United Kingdom
Destination guide for African students
£1,200–1,800
Avg. monthly cost
£15–35k/yr
Tuition (intl. masters)
2 years
Graduate Route visa
Top Scholarships
Chevening Scholarship
Full tuition + £1,100+/mo living + flights + visa. For leaders with 2+ years professional experience.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
Full funding for students from Commonwealth developing countries. Priority for underrepresented fields.
Rhodes Scholarship
Two years at Oxford, fully funded. The most competitive scholarship in the world.
University-specific awards
Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and most Russell Group universities offer their own Africa-specific funding.
Student Visa (Tier 4)
You need a UK Student visa (formerly Tier 4) to study in the UK. Apply online at least 3 months before your course starts.
Required: CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from your university, proof of financial means (£1,334/month outside London, £1,023/month in London, for course duration), English language proof, academic qualifications.
Healthcare surcharge: £776/year, paid upfront with your visa application. Gives you access to the NHS.
Processing: Apply from within your country at a UKVI visa application centre. Typically 3 weeks.
Cost of Living
| Expense | London | Other cities |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | £900–1,600 | £450–800 |
| Food & groceries | £250–350 | £200–280 |
| Transport | £150–200 | £60–100 |
| Phone & utilities | £50–80 | £40–70 |
Graduate Route Visa
After graduation, the Graduate Route gives you 2 years (3 for PhD graduates) to work or look for work in the UK at any skill level — no employer sponsorship required. This is a significant advantage for building UK work experience before transitioning to a Skilled Worker visa.
Chevening: What the Selectors Look For
Chevening selects on leadership, networking ability, a clear career plan, and return to home country. Academic results matter less than most applicants expect. The mandatory 2-year home return after the scholarship is a firm condition — if you are not willing to commit to it, Chevening is the wrong choice.