Studying overseas is the commonest avenue by which people (students) emigrate from Nigeria, this is attributed to the numerous opportunities such certification(s) portends upon completion. There is an exodus of quality students from the shores of Nigeria to developed climes for furtherance of their researches and studies as a result of the established faculties, advanced research facilities and sumptuous remunerations available for researchers and postgraduate students in those countries. The various opportunities include: Fellowships; Graduates, Research and Teaching Assistants positions; country and organizations-sponsored scholarships. At this point it is important to note that these opportunities come with responsibilities as designated by the sponsoring parties. However, for those looking forward to self-sponsor themselves, there are opportunities available to work and study in some of these countries in order to raise funds for your tuition and living expenses; however, some schools may request for bank statements and initial deposits to demonstrate your commitment towards your programme. Also, Visas may not be granted to you if you are solely banking on the jobs you intend to do there to self-sponsor yourself.
The prerequisite requirements necessary to access postgraduate studies overseas include but not limited to:
International Passport: This is not the regular passport photograph rather it is a document assigned as an evidence of your citizenship. This document is a prerequisite for applications into most schools abroad as it demonstrates your citizenship and readiness to relocate for your studies. It is also a criterion to take standardized tests (see below), admission applications and Visa applications. This document can be obtained at any Nigerian Immigration Services Centers present in any state of the federation. The price to obtain this passport realistically varies across states.
Standardized Tests: These tests are administered by global independent educational consulting firms to evaluate your Intelligent Quotient of fundamental English, Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning. Consider these tests like the ‘JAMB examination’ on the global level. These tests include: Graduate Management Admission Test-GMAT, Graduate Record Examinations-GRE, Test of English as a Foreign Language-TOEFL and International English Language Testing System-IELTS. However, some schools MAY waive these tests based on various reasons.
Degree Transcripts and Certificates: These are officially accepted evidence of your undergraduate degrees conferred by your tertiary institutions. Some schools may accept the student’s copy of your transcripts for applications and subsequently request for the official and sealed copies sent to them by your school. There may be a need to send your transcripts to World Education Service-WES for your result validation, evaluation and conversion to the acceptable standards of the school(s) you are applying to. This service is not free hence, you can start saving towards that.
Academic CV: This as the name implies is a curriculum vitae meant for academic purposes. It details and provides an avenue to sell yourself to the admission committee of the school and the scholarship(s) you are applying for.
Recommendation or Reference Letter: This is a document in which the writer attests to your individual qualities, characteristics and capabilities both academic and research wise. The writer can either be your lecturers or work supervisors as the case may be. It is important to note that the quality of these letters is dependent on how well the writer can assess you, your recommender may decide not to write you one if he/she does not know you well enough. Hence, there is a need to develop a cordial relationship with your lecturers and work supervisors so that they will be willing to write you quality recommendation letters. Also, note, there is no one-letter-fit-all for your applications to different schools and scholarship schemes.
Statement of Purpose/Motivation Letter/Personal Statement: These are documents that tell admissions committees who you are, what your academic and professional interests are and how you intend adding value to the program you are applying for. It is usually divided into 4 parts namely: Introduction, your interests and motivations; your undergraduate history and previous work/research experience; relevance of your recent and current activities to the graduate program you are applying to; and the conclusion. Some schools may ask for any of these with a little bit of variation in writing requirements.
Awards, Leaderships and Volunteering Experiences: These experiences are crucial to you securing scholarships and fellowships as they depict your selflessness and willingness to give back to your communities. Some scholarship schemes are keenly interested in how you intend to affect your community after your program and there is no better way to demonstrate this to them than through your volunteering and leadership experiences. Endeavor to be engaged in volunteering and leadership services as much as you can while in school and even during your NYSC as the case may be, earn awards as much as you can, collect and keep the evidence of your participations, awards and honors.
In conclusion, some scholarship schemes may require some or all of the mentioned above while some may not, whatever it is, just be prepared and increase your chances of getting awarded. The competition nowadays is enormous hence, seek for that which gives you an edge every chance you get. I left this for the last however, it is the most important, the GOD factor, this exists whether you believe it or not. As you garner these requirements, commit your applications to God’s hands, there will always be someone with higher requirements than you have but God’s grace is the exponent factor you need.
