The UK is the second most prominent study destination for international students. This is because they have everything that makes education worthwhile, including high standards, distinct teaching methods, excellent research, and first-class educational infrastructure. Besides, healthcare and the general cost of living are affordable. This makes it a top-notch study destination for international students. Hence, you need to understand UK student visa requirements for Nigerian students.
Table of Contents
- 1 UK Student Visa Requirements for Nigerian students
- 2 Types of the UK Student Visas
- 3 General Requirements for Nigerian Students to Study in the UK
UK Student Visa Requirements for Nigerian students
A student visa is required to study in the UK. The requirements for a student visa differ depending on your home country. If you are from Nigeria, you must meet the following criteria. If you meet all of the requirements listed below, you should be able to obtain a student visa for the United Kingdom. And they are broadly classified into three types or categories.
Types of the UK Student Visas
Three types of UK study visas exist, and they are:
- Tier 4 (child) student visa
- Short-term study visa
- Tier 4 (General) student visa
Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa
This student visa is available for children of 4 – 17 years planning to study in any UK school. If you fall under this category, you must apply for a visa from outside the UK. Besides, it must be at least six months before the commencement of your program.
The visa is valid for the length of the program of study and can be extended in some instances. For example, a student under the age of 16 will spend up to six years in school with an extra four months visa award. Similarly, students between 16 and 17 can spend up to three years, with an additional four months visa award.
What are the Requirements for the (Child) Student Visa?
To obtain the child student visa, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- A valid passport
- Proof of English Language proficiency
- An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, if possible
- Unconditional offer to study in a UK institution
- Proof of financial capability to sponsor yourself in the UK
- Parent or guardian’s consent to study in the UK
- Tuberculosis test result
- Additional documents not included here
What are the UK (Child) Student Visa Fees?
Without a doubt, the UK Child Student visa often costs ₦162,000. Sometimes, you may also have to pay healthcare surcharges as part of the application process. However, knowing that the amount to pay may vary is crucial. Therefore, you need to determine the amount you will pay during the application.
Short-term Study Visa
You can only use the UK short-term visa to study the English language program in the United Kingdom. This is because the course lasts between 6 and 11 months. Hence, if you plan to study a program that lasts beyond the stipulated timeframe, you may need to obtain another kind of visa to qualify. Besides, with the visa, you will be qualified to spend an extra 30 days in the country if you do not stay longer than 11 months.
What are the Requirements for a Short-term Study Visa?
To acquire a UK short-term visa, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- You must not be younger than 16 years.
- You must have received an offer to study an English language program between 6 and 11 months at a designated institution.
In addition, it must be an English language course, and you cannot change it to any other course in the UK.
What are the Short-term Study Visa Fees?
The visa often costs around ₦87,000. However, as part of the online application, you will need to pay the sum of ₦218,000 health surcharges. This health surcharge will enable you to use the country’s National Health Service (NHS).
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
If you are a Nigerian student above 16 and plan to study for a long term in the United Kingdom, you can apply for a Tier 4 student visa. Among all the study visas, it is the most popular, and many Nigerians tilt towards it once they complete their secondary education.
Having this visa qualifies your family members to apply to travel to the UK with you and stay throughout the validity of the visa.
What are the Requirements of a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa?
It would be best if you met the following conditions to be able to apply for the Tier 4 (General) student visa:
- A valid passport
- An Academic Technology Approval System(ATAS) certificate
- Previous academic qualifications as listed in your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
- A valid international passport
- Evidence of adequate finance or sponsor to support your program
- You must be less than 16
- Proof that you can understand, speak and write English
- Updated bank statement
- A letter from your official sponsor (if any)
In addition, you must have a blank page in your passport for your visa to accommodate your biometric information, which includes your photograph and fingerprints. This, you will do at the visa application center (VAC).
What are the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa Fees?
The cost of the 4 Tier student visa is ₦185,000. You can pay it online after filling out the application form. Moreover, due to the fluctuation in dollar exchange, you may add extra money to avoid being stranded. You must also have up to ₦620,000 in your account for up to nine months before the application.
General Requirements for Nigerian Students to Study in the UK
English Requirements
#1. Knowledge of English
When applying for your visa, you must prove your knowledge of the English language. This includes:
- passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an authorized provider
- possessing an A level, GCSE, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, obtained through a UK education started under age 18
#2. Level of English
You must prove that you can at least speak, understand, read, and write English to an approved level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
#3. Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English?
If you obtained your English qualification in any of the below countries, which is equivalent to a UK degree, you do not need to prove your knowledge of English.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Jamaica
- Malta
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- the UK
- the USA
In addition, if any of the below applies, you do not need to prove your English:
- You are a Canadian citizen
- You proved your level of English in a previous visa application
Financial Requirements to Support Yourself
Except you have been in the United Kingdom for up to 12 months with a valid visa, you must demonstrate that you can sustain yourself financially. Besides, your location of study will determine the amount you need. See the breakdown below:
- £1,334 monthly (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
- £1,023 monthly (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London
Additionally, you must pay boarding fees if you reside at an independent residential school. The fee is stated on your CAS. If you bring family members, you must prove that you have enough financial capability to sustain them. The money must be in your account for at least 28 days before your visa application.
In the same way, if you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you must tender proof from the sponsor or loan provider.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Your education provider will issue you a reference number (CAS) as proof that you have been offered a place in the program of study. Also, you are to attach the CAS to your visa application. You are also expected to apply for your visa within six months of receiving your CAS.
Conclusion
If you plan to study in the UK, you must meet the UK student visa requirements for Nigerian students. Besides, you must find out the type of visa you need for your course type and the requirements.
See Also: Study in the UK: An Ultimate Guide for Nigerian Students
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you apply for your visa?
The time to apply for your visa depends on your location. That is whether you are applying from the UK or outside the UK.
If you are applying from outside the UK:
You must apply for the visa as early as six months before the commencement of your program. The decision on your visa will take place within three months of the application.
If you are applying from the UK:
You must apply within three months before the commencement of your program. Besides, it would be best if you did so before the expiration of your current visa. Plus, the program of study must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiration. The decision on your visa application will take place within eight weeks.
How long can you stay in the UK?
The length of time to spend in the UK is determined by the length of your program. Hence, if you are up to 18, studying a degree course, you can spend up to five years in the UK. Contrarily, you can stay up to two years if it is below degree level.
What if you are staying longer in the UK?
- If you are staying longer in the UK, you may be qualified for the following:
- Visa extension to continue your studies in the UK
- Switching to a student visa from another visa if you are in the UK already
- Switching to a graduate visa to remain in the UK for at least two years after your graduation
When can you travel to the UK?
It is best you arrive in the UK before your program’s commencement. In this case, you can arrive one week earlier if your program is around six months and less or one month earlier if your program is beyond six months. Besides, your visa will state your start date of arrival, and you must adhere to it.