The Uk has announced a rise in the financial requirements for international students applying for study visas, with applicants studying in London expected to show access to at least £14,130 in living expenses starting November 30, 2026.
As Nairametrics reported on Wednesday, the revised maintenance requirements introduced by the UK Home Office will affect prospective international students, including Nigerians, seeking admission to British universities.
Under the new rules, students must show they have enough funds to cover their living expenses during their studies, on top of tuition fees and other visa-related costs.
The adjustment comes as living expenses in the UK continue to rise and financial pressures on international students grow.
Under the revised requirements, international students studying in London will need to show access to £1,570 per month, up from the current £1,529.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the maximum maintenance requirement will increase from £13,761 to £14,130, a rise of £369.
Students studying outside London will also face higher financial requirements, with the minimum monthly amount rising to £1,203 from £1,171.
As a result, the maximum nine-month maintenance requirement for students outside London will rise from £10,539 to £10,827, an increase of £288.
These amounts represent the minimum living expenses applicants must show when applying for a student visa and do not include tuition fees.
Applicants must also budget separately for the student visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which provides access to the UK’s National Health Service under the applicable rules.
The increase means Nigerian students planning to study in the UK will need to make additional financial arrangements before submitting their visa applications.
Applicants will need to make sure they meet the applicable maintenance threshold for their university’s location and provide acceptable evidence that the required funds are available.
The financial requirement is separate from tuition fees, so prospective students must account for both the cost of their education and the money needed to support themselves while living in the UK.
Students preparing their applications will also need to factor in the relevant visa charges and healthcare surcharge when calculating their overall study budgets.
The revised requirements come as international students continue to make a significant contribution to the UK’s higher education sector and the wider economy.
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, making up about 24 percent of the total student population.
Of that number, approximately 622,000 students came from countries outside the European Union, while around 63,600 were from EU countries.
Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, noted that international students contributed approximately £41.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
Despite their economic contribution, international students continue to face financial challenges related to accommodation costs, limited employment opportunities, and restrictions on working hours.
The revised maintenance thresholds will require prospective students to review their budgets and make sure they meet the applicable financial requirements before applying for a UK student visa.
