₦airaland Forum

deevick246: I have nothing against sharing a replete idea devoid of possible misleading information.

Sure, your narrated experience will motivate others who want to follow your died-hard commitment to the top of their chosen career path. However, I just wanted to nail the point that even with HND anyone who wishes to further directly to US graduate school can get admission. There is no such silly discrimination of Bsc and Hnd in US graduate education as we have in Nigeria.

We are all just trying to help each other here by sharing informations. So, are you located in UK or US?

Yes, it’s silly discrimination in Nigeria which has to stop. I'm glad HND holders are regarded as degree holders in America and can pursue their masters degree straight away and move on from there...excellent stuff, I have to be honest, I didn’t know that before. I did apply to a few schools in the U.S with my HND some years back but the responses and conditions I got were far from satisfactory. Some of them didn't even have the HND option when I was filling out the application form online and I had to email to explain my situation.I live in the UK.

deevick246: The Bsc / Hnd polemic here is whether one can get admission into a graduate school in US with HND and the answer is a capital YES. This is my position.

You are right, YES you can get admission into graduate school, and I agree with your position in all sincerity.. But what do you make of sharing ideas, experiences etc. like we have been doing here? I have personally learnt from your comments as well as others here.

deevick246: What is it that you don't understand in the last paragraph? The massage in the paragraph is that, the Ukraine undergraduate degree will be accepted for graduate admission into a US university, so far, the grades meet up with the US university admission requirement. However, I also encourage you to do a research on the acceptability of Ukraine degree certificate with regards to the US university admissions. I encourage you to do this research, because I am clueless about the Ukraine educational system and policy in general.

Hi deevick246,
Please don’t be pissed with my comments, rather, continue to contribute your valuable ideas here so that people like me who unknowingly have misled or will mislead people with our comments can learn. I was also pissed after 5yrs of hard work bagging a Distinction in my HND from one of the highly respected polytechnics in Nigeria only to learn that I need another 1.5yrs pd/pgd to progress with my professional registration with the regulatory body, whereas those with B.sc went in straight. My friend here who is an Engineer can testify to what HND holders go through as regards registration with COREN, NIE, etc.. Even though I landed a job almost immediately after my HND, I knew that wasn’t all.. I wanted to further but couldn’t get admission into masters programs in the Universities I wanted, I wasn’t happy having to contact lots of schools only to get a few lower class ones that said OK, we will offer you with certain conditions. I wanted a University degree which would provide me a solid platform for my future endeavours so I thought rather than the 1.5yrs of pgd so I can get my professional reg etc , a 1.5yr back as an undergrad isn’t a bad idea so I went back. Now, I have a 1st class Bachelors, got a job in the oil & gas sector in the UK, options of full scholarship PHD in Canada and Australia, registration with SURCON, RICS, ICES also on-going. I think it was a good move for me and don’t believe a masters would have done any better. Please I welcome anyone to correct me if I am wrong or misleading people again. I was only giving my advice like I said the other time.
To my friend who said lati aaro, I don’t want to believe we are talking about a race here and I also spotted a sexist comment which makes me think we are still in the dark age.
Please don’t take offence to my comments.

deevick246: Well said!!! Seriously, attimes I get so pissed off here when I read comments/contributions that are not portraying a correct position. I feel this is where the work of the thread moderator is needed the most. To pin-down and correct such misleading insinuations before it is too late.

I like that your mathematical equation of HND=Bsc. They are both the same in the US admission evaluation, as far as it covers a 4 years study duration.

Please don't call the moderator, I have already apologized and I am saying sorry once again.

deevick246: This comment lacks weight as it is a mere guess work. The US educational system only requires a student applying into a graduate programme to have gone through a 4 years higher education to be eligible for admission. There is no such thing / barrier as Bsc or HND in most US university requirement for graduate admission. I know this because I was able to get more than 2 yankee universities regular admission with partial funding with my HND.

The digging deep or doing research on universities one wants to attend, I think both the Bsc and HND holders go through it. Everyone have to find a school that suits his or her preference.

It is no guess work, I was talking from experience and my previous comment was just an advice. May be I was looking at the issue from a broader perspective. Please pardon my comments if they seem wrong to you.

biofem2000: HND =B.S . Don't ask how. Let WES decide.
When you tell the school you have a Higher National Diploma, they'll probably ask you what that means. I know quite a handful of people in the US with HNDs from Nigeria who are heads of big agencies at the moment and hope to move further up on the ladder. Do not let HND hinder you. If anyone chooses to go back for undergrad after having obtained one from a polytechnic, it should not be because they were not given a chance like their university counterparts. It should be because they chose to make a first impression the second time.....


Good luck!!!!!

The author wants to further his/her education and he/she is finding it hard to get a masters offer with HND. That suggest to me the HND is hindering him/her already. ALL TOP UNIVERSITIES around the world would only admit students with a good UNIVERSITY FIRST DEGREE into post graduate studies (Masters & Above) and not students with a college/polytechnic diploma except those with some long years of experience, research etc. You'll agree with me he/she needs to dig really deep like someone has already suggested here to get one.

MrNigeria.:
@ Ayoade, please how easy is it to stay back after masters in the UK? or how did you go about it in your own case?

Hi,

It is difficult to stay back after your studies in this present time. The 2yr post study work visa is cancelled now so the only option is to get a job ( within the extra 4months usually on student visas ) with a company that is willing to sponsor you and then you can switch to tier2 work visa. A few int'l students still manage to land decent jobs and get sponsored but it is very difficult and depend on so many factors such as the uni you attend, your dicipline, your results, yourself, luck etc. In my own case, I did a B.sc not M.sc (Had HND in Nigeria so joined the B.sc program halfway) at an average university but one of the only two universities in the UK offering my course at bachelors level, so we have companies coming to recruit year in year out. I also made a good result and was lucky as well. I got my current job through my university but also got offers from outside.

Any other info, Please post.

Cheers

s-beauty :
Oh really, so how do I go about my search? Cz I did that for almost 2 weeks and had no good result , I'll b grateful if u can just gv me a list of those schools to make it easier, and for my major still chemistry bt probably forensic, organic , environmental, I have lots options to choose .
I'm waiting pls .
Thanks

Hi,
Never mind if you don't get a Masters offer, you will be fine with B.sc. I would even recommend B.sc for someone who has H.N.D from Nigeria. Far easier to get a job with B.sc. , Plus it makes more sense to have a B.sc than H.N.D + PGD/Masters from my own experience, at least in the UK. I also graduated from Yabatech in 2007, NYSC in 2008, got a 100k job in 2009 and worked till 2010. Wasn’t contented within myself with the H.N.D, came to the UK 02/2011 for B.sc, joined halfway because of my prior higher learning. Finished my studies in May, Bagged my B.sc with a fantastic result in June, Started attending interviews and got a decent job in July. Two months in it now and I can tell you its very beautiful here...like some 600% incement in my salary as at 01/2011. You may also get the opportunity for internships etc in undergrad.

Don't worry too much, just make sure you get a good result, B.sc/M.sc/PGD.. you'll be fine..Do some research on the university and the course as well, thats very important

Yes, Internships first before supermarket jobs but they could be hard to get especially if you are a Post graduate student.. Just search everywhere searchable for job and experience. If you are an undergrad, you stand a better chance. I didn't do internship but most home students in my class did.

Donxavier: Thanks very much. You have pretty much summed everything up. Very concise answer. I have a big brother in London that also that worked as a security guard for the duration of his studies during his own time. We still laugh over it every now and then ... but after his masters he got a decent job...
I just got in as you said and I just started searching part time work too. Hopefully I may get a cleaning job too that seems to be the easiest part time work to get...God help us all

it seems to me that school accommodation is still preferable for a fresh student as you wont run up bills. At least that is my own experience, My heater is turned on 24hours, even the light and my broadband is always connected. And it's cheap too. But off course I understand one cannot forever be in that type of residence.

And just holler men when next you are around, so you can do 'omo baba olowo' and carry me to KFC for brunch.

My regards.

Nooooooo, don’t look for cleaning jobs alone o, or don't even look for it at all. If I were you and I still have enough money to sustain me for some time or support from home, I will look for supermarket jobs or a job of that nature, sounds funny but I will tell you why... You get to interact with lots of people on a regular basis, I will tell you what that does.. builds your confidence, develops the ethical skills needed for that professional job if you decide to stay after you grad, exposes you, improves your English (I mean Listening and Speaking not Reading and Writing o, you will agree with me there are millions of different accents out there, the Scottish accent is a big big headache for me personally) and of course meet people.. If you are the type that do booze and ladies, excellent place to work. The work hours is also flexible and suits students, when you are on holidays, you can easily increase your working hours.

Yes, I’d recommend hostel initially, if you get tired of it, you can move out to enjoy the city and nightlife. If you send me your Email, I would gladly accept your omo baba olowo parol if you decide to do it for me o..You are just coming from Naija, Fresh and fruity. Inbox me your email at u0951414@uel.ac.uk

Donxavier,

You are allowed to work more hours when you are on holidays.. only on holidays. For example, if you happen to travel out of the UK while studying, on your return, you could be questioned at the border and that could lead to investigating your work record if the border officer doubts you are a genuine student here (Happened to a friend that travelled to Nigeria last November). If your NI shows you have been working 20hrs/wk or less, no problems, if more, the officer would definitely want to know the times you worked more, if on holidays, no problems, if not, trouble. I hope you get it now.. Nobody monitors your NI, but when there is likely to be an interface with the UKBA such as travelling, or may be switching visa and you need to apply etc, then it could be a problem so just stay within the limits.

I'm sure those you see with Msc cleaning/working in supermarkets/security guards etc. never thought they could be in the situation. You can't survive in the UK if you don't work. The bills will run you down so if you don't have support from home or elsewhere, you have to go out there. Renting a box room in London is nothing less than N70, 000 a month, discounted student oyster in London is N20, 000/m, feeding etc. will kill you if you don’t work. Aberdeen is quite cheaper but I tell you what, Most of these guys you see in those menial jobs are in it just to keep them alive till they get that professional job which in most cases is life changing, especially for those of us from the middle or lower class.

I have only been in my job for two months and I can tell you it’s worth the struggle, one just has to be careful not to get carried away. Like you said, if things aren’t looking good here, then go home. Thanks for the Info, I will have a drive to the city next week when I return, I work offshore so haven’t had time to see the city.

Cheers

Donxavier: I have heard this too but I still don't understand how it works or whether it makes sense especially to those planning to remain in the UK after studies.
My understanding of the NI number is that it is used for tax records. This means the number of your hours you worked will be logged on. I'm sure the process doesn't recognize during school hours or holiday hours. So, how can you work more during holidays? Unless the additional hours wont be reflected in your records or you're paid in cash without any documentation.

Also there are many Nigerians here in Aberdeen but from what I have seen so far only few get very good jobs. I guess that's the reality anyway cos of the recession and all that. But the work wey guys they do after MSC d thing tire me ....Work they would never do if they were in Naija and all that...Why not just go back home..na talk for another thread be that

Before the floodgates open and I'm accused of not respecting the dignity in any Labour I don't have issues with doing any kind of legitimate menial part time work during full study. But if after spending almost 4M and completing your degree, and those kinds of jobs are what one is still staying behind to do in the UK then it doesn't look right to me. My opinion anyways

Hello Pal, term-time allowed work hours for international students is 20 and there are no restrictions on holidays. yes, number of hours you work in a week is logged on to the NI but it is not linked to your school hence the system does not know if you are on holiday or not. It is up to you to stay within your visa limits. If you decide to do more, its up to you, but remember you are breaching your visa conditions and if caught, it means you are going home with some lengthy ban. If you decide to stay here after your studies, all you need to do is get the appropriate visa and you dont have to bother about NI or whatever. In reference to your observation Also there are many Nigerians here in Aberdeen but from what I have seen so far only few get very good jobs thats about right but if you play your cards right, you'll be fine. I live in Aberdeen too, I only arrived in the UK 02/2011, completed my degree here 06/2012 (had HND in Nigeria) and I now have a decent job ( over 500% increment compared to my salary as at 01/2011 ) . Your last paragraph sums up the fact that you have only been in the UK for a short time, I'm sure you'll get to understand how things run after a while.. you can trust me on that. If you need any further clarification on NI, etc please post here, i will check back and i'm also sure there are some good guys here who are always happy to help as well. by the way, do you know any Nigerian restaurant around? I moved here from London only two months ago and it has been pretty hard to get pounded yam and vegetable. Cheers

Oyibopepper: Hmmmmm. True. But I read somewhere that u can't be self-employed with a tier 4 visa. I was thinking of doing the hair biz (has been my thing) but this piece of info got me scared. Did I misunderstand what I read? I mean is this true?

My dear friend, you cannot be self-employed while studying in the UK as an international student, you are also only allowed work of 20hrs maximum in a week, If you do more, you are breaching your visa conditions and I suppose you know the implication if you get caught... Please try as much as possible to adhere to your visa conditions and be extremely careful if you 'must' go outside any rules in the UK.. you'll be fine here.. Cheers

My dear friend, grab the GTB job as I am not sure 2:2 in Anatomy + MBA university of Hull with no work experience would fetch you any better both in Nigeria or in the UK. Having said that, It all depends on what drives you. It might be a bit early but have you also asked yourself what next after 5 years with GTB ? I remember writing an essay on the subject in my final year at the uni here in the UK. Degree in Anatomy + several years of experience with GTB? might be good for the Nigerian job market but certainly not for places like the UK am afraid. My piece of advice, don't rule out further study ( there is always an edge if you have a good degree+grade from a globally recognised univeristy). You are 23 ( still young from a Naija point of view) so please don't be too keen on the peanut banks in Nigeria pay. No knowledge is lost, Enjoy the moment with GTB, while you strive to make yourself more marketable internationally. Trust me, the sky is your limit.