10 best universities in the UK for Nigerian students

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for Nigerian students. This is mainly due to the many benefits the UK offers to Nigerian students. Though the cost of studying there may be quite high, Nigerians are offered the best quality of education, the standard of living and opportunities after graduating is better than in most nations. It is no wonder Nigerians are flocking over to the UK for their studies. 

Studying in the UK opens up countless opportunities for Nigerians that not many countries can beat. One major benefit of studying in the UK for Nigerian students is the seamless assimilation of the lifestyle over there, which is encouraged by the lack of language barrier and the vast number of Nigerians living, working and studying in the UK. The UK also offers job opportunities to Nigerian students while still studying and after graduation. 

The UK is home to over 160 universities, with many of them ranking very well in the world university rankings. Many of the universities in the UK welcome international students including Nigerian students with open arms.

Best universities in the UK for Nigerian students

If you are a Nigerian student interested in studying in the UK, below are the top 10 universities to consider: 

1. University of Oxford 

The University of Oxford is one of the most sort after universities in the entire world. The institution is the world’s second-oldest university in continuous operation. It houses over 26,000 students who are among the world’s best. This university is one of the most competitive to get into due to its high academic standards. Not many Nigerians are able to gain admission into this university, but for those who manage to, the benefits are endless. 

The tuition is quite expensive but need-based scholarships are awarded to students who can not afford the tuition fees. Every student at Oxford is excellent, so scholarships are awarded based on needs, not merits.

2. Coventry University

Coventry University is a public research university that was founded in the year 1843. This university has a long history of providing quality education and internationally recognized degrees in top courses. Coventry University has an acceptance rate of 32% which although is quite competitive, is still achievable.

With a student satisfaction rate of 90%, this university is considered one of the best universities for Nigerian students in the UK.

3. University of Cambridge 

The University of Cambridge is a public collegiate research university founded in 1209. It is the third-oldest university in continuous operation. It houses over 24,000 students. Just like the University of Oxford, admission into the University of Cambridge is highly competitive.

Only a handful of students who apply are given admission. This also holds true for international students too including Nigerian students. 

4. University of Hertfordshire

The University of Hertfordshire is a popular option for Nigerian students. The university was founded in 1952 and has since then offered great quality education.

In addition, this university boasts of having the lowest student-related criminal incidents despite having over 25,000 students, 5,000 of which are international students. Over 100 countries are represented in the school including Nigeria. 

5. University of Salford 

The University of Salford is a public research institution founded in the year 1896. The university has 21,500 students, of which 3,000 are international students including Nigerian students.

The university is currently organized into four schools, which are, the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology; School of Science, Engineering and Environment; School of Health and Society; and Salford Business School. 

6. University of Edinburgh 

The University of Edinburgh is a public research institution located in Scotland. The university was founded in 1582 and officially opened in 1583. It is one of the oldest universities in the UK, one of Scotland’s four ancient universities and the sixth-oldest university in continuous operation in the English-speaking world.

The University of Edinburgh is the seventh-largest university in the UK by enrollment and the second-most popular university in the UK by volume of applications. The university has over 40,000 students of which there is a considerable amount of international students including Nigerian students. 

7. The Nottingham Trent University 

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is a public research university located in Nottingham, England, and was established in 1843. It caters to over 35,000 students, making it the sixth-largest university in the UK.

This university is a goldmine mine for students, as the university maintains close ties to over 6,000 businesses including Microsoft, Toyota, Boots, Experian and Rolls-Royce. Approximately 94% of students progress to full-time employment or further education within six months of graduating.

The research aspect of the university is one of the best in the world. In 2014, 90% of the university’s research was considered to be “world-leading” and “internationally excellent” or “internationally recognised”. In November 2015 and 2021, the university was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, “the highest national honour for a UK University” based on numerous research projects.

8. Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a public research university that was established in 1907 and is located in London, England. Simply referred to as imperial, the school has a high international community, with 59% of its students from outside the UK. Over 140 countries are represented in the school including Nigeria.

The school has about 19,400 students with a very high student satisfaction rate of 89%. Imperial graduates are ranked 1st amongst UK universities in employment prospects and they also receive higher salaries than graduates from other schools. 

9. University of Manchester 

The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, England and was established in 2004. With over 46,000 students, the University of Manchester is the third-largest university in the United Kingdom by total enrollment.

It is also the most popular university in the UK by volume of applications, receiving over 92,000 undergraduate applications per year. 

10. The University of Birmingham

The University of Birmingham is a public research institution and a founding member of both the Russell Group of British research universities and the international network of research universities, Universitas 21.

The university has over 37,000 students from over 100 countries, making it the seventh largest in the UK. 

Conclusion 

In terms of tuition fees, UK universities charge between 11,000 to 15,000 GBP per year but could be considerably higher if you’re studying a specialized course like medicine. The cost of living is also quite high so expect to spend around 6,000 to 8,000 GBP per year.

If you consider the cost of studying in the UK, you might be discouraged from studying, but the benefits to be gained are worth more than the cost. For Nigerian students, the UK is among the top places to study in the world.