₦airaland Forum

Peronel:
Had the same experience , though had to adjust my GS statement, with more emphasis in tiers back home, clearer academic purpose etc while attaching supporting documents. Aus is now strict , thats why school now does GS to determine if you have a chance with the home affairs at first instance. Nigeria passport and UK residence could still be a risk combination for Aus MRES , they are more liberal with PhD.Well I feel you should get an experienced agent to guide you further, because I know getting supervisors for MRES is difficult so you don't keep going round circles.

Thank you for your submission.
How were you able to sort yours, did you later got an offer with them, if yes, what exactly did you do differently?

Thanks

A quick one guys,

I completed my ND and HND in Nigeria, then earned a First Class Honours bachelor's degree in the UK. I currently live and work in the UK.

Recently, I applied for an MRes (Master of Research) at two different Australian universities. In both cases, I was asked to complete the Genuine Student (GS) assessment.

However, after submitting my responses, I received the same outcome:
"In accordance with Department of Home Affairs standards and Genuine Student requirements, we are unable to make you an offer."

I'm genuinely confused because I consider myself a strong writer and spent a lot of time drafting my GS responses as convincing and well-structured as possible. Since I've now received the same decision from two different universities, I'm beginning to think there's something I'm missing or doing wrong.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully passed the GS assessment. How did you approach your responses? What do universities actually look for, and are there any common mistakes applicants with circumstances as mine make without realizing it?

Any advice or insight would mean a lot. Thank you!

Kdamilola:
They usually don't ask this from PhD applicants at this stage. Perhaps you didn't select the option that asks if you'd like to be considered for RTP. If you don't pick that, then I presume they'll assume you want to self sponsor.

This is just a theory though; there may be other factors they considered before asking for this info.

Thanks for your contribution but I definitely ticked to be considered for RTP to be honest and I can’t wrap my head around why they are asking for this at this stage.

Do you think they want to see all the money sitting in the account at this point or you reckon that a bank statement with huge and steady inflows even if short of the required amount could suffice at least for now?

Hi everyone, just a quick one please 🙏

I submitted a PhD application to the University of Sydney from the UK. The admissions team has now requested additional documents, including the completion of the GS Assessment form and evidence of financial capacity, such as bank statements or a savings certificate for either myself or my sponsor before my application can be processed.

Has anyone experienced being asked for financial documents at the application stage? I was under the impression that these are usually required only at the time of CoE issuance or visa application.

Efetobore1980:
Hello Kenny.
Your chances without a Masters degree depends on your working/ class experiences with professors in your area , your SOP and how well and reasonable you outline your research area (interest). Everything is based on your natural inclination or instincts (as forseen by your future professors). ** Your UK 1st class will attract most professors.

Your Nigerian polytechnic will not and cannot delay your transcript and you are not transfering your HND transcripts but requesting the polytechnic to send it to your prospective school in the US or have them give you by hand if your new University accepts un-official.

Why do you want to short-change yourself by omitting your HND out of your academic profile? Your High school and HND certifications springboarded you to achieving your UK 1st- class. 👍

Thank you for your contribution. Much appreciated. I will love to know if there’s anyone that’s got straight into a Ph.D with just a bachelors from this noble platform so they can advise as well.

[color=#006600][/color][quote author=Efetobore1980 post=135245079]Hello Kenny.
Your chances without a Masters degree depends on your working/ class experiences with professors in your area , your SOP and how well and reasonable you outline your research area (interest). Everything is based on your natural inclination or instincts (as forseen by your future professors). ** Your UK 1st class will attract most professors.

Your Nigerian polytechnic will not and cannot delay your transcript and you are not transfering your HND transcripts but requesting the polytechnic to send it to your prospective school in the US or have them give you by hand if your new University accepts un-official.

Why do you want to short-change yourself by omitting your HND out of your academic profile? Your High school and HND certifications springboarded you to achieving your UK 1st- class. 👍

Thank you

Hi guys,

I have a HND from Nigeria (upper credit) and a bachelors from the UK (first class). I want to apply for a DIRECT Ph.D in the USA within the next application window, what are my chances without a masters please?

Again, I am thinking of applying only just with my UK bachelor’s as I would not want my Nigerian Polytechnic to delay me with transfer of transcript and all.

Do you think that’s the best approach? Or do you reckon that the HND will help my course please?

Your inputs will be much appreciated. Thanks.

Hello everyone!
I hope you're all doing well. I’m currently preparing for GRE and was wondering if anyone has any good practice materials or resources they’d be willing to share. I’d really appreciate any help—thank you in advance!

captaino:
try gre.magoosh.com, I used the site while preparing for mine. You can also google more good study materials online.

Thank you.

Hi all,
Please can anyone help me with GRE study /preparatory materials please. I would also appreciate links/sites where I could get guides please. I have a bachelor’s from a UK University and wants to apply for a direct Ph.D in 🇺🇸 and so, a very high GRE score is a necessity.
God bless as you assist.

Kindly, PM or email me if you have any study/preparatory materials for GRE please.

Thanks in anticipation.

Padraic:
Hello, I am currently in your position. This is what I did. This will be a long post, I apologize.

I finished my MA in the UK in 2021. Post graduation, I was working part time here and there, as per UK usual. I applied for fall 2024 to 8 universities, all fully funded programs. I go admitted into 3, 1 waitlist, and 4 rejections. I just did my visa interview last month, it was granted. My Visa is arriving soon.

Key things to note.

My masters and PhD is in exactly the same field. So I am not jumping from A to B.

I have never ever been to the US before, nor have I ever applied for their Visa.

My PhD is fully funded with over 10k excess left over.

My interview lasted like 2mins.

Please, please, please.... apply to the best school you can enter. The school is very very important and will affect your visa. School and funding is the most important thing from my experience. It is harder to deny a havard or princeton scholar than someone going to rashford state university or Onana school of business. I see people talking about home ties and all that, THAT IS A NIGERIA PROBLEM AND YOU ARE IN THE UK. THAT PROBLEM IS BENEATH YOU!!!

VO in Nigeria are people with prejudice and strong belief that we all want to run away and never return. They are very tight. It is not like that abroad. If you can, go to Belfast for the interview, things are very chill there. The VO are soft friendly people.

Apply to a top school, the best you can get into and have full funding. When asked about post graduation plans... I said "to go back to Nigeria and use my skills in education, research and development". Just show intent to go back home, all that home ties nonsense is BENEATH you.

Now, for your application, make sure you write GRE, you dont need toefl. I wrote GRE twice. Try to score above 300. I scored 312. Just try your best, please. Try to study well in school and graduate with a good grade. Transcript matters alot. I made merit.

Try to score a first class score in your thesis, it really really helps. Make sure atleast two of your references are from your UK university. Try to not use Nigerian professors. They don't rate our things. Its unfair but that's the way of the world.

I applied to Emory, UMCP, Ohio state university, Indiana university, Purdue, Bowling green state university, UPenn, and Penn state. Look for schools in top 150 or so. Dont go too far down. You need a top school so they can shower you with so much funding and you will be confident for interview.


Try to publish your Masters thesis before you apply, it really helps. Also I wanted to apply to 12 schools, but I stopped after my second admission offer came in.

BE CONFIDENT WHEN YOU GET THERE FOR INTERVIEW. TALK LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

GO FORTH AND CONQUER!!!!!!



No over think am, it is not rocket science.

Thank you Sir/Ma.
This is all comprehensive. Much appreciated. God bless

Kenny4smart:
A quick one please guys 🙏.
I am currently studying in the UK to be finishing next year and would therefore like to further my masters or Ph.D in 🇺🇸. But before then, I’m currently thinking of applying for a tourist (B-2 visa).

Do you think this is a good move? Will it affect/enhance my study visa application later on the following year? Or do you reckon I just forget about the visit and apply for the study visa once I finish next year from my program.

Further, provided you advise I go ahead and apply for the tourist visa and gets approved, can I switch from the tourist visa to a study visa in the States? or do I need to return and reapply all over for the study visa.

Please your kind and brotherly advise will be highly appreciated.

Regards.

Guys please I need more responses on this. While the 2 contributions I’ve received so far are both well thought-out, they are as well conflicting and this confusion was what brought me here for suggestions in the first place.

Consequently, I need more sincere submissions.

Regards.

JohnZak:
Except the need for you to travel to the US on a B1/B2 visa is incredibly pressing, I suggest that you see out your one remaining year on your student visa and then apply for the F1 visa. There is no need risking a denial at this point when, if you get the F1 visa next year, you can literally visit the same places while you are in the US on an F1 that you want to see this year on a B1/B2 visa. More than likely, those places are not going to change before next year.

Thank you. Much appreciated

[quote author=OyoTunjiUSA post=129269197]Hey 🤠

1. If you are a Nigerian presently studying in the UK without any relative or jobs or residency status which tie you to the UK upon graduation, then i will support you stake the gamble . But the only B1/B2 visa i will recommend you to apply for is the one that will have the support or coordination of your present institution (ie education tours , academic seminars , exchange programs etc) which will guarantee your visa success 75%.

2. By that , your present studentship In the UK will stand as your tie to the UK because USA consular will concludes that a reasonable student won't abscond to the USA or stay behind when he or she has only 1 year left to bag his or her certificate .

3. Yes , if you finally got the B1/B2 you can change to F1 status if you follow the policies and procedures .

4. If you wait till after your graduation in the UK before you apply for Msc / Phd , its still 50/50 chances . You will still have to proof ties to the UK and proof financial ability with no immigrant intent before your F1 visa can be granted.

5. If you cannot proof ties to the UK then you will have to return to Nigeria and apply for your F1 visa (perhaps you should be able to proof some ties in your fatherland).

6. Alternatively, you can transfer your credits from your present institution in the UK to an accredited institution in the USA (complex process though) and many UK universities have an exchange scheme with some USA universities (explore these options ).


Best Wishes 🙏



Thank you for your contribution. Much appreciated.

A quick one please guys 🙏.
I am currently studying in the UK to be finishing next year and would therefore like to further my masters or Ph.D in 🇺🇸. But before then, I’m currently thinking of applying for a tourist (B-2 visa).

Do you think this is a good move? Will it affect/enhance my study visa application later on the following year? Or do you reckon I just forget about the visit and apply for the study visa once I finish next year from my program.

Further, provided you advise I go ahead and apply for the tourist visa and gets approved, can I switch from the tourist visa to a study visa in the States? or do I need to return and reapply all over for the study visa.

Please your kind and brotherly advise will be highly appreciated.

Regards.

JMG12:
It is possible but you need to display an excellent skill, find a project supervisor that is willing to work with you, try to have a publication

Thank you comrade.

Kindly share your opinions please.
What are the chances of directly getting into a Ph.D program with just an undergraduate degree in a non-stem field in the US please? I have researched some universities that allow this, however, I’d like to know if there are people that have been successful with this in our midst here or do you advice I go for just masters? I really want to get IN but then I very need funding that comes with P.hD’s which is mainly the motivation for the pursuit of a direct Ph.D.

Note, this undergraduate degree is from a UK university with a potential second class upper grade (2:1).

Your submissions will be much appreciated.
Regards.

Kingkom:
Exactly at what point is biometric done? Is it after applying for visa and submitting your application or before applying?
Also how is the biometric appointment date booked?

After applying for your visa by filling your online visa application form and submitting, you then book an appointment for biometrics {on which day you thumbprints and have your face captured}.

whalesmith:
HND to Masters

Please I want to confirm if it's possible for an HND holder to enroll for Masters without PGD in the UK? If its possible, what school will you recommend?

Thanks

Apply to Sheffield Hallam University. If your SOP is strong backed with a CV of high professional experience, you will get in.
Note: The masters course must be in the same discipline with your HND.
Good luck!!

[quote author=bamangar post=122831231]As a student in UK, does one need PCC to work in UK?[/quote

Which one is PCC again please? With just your BRP you can work 20 hrs per week term time. National Insurance Number is necessary but not required to resume a job.

mescanayo:
Good evening gurus in the house. Please permit me to ask three questions:

1) pls I want to know if I can open joint account with my fiancee using her maiden name. This is to support prove of relationship with her as the wedding will still come up later before visa application. Will the surname not being thesame in the account raise concern?

2) pls which bank is best to open Dom account inorder to pay IHS and Visa. I mean bank that does not charge unnecessary on the dom account.?

3) Maybe For people in the UK, MA and spouse, can they live in shared accomodation or studio apartment. Or is there any rule against it. Remember no kid yet.

Thank you for your kind feedback.

As per your number 3, you’re completely fine sharing an accommodation.

Kassidy4luv:
Greetings all,

If my POF bank account statement is carrying my old house address ( address on my BVN) does it matter?

No Sir/Ma

dduchess90:
Hello

Reason I said he/she can try but won't go too far without providing the passport

Passport is a very important document, you can only speak of the Uni you are attending not others

Some Uni's won't even look at your application if mandatory documents are not provided.

Cheers

Poster asked if he/she can apply without passport which is definitely YES, no uni will bounce your application if you’re qualified and have every other academic documents BUT passport which they can request later. In fact if you must know, schools request for passport to confirm the name they they will put in the CAS document to avoid error. It is not an academic pre-requisite for admission.

Besides, I wasn’t arguing with you.

Fraih:
Hi guys!

Pls anyone applying for Sheffield Hallam Uni for Sept entry? I read somewhere that the deposit is now 3k, struggling to get the exact link on their site.

Sheffield Hallam University have increased their initial deposit to £3k. That information you so read is correct.
Remember you will also need to pay additional £5k on enrollment bringing total fee paid to £8k before resuming classes and this payment is non negotiable, the uni has one of the most stringent rules concerning tuition fees.
Goodluck.

dduchess90:
Hello

Passport is a vital information during admission application

You can try,but I doubt you will go any further without it

Cheers

He will be fine, he can send a copy of the passport to school later, it worked for me and other people I know.

Davidenato:
Hello

Please can I apply for schools without having a passport ready

Thanks

Yes you can, the Uni will request for it later once you’ve been admitted.

worried222:
Please can I send you a pm?

Any time.

worried222:
Please I need someone to give me an insight on what I should expect when I finally relocate to the UK.

I have 2+ years of experience as a software developer here in Nigeria with a bachelors degree in computer science.
I’m looking at doing my masters in software engineering or any closely related course.
I don’t have all the money for tuition and all.
In fact, I have 6m for this project. I intend to work as to pay my balance and other bills.

Can I get a part time job as a software developer there?
I have a fiancé but I don’t have the funds to bring her as dependent for now, so she’s out of the picture for now.

I will appreciate a detailed reply from anyone as this will make me take a better decision.
I plan to come by January next year.

Thanks 🙏🏽

duchess doyinluv justwise

If I were you I will apply to schools ASAP, get the admission and chase my visa. There are things I can’t say to you in this space but all I can tell you now is to stop worrying and make a move today.

Focus99:
Can a 33yrs of guy do a Bsc (top up degree)?

He applied for Msc and he got rejection from over 10 schools saying his Bsc certificate did not meet the requirements. PS, he graduated from a school in Benin Republic.

Yes definitely, my flat mate is 34 and he is doing his top up in engineering here. Apply immediately, no time.

slimanyd:
Morning bosses here. Which is the best airline to take among the two.

British Airways or Virgin Atlantic

Destination is Birmingham.

Both are good. Nah your pocket go decide. BA be number one as far as UK is concerned.

Priceless25:
Please house.. I need help on making a decision on which school to proceed with, I got offers from Northampton and Salford both on MSc project management.

Northampton has a placement component to it (deposit £7000).

Salford (deposit £5500).

1. Is this placement route profitable? (Getting internships, paid or unpaid), hoping to get UK experience.

2. Because the placement is for an extra year, will I need to double the POF? And double IHS fees?

3. Which of the schools is better in terms of education?

@duchess@doyinluv@justwise

Yes, for each year you study in the UK you will have to pay IHS fee for it. However, having a placement year is an advantage for you, you have an extra year away from school to work full time and save some money for yourself even before you graduate. The work experience which boost your CV is there too.

Note: you may have to found this job for yourself as the ones schools provides are few chased by so many students and so very competitive. Overall, I will go for Northampton that has that placement year if I were you and of course it is a wonderful school with lots of Nigerians.