Getting a Second Class degree in Nigeria does not prevent you from pursuing a Master’s degree in the UK. Many UK universities accept applicants with Second Class Upper and Second Class Lower degrees, although the exact grade needed depends on the university, course and applicant’s academic background.
For Nigerian graduates, this creates several options when planning postgraduate study abroad. A 2:1 can give you access to a wide range of Master’s programmes, while many universities also accept a 2:2 for direct postgraduate admission. Some institutions may consider professional experience, relevant qualifications or a pre Master’s route for applicants whose degree classification falls below the usual requirement.
This guide to UK Universities Accepting Second Class highlights ten universities that Nigerian graduates can consider. It covers their postgraduate entry requirements, popular study areas, tuition fees and other information that can help you identify suitable options for your Master’s application.
1. Aston University
Aston University is located in central Birmingham and has a reputation for graduate employability, industry placements and business links. Its location also gives Nigerian students access to one of the UK’s largest student cities. The university offers postgraduate courses across business, technology, engineering and other professional fields.
Popular courses
- Business and Management
- Data Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Supply Chain Management
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
Aston University accepts both 2:1 and 2:2 degrees from recognised Nigerian universities for suitable postgraduate programmes. The exact classification needed depends on the Master’s course, so applicants should check the academic requirement for their chosen programme.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language requirements for applicable courses and may remove the need for IELTS.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £17,500 to £23,000 per year. Eligible international students may also have access to scholarships and regional awards.
2. Anglia Ruskin University
Anglia Ruskin University, commonly known as ARU, has campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford and London. It offers practical programmes across healthcare, business, technology and management. The university can be an option for Nigerian graduates with a 2:2 who want to progress to Master’s study.
Popular courses
- Public Health
- International Business
- Cyber Security
- Project Management
- Healthcare Management
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
ARU accepts 2:2 degrees for direct entry into many Master’s programmes. Applicants with Third Class degrees may also have options through pre Master’s programmes, depending on their academic background and chosen course.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language requirements for applicable programmes.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £16,500 to £21,200 per year. International scholarships and early payment discounts may also be available for eligible students.
3. Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University is located in the centre of Birmingham and offers a broad range of career focused postgraduate programmes. Its large international student population also makes Birmingham an appealing destination for Nigerian graduates planning to study in the UK.
Popular courses
- Construction Management
- Public Health
- Management
- International Business
- Media and Communications
- Law
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
A 2:2 degree is accepted across many postgraduate programmes. Some courses may also consider applicants with a Third Class degree when relevant professional experience is available.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language requirements for applicable programmes.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £16,000 to £18,500 per year. Flexible tuition deposit arrangements may also be available for international students.
4. Coventry University
Coventry University is a popular choice among international students and has campuses in Coventry and London. It offers a broad range of postgraduate programmes and several intake periods during the year. For Nigerian graduates, its range of courses and multiple start dates can make planning a Master’s degree more convenient.
Popular courses
- Engineering Management
- Public Health
- Global Business MBA
- Cyber Security
- Supply Chain and Logistics
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
A 2:2 degree can provide direct entry to many postgraduate taught programmes. The exact academic requirement depends on the course, with some programmes asking for a higher classification.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language conditions for applicable programmes.
Intakes
Selected courses have January, May and September intakes.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £18,000 to £22,500 per year. Regional awards and scholarships can also reduce tuition for eligible international students.
5. Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a postgraduate focused institution specialising in technology, engineering, management and other professional areas. It is particularly relevant for Nigerian graduates with backgrounds in engineering, logistics, energy and management.
Popular courses
- Aerospace Engineering
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management
- MBA
- Energy and Environmental Technology
- Water and Public Health
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
Many Cranfield programmes ask for a 2:1 degree. However, selected programmes can consider applicants with a 2:2 alongside relevant professional experience or a suitable academic background. Applicants should check the specific entry conditions for their preferred Master’s programme.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language conditions for applicable courses.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £21,500 to £31,000 or more per year. Specialist engineering and management programmes can have higher fees.
6. Northumbria University
Northumbria University has campuses in Newcastle upon Tyne and London. It offers postgraduate programmes across business, law, technology and management. Its range of Master’s courses makes it an option for Nigerian graduates with either a 2:1 or 2:2 degree.
Popular courses
- Information Technology Management
- Project Management
- International Commercial Law
- Cyber Security
- Business Analytics
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
Northumbria accepts both 2:1 and 2:2 degrees for suitable Master’s programmes. Applicants should check the individual course page because some programmes can have higher academic requirements.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language conditions for applicable courses.
Scholarships
Selected scholarships are available for international students, including awards for eligible Nigerian applicants.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £16,500 to £19,850 per year.
7. Oxford Brookes University
Oxford Brookes University is located in Oxford, one of the UK’s most recognised university cities. It offers postgraduate courses across business, healthcare, architecture, real estate and international studies.
Popular courses
- International Management
- Public Health
- Architecture
- Real Estate
- International Relations
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
A 2:2 degree is accepted for many postgraduate programmes. This makes Oxford Brookes an option for Nigerian graduates who have completed their Bachelor’s degree with a Second Class Lower classification.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language conditions for applicable programmes.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £16,000 to £19,500 per year. International merit awards may also be available to eligible students.
8. Solent University
Solent University is based in Southampton and has a practical approach to higher education. The university is known for courses connected to maritime industries, business, technology and creative subjects.
Popular courses
- Maritime Business and Logistics
- Cyber Security
- Public Health
- International Business
- Project Management
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
Solent accepts a 2:2 degree for direct entry into many Master’s programmes. Applicants with Third Class degrees or HND qualifications may have options through relevant professional experience or pre Master’s routes.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language conditions for applicable programmes.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £15,000 to £17,500 per year. This places Solent among the more affordable options on this list.
9. University of the West of England Bristol
The University of the West of England, commonly known as UWE Bristol, is based in Bristol. It has industry connections and offers postgraduate programmes across healthcare, technology, business, engineering and environmental studies.
Popular courses
- Public Health
- Information Technology
- International Management
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Management
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
UWE Bristol accepts 2:2 degrees for many Master’s programmes. The exact academic classification can differ depending on the course.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language requirements for applicable programmes.
Scholarships
Eligible Nigerian applicants can have access to international scholarships and regional awards.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £15,800 to £18,500 per year.
10. Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University, commonly known as NTU, is one of the UK’s well known modern universities. It has a large student community and offers postgraduate courses across business, technology, healthcare, law and engineering.
Popular courses
- Public Health
- Engineering Management
- International Business
- Cyber Security
- Law
- Data Science
Postgraduate admission for Nigerians
NTU accepts 2:2 degrees for suitable postgraduate taught programmes. Applicants should review the academic conditions for their chosen course because some programmes can ask for a higher classification.
English language
WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better can satisfy English language requirements for applicable programmes.
Scholarships
International scholarships are available, with some awards offering substantial tuition reductions for eligible students.
Tuition fees
International tuition generally ranges from £16,500 to £19,500 per year.
Can You Study in the UK With a Second Class Lower Degree?
Yes, a Second Class Lower degree can provide access to many Master’s programmes in the UK.
A 2:2 is accepted by universities such as Aston University, Anglia Ruskin University, Birmingham City University, Coventry University, Northumbria University, Oxford Brookes University, Solent University, UWE Bristol and Nottingham Trent University for suitable postgraduate courses.
However, having a 2:2 does not mean every Master’s programme at these universities will accept you. Academic requirements can differ according to the subject and level of study.
Applicants should also consider:
- The relevance of their Bachelor’s degree
- Their final degree classification
- Previous academic performance
- Professional experience
- Professional qualifications
- The specific Master’s course
- English language requirements
Can You Study in the UK With a Second Class Upper Degree?
A Second Class Upper, commonly written as 2:1, gives Nigerian graduates access to a broad selection of Master’s programmes across UK universities. Many universities accept a 2:1 as the standard entry qualification for postgraduate study. Some competitive courses can ask for a First Class degree or have additional academic conditions.
A 2:1 can be particularly useful when applying for courses in areas such as:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Business
- Finance
- Public Health
- Law
- Management
- International Relations
Your course choice plays a key role because universities assess applicants according to the requirements of the specific programme.
What Nigerian Graduates Should Know About Applying With a 2:2
A Second Class Lower does not mean that your UK Master’s options are limited to a small number of universities. However, you should pay close attention to the individual course requirements.
Your course should match your academic background
A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, for example, can provide a suitable academic foundation for several business, finance and accounting Master’s programmes. A student applying for a completely different subject may need additional qualifications or relevant professional experience.
Work experience can help
Some universities and programmes consider relevant professional experience when assessing applicants with lower degree classifications. This can be especially useful for applicants with several years of experience in their chosen industry.
Pre Master’s programmes can provide another route
Students who do not meet the direct Master’s entry requirement can consider a pre Master’s programme where available. This route can help students prepare academically before progressing to a postgraduate degree.
Check the English language requirement
Many universities accept WAEC or NECO English at C6 or better for applicable English language conditions. However, acceptance is not universal. Some courses can ask for IELTS or another approved English language qualification.
Tuition Fees for Nigerian Students
The tuition figures in this guide are general international fee ranges and can change each academic year. The final amount depends on the university, course and level of study.
Students should also budget for:
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transport
- Study materials
- Visa expenses
- Health related costs
- Personal expenses
A lower tuition fee does not always mean a lower overall study budget. The cost of living in your chosen city can have a significant effect on your total expenses.
StudyAbroadly: Best UK Education Consultant in Nigeria
Getting a Second Class degree should not stop you from considering postgraduate study in the UK. The important part is finding universities and courses whose admission conditions match your academic background. StudyAbroadly supports Nigerian students through the study abroad process with services including:
- University selection
- Course selection
- Admission requirement checks
- University application support
- Personal statement guidance
- Document preparation
- WAEC and NECO qualification guidance
- English language requirement guidance
- 2:1 and 2:2 university selection
- Pre Master’s pathway guidance
- HND admission guidance
- Scholarship guidance
- Tuition fee guidance
- CAS and tuition deposit guidance
- Student visa guidance
- Intake planning
- Pre departure guidance
- Post admission support
Our team helps Nigerian students identify suitable study options based on their academic qualifications, preferred course, budget and future plans.
For graduates with a Second Class Upper or Second Class Lower degree, there are many postgraduate opportunities across the UK. The next step is to compare your degree classification with the entry conditions of your preferred courses and prepare an application that presents your academic and professional background clearly.
