How can I study from Nigeria to the UK is one question that is commonly asked among students who aspire to study in the UK.
Studying in the UK is not a big deal, you only need to follow the guidelines and meet up with the requirements, and the next thing, you are already studying in the UK. Those requirements include all your necessary credentials like your WAEC with at least 6 credits or your ‘A-Level result if you are going for an undergraduate course.
But if you want to go for your Masters’s Program or Ph.D. program then you need to have your Bachelor’s degree for your Master’s and Your Master’s certificate to continue to your Ph.D. level.
You will also need your international passport, get a visa, do research about the school of your choice, and know their requirement and fees before you proceed to apply for admission.
Knowing the requirements that will enable you to study in the UK from Nigeria is not just enough, you also need to know other things like the step-by-step process to applying for your admission and how to choose the best schools in the UK.
In this article, everything you need to know about studying in the UK is here, so sit back, relax, and read through so you can achieve your dream of studying in the UK.
Studying in the UK can help you succeed in your career
Don’t get us wrong, we are not saying you cannot achieve greatness here in Nigeria; you actually can because we have great men and women who have graduated from Nigerian universities and are doing well for themselves.
But, if you’ve always wanted to study abroad, then you should give it a try. The UK has a lot of world-class degrees to offer you and they can help you build an amazing career. In the UK, you get the opportunity to school and work at the same time and get paid per hour.
According to your field of study, you will get the chance to work on a lot of real-life projects that will prepare you for the real world after your education.
High-standard of education
Most universities can’t beat the standard of the universities in the UK. The universities are recognized globally and you get the best education not minding your course of study.
Furthermore, the learning environment is very conducive and it is up to government standards. In fact, if you want to complete a 4 years course without any form of interruption, the UK school is one of the best places to be.
Job opportunities
Most people go to study in the UK so they can find a good job and this is not far-fetched from the truth. Studying in the UK gives you the opportunity of getting a good job after your studies.
In fact, you can even start working while schooling and even if your student visa expires, you can get a work permit and get a good job that will pay you per hour.
You can also study English in the UK
It’s not like you don’t speak English already, it’s just that the UK has a very wide range of English courses worldwide that will brush your vocabulary and also boost your personality. If you’ve never thought about it, then you should start giving it a thought. You can achieve your language goals in the UK.
Get the best experience
There will be a limitless amount of methods for you to have fun, learn new things, and meet friends while studying in the UK. The United Kingdom, unlike any other country, provides an incredible and unique student experience. Take advantage of the situation! Get a firsthand account of student life in the United Kingdom from overseas students.
Learn about UK culture, helpful hints, scholarships, and graduate success stories. The United Kingdom is a global science and research powerhouse. Our students graduate with insights and expertise that are in high demand around the world, thanks to the presence of so many universities on the cutting edge of global discoveries and rising technology.
Get to discover lots of great things
UK universities continue to be globally recognized for their commitment to research, building on an incredible history of innovative discoveries. The United Kingdom is ranked second in the world for science and research, with 54% of our production rated world-leading.
More than the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Brazil combined. We continue to be a preferred choice for overseas students – notably postgraduates – who want to make sure they are exposed to the cutting edge of their field, with our research being mentioned in academic journals more frequently than anybody else.
You also get to connect with lots of brilliant and extraordinary teachers
Brilliant thinkers, some of the top minds in their disciplines, are behind our groundbreaking research, and you may connect with them on a variety of levels.
The influence of their encouraging and motivating teaching may be seen in the feedback we receive from our postgraduate students. The quality of UK instruction is rated highly by 93% of international postgraduates.
Get your hands on the most cutting-edge technologies.
You may hone your abilities in cutting-edge technologies at UK universities. You can conduct your own study in some of the most advanced surroundings accessible anywhere, with the most up-to-date equipment and IT ready to use across a wide range of subjects.
Now that you know what you stand to gain when you study in the UK, we will now go through the process in which you can start your application and make your dreams to study in the UK a reality.
Start by getting all your necessary credentials
Whether you graduated from high school or have a bachelor’s degree, make sure you have all of your relevant school certificates. Obtain the original copy of your WAEC certificate if you are a secondary school graduate. Get your university transcripts from your school while you prepare for postgraduate studies if you are a university graduate.
The majority of the time, there are bottlenecks in acquiring these transcripts. That is why you must submit it on time to avoid it becoming a roadblock to your plans to study abroad.
If you are applying for undergraduate studies, you will need your WAEC or A’ levels. If your WAEC result is good and you have about ‘C6’ there will be no need to sit for IELTS exams anymore. But if otherwise, you will need the IELTS and ensure you get a grade that is from 5.5 and above.
For your post-graduate study, you need to ensure that your Bachelor’s Degree came out with a good grade because that is the only time you will be considered.
Then if you want to further your Ph.D. program, you also need your Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree programs. You don’t just need to complete them, but you also need to ensure that you come out with good grades and also have an amazing and strong research proposal to back it up.
Furthermore, have in mind that requirements will vary according to your course, so while you have a knowledge of the general requirement, also have it in mind to check your intended institution and your field of study to make sure there are no extra requirements.
Get your international passport ready
This ought to be the first criteria to study in the UK because you can’t get a visa without your international passport. But we know how important your credentials are and the entry requirements to study in the UK and that is why it came first.
After you’ve confirmed that your certifications are in order, you can apply for an international passport. Any Nigerian Immigration Office in your state can provide you with one. You’ll be required to provide personal information, two passports, and a charge ranging from N15,000 to N30,000.
The importance of having an international passport cannot be overstated. As a foreign student, this is your first identification card and as stated earlier, you won’t be able to get any type of visa without it, and your access to foreign donors will be limited.
Search for your choice of school
In this case, Google should be your best buddy. You should have made a decision already on the country and institution where you want to study by now, but if you haven’t, take advantage of the opportunity to browse through foreign universities and pick one out of the bunch.
When doing so, pay close attention to the cost of living in that country, which includes lodging, food, transportation, and bills. Consider your tuition costs and decide which ones you can afford, also consider the weather and security in the region the school is situated.
Finland, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, Greece, Cyprus, and Poland, for example, provide education at a lower cost than their American and Asian counterparts. You should also consider the universities’ reputations as well as their treatment of Nigerian and African students.
Familiarize yourself with the school’s admission process
After you’ve finished your research and considerations, familiarize yourself with the school’s admission standards and procedures.
Every school has its admission requirements; some will demand you to take a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) even if they are aware that you are from Nigeria, an Anglophone (English Speaking) country, while others will not. The majority of their requirements will often contain internationally recognized exam results such as;
- GMAT which is mostly for management students
- TOEFL – it is mostly needed in Canada and US
- SAT
- WAEC – which happens to be very essential
- You will also be asked to provide recommendation letter
- Your university transcript
- IELTS
- GRE
The prerequisites aren’t just restricted to those listed above. They may need more credentials from you, but the ones listed above are the most important. If you score well on the GRE, you may be eligible for a scholarship and health insurance. The GRE is only for graduate students. Your CGPA is also taken into account.
You should double-check their criteria in that area. For most schools, it’s either a 2.1 or nothing for postgraduate studies. While a 2.2 may be acceptable, if your CGPA is low, your GMAT or GRE should be higher.
Now that you have all of this information at your fingertips, you can now proceed to your chosen institution’s website to submit your application. There are application fees that you will be required to pay. There are application deadlines as well, so stay informed and apply early before the window closes.
If your application is accepted, the school will send you an acceptance letter or an invitation letter, which you will use to apply for your Visa. In the event that you do not receive your Visa on time, this letter might be renewed.
As a Nigerian who wants to study in the UK, there are some scholarships available from the UK universities which you can apply for. However, you can only apply for a scholarship if you have a good result because their scholarship is based on merit and you can get up to £6000 in most cases.
Studying in the UK from Nigeria is an added advantage to you as you will learn a lot from the universities abroad. Every student in Nigeria only wishes to study abroad but it is only a few that have decided to take the bold step.
Studying in Nigeria will keep you away from the incessant strike that is faced by most universities in Nigeria as well as the issue with cultism. However, Nigeria institutions are great but studying in the UK will make you more exposed, improve your English speaking skills, and also open up more job opportunities for you after school.
Are you ready to start processing your admission? You should also visit the embassy in your country to start making inquiries about their visa fees and how to go about it.
