 Tuition Discount (for Nigerians)

Deadline: Not specified

Apply: Leeds Beckett Application Portal

 

Got an HND and want to turn it into a UK bachelor’s degree? Leeds Beckett lets you skip the first two years and jump straight into the final year. In just one academic session, you can graduate with a UK degree and open up your path to international job markets or a Master’s program.

 

What makes it worth applying for?

• Complete a UK Bachelor’s in just one year
• Use your HND to fast-track your degree
• Guaranteed €1,000 tuition discount for Nigerian students
• Eligible to apply for a UK postgraduate program afterward
• Study in a diverse and globally respected environment

 

Eligibility criteria:

• HND (Lower Credit or above) in a related field
• Minimum GPA: 2.5/4.0
• Valid international passport
• Proof of English proficiency (e.g., IELTS)

 

Required documents:

• HND certificate and transcript
• Academic/professional reference
• Personal statement
• Passport data page
• Explanation of study gaps (if any)
• English test results

 

Eligible courses include:

• Computer Science → BSc Computer Science
• Business Admin → BA Business and Management
• Accountancy → BA Accounting & Finance
• Banking & Finance → BA Business Accounting with Finance
• Electrical Engineering → BEng Engineering Management
• Civil Engineering → BSc Civil Engineering
• Hospitality → BSc Hospitality Business Management

 

Key tip:

Stick to a course that aligns with your HND. If you want to switch fields, you may need to start from year one. This option is ideal for Nigerian students looking for quick international exposure and an academic upgrade.

3. Vice-Chancellor Postgraduate Scholarship at Coventry University (2025/26)

 

Category: Postgraduate | Tuition Discount

Reward: £2,500 Tuition Discount for First Year

Deadline:

• September or November 2025 intake: No deadline, but enrolment is required
• January 2026 intake: Apply by 30 June 2025

 

Apply: Find your course and apply

 

This scholarship gives international students (excluding UK and EU) £2,500 off their first year of postgraduate study at Coventry University or Coventry University London. If you’re self-funded and meet the criteria, you automatically qualify after accepting your offer and paying your deposit.

 

Why consider this?

• Get £2,500 off your first year’s tuition
• No separate scholarship application required
• Open to most full-time postgraduate courses
• Available across three intakes: September, November, and January
• Can be combined with Coventry’s Sport Scholarships

 

Eligibility requirements:

• Must be self-funded and paying international tuition
• Must accept a conditional offer for a full-time taught postgraduate course
• Must pay the full CAS deposit by the deadline in your offer letter
• Must enrol successfully at Coventry University or Coventry University London

 

Not valid for:

• EU students (eligible for EU Bursary instead)
• Coventry’s 100% online courses
• International Pathways Programme (IPP)
• CU Coventry, CU Scarborough, CU London, or Wroclaw campus

 

Tip:

Apply early to secure your course and meet the deposit deadline on time. You’ll automatically receive the discount once you meet all conditions and complete enrolment.

 

Ready to Compete Globally?

 

Let Distinction support your journey.

 

📝 Try Exam Practice Mode to sharpen your test-taking skills under real exam conditions.

 

💡 Use Study Pal to get instant help with tricky topics and build your confidence.

 

Explore these tools in your dashboard and start preparing smarter—your international opportunity could be one test away.