The divide between class of degree and school acceptance is ever thinning as institutions are beginning to realize that there is more to a student’s true potential than the degree they graduated with.
While it is still important (and very admirable) for students to graduate with a good degree like a first or second-class, those who fail to achieve this feat might still benefit from the opportunity of going for further studies despite having third-class.
It is also safe to note that as a third-class student trying to gain admission to a reputable UK school, you have to do more than your first and second-class counterparts such as having a strong personal statement (SOP) or a good number of years of relevant work experience. When you back your third-class degree with these two, it will go a long way to improving your chances of securing admission to your favourite school.
While some UK schools do not accept third-class students for master’s study at all, others offer the option of doing a “pre-master’s” first before starting the normal master’s study.
Below is the list of good UK universities that accept third-class Nigerian students for direct Master’s:
1. Sheffield-Hallam University
Sheffield-Hallam University is a public research university in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The school was founded in 1843 as a polytechnic. It was later upgraded as a university in 1992. The Guardian University Guide ranked it 47th out of 121 UK Universities in 2021. The school has two campuses called the City Campus and the Collegiate Crescent Campus. The tuition fee for Sheffield-Hallam University for Nigerians and other international students falls between £12,000 to £15,000 pounds depending on the course and program. Applicants are required to have a recognized English Language qualification irrespective of the program they are applying for.
2. Roehampton University
Roehampton University is another public university in the UK that accepts third-class students. It was ranked 79th by the Complete University Guide in 2022. The school is located on three major sites in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It was formerly conjoined with the University of Surrey before it was separated in 2011. Roehampton University has five colleges offering up to 49 degree programs. The colleges are Digbystuart College, Froebel College, Southlands College and Whitelands College. The school offers both undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degrees. The tuition fee for Roehampton University for international students (including Nigeria) falls between £14,000 to £17,000, depending on the program of study.
3. University of Sunderland
The University of Sunderland is another public university that was established as a municipal training college in 1901. It gained university status in 1992 and was ranked 99th out of 131 schools by the Complete University Guide League Tables in 2019. It is located at the Edinburgh Building, Chester Road, Sunderland. The University of Sunderland also has two other campuses in London and Hong Kong. The tuition fee for the University of Sunderland for international students (including Nigeria) falls between £12,000 to £15,000, depending on the type of program.
4. London Metropolitan University
The London Metropolitan University is also known as “London Met”. It was formerly the Polytechnic of North London before it gained university status in August 2002. It has campuses in the City of London and in the London Borough of Islington. It was ranked 4th in The Guardian University League Tables in 2022. The University is arranged into six schools offering up to 160 degree programs. The tuition fee for London Metropolitan University for international students (including Nigeria) falls between £13,000 to £18,000, depending on the type of program.
5. University College, Birmingham
University College, Birmingham is another UK university that offers both vocational and academic education to third-class students. It is located at Summer Row, West Midlands, Birmingham. It was awarded full university status in 2012. The school was awarded University of the Year in the 2022 WhatUni Student Choice Awards. The tuition fee for the University College, Birmingham starts at around £14,000.
6. Solent University
Solent University is a public university based in Southampton. Its main campus is located on East Park Terrace near the city centre and the maritime hub of Southampton. The school became a university in July 2015. It has other campuses in Warsash and Timsbury Lake. Solent University has five academic faculties.
7. Cardiff Metropolitan University
Cardiff Metropolitan University is commonly referred to as “Cardiff Met”. It was awarded UK and Ireland University of the Year by Times Higher Education in 2021. The university has two campuses, one at Llandaff and the other at Cyncoed. Cardiff Metropolitan University has five academic schools offering a wide variety of courses.
8. Bedfordshire University
Bedfordshire University is a public research university with campuses in Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, England. It gained university status in 1993 as the University of Luton before its name was changed in 2006 on the approval of the Privy Council. It was ranked 83rd out of 93 British universities by The Times in 2000. Bedfordshire University has five campuses scattered across Bedfordshire, Bedford, Luton, and Buckinghamshire. The school has four faculties. The tuition fee of Bedfordshire University for international students (including Nigeria) falls between £13,500 and £19,000, depending on the type of course.
9. University of West England
The University of West England is also called UWE Bristol. It is located in Bristol. The university was ranked among the top 25 universities in the UK by The Guardian University Guide in 2023. The school has three campuses and four faculties offering a wide array of programs.
10. University of South Wales
The University of South Wales is a public university with campuses in Dubai, Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd, Wales. It was formed in April 2013. It has three main faculties offering over 500 courses or academic programs. It was ranked 81st in the 2022 WhatUni Awards.
Other UK Universities that accept third-class Nigerian students:
Below is a list of some other UK Universities that accept third-class Nigerian students:
- Edinburgh Napier University
- University of Suffolk
- Swansea University
- University of Essex
- Anglia Ruskin University
- University of Gloucestershire
