Almost 5 million students are enrolled in further education programs outside their home country in popular study destinations such as the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia. Students from Nigeria are among the largest groups of international students who leave their home country and move to foreign countries to build a life they’ve always dreamt of. Many students find it hard to choose a program that fits their genuine interests of study. If you’re one of those Nigerian students who is planning to study abroad but is confused about the program to be chosen, then you’re at the right place. Read the whole blog to find out about the popular courses for Nigerian students.
This Blog Includes:
Top Courses for Nigerian Students
Here are some of the most popular courses for Nigerian students studying abroad:
Engineering
Engineering is a lucrative career and engineering degrees are recognized worldwide. Engineering graduates are reportedly expected to receive the highest starting salary. Listed below are some of the top universities along with the countries offering Engineering Degrees:
University | Country |
Harvard University | USA |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA |
Stanford University | USA |
University of Oxford | UK |
University of Cambridge | UK |
University of Toronto | Canada |
Peking University | China |
IIT, Bombay | India |
IIT, Delhi | India |
University of New South Wales | Australia |
Management and Business
Management and Business programs are considered a better option to choose for higher studies in comparison to other degrees such as a Bachelor’s degree in Arts or language subjects. A graduate with a management or an MBA degree can definitely land ample career opportunities in most of the fields. Listed below are the top universities in the world for management and business programs:
University | Country |
University of Pennsylvania | USA |
Stanford University | USA |
Harvard University | USA |
London Business School | UK |
London School of Economics | UK |
University of Oxford | UK |
University of Cambridge | UK |
HEC Paris | France |
INSEAD | France, Singapore, Dubai, United States |
Economics
The world is a market-driven society which is why a degree in Economics paves the way for many. Its career scope is what makes it one of the most popular courses for Nigerian students studying abroad. A bachelor’s, master’s or PhD/doctorate-level degree is a lucrative study option that provides a wide range of career opportunities not only as an Economist but also other job roles in sectors such as the government, diplomacy, and corporate sector. Listed below are some of the top universities for an Economics Degree:
University | Country |
London School of Economics | UK |
University of Oxford | UK |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA |
Harvard University | USA |
Stanford University | USA |
Yale University | USA |
Princeton University | USA |
University of Delhi | India |
Jawaharlal Nehru University | India |
University of Toronto | Canada |
Computer Science
Computer Science is amongst the most one of the most popular courses for Nigerian students studying abroad. If you’re fascinated by programming, then the field of Computer Science is the perfect choice for you. Listed below are the top universities offering the best computer science courses:
University | Country |
Oxford University | UK |
University of Edinburgh | UK |
University College London | UK |
Cambridge University | UK |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA |
Tsinghua University | China |
McGill University | Canada |
IIT, Delhi | India |
IIT, Kanpur | India |
International Relations
IR is one of the most popular courses for Nigerian students studying abroad. If you’re passionate about assessing world policies and maintaining peace at a global level, then a degree in International Relations is the right choice for you. A degree in International Relations is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of global issues as it provides students with knowledge of economics, culture, education, and political science. Listed below are the best universities to study international relations.
University | Country |
Princeton University | USA |
Yale University | USA |
Harvard University | USA |
Sciences Po | France |
University of Cambridge | UK |
Oxford University | UK |
London School of Economics and Political Science | UK |
Australian National University | Australia |
National University of Singapore | Singapore |
Admission Requirements
To study abroad in any of the above-mentioned universities, you should first know about the admission requirements of the country. Mentioned below is a general criterion for studying abroad for Nigerian students:
- You must have a Senior School Certificate issued by the West African Examinations Council.
- You must possess a first or second-class bachelor’s degree that is equivalent to that of the chosen country. The course of the Bachelor’s degree must be correlated with the chosen master’s program for postgraduate courses.
- You must have completed a formal high school education from a high school in Nigeria. Nigerian students are expected to pass standardized tests and English Language Ability tests including TOEFL, IELTS and PTE to prove English language proficiency in countries like the USA and the UK. However, for studying at universities in Canada you may not be asked to provide proof of the same.
- You may be required to take GMAT or GRE exams for specific courses such as an MBA or other.
English Language Requirements
Canada and India do not have any specific requirements for Nigerian Students to submit proof of English Language proficiency.
UK
Universities in the UK accept the following additional tests as evidence of English language proficiency:
Course | IELTS | PTE | TOEFL |
Foundation course | 6.5 – 7.0 Overall | 59-64 | 72-80 |
Undergraduate Course/ Postgraduate Courses | 6.5 – 7.0 overall | 64-67 | 80-110 |
Also Read: Best Universities for Nigerian Students in UK
It is to be noted that the WAEC West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), English Grade C or above can be accepted in place of IELTS or equivalent tests.
USA
Nigerian students are expected to pass standardized tests and English Language Ability tests including TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE to prove English language proficiency. However, for some universities in the United States, you may not be asked to provide proof of the same if you have completed at least two years of full-time academic study at a U.S. high school or at a high school in a country where English is the native language. The cost of studying and living varies from country to country.
Cost of Studying for Nigerian Students: Country-Wise Breakdown
It is always advisable to research the estimated amount required to study abroad so that a student is able to strategize everything beforehand. Mentioned below is the country-wise breakdown of cost of studying for Nigerian students:
USA
Level of Degree | Average cost of studying |
Bachelor’s | USD $26,290 (Nigerian Naira 10932170) |
Master’s | USD $20,000 (Nigerian Naira 83,16,600) to $35,000 (Nigerian Naira 14554050) |
UK
Level of Degree | Average cost of studying |
Bachelor’s | GBP 11,000 – GBP 15,000 (Nigerian Naira 61,89,690 – 84,40,480) |
Master’s | GBP 11,000 – GBP 16,000 (Nigerian Naira 61,89,690 – 90,03,180). |
Canada
Level of Degree | Average cost of studying |
Bachelor’s | CAD 14,162 to CAD 29,714 ( Nigerian Naira 46,20,302 – 96,95,065) |
Master’s | CAD 13,437 to CAD 17,744 (Nigerian Naira 43,83,773 – 57,98,704) |
Also Read: Best Universities in Canada for Nigerian Students
Cost of Living for Nigerian Students
Country | Average Amount |
US | $25,000 (Nigerian Naira 10395750) annually. |
UK | GBP 6,000 to GBP 8,000 (Nigerian Naira 33,49,881 – 44,66,508 |
Canada | CAD 800 to CAD 1,000 (Nigerian Naira 260997 – 326246) per month |
Check out Leverage Edu’s Cost of Living Calculator to find a detailed breakdown of expenses to manage your studies accordingly.
FAQs
The University of Toronto, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, and McGill University are some of the top universities that offer master’s courses in economics.
The minimum GPA Score requirement for studying in the USA is a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Some of the most affordable universities in the United States for Nigerian Students are Western Illinois University, Minnesota State University, University of South Florida, South Dakota State University and the University of Wyoming.
Want to study abroad? Then do not wait and call Leverage Edu experts on 1800572130 and get started on an incredible journey to your dream university!