Study Abroad
Study in the UK
Study in Canada
We look forward to helping students like you who would like to study in Canada. You will find all the information you need to aid your research in deciding if Canada is the best place for you.
About Studying in the UK
The UK is a world leader in many areas of education including engineering, science, art and design, business and management, law and finance. The UK’s reputation and legacy as a world centre for scientific research makes it a magnet for some of the very best thinkers in the world. With only one per cent of the world’s population, the UK is responsible for eight per cent of global scientific publications.
The UK offers a world-renowned education system with qualifications that can make a real difference to your future. It attracts over 600,000 international students each year to a variety of programmes, ranging from English language courses to PhDs.
The UK education system gives students the freedom to combine courses and subjects from different areas of studies, so you can tailor your degree to your own needs and interest.
The UK education system is flexible, so you can study in a way that suits your lifestyle and career aspirations. When you study in the UK you meet people from different nationalities, sharing their backgrounds and discovering new perspectives.
One of the most popular study destinations, the UK enjoys a proud tradition of education with universities rooting back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Known for its language, history, culture and innovation, the UK has an average student retention rate of 82%. With a comprehensive support systems in place for international students, studying in UK is definitely a life-changing experience.
All about the intakes available in the UK
Unlike a single intake in Nigerian universities, colleges and universities in the UK offer two main intakes. In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester.
- Autumn Intake: September to October
- Spring Intake: January to February
There is a third intake also available in some universities, called the Summer intake (June to August) and is available for specific programs only.
– Which intake to opt for?
It can get a bit confusing to choose the intake that’s best for you. Consider factors like the availability of your preferred program, your academic records, entrance test scores, acceptance rates, job opportunities and your readiness to join the program whilst making a decision.
While most Nigeria students prefer the September intake, January and April intakes are equally good for certain programs. We suggest, if you do not have your score cards ready, it’s better to skip the haste and apply for the next intake.
All UG courses applications are regulated by UCAS (UK based Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
Student visa requirements for the UK
The UK Government provides an opportunity to all Nigeria students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first.
The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the UK.
Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
| Type of student visa | Who it’s for | When to apply | Arrival in the UK |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tier 4 (General) student visa |
Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution |
Three months before the start of your course |
Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
|
Tier 4 (Child) student visa |
Students aged between four and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school |
Three months before the start of your course |
Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
|
Short-term study visa |
Students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course |
Three months before your date of travel to the UK |
Depends on your nominated travel dates |
|
Tier 4 (General) student visa |
Students who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor |
Three months before the start of your course |
Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months |
Cost to study in the UK
| S.no. | Study Program | Average fee (in Euros*) |
|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Undergraduate bachelor degree |
GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year |
|
2 |
Postgraduate master’s degree |
GBP 10,000 to GBP 20,000 per year |
|
3 |
Doctoral degree |
GBP 15,000 to GBP 24,000 per year |
– Cost of accommodation
Most universities in the UK offer on-campus residence facilities called the Halls of Residence to international students. These can be self-catered or full board. Certain campuses also provide self-catered shared houses or flats to their students. Living as a resident on-campus is a very affordable option. However, you need to apply for it separately, and well ahead in time to secure a slot for yourself.
If you are unable to find such accommodation, you might have to look for a room on rent, homestay or find localhost. Your university’s accommodation office may help you out in this case too as they often have a list of accommodation options available in the nearby area.
Your checklist when looking for a place:
- Costs
- Facilities
- Deposits
- Inventory
- Rent book
- Bill payment
- Tenancy agreement
- Council tax
- House rules, if any
The cost will vary from city to city. If you opt to rent an apartment, you will have to additionally pay for utility bills like electricity, internet, water usage and also tenant’s insurance (in some areas of housing). House rent for a one-bedroom apartment generally ranges between £550 and £650 (Indicative).
Note that anyone over the age of 18 living in the UK is required to pay for local community services such as rubbish collection, police, fire brigade, leisure services, etc. You’ll have to pay for council tax if you’ll be living anywhere apart from an on-campus accommodation or sharing a home with a family or other full-time student.
Ask for a tenancy agreement before moving and do not sign just any document without understanding it. In most cases, universities help the students in finding accommodation, both on-campus as well as off-campus.
The student accommodation cost depends on the type and location of the accommodation. As per the NUS/Unipol Accommodation Costs Survey, London has the highest average weekly rent of approx. £157.48 per week and the cheapest rooms are in Northern Ireland costs around £83.01 per week.
– Cost of your student visa
To study in the UK, the first step is to secure a valid study visa and that comes with its own costs (approx. £348). Feel free to consult your IDP counsellor for latest updates and information on the visa application process and related costs.