Are you interested in knowing the study abroad requirements for Nigerian students in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Ireland, Germany, and Norway?
If YES, then this article is only what you need to read today.
Studying abroad has the potential to be a life-changing opportunity.
Anyone who wishes to cultivate friendships, explore a range of cultures, and explore the country might benefit from studying abroad.
Foreign universities and schools seek applicants who will contribute a distinct perspective to their institution.
Ensure you take your time and read this article to the end if you’re serious about achieving your education dream and career goal this year.
Getting started…
15 Best Courses for Nigerian Students to Study Abroad
Many Nigerian students apply for postgraduate degrees abroad, followed by undergraduate applicants, with PhD degree students forming a small percentage of applicants.
Here are the most popular courses pursued by Nigerian students in various countries abroad:
- Architecture
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Fashion Design
- International Relations
- Law
- Management
- Marketing
- Medicine and Surgery
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Public Administration
- Software Development
12 Study Abroad Requirements for Nigerian Students
Here are the eligibility requirements to study abroad from Nigeria in 2024.
- Application letter from the university
- Bank Statements
- Birth Certificate
- CV and Resume
- Health Documents
- International Passport
- Language Proficiency Tests
- Letter of Recommendation.
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Recommendation Letter
- Student Study Visa
- WAEC/SSCE Result
As a Nigerian student, JAMB isn’t needed to study abroad.
You can only use JAMB to gain admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Qualifications to Study Abroad in Most Foreign Universities
For BSc, BA, BEng/Meng, applicants with a minimum of 3 A levels will be considered for direct admission to undergraduate programmes.
International Baccalaureate diploma holders will be considered for direct admission to undergraduate programmes.
Applicants with Higher National Diploma with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.5 (overall, and in relevant subjects) or Two Years of a bachelor’s degree from a University with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 or 4.6/7.0 (overall, and in relevant subjects) will be considered for direct admission for Year 1 entry into undergraduate programmes on a case-by-case basis.
For MA, MSc, you will usually need a 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a relevant subject for entry.
Most postgraduate courses require a UK 2:1 or equivalent for entry, but some courses may consider 2:2 grades.
For PhD, you will usually need a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from a recognized university in a relevant subject for entry.
Some courses may consider a bachelor’s degree on its own if it is combined with relevant research experience.
How to Study Abroad from Nigeria in 2024
Here are the right steps to study abroad from Nigeria.
1. Choose the Right Country and the Right University
Choosing the right university and course is the most important part of your decision to study abroad.
Choosing the right country to study abroad depends on many factors, such as living conditions, cultural differences, spoken language, distance to the country where you live, climatic conditions, accommodation, tuition fees, and post-study work opportunities.
The United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, China, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand are among the top study abroad countries for Nigerians.
However, you can make a more accurate decision about the choice of a country, considering the field you’ll study and the popular professions in that country.
When deciding on a program to study, talk to your faculty, friends, family, and other students about your choice.
These people who are close to you may have a profound knowledge about you, your interests, strengths, and weaknesses and can therefore suggest a thing or two that can influence your decision.
Also, in deciding your course and country to study in, you can get free help from education agencies and consultants who will guide you to choose the right course at the right place.
This study abroad advisors conduct online events to accommodate interested students, so check their website.
Aside from the usual surface-level research, consider chatting with your friends, studying abroad and looking into forums and groups of international students who have previously joined the program.
This will enable you to have more in-depth information on how university life would be as well as some insider tips to help you increase your chances of getting accepted.
2. Set the Budget for Your Studies
Depending on the program and country, to study abroad as a Nigerian student can cost from $4k to $50k presently.
So, it will be healthier for you or your family to determine the budget of your education abroad and decide according to this budget.
Here are things you can do to study abroad on a budget:
- Look for countries with relatively affordable tuition fees, e.g., Germany.
- Look for countries with relatively affordable housing or accommodation, transportation fees, food, and groceries, e.g. The UK, US, China, etc.
- Search for scholarship opportunities in the country you’ve chosen.
- Search working conditions and alternatives as a student. Some countries like the UK and Canada allow you to work part-time while studying there.
3. Prepare Your Documents and Check the Deadline
You need to prepare the required documents ahead of time to make your application process easier.
Putting these documents together takes time and depending on how long you have completed your last academic level, where to find your tutors for references, and other factors that can affect your timelines and deadlines, so start fast and finish fast!
Most universities will prefer the original copy of your documents.
Either these will be sent directly from your school or you, as the applicant, will share an authentic file with them.
Remember that forging documents is highly prohibited and could cost you dearly.
4. Prepare for the Exams
When you choose your university or college overseas, make sure you know all about their admission requirements, including academic results, certificates, etc.
You need to check if the university or the institution requires specific exams as a prerequisite to be accepted.
English proficiency exam, like the IELTS test, are often required by universities overseas.
Check out the university website to know the score you need to achieve to get accepted.
For medical education in Canada, the USA, and Australia, you’ll need the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as a compulsory requirement.
In Canada and the USA, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for legal education.
In the UK, the GRE test is common for engineering, social sciences, and MBA subjects, while in the USA, GMAT testing is more common, especially for business, marketing, and finance master’s programs.
SAT test is required by most universities and colleges in the USA for students seeking an undergraduate degree.
5. Prepare for the Interview (If Necessary)
There is nothing wrong with undergoing an interview process.
The school or faculty abroad who arranged this interview is interested in knowing who you are and is interested in understanding your ambitions and career plans.
Not all schools will start an interview process with students, but this interview stage can help you increase your chances of getting accepted and can also serve as a platform to validate the offer.
6. Apply for a Passport and Student Visa
If you have already received an offer from the school of your choice, it’s time to prepare your student visa, arrange your accommodation, and book your ticket!
I recommend you begin the student visa application process as early as possible once you have received an admission offer from abroad.
This is because student visa applications can sometimes be delayed by large amounts of time.
Final Words
Not all countries are suitable for studying abroad.
For living expenditures, European nations are far less expensive than the United States or Australia.
Colleges in Asia are less expensive than those in Europe.
With permits and immigration processes, some nations are simpler than others.
Before you travel to your favourite destination, do some research on the country language, education fees, living costs and treatment of Nigerians (issues of racism).
With all these study abroad requirements for Nigerian students, I wish you the best in your studies.
