Brexit and Its Implications for Nigerian Students Studying in the United Kingdom

This paper investigates the implications of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit) for Nigerian students enrolled in British universities. Nigeria consistently ranks among the top non-EU source countries for international students in the UK, and Brexit has introduced significant changes to visa policies, tuition fee structures, and post-study work rights that directly affect Nigerian academic migrants. This descriptive study draws on documentary analysis of UK Home Office policy changes, UCAS admissions statistics, and secondary literature on international student migration published between 2019 and 2024. In-depth interviews were also conducted with Nigerian students currently enrolled in UK universities, as well as with Nigerian alumni who studied in the UK before and after the Brexit transition. The study examines how changes to the Tier 4 and Graduate Route visa systems have influenced Nigerian students' decisions about studying in the UK versus alternative European destinations such as Germany, the Netherlands, or Ireland. The research also explores perceptions of belonging and discrimination reported by Nigerian students in post-Brexit Britain. Findings suggest that while the Graduate Route visa has somewhat offset the initial deterrent effect of Brexit, rising tuition costs and hostile environment policies continue to discourage lower-income Nigerian applicants from choosing UK institutions. Keywords: Brexit, Nigerian students, UK higher education, student visa, academic migration.