Requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad are not always the same. Hence you should pay attention to the requirements mentioned by the different universities. If unsure, you can speak with experts with experience in sending thousands of students to their dream universities abroad. They will guide you in the right direction.
Top 10 Basic Requirements for Nigerian Students To Study Abroad
If you are a Nigerian student and you have an ambition to study abroad anytime soon, then you should take note of the following critical requirements.
Find below 10 requirements for Nigerian Student to study abroad:
- Application form
- Certificates
- Test scores or competitive exam scores
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
- Letters of Recommendation
- Passport-size photographs
- Experience documents
- Proof of funds
- Visa
Application Form
Application form is the 1st on the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
The application form will have a sphere to enter all your personal and professional details. Fill in the application form carefully and properly. One quick tip if you are wondering how to apply to foreign universities: If there is an option to fill in the details before printing the application form, you should go for it. It makes it so much easier for the admissions officer to go through your application.
Certificates
Your certiificates are another important requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
If you’ve just completed school, you will need your West African Examinations Council (WAEC) along with the mark sheets when you apply for your post-secondary education abroad. If you have already finished your bachelor’s degree or postgraduate degree, you will have to produce your degree certificate and the mark sheets. All these certificates will be required from you when applying to study Abroad.
Test Scores Or Competitive Exam Scores
Test Scores Or Competitive Exam Scores is another important major item on the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
Many universities require GMAT, GRE, LSAT or other competitive exam scores as part of the entry requirements. The test certificates are extremely important among the list of documents required to study abroad. Several of these documents are valid only for a fixed period. So, make sure the certificates are valid while you submit them to the university.
If English is not your first language, you will have to submit proof of English proficiency while applying to foreign universities, especially universities in the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. This is because the courses will be delivered in English and the universities wouldn’t want the language to be a limiting factor for your studies.
IELTS and TOEFL are two of the most popular English language proficiency tests accepted globally. Most institutions also demand a minimum overall test score and a minimum acceptable score for each skill. For example, if you are looking to study Computer Science in Canada, you will have to score overall a minimum of 6.5 in IELTS with no individual band score less than 6.0.
IELTS Online is a great option for those who would like to take the test from the comfort of their home. However, make sure you check with the universities before signing up for the test.
Statement of purpose
Statement of purpose is a critical component on the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
This written document will signify who you are, what made you choose your career path, why you opted for that university, what are you planning to do after the course, your interests and other personal details. A well written SOP will be the key to your way into the university. So, invest a good amount of time working on your SOP before you submit the application.
Resume or CV
Resume or CV is part of the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad. No one would have thought a resume would be necessary when considering how to apply to foreign universities? Right after you finish high school, it is a good idea to start working on it to eventually prepare an effective resume. I know it’s slightly unrealistic to have a powerful resume just after high school but give it a try! It is wise to get help while preparing your resume; stick to two pages at the most, if possible.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation is necessary on the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
Institutions would like to know other people’s opinions about you, to help them make an informed decision on your application. Institutions might ask for more than one recommendation letter.
Make sure you ask from the right person. He/she should be someone who you know for sure will nail it for you. Look up tips for writing LORs, find samples and pass them along to the person writing the recommendation letter for you. A sad recommendation letter will push you down the ladder.
Passport-size photographs
These particular aspects, students tend to overlook, but then it is also an important part on the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad. Endeavour to always double-check the dimensions of the passport size photo, be it admissions or visas.
Experience documents
If you are applying for grad school, make sure you have relevant experience documents. For example, several institutions that offer MBA courses in abroad look for work experience. Griffith University in Queensland, Australia is one such institution that asks for a minimum of 3-years work experience from international students as part of their entry requirements to the MBA course.
You might not have experience certificates if you’ve just finished high school and are looking for post-secondary education. Ignore this step if that’s the case. However we added this as part of the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad, if you already acquired working experience.
Proof of funds
You will need to prove that you will be able to pay the tuition fee and living expenses for the entire duration of your studies abroad. This one is very critical on the list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
A quick look at what kind of living expenses you will be looking at abroad…
- United Kingdom – £11,385 per year
- Australia- AUD $ 19,830 per year
- Canada- CAD $10,000 per year
- Germany- €8,040 per year
- France- €615 per month
- Ireland- €7000 per year
- The Netherlands- €862, 50 per month
- Sweden- SEK 7,974 per month
Visa
This is the final pass hurdle on our list of requirements for Nigerian students to study abroad.
An international visa is needed when you travel abroad. A visa grants you permission to enter the country for a set amount of time and for a specific purpose. Every country has its own requirements for issuing visas but the basic application procedure is generally the same.
Frequently Asked Questions About Requirements For Nigerian Students To Study Abroad
Can a Nigerian student do it abroad?
Yes a Nigerian student can study abroad once he or she has the relevant qualifications as outlined above.
There are plenty of countries where Nigerian students can choose to study abroad. Some of them are the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands. Be sure to always check visa information before applying to a degree course abroad: Nigerian students applying for the UK visa.
Where do Nigerians study abroad?
With its large youth demographics and expanding middle class, Nigeria has become one of the most sought-after markets for student recruiters in major destination countries including Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, the US, and the UK.
Can I use WAEC GCE to study abroad?
Yes, you can use your Waec GCE result to study abroad. In order to do so, you will need a valid passport and visa. Additionally, Waec GCE results can be used to apply for studies abroad. There are some restrictions on which universities you can attend with Waec GCE results.
If you need further help, you can speak with our experts with experience in sending thousands of students to their dream universities abroad or call us on 0915 3821578 for guidance.
