As Canada moves to reduce student visas, here are alternatives for Nigerians

Canadian tertiary institutions plan to cap the number of international applications in 2024, prompting Nigerian postgraduate hopefuls to seek alternatives.

As the education landscape continues to shift in many countries around the world, the changing policies have left Nigerian students seeking international education with feelings of uncertainty about their study overseas.

However, there are still many countries open to international applications. Here are five of such alternatives to Canada.

Belgium

Belgium opens up many opportunities for international students. Considered one of the most multicultural places on Earth, Belgium fosters international cooperation and networking and opens up its grounds to eager learners.

International rankings list Belgian universities among the best tertiary institutions in Europe. The most popular areas of study are Social Sciences (Economics, International Relations, Political Science), Humanities, Journalism, and Medicine.

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Belgium has over 40 higher education institutions offering over 350 programmes, and most universities do not require IELTS from Nigerian students. Belgium also allows opportunities for students with a valid residence permit to work up to 20 hours per week while studying, which can help manage living expenses.

The country’s tuition policy is fair as internationals can expect to pay as low as anywhere between €800 per academic year. Some universities also offer scholarships and grants.

Iceland

Iceland accommodates over 2,000 international students. It is ranked number 2 on the World Happiness Index and offers opportunities for students to learn with a spice of adventure owing to its mythical landscape.

In Iceland, public universities are free. There are no tuition costs, only a registration fee between €100 and €250, which allows students to spend money on travelling, accommodation, or purchasing warm clothing.

Institutions in this North-Atlantic area offer admissions into various programmes including legal studies, cultural studies, computer science, environmental studies, and management. There are also scholarship offers in select fields.

Nigerian students might require a study visa and could apply for a work permit to earn some money while studying.

Germany

Education in Germany is renowned for its strong research focus and high standards, making its admission process competitive but rewarding. There are over 400 higher education institutions in Germany, of which 59 universities feature in the World University Rankings.

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In Germany, many public universities are free for international students, regardless of nationality, but an administration fee of €265 per year might be required. Nigerian students could qualify for tuition-free study in public universities in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

Slots are limited, however, and Nigerian students with proficiency in Deutsche would have an advantage. As of 2016, there were 777 Nigerian students studying in Germany.

There are over 2,000 study programmes to choose from and German universities have consistently performed well in engineering & technology due to the country’s industrial and technological base. Varsities here also record a long history of excellence in philosophy, literature and history.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research supports a group of 13 scholarship providers and financial aid based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria.

Norway

Norway is a modern society deep-rooted in technological advancements. On campus, students benefit from high technological standards and services, modern facilities and equipment, as well as innovative teaching.

The country also prioritizes international students by offering free tuition in public universities. This is because the Norwegian government grants the higher education sector larger resources. Also, the majority of Norwegian higher education institutions are publicly funded and owned.

In Norway, Nigerians make up 35% of the African student population.

Luxembourg

Despite the small nature of this cosmopolitan state, Luxembourg is home to many highly-ranked universities positioned in a safe environment.

The University of Luxembourg offers study options with minimal tuition fees. Prices range between €0 and €5,200 per academic year except for one or two study programmes.

Luxembourg’s universities provide Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD across various fields including medicine, law, languages, psychology, education, economics, computer science, and social sciences.

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Nigerian students will have to apply for a study visa. Before applying, students will need to apply for a temporary stay authorisation at the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria. The application must be submitted and approved before entering Luxembourg.

After studying, students can stay and work in Luxembourg with an average pay of €2,791 per month. Luxembourg is also the country with the highest GDP (gross domestic product) per capita in the entire world.