How to make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK 2024

Last updated on May 22nd, 2023

The UK is the second most prominent study abroad destination for international students. It offers premium quality education to enable students to maximize their knowledge and create a unique career path. For that reason, tons of students worldwide look towards the UK each year to acquire the best education.

Thousands of Nigerians are not left out of this race. If you are among them, you need to find out how to make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK. Numerous secrets help you acknowledge how to survive in the UK. That is because life there is both stressful and expensive.

This guide is specifically compiled to expose the secrets that will help you make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK. Keep reading as you discover more!

Table of Contents

1 Reasons you should study in the UK as a Nigerian
2 What are some of the challenges facing Nigerian students in the UK?
3 What are the Eligibility Criteria to Study in the UK?
4 What are the Post Study Work Opportunities for Nigerian Students in the UK?
5 In what ways to make the most of Your Time as a Nigerian Student in the UK?

Reasons you should study in the UK as a Nigerian

There are numerous reasons Nigerian students choose to study abroad in the UK. Although there are barriers that have hindered some Nigerians from studying in the UK, the reward for doing it is immense. Hence, the following are among the reasons you should give studying in the UK a shot:

The UK institutions are among the top schools globally because of their high academic standards in teaching, research, learning, and infrastructure.
Most UK institutions provide financial aid to international students through scholarships, tuition fee discounts, loans, and more.
As a Nigerian student in the UK, you can work for some hours during the week to enable you to offset some financial obligations.
Most UK programs have shorter durations than other leading countries. This means you can save money and time while studying your dream course.

What are some of the challenges facing Nigerian students in the UK?

Like other foreign schools, you will encounter some challenges if you choose to study in the UK. The reasons are not limited to financial difficulties. However, some disparities in cultures, religions, and languages are some of the reasons. Here are some of the challenges:

#1. The Cost of Living

Like other countries, the cost of living in the UK is quite expensive. This is because the standard of living is high. Hence, it would be best to prepare to spend more money than you do in Nigeria. In addition, paying tax is mandatory here, especially if you are working. But don’t fret about it; you will find better ways to make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK.

#2. Cold Weather

Unlike in Nigeria, where the weather is relatively warm throughout the year, the UK experiences cold weather for the better part of the year. Hence, while planning to move to the UK, you must embrace that you are coming to study in a cold region. That also means you would have more warm clothing than ordinary ones.

#3. Accommodation

Housing in the UK is one of the most challenging issues Nigerian students in the UK face. Aside from the difficulty in getting suitable accommodation, you will meet the cost challenge. Plus, the terms and conditions of living in such a house may not be convenient for you, owing to where you came from. However, you will have little or no choice in such cases.

What are the Eligibility Criteria to Study in the UK?

As a Nigerian student, you must know the requirements to study in the UK. This will help you scale through the admission process. Besides, while meeting the general requirements, you would also need to meet the specific requirements of the school or program of study. Here are the general conditions:

A valid passport
Minimum CPGA of 3.0 and above on a four-point scale in your undergraduate level if you are applying for a postgraduate program
You must meet a minimum of 65 – 70% cut-off mark of your undergraduate or postgraduate studies, depending on the school standard
You must meet the minimum cut-off point for IELTS, TOEFL, or C1 Advanced
For a master’s program, you must meet the cut-off point for GMAT/GRE or any other entrance examination
Academic transcript
Resume
Statement of purpose
Letter of recommendation
Portfolio (for individual courses)

What are the Post Study Work Opportunities for Nigerian Students in the UK?

If you plan to study in the UK, you must understand that several prospects await you here. Since it is a highly globalized country, it offers numerous opportunities to individuals regardless of their backgrounds.

Depending on your program of study, you can venture into fields like engineering, healthcare, accounting, business, law, and more. That aside, the country has made it easier for international students by introducing a new visa called the New Graduate Route Visa.

Through the scheme, you can work in the UK for two to three years after graduation. With it, you will gather the relevant experience necessary to pursue a bigger job in the country. So as you are looking for how to make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK, this is an opportunity to do that.

In what ways to make the most of Your Time as a Nigerian Student in the UK?

You must know some great secrets to survive and succeed in the UK. Below, you will find some things you can do to achieve that. Also, note that some may not apply to you personally.

#1. Apply For a Scholarship

Yearly, numerous scholarships are available for Nigerian students who plan to study in the UK. These scholarships can be relevant in different areas, the primary reason being to help curb your financial load.

You can regularly search for scholarships in the UK for Nigerian students. In that regard, you can search for the appropriate websites where the latest scholarship programs and their aims are shared.

Scholarships will not only take care of your tuition, but they will also take care of other expenses. However, you may not get a scholarship that will handle all the expenses at once. Hence, you must enlarge your scope when searching and apply for as many as possible.

Another option is to look for schools that offer scholarships to Nigerian students. Most public schools in the UK do so because the government maps out thousands of pounds each year to help international students through scholarships. Thus, you can leverage this opportunity as a Nigerian student in the UK.

#2. Obtain Student Loan

As a Nigerian student, you may need a student loan to offset some of your financial expenses if you are stuck at a spot financially. The good news about student loans is that you can repay them after your studies in the UK.

There are willing organizations that can make that dream happen. However, you must meet their requirements to obtain the loan. A student loan is a good chance of survival in the UK.

#3. Apply For a Job While Studying

As a Nigerian student (international students as a whole), you have the opportunity to work in the UK. Whether a regular or part-time student, you can save money by taking a casual job. The funds can significantly augment your tuition, accommodation, travel, visa, and other expenses.

Besides, your student visa permits you to work as much as 20 hours weekly during the school session and up to 40 hours when school is not in session. If possible, look for remote/freelancing jobs that give you more flexibility to work and study. These remote jobs also pay better. Therefore, to make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK, you need a job.

#4. Search for Low Tuition Schools

Although it looks like UK institutions are expensive, you can always find cheaper schools within your budget. It would be best to have low-tuition schools to make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK.

Even if you have enough money to take care of high tuition fees, you can settle for cheaper schools and use the remaining money to handle other expenses. However, if you are on a scholarship to study in top UK schools, that would be your advantage.

Conclusion

You can always make the most of your time as a Nigerian student in the UK. However, it depends on your willingness to take opportunities, no matter how minute they seem. An uncountable number of Nigerian students have passed through this route and are doing amazingly well in their various careers. You are on the same path now and must do all you can to excel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours can a Nigerian student work in the UK?

Studying in the UK allows you to work part-time as a student. With your student visa, you can work up to 20 hours during the session, and during the semester break, you can work full-time.

How much can an international student earn in the UK while studying?

The National Minimum Wage for International Students in the UK as of April 1st, 2022, is £9.50 per hour for workers who are 23 and above. Also, workers around 21 – 22 receive £9.18 per hour, and those 18 – 20 receive £6.83 per hour.