Every year the RAU welcomes students from across Africa who come to the UK to receive a world-class education. The International Team at RAU are always keen to help and support International students seeking education opportunities in the UK.

At the RAU we offer a variety of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research programmes.

The RAU holds a Student Visa Sponsor License No: VT0Q9ERW3.

Contact us for more information: international@rau.ac.uk.

Apply to start in January 2024

We are now taking applications on a number of our postgraduate courses starting in January 2024. So you can start your studies at a time to suit you. Please click to find out more.

Fees & Scholarships 

Tuition fees

Standard international tuition fees apply for most of our courses but there are some that may vary. For more details on standard and non-standard fees visit our undergraduate fee and postgraduate fee pages.

You can also check your chosen course page to see if a non-standard fee applies to your course. Find the course page by searching our undergraduate course and postgraduate course listings.

Scholarships

The Royal Agricultural University offers a number of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a range of subject areas. In addition to this, a number of external organisations grant awards which may be of interest to RAU applicants. 

Please click for details of the funding opportunities available to international undergraduate students.

Please click for details of the funding opportunities available to international postgraduate students.

Entry Requirements 

International Foundation Year in Nigeria

Students wishing to pursue an International Foundation year programme in Nigeria should get in touch with our IFY partner Westerfield College based in Yaba Lagos.

For further information please contact our International team by email: international@rau.ac.uk.

International Foundation Year in the UK

We run an International Foundation Year programme in partnership with our partner, INTO London World education Centre based in London. 

To enquire about the programme please get in touch with our admissions team: ​admissions@rau.ac.uk.

Undergraduate Foundation degrees

Applicants with:

  • WASSCE or Senior School Certificate-NECO is equivalent to GCSE. Applicants will need to undertake an International Foundation Year for entry to undergraduate courses at the RAU
  • Successful completion of National Diploma / Ordinary National Diploma with Merit or Lower credit will be considered for entry to Foundation degree programmes
  • Applicants who have completed successfully the 1st year of a Nigerian University bachelor degree will be considered for admission to the first year of our foundation degree courses

Alternatively, applicants with IB, EB, UK or US qualifications will require:

  • International Baccalaureate min. 24 points, A-levels or USA or other international equivalent qualifications for bachelor degree programmes see relevant RAU web pages

IELTS and other accepted English language qualifications

  • UKVI IELTS band score 6.0 overall or above with no less than 5.5 in each component of the ‘academic’ IELTS test. The test must have been taken within 2 years of the start date of the course

* Please see more information on Secure English Language Test(SELT) providers.

Undergraduate degrees (Bachelors)

Applicants with:

  • WASSCE or Senior School Certificate-NECO is equivalent to GCSE. Applicants will need to undertake an International Foundation Year for entry to undergraduate courses at the RAU
  • Successful completion of National Diploma / Ordinary National Diploma will be considered for entry to Foundation degree programmes
    • BCC=Distinction,
    • CCC=Upper Credit or Credit
  • Applicants who have completed successfully the 1st year of a Nigerian University bachelor degree will be considered for admission to the first year of our foundation degree courses

Alternatively, applicants with IB, EB, UK or US qualifications will require:

  • International Baccalaureate min. 26 points, A-levels or USA or other international equivalent qualifications for bachelor degree programmes see relevant RAU web pages

IELTS and other accepted English language qualifications

The following qualifications meet the English language requirements for Bachelor degree programmes:

  • IELTS band score 6.0 overall or above with no less than 5.5 in each component of the ‘academic’ IELTS test. The test must have been taken within 2 years of the start date of the course. Or
  • West African Examinations Council SSCE grade A-C in English Language (first sitting)

Transfer into Year 2 or Year 3 

Academic transfers to RAU into Years 2 and 3 are possible. Contact admissions@rau.ac.uk to find out more.

GDA

Typically, we require an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a non-cognate discipline.

  • IELTS band score 6.0 overall or above with no less than 6.0 in each component of the ‘academic’ IELTS test. The test must have been taken within 2 years of the start date of the course

Graduates from NARIC approved Nigerian universities may be exempted from English language certification. Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk.

Postgraduate Taught degrees (MSc and MBA)

Typically we require a Bachelor’s Honours degree

  • Upper Second Class with Honours - 2:1
  • Lower Second Class with Honours = 2:2
  • IELTS band score 6.5 overall or above with no less than 5.5 in each component of the ‘academic’ IELTS test. (The test must have been taken within two years of the start date of the course)

Graduates from NARIC approved Nigerian universities may be exempted from English language certification. Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk.

Postgraduate Research degrees (MScR and PhD)

  • For entry to the MSc by Research applicants are expected to hold the equivalent of a UK Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1). See Postgraduate Taught entry criteria above for equivalent qualifications
  • For entry to the PhD programme we would require applicants to hold a Master’s degree

Mature candidates with significant relevant work experience and lower academic qualifications may also be considered for entry, following personal interview with the Director of Research.

  • IELTS (Academic) band score of minimum 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in Writing and no less than 5.5 in any other component. (The test must have been taken within two years of the start of the course)

Graduates from NARIC approved Nigerian universities may be exempted from English language certification. Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk.

UK Visas and immigration

Students from Nigeria would normally require a visa for studying in the UK. For further information and guidance visit: 

Preparing for your studies in the UK

Applying to the RAU

Undergraduate

All students intending to study an undergraduate degree in the UK are required to apply through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). To learn more about UCAS, application deadlines and the support we provide to help you make your application see:

Postgraduate

You can apply for postgraduate taught and research programmes directly to us via our online application form. These forms can be found on the relevant postgraduate course pages:

Representatives 

Meet us

Our international team regularly travels to countries around the world, attending conventions and fairs and visiting schools and colleges. For further information and to view upcoming trips, visit our international events page

Representatives in your country

We work with a small number of approved international representatives who can help you apply and enrol on your chosen programme. Please email us if you would like to contact a country representative: international@rau.ac.uk.