#1. Pick courses and check you fulfil the entry requirements
A degree or Post Graduate qualification from a UK university will be a huge asset to you in pursuing your future career.
Consider which course best suits your previous academic and employment experience and your future career aspirations. You will need to provide the university and the UK Home Office with strong reasons for choosing the specific course you apply for.
Check the course information on the university website for the entry requirements and check you have these qualifications already or will have them when you start the course.
Many Nigerians choose courses in science and engineering, IT related courses and vocational courses in Healthcare or Law. There are so many options open to you – the choice is yours!
#2. Apply through UCAS (the UK’s central application system) for most full-time undergraduate degrees.
For undergraduate courses at UK universities, you must apply on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) online platform where you can apply for up to 5 courses at different universities.
The UCAS platform requires you to complete a ‘personal statement’ section where you will answer 3 questions designed to help you explain why you want to study the course and how your academic qualifications and other experiences make you a suitable candidate.
This is your opportunity to persuade your chosen university they should choose you! Try to avoid using AI to write your statement as universities will know. UCAS provides lots of advice for students, including international students, on what sort of information to provide in this section.
How to write your personal statement: 2026 entry | UCAS
Personal statement tips for international students: 2026 entry | UCAS
For Postgraduate courses, applications are made directly to the university so check their website for how to make your application.
UKVisaTeam Insight: “Use the British Council website to search for institutions and courses:
Study UK Homepage | Study UK”
UKVisaTeam Insight: "Check the universities you are interested in have a UK Home Office international student sponsor license:
GOV.UK - Register of licensed sponsors: students”
#3. Receive offers, choose your firm and insurance choices.
All offers and acceptance of offers are made on the UCAS website.
The UCAS deadline for most undergraduate courses is the end of January, however, many universities make early offers for international students to enable enough time for all the other things you will need to arrange, such as visa and accommodation etc.
If you are waiting for exam results to fulfil your entry requirements then universities will give you a ‘conditional offer’ and it is advisable to select a main choice and also ‘backup’ or‘ insurance’ choices with lower entry requirements in case you do not obtain the grades for your main choice.
If you already meet all the entry requirements, you will receive an ‘unconditional offer’ which you can accept immediately on the UCAS website.
#4. Receive your CAS from your university and apply for the Student visa.
Once you have accepted your offer you should expect to hear directly from your chosen university with details of fee payment and further information and documents they require from you. Once this is all received the university will process your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) and you should expect to receive this at least 3 months before your start date.
As soon as you receive your CAS you can make your visa application and we would recommend doing this as soon as possible and always at least 6 weeks before your start date.
UKVisaTeam Insight: “Make sure you know the application deadline for your course: mid-October for Oxbridge and Med/Denistry/Vet; late-January for most others."
FAQ
Q: How do I choose the right UK university course in 2025?
Match course modules to your career goals, check entry requirements, weigh rankings against value, and confirm visa-related factors like CAS timelines and proof of funds.
Q: Do course choices affect my UK Student Visa approval?
Indirectly. A credible course fit, a valid CAS from a licensed sponsor, and compliant financial English evidence all support the 'genuine student' assessment.
Q. What documents do I need for a UK Student Visa?
Passport, CAS, financial evidence for tuition and living costs (held for 28 days), an approved English test (e.g., IELTS for UKVI, if required), TB test where applicable, and supporting documents for any dependants.
Q. Can UKVisaTeam help with my application and documents?
Yes. Our licensed advisers review your documents, complete your application correctly, and guide you through every step so you avoid common refusal mistakes.
