Giltwise:
@Chukwuka16 well done for the detailed response to @coolcube questions.

@coolcube, PLEASE do not pay to do a PhD outside Nigeria, it is crazy and suicidal to do so. Do everything within your capacity to get funding. I can guide you on that if interested. There are one thousand and one scholarship and studentship positions available (check findaphd/com and jobs/ac/uk). Also, you can write a solid, well researched proposal and target a top PI who will likely have a grant. Target schools in Australia, UK, Europe and SA as Chukwuka suggested. I repeat PLEASE do not try to pay for a PhD. It is not worth it. You will be drained by the end of your programme if you want post PhD life. Imagine, working round the clock to pay school fees, bills and you still want to publish in top rated journals. My brother, one must suffer for the other. Don't just get a PhD, get a worthy one.

Above all, seek for divine guidance.

Peace

Hi Giltwise, please can you guide me on how to go about this? Thank you.

davide470:
Wow!

Just to ask the question that has been pondering in the minds of the readers...are you a Nigerian? or would the Telegraph call you a British-Nigerian?

Nigerian born, bred and raised! Didn't leave Nigeria or even enter a plane till I was 27! Was also brought up quite conservative. I have lived in about 7 northern Nigerian states though.

My adventurous spirit somehow appeared after my first 3/4 years in the UK. I worked as a support worker to a lady who absolutely loved travelling and the 3 years I spent working with her, we basically visited the length and breadth of the UK. Na there ajala bug catch me.

My husband is British born and raised but he's a lot more conservative in everything. Till he met me, he lived in the same city he was born, raised and working in. In the last 11 years, we have moved 6 times including a country move. When he was offered a transfer with work to NZ, he wanted to write a pros and cons list and I was like dude really? Let's go joor!

Saying that, my father was a civil servant who got transferred round the north of Nigeria a lot so maybe the ajala vibes was dormant?

fatima04:
@Ticha I love your exploratory spirit oo, it's really nice to know Nigerians can let go and participate in such. Gives me hope , not sure my liver reach that sha.

Do you allow pets in your home and also what about cleaning etc. Is the only cost associated with house swaps just insurance or any other hidden cost?

We absolutely do not allow pets in our home for many reasons so it's just a blanket no. We will swap to a home with an outdoor cat but not dogs cos I'm not willing to take on the responsibility plus my children have no 'petiquette'. Some swappers ask you to leave the house as clean as you found it. Some say just leave everything and some will give a list of things to tackle ie start laundry, empty bins etc. We employ a cleaner regardless of swap so she comes every week and will come just before and after a swap. For longer and back to back swaps, she's invaluable cos people have different cleaning standards. She knows mine and maintains mine.

Our only additional cost is paying for a subscription to the swap website. Until last year, we always paid for 2 sites which is about £300 a year which is on average what we'd spend on 2 nights and sometimes even 1 night's accommodation in most places!

olaness:
Please your advice urgently needed:
Gas central heating on a rent of 450 a month or electric heating on a rent of 350 a month?
I hear that gas central heating is cheaper. But how much cheaper? What will the difference be like?

Location is Bradford

It depends on how much you use. If you're someone who likes 9ja style heat then you'd spend more than someone who is happy to put on more layers. Gas is generally cheaper.

Giltwise:
@Chukwuka16 well done for the detailed response to @coolcube questions.

@coolcube, PLEASE do not pay to do a PhD outside Nigeria, it is crazy and suicidal to do so. Do everything within your capacity to get funding. I can guide you on that if interested. There are one thousand and one scholarship and studentship positions available (check findaphd/com and jobs/ac/uk). Also, you can write a solid, well researched proposal and target a top PI who will likely have a grant. Target schools in Australia, UK, Europe and SA as Chukwuka suggested. I repeat PLEASE do not try to pay for a PhD. It is not worth it. You will be drained by the end of your programme if you want post PhD life. Imagine, working round the clock to pay school fees, bills and you still want to publish in top rated journals. My brother, one must suffer for the other. Don't just get a PhD, get a worthy one.

Above all, seek for divine guidance.

Peace

Thanks

Any plans for summer party anyone?

Hello Guys

Good morning

(My First post here)

I would be coming next month to begin my masters program and I have a few questions I would like you all to help me with.

1. My school is in Wales (USW) and I know virtually no one there, is there some sort of forum where I can meet people there?

2. Accomodation-wise, is it advisable for me to pay for my accomodation(private, not school) while still here in Nigeria or should I instead arrive in the UK first, lodge and take time to go round and get one suitable?

3. Asides being a construction engineer, I have a personal side business I do, I'm an artist...I make portrait and realistic drawings based on orders for people who want to surprise people and people who want it shaa. Would I be able to carry this on successfully in the UK without facing any danger?
as I've heard that students are not entitled to have a private business while on a study visa.


Thanks as you all respond, I hope to get a feedback from you all.

Hello Chukwuka16, Your response literally blew me away. I am in the middle of taking the next step. If you do not mind, I would appreciate if I can contact you via E-mail. I already sent you a request. I will need some guidance from "person wey sabi road". Thanks in advance


Living in the UK, hmmm……

First things first – please setup an urgent appointment with your cleric and advise them to organise a series of prayer sessions for you to BANISH THAT THOUGHT OF BEING A LECTURER IN NIGERIA – Those dreams are from village people. You do not want to be having such dreams now as you are too young to be planning FRUSTRATION. I appreciate your love for lecturing in Nigeria, but my advice will be for you to start your career as a researcher overseas and then decide what next to do about that your dream of lecturing back in Nigeria. You need the abroad experience to build your self-worth which Nigeria helps to dampen. You also need money (a lot of it) to enjoy lecturing in Nigeria and even forget that ASUU/salary exists. You don’t want to be that frustrated lecturer who takes out his/her frustration on innocent students. You also want to have pleasant experiences from your time abroad to benchmark your lecturing journey in Nigeria.

Next is the PhD. I congratulate you on your PhD journey so far in Nigeria. May the good Lord lighten your burden. Many years ago, it was gay to be having a PhD from Stanford and MIT and Harvard and those fancy names. Later, it was chic to be having your PhD from the UK, Canada, USA, Australia etc. Today, where you have your PhD is Irrelevant if (1) it is accredited and (2) you have your research published in the top journals. My advice for you would be to research possible PhD opportunities in South Africa – UCT, UKZN, UP, DUT, TUT etc. Get on ResearchGate and connect with Nigerians there and leverage that in getting a placement. We used to review apps from Nigerians and get our friends into SA for PhD with funding in our labs. You are sure of some funding (bursary with teaching duties) or a cheaper deal than the UK. Additionally, you are sure of world class research facilities with opportunities to go overseas for conferences/workshops. Please note that PhD in UKZN is free! I was sponsored by NRF/TWAS and had tutor gigs within the dept and had enough money to be flying to Pretoria (Sunnyside) just to look for plantain (millennial issues).

However, while in South Africa, you must do all within you to publish and publish and publish in the very best and top-rated journals (Impact Factor greater than 5 as a minimum). In my former lab here in the UK, the head was ready to recruit my friend to the UK and pay him £40K simply because of his MAD publication profile – We lost him to a research lab in Israel. There is something called REF (Research Excellence Framework) here in the UK every 5 years and it’s basically ranking UK HEI’s based on their publication output and where (journal IF). This is important because it determines how much funding they get from the government (more important now as funding is becoming scarce like unicorns). That is why you see them every 5 years recruiting new hands and highlighting publications as an important criterion. You want to be ready for the next round.

Why do I advise you to consider South Africa? Time. Here in the UK, your PhD can last from 3.5-5 years depending on your supervisor and between 4-7 years in the US. I did mine in South Africa in 18 months (finished with depression and 11 publications). You may not do yours in 18 months but with good publications (3-5) you can be done within 2.5 – 3 years with even a postdoc waiting for you to calm you down. I was recruited straight out of South Africa before graduation to the UK and currently in my 3rd job (millennial problems) working in a think tank and with a world class team. Nobody has ever asked me about where I did my PhD. I have even had the editor of a world class journal (IF of 27) visit me all the way from the US and invite me to do a badass piece in his journal on top my African PhD.

A UK PhD WILL NOT ADD ANY BENEFIT TO YOUR CAREER IN TODAY’S WORLD EVEN IF IT’S FROM OXFORD. It will cost you your arm and your leg and even leave you frustrated and drained but with extra shoulder pad for bragging – I have my doctorate from Oxforrrrd. You also don’t want to be burdening us with gofundme which is rising at alarming rates nowadays or subject your better half to working jobs she may not be ok with all because you want a UK PhD.

In all, please always ask the Good Lord for direction. I’m a firm believer that one can never get lost with His guidance.

I wish you the best.[/quote]

kwell:


Way early. My cousin’s bio was November last year and he’s still waiting. Don’t know why they’re treating applications from Africa this way.

Same EEA family permit? thats over 7months already o. Have your cousin tracked his application?

Update!!!
The ETC will not do us much good as its only valid for a one way travel



Sorry, I had to quote you Kaad! I really am not sure how to make a new post on this thread.

I need help regarding ETC (emergency travel certificate) or what's it called?)

Let me explain my dilemma ;
I'm looking to bring my children aged 3 a d 5y/o to the UK. They now have their visa. I planned my mother in-law would bring them (she was also granted visa)
Then the issue of my mother in law not been allowed through immigration arose as acquaintances told stories of people not allowed to bring others' children irrespective of relationship, other than being real parents (due to trafficking)
Now, my hubby planned on travelling down to naija to avoid stories that touch But DVLA has his int'l passport. Luckily for us, he submitted his old BRP during the application and now has his new and valid BRP (old BRP still needs to be returned to Ukvi whenever dvla pleases to return it)
My main questions as per our options are;
1.How feasible is getting the ETC and travelling with it?
2.Will be my mother in law be allowed to bring my children with regards to immigration?

All the elders in the house, I'll appreciate your input through knowledge and recent experience. TIA

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful work of helping newbies on this platform.

I was sent 2,000 dollars in cash from Nigeria.
I want to convert it into pounds.
M&S bank told me it’s £64 for $100.
Post office is similar.
A high street money exchange I saw in East Anglia was offering me £60 for $100.

Please, does anyone know how best I can sort this and get good value?
I feel that what they are offering is just shitty.

JustAPasserBy:
Thanks to everyone for the wonderful work of helping newbies on this platform.

I was sent 2,000 dollars in cash from Nigeria.
I want to convert it into pounds.
M&S bank told me it’s £64 for $100.
Post office is similar.
A high street money exchange I saw in East Anglia was offering me £60 for $100.

Please, does anyone know how best I can sort this and get good value?
I feel that what they are offering is just shitty.

This is why you need a Revolut account, it would give you the best rate without commision without even leaving your bed.

wonlasewonimi:


This is why you need a Revolut account, it would give you the best rate without commision without even leaving your bed.

Many thanks @ Wonlasewonimi (I can’t help but laugh out loud calling that name).

If I have Revolut, and I have the $$ in cash. As in 100 dollar bills. How to I get that into my Revolut account, please?

Deleted

JustAPasserBy:


Many thanks @ Wonlasewonimi (I can’t help but laugh out loud calling that name).

If I have Revolut, and I have the $$ in cash. As in 100 dollar bills. How to I get that into my Revolut account, please?

If you can pay it into your high street bank (without stress), then youcan transfer to Revolut

wonlasewonimi:


If you can pay it into your high street bank (without stress), then youcan transfer to Revolut

Thank you very much.
I guess that’s where the problem is. Paying into my high street bank.

Guys response pleaseeeee

danieldg:
Hello Guys

Good morning

(My First post here)

I would be coming next month to begin my masters program and I have a few questions I would like you all to help me with.

1. My school is in Wales (USW) and I know virtually no one there, is there some sort of forum where I can meet people there?

2. Accomodation-wise, is it advisable for me to pay for my accomodation(private, not school) while still here in Nigeria or should I instead arrive in the UK first, lodge and take time to go round and get one suitable?

3. Asides being a construction engineer, I have a personal side business I do, I'm an artist...I make portrait and realistic drawings based on orders for people who want to surprise people and people who want it shaa. Would I be able to carry this on successfully in the UK without facing any danger?
as I've heard that students are not entitled to have a private business while on a study visa.


Thanks as you all respond, I hope to get a feedback from you all.

dustydee:

Data analytics/data science

Btw data analytics n business analytics which is better?

Data Analytics is better.

Glowing1:


Btw data analytics n business analytics which is better?

danieldg:
Hello Guys

Good morning

(My First post here)

I would be coming next month to begin my masters program and I have a few questions I would like you all to help me with.

1. My school is in Wales (USW) and I know virtually no one there, is there some sort of forum where I can meet people there?

2. Accomodation-wise, is it advisable for me to pay for my accomodation(private, not school) while still here in Nigeria or should I instead arrive in the UK first, lodge and take time to go round and get one suitable?

3. Asides being a construction engineer, I have a personal side business I do, I'm an artist...I make portrait and realistic drawings based on orders for people who want to surprise people and people who want it shaa. Would I be able to carry this on successfully in the UK without facing any danger?
as I've heard that students are not entitled to have a private business while on a study visa.


Thanks as you all respond, I hope to get a feedback from you all.

Congrats on securing your visa! Just like you, many of us came here without knowing anyone and have had to build up our contacts over time.

I know Cardiff Uni where I graduated from has several groups on Facebook like Cardiff Uni Overhead. Search for similar groups for your Uni.

I wouldn't advise you to pay for accommodation before coming down here. I'm in Cardiff where USW main campus is located. I know for a fact that most letting agents are not very transparent and the pictures online might slightly differ from the reality on ground. Also, you should be aware that some letting agents are a pain in the ass to deal with.

Danger in terms of exceeding your 20hours limit? I don't know how that's possible because, from my point of view, only you can decide or report how long it took you to make a painting. If you report your earnings as self-employed, be sure not to exceed over 20hours/weekly.

All the best

Good evening everyone

Pls between
1. Social Research
2. Business Management


Which Field has a higher job opportunity and more lucrative?


Thanks

danieldg:
Hello Guys

Good morning

(My First post here)

I would be coming next month to begin my masters program and I have a few questions I would like you all to help me with.

1. My school is in Wales (USW) and I know virtually no one there, is there some sort of forum where I can meet people there?

2. Accomodation-wise, is it advisable for me to pay for my accomodation(private, not school) while still here in Nigeria or should I instead arrive in the UK first, lodge and take time to go round and get one suitable?

3. Asides being a construction engineer, I have a personal side business I do, I'm an artist...I make portrait and realistic drawings based on orders for people who want to surprise people and people who want it shaa. Would I be able to carry this on successfully in the UK without facing any danger?
as I've heard that students are not entitled to have a private business while on a study visa.


Thanks as you all respond, I hope to get a feedback from you all.

Hello Daniel i can provide some suggestions for question 2.

Q2. I would suggest you rent directly from a landlord or sublet a room from tenants who want to house share. Firstly do a video viewing of the room. Secondly negotiate for an open contract that is rolling monthly. This is because you might arrive the uk and realise you don’t like the property or your flatmates. This would enable you move out as soon as you give a notice.

A good site to use could be open rent so any payments you make will go through this site to ensure your money is secured and to avoid scammers.

Also if you can get a deposit free room then that would be great for your situation as well.

I am giving this suggestions as a result of my personal experience. I have rooms for let but in london. When i rent out to people from abroad i always realise 30% of them get to the uk and crave something different . So i always offer a monthly rolling contract in order to enable them make informed decisions.

Thanks bro your is not only useful to the writer but to many who are planning to enter into the UK like me...i just tried the open rent but it requires UK no for verification before the landlord can be contacted

Irenenwaka:



Hello Daniel i can provide some suggestions for question 2.

Q2. I would suggest you rent directly from a landlord or sublet a room from tenants who want to house share. Firstly do a video viewing of the room. Secondly negotiate for an open contract that is rolling monthly. This is because you might arrive the uk and realise you don’t like the property or your flatmates. This would enable you move out as soon as you give a notice.

A good site to use could be open rent so any payments you make will go through this site to ensure your money is secured and to avoid scammers.

Also if you can get a deposit free room then that would be great for your situation as well.

I am giving this suggestions as a result of my personal experience. I have rooms for let but in london. When i rent out to people from abroad i always realise 30% of them get to the uk and crave something different . So i always offer a monthly rolling contract in order to enable them make informed decisions.

keemo:
Thanks bro your is not only useful to the writer but to many who are planning to enter into the UK like me...i just tried the open rent but it requires UK no for verification before the landlord can be contacted

Lol i am a sis, but you are welcome…. Oh woow i never knew open rent does that, i guess thats a security measure on their part.

Your next bet would be spareroom, but with this you need to very careful and go with your guts. You have a higher chance of being scammed on the platform especially if you are outside the uk. But most foreigners usually get accommodation faster and stress free with spareroom, you just have to careful and not rush into anything.

The koko be say just stay away from agents at least until you enter the uk. They will make things more complicated.

brine:


Congrats on securing your visa! Just like you, many of us came here without knowing anyone and have had to build up our contacts over time.

I know Cardiff Uni where I graduated from has several groups on Facebook like Cardiff Uni Overhead. Search for similar groups for your Uni.

I wouldn't advise you to pay for accommodation before coming down here. I'm in Cardiff where USW main campus is located. I know for a fact that most letting agents are not very transparent and the pictures online might slightly differ from the reality on ground. Also, you should be aware that some letting agents are a pain in the ass to deal with.

Danger in terms of exceeding your 20hours limit? I don't know how that's possible because, from my point of view, only you can decide or report how long it took you to make a painting. If you report your earnings as self-employed, be sure not to exceed over 20hours/weekly.

All the best

As a foreign student he is not allowed to be self employed/run a business let a lone report his earning. That is against his student visa rule

danieldg:
Hello Guys

Good morning

(My First post here)

I would be coming next month to begin my masters program and I have a few questions I would like you all to help me with.

1. My school is in Wales (USW) and I know virtually no one there, is there some sort of forum where I can meet people there?

2. Accomodation-wise, is it advisable for me to pay for my accomodation(private, not school) while still here in Nigeria or should I instead arrive in the UK first, lodge and take time to go round and get one suitable?

3. Asides being a construction engineer, I have a personal side business I do, I'm an artist...I make portrait and realistic drawings based on orders for people who want to surprise people and people who want it shaa. Would I be able to carry this on successfully in the UK without facing any danger?
as I've heard that students are not entitled to have a private business while on a study visa.


Thanks as you all respond, I hope to get a feedback from you all.

That is not a good idea, book for 2-3 days hotel accommodation and use that period to get yourself a place. You can search for accommodation using post code closer to your university then book viewing appointment few days before you arrive to the UK.

Hello people I need your opinion before I speak to HM Passport office in the language they will understand.

I applied for a British passport for a child who was born in the usa in January this year. We the parent are naturalised British citizen.

We submitted his birth cert, American passport, our naturalisation cert, marriage cert as supporting document which is what their gov.uk website guidance asked for. We also got a solicitor friend to do reference.

Few weeks later we recieved a letter (see attached) requesting for antenatal records and photos of parent during pregnancy to 'confirm' that the child is entitled to British citizenship.

And this is where my brain sparked.

How can you be asking me for photo of mum in pregnancy to prove a child is entitled to British citizenship when we have submitted birth cert and our naturalisation cert.

Does the photos and antenatal notes supersede an American passport....issued by the US govt as proof of iD and a naturalisation certificate for parent issued by the UK govt to proof eligibility for British citizenship.

I am about to write them a strongly worded letter regarding this and thought to ask my nairaland family first.

Question: what do you guys think. I hate these people having one set of rules for white peie and another set of rules for blacks.

Let me know if I am overeacting. Thanks

Vicas2000:
Hello people I need your opinion before I speak to HM Passport office in the language they will understand.

I applied for a British passport for a child who was born in the usa in January this year. We the parent are naturalised British citizen.

We submitted his birth cert, American passport, our naturalisation cert, marriage cert as supporting document which is what their gov.uk website guidance asked for. We also got a solicitor friend to do reference.

Few weeks later we recieved a letter (see attached) requesting for antenatal records and photos of parent during pregnancy to 'confirm' that the child is entitled to British citizenship.

And this is where my brain sparked.

How can you be asking me for photo of mum in pregnancy to prove a child is entitled to British citizenship when we have submitted birth cert and our naturalisation cert.

Does the photos and antenatal notes supersede an American passport....issued by the US govt as proof of iD and a naturalisation certificate for parent issued by the UK govt to proof eligibility for British citizenship.

I am about to write them a strongly worded letter regarding this and thought to ask my nairaland family first.

Question: what do you guys think. I hate these people having one set of rules for white peie and another set of rules for blacks.

Let me know if I am overeacting. Thanks

I heard of someone in naija who British and submitted for his child. He was told to submit DNA test ....who know what goes through the head of home office.

You can write a letter or if you have what requested then just send and be on your way... do you have any evidence that a white couple would not have been asked. ..possible but how sure are you

Saw this on Google which appears that the documents /evidence asked of you is standard

justwise:


That is not a good idea, book for 2-3 days hotel accommodation and use that period to get yourself a place. You can search for accommodation using post code closer to your university then book viewing appointment few days before you arrive to the UK.

Justwise the flaw with this plan is that there is no assurance he would be out of the hotel in 3 days. He might arrive the uk and be told the property is gone. The might the property is not available for immediate move. Also have you factored the isolation time as well, he wouldn’t be able to attend viewings immediately he arrives.

I have had people in the past go through this route and honestly its not the best because most people end up getting anyhow property in a rush because the hotel bills keeps rising.

LagosismyHome:


I heard of someone in naija who British and submitted for his child. He was told to submit DNA test ....who know what goes through the head of home office.

You can write a letter or if you have what requested then just send and be on your way... do you have any evidence that a white couple would not have been asked. ..possible but how sure are you

Saw this on Google which appears that the document asked of you is standard

Thank you very much for your response. I actually have no problem providing providing that documentation.

I was just appalled by the reason for the request.

If they are disputing...why can't they say it with their full chest rather than cunningly quoting that they are trying to prove eligibility for citizenship with pictures.

Birth cert and naturalisation certs issued by govt has more weight than pictures.

But I get your point sha

G.evening house. Pls I need advice. Is subletting a room from a tenant legal In the UK. My hubby is trying to use a sublet room in am HMO to meet his accommodation requirements for spousa visa. Pls is it advisable to use it. Thank you

Glowing1:


Btw data analytics n business analytics which is better?

I don't know what you mean by "which is better". For me they could be the same and also different. Some of the skills intersect.