Affordable schools that take Nigerians
Studying is still the most common legal way to japa. These are lower-cost options with clear entry rules. No school can promise you a visa, so check the fee for your exact course on the school's own website.
🇬🇧 UK universities with lower fees (2026/27, per year)
| University | Bachelor's | Master's |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham University | £11,750 | £12,500 |
| Leeds Trinity University | £12,000 | £15,000 |
| Edge Hill University | £14,500 | £15,000 |
| University of Chester | £14,950 | £15,500 |
| University of Cumbria | £16,000 | £16,000 |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | £16,000 | £17,600 |
| University of Bradford | £16,100 | £15,700 |
| Teesside University | £17,000 | £17,000 |
| University of Derby | £17,500 | £17,500 |
Many UK universities accept a WAEC or NECO credit in English instead of IELTS. Ask the admissions office before you pay for a test. Some also offer January intakes and first-year fee discounts.
🇩🇪 Germany: almost free tuition
Public universities in 14 of 16 states charge non-EU students no tuition, only a semester fee of about €70–€430. Baden-Württemberg charges €1,500 a semester, and TUM in Bavaria charges more.
Many master's courses are taught in English. You will need a blocked account of about €934 a month for a student visa.
🇨🇦 Canada: degree or college
Bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-graduation work permit in any field. College diploma and certificate graduates only qualify if their programme is on the official eligible list, mainly health, trades, STEM, education and transport.
Check the school is a Designated Learning Institution and the course is work-permit eligible before paying a deposit.
🇮🇪 Ireland: English-speaking EU
Show about €10,000 a year for living costs plus proof your tuition is paid. You can work 20 hours a week in term and 40 in holidays. Graduates of degree-level courses can stay up to 2 years to work full-time.
Visa fee €60, plus €300 to register once you arrive.
🇦🇺 Australia: apply from home
From 2 October 2026 most people can't switch to a student visa inside Australia, and families are harder to bring along. Apply from Nigeria with the full family plan decided early.
More countries to consider
🇫🇷 France
Public universities now charge non-EU students €2,895 a year for a bachelor's and €3,941 for a master's, from September 2026. That is still far cheaper than the UK. Apply through Campus France Nigeria.
Fee waivers are limited to 10% of students, mostly scholarship holders and priority fields like health and IT.
🇮🇹 Italy
Public university fees are low and often based on family income. Regional DSU scholarships can cover tuition, meals and housing for students from lower-income families.
DSU deadlines usually fall in summer, before the course starts. Check each region's portal.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Show NZ$20,000 a year for living costs on top of tuition. Students can now work 25 hours a week in term and full-time in holidays. Graduates can get an open post-study work visa.
Main intakes are February and July.
🇰🇷 South Korea
Universities usually ask for about US$20,000 in the bank. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) pays tuition, flights and a monthly allowance. After graduating, the D-10 job-seeker visa now allows up to 3 years to find work.
Korea banned 20 universities from sponsoring student visas from fall 2026. Check your school isn't one of them.
🇯🇵 Japan
Your school applies for a Certificate of Eligibility for you first, then you get the visa at the Japanese embassy in Abuja. The MEXT scholarship covers fees and living costs and is applied for through the embassy.
Most courses need Japanese. Intakes are April and October, so start about 6 months early.
Other legal routes
Skilled work
UK Skilled Worker, Canada Express Entry and Germany's Opportunity Card suit graduates with work experience. See visa routes.
Health professionals
Registered nurses, doctors and pharmacists still have strong routes to the UK, Canada and Australia once they pass the local licensing exam.
Family
Spouses and children of people with settled status can apply to join them. Each country sets its own income and English rules.
Scholarships
Chevening (UK), DAAD (Germany) and Commonwealth scholarships cover fees and living costs. Applying is free, so never pay anyone to "secure" one.