Quick Facts
Nigerian students in UK
30,000+ UK study visas granted to Nigerians in 2025 โ one of the largest non-EU student populations
Most popular courses
Business & Management, Medicine & Nursing, Law, Engineering, Data Science, Public Health
Academic qualifications
WAEC/WASSCE and NECO accepted. 5 credits (including English & Maths) typically required for UG entry. Foundation year may be required.
IELTS requirement
Typically 6.0โ6.5 overall. Some universities accept WAEC English grade C6 as proof of proficiency โ check each university's Nigeria entry requirements page
TB test
Mandatory for Nigerian nationals โ must be completed at an approved IOM clinic in Lagos, Abuja, or Benin City before applying
Most popular UK cities
London, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Northampton
Graduate Route visa
2-year post-study work visa (3 years for PhD) after completing a qualifying degree. Applications submitted before 1 January 2027 qualify for the full 2-year route.
Dependants
Students on taught postgraduate programmes (excluding government-sponsored students) cannot bring dependants under current UK immigration rules. Check gov.uk for the latest policy.
How to Get Your UK Student Visa
Step-by-step guide to the Student visa (formerly Tier 4) process for applicants from Nigeria.
Apply to UK universities through UCAS (for undergraduate) or directly to the university (for postgraduate). Nigerian qualifications โ WAEC/WASSCE and NECO โ are recognised by UK universities. Most undergraduate applicants need five credits including English and Maths. Postgraduate applicants need a Nigerian bachelor's degree (minimum Second Class Lower / 2:2 equivalent).
Receive your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your UK university after accepting an unconditional offer and paying any required tuition deposit. Your CAS contains details about your course, fees, and start date โ it is required before you can apply for your visa.
Book and complete a Tuberculosis (TB) test at a UKVI-approved IOM clinic in Nigeria. TB testing is mandatory for Nigerian nationals applying for a UK visa. Approved clinics are located in Lagos, Abuja, and Benin City. Your certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of your test. Book early โ slots can fill quickly during peak season (JuneโSeptember).
Gather all required documents: valid passport, CAS number, financial evidence (bank statements for 28 consecutive days), academic transcripts and certificates, WAEC scratch card for online result verification, English language certificate if required, and your TB test certificate.
Create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account at gov.uk and complete the online Student visa application. Pay the visa application fee (currently ยฃ524 for applications from outside the UK for courses over 6 months โ check gov.uk for current fees) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS โ currently ยฃ776/year). As of 2025, many Nigerian applicants receive a digital eVisa rather than a physical stamp.
Book a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Nigeria โ centres are available in Lagos and Abuja. Upload your supporting documents to the UKVI portal before attending. Bring all original documents to your appointment.
Await a decision. Standard processing is typically around 3 weeks; priority services may be available at additional cost. Check gov.uk for current processing times. Once approved, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from your university within 10 days of arriving in the UK.
Documents Checklist
Make sure you have all of these before submitting your visa application. Missing documents are the most common reason for delays and refusals.
Valid Nigerian passport (valid for the full duration of your course)
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your UK university
Financial evidence โ bank statements covering 28 consecutive days (see below)
WAEC/WASSCE or NECO certificates with a scratch card for online verification of results โ required by most UK universities
University degree certificate and transcripts (for postgraduate applicants)
Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from a UKVI-approved IOM clinic in Nigeria โ mandatory for Nigerian nationals
English language certificate โ IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT (may be waived if your degree was taught in English or if your WAEC English grade meets the university's threshold โ typically grade C6 or above)
ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate if studying certain sensitive postgraduate subjects
Bank Statement Requirements
Financial evidence is critical. This is one of the most common reasons for visa refusals โ make sure you understand exactly what is required.
Financial Evidence Required for Nigeria
You must show sufficient funds to cover living costs for up to 9 months plus your first-year tuition fees. As of November 2025, the required maintenance figures are: London โ ยฃ1,529/month ร 9 months = ยฃ13,761. Outside London โ ยฃ1,171/month ร 9 months = ยฃ10,539. Add your first-year tuition fees on top (typically ยฃ15,000โยฃ30,000 for postgraduate; ยฃ14,000โยฃ25,000 for undergraduate). Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the required amount. Nigerian Naira accounts are acceptable if the balance converts to the required GBP amount. If your parents or a sponsor are funding your studies, their bank statements and a signed sponsorship letter are required. Always verify current maintenance figures at gov.uk as they are updated periodically.
IELTS Test Centres in Nigeria
Book your IELTS Academic test at one of these approved centres. Read our full IELTS guide โ
Always book directly through British Council or IDP to avoid fraud. Do not use third-party agents to book IELTS.
Nigeria Communities in the UK
Connecting with your community makes the transition to UK life much easier. These organisations support students from Nigeria.
Nigerian Student Society (NSS) โ active chapters at universities across the UK, organising cultural events, mentoring, and networking for Nigerian students
African Caribbean Society โ present at most UK universities, supporting students from across the African continent with cultural events and community building
Nigerian community in the UK โ one of the UK's largest African communities, particularly strong in London (especially Peckham, Woolwich, and Tottenham), Manchester, and Birmingham
Association of Nigerian Scholars for the Advancement of Knowledge (ANSAK) โ connects Nigerian academics and postgraduate researchers in the UK
Faith communities โ Nigerian church congregations are particularly active in London and other UK cities, providing spiritual support and a community network for Nigerian students
Scholarships Available for Nigeria Students
These funding opportunities are open specifically to students from Nigeria applying to UK universities.
| Scholarship | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | Full tuition + living allowance + return flights | Typically November each year for following year entry โ check chevening.org |
| Commonwealth Shared Scholarships | Full tuition + monthly stipend (~ยฃ1,347) + return flights | Typically December each year โ apply through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
| University Merit Scholarships | Varies โ typically ยฃ2,000โยฃ10,000 per year | Check individual university websites โ often linked to the admissions process |
| Co Lab Education Grant | ยฃ800โยฃ2,500 estimated | Ongoing โ calculated per course |
Chevening Scholarships
Fully funded UK government scholarship for one-year master's degrees. Open to Nigerian nationals with minimum 2 years' work experience. Highly competitive โ around 50โ70 Chevening scholars from Nigeria each year. Scholars must return to Nigeria for at least 2 years after completing their degree.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
For Nigerian nationals from lower-income backgrounds pursuing one-year master's degrees at UK universities. Focused on development-related subjects including public health, education, and engineering. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
University Merit Scholarships
Many UK universities offer merit-based international scholarships available to Nigerian students. Notable examples include the University of Hull, Edinburgh Napier, Brunel University London, and Nottingham Trent University. Can often be combined with the Co Lab Education grant.
Co Lab Education Grant
Co Lab returns 50%+ of the university commission back to you as an education grant. The exact estimated amount is shown on every course page before you apply. This is in addition to any university scholarship.
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