Category: Study Abroad

Postgraduate opportunities for Nigerians in Europe, U.S, canada, Asia, Austrailia e.t.c

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BENEFITS OF A UK POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION

The United Kingdom (U.K) is a kind of Mecca for postgraduate education across the globe. The U.K (consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) attracts hundred of thousands of students with intention of studying for a Masters or PhD degree. What are the advantages of doing a Masters or PhD programme in the U.K?

1. World Class Universities: The U.K is home to some of the best universities in the world. Institutions like Cambridge and Oxford have existed before the 18th century. Postgraduate education and research in these schools are top notch. Many of them have produced nobel laureates, like Alexander Flemming from Imperial college. Even recent and lesser known U.K universities still have the touch of scholastic excellence, far better than any Nigerian university. Studying for a Master or PhD in the U.K is surely an avenue to be moulded and certified by age-long citadels of excellence indeed.

2. Short Duration for Masters: It takes a year (some times, 11 months) to earn a Masters degree in a U.K university. Almost impossible to achieve in any Nigerian university. It’s a major benefit, because it is unlike the US, Canada and other European countries where a Masters programme is 2 years. Although, the Masters programme in the U.K is loaded, 9 months for two semesters lectures, and 3 months for project. For a Nigerian studying abroad, a programme with shorter duration is better. As they say, “time na money oo”

3. International Collaboration and Networking:

The world is a global village, and modern postgraduate education is beyond class rooms and research laboratories. A U.K postgraduate education gives you the priviledge to rub mind with scholars from divers background across the world. Networking opportunities abound at regularly organized conferences, research paper presentation e.t.c. All these brighten the postgraduate students’ horizon, and stimulates the mind for creative and collaborative progress

4. Employment and Scholarship:

Depending on your academic performance, there are opportunities that can make you a permanent resident in the U.K after your schooling. Postgraduate education in the U.K rewards excellence, whether black or white, Nigerian or Togolese. A good performance at PhD can automatically earn you a faculty position. Employment opportunities are also available, although few.

5. Vast Nigerian Community:

Doing your Masters/PhD in the U.K is also good because, you may not miss home at all. Yes, if you study in London, dont be surprised when you hear a couple speaking yoruba loosely like its Ibadan. Having the Nigerian community gives you a little social and emotional support, compare to studying in Russia, for instance, with the intolerance and racism. Even on university campuses, you should run into fellow Nigerians, and you “hail” each other.

With these highlights,  you would appreciate the benefits of a postgraduate study in the U.K.

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WHY YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE YOUR POSTGRADUATE DEGREE IN THE U.K

For many Nigerians, it is a dream come true, and a great delight to travel abroad for postgraduate study.
The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and North Ireland) is a popular destination for many Nigerians, partly because of the influence of our former colonial masters, and the fact that it is an English speaking country. Nigerians having their postgraduate study overseas often return with tales of how postgraduate education is better there. This post presents you with the facts you should reconsider, before you jet out of Naija, for a Masters/PhD in U.K
  1. Exorbitant Financial Cost: Except you are on scholarships, you should plan/prepare well for the financial burden your postgraduate study would put on you and your family. Average tuition fees for a U.K masters is £9500, but could be as high as £ 20,000 in Russell Group or Red Brick Universities. You will be required to pay a considerable part of your tuition, with the balance and 9months living allowance in your bank account before applying for your visa. Also consider the cost of visa applications, air travel from Nigeria, medical insurance and the high cost of living in U.K. In all, be prepared to sink in at least 4 million naira into the U.K economy, in exchange for a Master’s degree. A PhD, of course would be costlier.
  2. No Post Study Work Experience: The stringent Tier 4 visa requirement would not give you an extra period after study, to have much needed work experience. The U.K government simply wants you to come, study, and as soon as you drop your thesis and graduate, catch the next available flight to your country. What’s the aim of receiving world class education, without the opportunity of an industry experience? Except you get hired before graduating, which is rare, though possible, you simply return to Nigeria with an extra certificate, but no additional work experience. Note that in the Nigerian job market, work experience, no matter how little is important. Update: From 2021, Immigration rules have been relaxed to give postgraduate students the privilege to apply for post study visa.
  3. No Job Guarantee: Your U.K postgraduate certificate does not necessarily earn you a job on return to Nigeria. Without sounding pessimistic, the Nigerian labour market is not just saturated but over saturated. Job seekers with American, British, e.t.c postgraduate degrees still plunge interviews venues in hope of getting hired. The fact is, you would soon discover that there are tens or hundreds of other Nigerians with foreign degrees. But if you intend to be in academics, then getting a lecturing job should be easy.
In conclusion, conduct an extensive research on what to expect in the U.K for a postgraduate education. Be prepared financially and academically. There are better alternatives to a Master’s/PhD U.K that are at par with the U.K standard. Work hard, stay focused, whether U.K, Nigeria or elsewhere, your success is in your hand.