The United Kingdom has increased the minimum financial requirements for international students applying for study visas, with applicants planning to study in London required to demonstrate access to at least £14,130 for living expenses from November 30, 2026.
The revised maintenance requirements, introduced by the UK Home Office, will affect prospective international students, including Nigerians seeking admission into British universities.
Under the new rules, students must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses during their studies, in addition to tuition fees and other visa-related charges.
For students studying in London, the monthly maintenance requirement will rise from £1,529 to £1,570. For courses lasting nine months or longer, the maximum required amount will increase from £13,761 to £14,130, representing an additional £369.
Students studying outside London will be required to demonstrate access to £1,203 monthly, up from £1,171. The maximum maintenance requirement for nine months will consequently increase from £10,539 to £10,827, an additional £288.
The maintenance funds are separate from tuition fees, the student visa application fee, and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which applicants must also pay where applicable.
The changes mean Nigerian students planning to study in the UK will need to make additional financial provisions to meet the revised requirements before submitting their visa applications.
The increase comes amid rising living costs in the UK, with international students facing financial pressures associated with accommodation, daily expenses, and limited employment opportunities.
According to figures cited in the report, approximately 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, accounting for 24 percent of the total student population.
Of the total, about 622,000 students came from countries outside the European Union, while approximately 63,600 were from EU countries.
Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, said international students contributed approximately £41.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
The latest adjustment follows an earlier increase in maintenance requirements in January 2025, when students were required to demonstrate access to £1,483 monthly for studies in London and £1,136 for courses outside the capital.
It also comes amid reports of rising student visa refusal rates affecting Nigerian applicants, with some UK universities reportedly withdrawing admission offers.
The UK issued 30,204 study visas to Nigerians in 2025, according to figures cited in the report, representing a 59 per cent increase from 2024.
Credit: arise.tv
