Finish a world-ranked master’s in twelve months.
Most UK master’s degrees take one year, so you pay one year of tuition and start working sooner. After graduating, the Graduate Route lets you stay and work without a sponsor. LEAPSAIL secures your admission and CAS, then builds a Student visa file that meets the 28-day funds rule.
What you pay to travel, and what you only show
Costs in the UK are counted in GBP. We separate the money you actually spend to travel from the proof of funds you show for the visa, which stays your own.
Since January 2024, only students on PhD or research-based master’s courses can bring dependants to the UK. On a taught master’s you travel alone.
Most universities ask for a deposit of roughly £3,000–£7,000 before they issue your CAS. Any amount you pay is deducted from the funds you must show.
Hold this for 28 consecutive days before you apply. The closing balance must never dip below it.
About £19,000 a year, before any scholarship.
Living costs: UKVI maintenance, outside London (£1,136 × 9 months). London is £1,483 a month.
Health: The IHS is £776 a year and is paid upfront for your whole visa, which runs a few months past your course end.
Figures are indicative for 2026 and vary by school and city. We confirm your exact numbers during your assessment.
Shortlist up to three courses
Tap the courses that interest you, with how long each one usually runs, then send your shortlist to us on WhatsApp.
Pick up to three courses.
What the UK gives you
The reasons Nigerian students and families choose this route.
A master’s in one year
Most taught master’s degrees run 12 months, so you pay less tuition and living cost than a two-year programme elsewhere.
Stay and work afterwards
The Graduate Route lets you stay after graduation and work for any employer without a sponsor while you build experience.
Degrees recognised everywhere
UK universities are among the most recognised in the world, and employers back home and abroad know them well.
Close to home
Direct flights from Lagos and Abuja, a large Nigerian community, and English everywhere from day one.
Planning to bring your family?
The UK only allows dependants for PhD and research master’s students. If your spouse and children must travel with you, we will show you whether a research route works for you, or compare Canada, Australia and Sweden.
- Research master’s and PhD routes allow dependants
- Taught master’s students travel alone
- We compare family-friendly alternatives honestly
Work while you study
Students can work up to 20 hours a week in term time and full-time during breaks.
Graduate Route
Stay after your degree and work for any employer without sponsorship.
A familiar community
Nigerian churches, food and associations in every major UK city.
Two ways to pay far less
We position your application for both routes, so you do not leave funding on the table.
University scholarships
£2,000 – 50% off tuition
Many UK universities discount tuition for strong international applicants, often automatically when you receive your offer.
- Awarded on grades and your personal statement
- Deducted straight from your tuition fee
- Early applicants have the best chance
Chevening & Commonwealth
Full tuition + living stipend
Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships cover tuition, a monthly allowance, flights and the visa. They are competitive and need early preparation.
- Chevening needs two years’ work experience
- Covers flights, visa and living costs
- We prepare your essays and references
When to start
Scholarships and the best places go to early, complete applications. The right time to begin is now.
Start your process
We assess your grades, pick courses and prepare your statement and references.
Apply for September
Most courses admit on a rolling basis, so apply early to win scholarships.
Deposit, CAS & funds
Pay your deposit, receive your CAS and hold your funds for 28 days.
Visa & travel
Submit the Student visa, collect your BRP or eVisa and begin classes.
Where you could study
A selection of British universities that admit Nigerian students and offer scholarships to international applicants.
University of Manchester
Large Nigerian community · broad programmes
University of Leeds
Business, engineering & data
University of Birmingham
Research-led · strong scholarships
Coventry University
Affordable · January intake
University of Glasgow
Historic · lower living costs
University of Nottingham
Engineering & pharmacy
Ulster University
Low tuition · flexible intakes
University of Hertfordshire
Near London · employable courses
Queen Mary University of London
Russell Group in the capital
What families ask us
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Can I bring my spouse on a UK master’s?
Only if your course is a PhD or a research-based master’s. Taught master’s students cannot bring dependants since January 2024.
What is the 28-day rule?
Your tuition balance and maintenance funds must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days, and the balance must never fall below the required amount during that time.
Your future in the UK starts with one message.
Book a free assessment on WhatsApp. A LEAPSAIL expert will map your course, your scholarship chances and your visa plan, then confirm our fee for your route.
LEAPSAIL is an independent educational and travel advisory consultancy and is not an embassy, consulate or government entity. Fees and thresholds are indicative and change; admission and visa decisions rest with the institutions and authorities.