How to move to the UK as a student from Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the largest sources of international students in the UK, and many Nigerian families already have links in London, Manchester and beyond. If you want to move to the UK as a student from Nigeria, you will need an offer from a licensed university, a Student visa, a TB test, proof of funds and a plan for your belongings.
This guide covers each step with 2026 costs in pounds and naira, the dependants rules that changed in 2024, and how to ship your things from Nigeria to the UK.
| £558 visa fee (around ₦988,000) |
£776 a year IHS (around ₦1.37 million) |
6 months TB certificate validity |
from £180 one suitcase by sea |
Checked October 2026. Fees and funds are taken from GOV.UK and UKVI guidance. Naira figures use a rate of around £1 = ₦1,770 (mid October 2026). The naira moves a lot, so check the live rate. Shipping prices are indicative “from” figures, confirmed when you book.
Step by step: how to move to the UK as a student from Nigeria
- Choose your course and apply through UCAS (undergraduate) or direct to the university (postgraduate).
- Meet the English language requirement. Some universities accept WAEC or NECO English results; others ask for a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI.
- Accept an unconditional offer and pay your tuition deposit.
- Place your funds in an account and keep them there for at least 28 consecutive days.
- Take a TB test at an approved clinic in Nigeria.
- Receive your CAS.
- Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Attend biometrics at a visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja.
- Prepare for a possible credibility interview with our guide to UK student visa interview questions.
- Receive your decision, set up your UKVI account and plan your shipping.
For an overview of courses, the Graduate route and life in the UK, see our guide to how to study in the UK.
UK Student visa costs in NGN and GBP
| Cost | GBP | Approximate NGN |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application (from 8 April 2026) | £558 | ₦988,000 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge, per year | £776 | ₦1.37 million |
| IHS for a typical one year master’s (around 16 months of visa) | £1,164 | ₦2.06 million |
| TB test | Paid locally | Check the approved clinic |
| Priority visa service (optional) | Extra fee | Check GOV.UK |
The visa fee and IHS are set in pounds and paid online. Check that your card allows international payments of this size before you start your application.
TB test requirement
Nigeria is on the UK’s list of countries where applicants staying more than six months need a tuberculosis test. You must use a clinic approved by the UK Home Office, listed on GOV.UK. The test is usually a chest X-ray, and the certificate is valid for six months, so time it close to your visa application.
How much money you need to show
You must show your first year’s unpaid tuition plus living costs for up to nine months, held for 28 consecutive days, with the statement closing date within 31 days of your application.
| Living costs | Per month | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| Studying in London | £1,529 (around ₦2.71 million) | £13,761 (around ₦24.4 million) |
| Studying outside London | £1,171 (around ₦2.07 million) | £10,539 (around ₦18.7 million) |
- Funds can be held in naira; UKVI converts them using the OANDA rate on the date of your application.
- Because the naira can move quickly, hold a generous buffer so your balance stays above the minimum in pounds.
- Parents’ accounts are accepted with your birth certificate and a consent letter.
- Funds must be with a financial institution UKVI accepts, so check before you deposit.
Dependants rule changes
Since January 2024, most international students can no longer bring family members to the UK. This affected many Nigerian postgraduates, who had previously brought spouses and children.
| Your course | Can you bring dependants? |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | No |
| Taught master’s (for example an MSc or MBA) | No |
| PhD or other research based postgraduate degree | Yes |
| Government sponsored course longer than six months | Yes |
If you can bring dependants, each one pays the £558 visa fee and the IHS, and you must show extra funds of £845 a month in London or £680 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months.
This is general guidance and not legal advice. Always check GOV.UK and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before you apply, as fees and rules can change at short notice.
Tuition and living costs
| Level | Typical annual tuition | Approximate NGN |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | £12,000 to £25,000 | ₦21 million to ₦44 million |
| Postgraduate taught | £14,000 to £35,000 | ₦25 million to ₦62 million |
London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds all have established Nigerian communities, African grocers and churches and mosques. Cities outside London are usually cheaper for rent.
Shipping your belongings from Nigeria to the UK
Airline allowances on routes from Lagos and Abuja rarely cover a full year of clothes, bedding and books. Anglo Pacific’s student shipping service runs into the UK through partner agents in Nigeria, with collection from your family home and delivery to your halls or flat.
| Shipment | Sea freight from | Air freight from |
|---|---|---|
| One 23kg suitcase | around £180 (₦318,600) | around £320 (₦566,400) |
| Three to five boxes (around 0.5 cubic metres) | around £290 (₦513,300) | Quoted on request |
| Small flat contents (around 1 cubic metre) | around £550 (₦973,500) | Quoted on request |
Air freight usually takes around 5 to 10 days door to door. Sea freight from West Africa takes longer, so ask for a transit estimate when you get your quote and book well ahead of term. Airline excess fees are typically £60 to £120 per bag per leg, so shipping usually wins once you have two or more extra bags. Our excess baggage for students guide compares the options.
What to ship and what to leave
| Ship | Leave at home or buy in the UK |
|---|---|
| Winter coats and warm layers | Meat, fish, dairy and homemade food |
| Traditional outfits for events | Fresh produce, seeds and plants |
| Bedding, towels and textbooks | Bulky items you can buy cheaply in the UK |
| Sealed, commercially packed dry foods in small amounts | Anything with Nigerian plugs that needs a converter |
Meat and dairy products from outside the EU are banned in personal imports, and dried fish and bushmeat are not allowed. Check “Bringing food into Great Britain” on GOV.UK.
Customs relief for students
Students on a UK study visa may claim relief from duty and VAT on used personal belongings, usually through a Transfer of Residence (ToR1) application on GOV.UK. Anglo Pacific prepares the paperwork with you and confirms whether relief applies when you get your quote.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Pros and cons of shipping your belongings
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cheaper than airline excess fees for two or more bags | Sea freight needs several weeks |
| Collection from your family home in Nigeria | Restricted food items cannot be shipped |
| Delivery to your UK halls or flat | Someone must receive it if you arrive later |
| Customs paperwork prepared for you | An accurate inventory is required |
Keep a buffer on your funds, keep your documents in your hand luggage, and send the rest ahead by freight.
Ten tips for Nigerian students
- Start your 28 day funds period with a buffer for exchange rate changes.
- Check your card can make large international payments before you apply.
- Book your TB test as soon as your CAS is in sight.
- Confirm whether your university accepts WAEC or NECO English.
- Link your eVisa to the passport you will travel on.
- Use a specialist provider for tuition transfers; Anglo Pacific partners with Halo Financial. This is general information, not financial advice.
- Book your shipping early so it arrives before term.
- Keep each box under around 30kg.
- Leave food items at home; African grocers are common in UK cities.
- Plan your return shipment before your visa ends.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much does it cost to move to the UK as a student from Nigeria?
Budget £558 (around ₦988,000) for the visa, £776 a year for the IHS, tuition of £12,000 to £35,000, and £1,171 to £1,529 a month for living costs.
2. How much is the UK Student visa fee in naira?
Around ₦988,000 at mid October 2026 rates. The fee is set at £558, so the naira cost changes with the exchange rate.
3. Do Nigerian students need a TB test?
Yes, if you are coming for more than six months. Use a clinic approved by the UK Home Office.
4. Can I bring my spouse to the UK as a student from Nigeria?
Only if you are on a PhD or other research based postgraduate course, or a government sponsored course longer than six months.
5. How much proof of funds do I need?
Your unpaid first year tuition plus up to £13,761 for London or £10,539 elsewhere, held for 28 days.
6. Can I show funds in naira?
Yes. UKVI converts them to pounds at the OANDA rate on your application date, so keep a buffer.
7. Do Nigerians need IELTS for a UK Student visa?
Not always. Some universities accept WAEC or NECO English results for degree level courses. Check your CAS.
8. How long does a UK Student visa take from Nigeria?
Usually up to three weeks after your biometrics appointment in Lagos or Abuja.
9. Can I ship food from Nigeria to the UK?
Meat, fish and dairy products are not allowed. Small amounts of sealed, commercially packed dry foods may be accepted.
10. Can I ship my belongings back to Nigeria after my course?
Yes. Anglo Pacific can collect from any UK address and ship by sea or air through its international removals service.
Ready to ship your belongings from Nigeria?
Get a fixed quote for student shipping to your UK halls, explore baggage shipping and shipping boxes, or request a quote online. Call 020 8965 1234 or book a free video survey through the Anglo Pacific app.
