Popular Courses for Nigerian Students

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. 

Also Read: Scholarships for Nigerian Students

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	QS World Ranking 2022 by subject
Harvard University	USA	#11
Massachusetts Institute of technology	USA	#1
Stanford University	USA	#2
University of Oxford	UK	#6
University of Cambridge	UK	#3
University of Toronto	Canada	#18
Peking University	China	#24
IIT, Bombay	India	#49
IIT, Delhi	India	#54
University of New South Wales	Australia	#36

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
Stanford University	USA
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

Best Universities for Nigerian Students in the UK!

Admission Requirements

To study abroad in any of the above-mentioned universities, you must be first aware of 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 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	5.5 – 6.0 overall	59-64	72-80
Undergraduate Course/ Postgraduate Courses	6.5 – 7.0 overall	64-67	80-110

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.

Top Destinations in the World for Nigerian Students

Cost of Studying for Nigerian Students: Country-Wise Breakdown

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)

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.

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