The United Kingdom has announced increased financial requirements for international students seeking study visas, with the new rules set to take effect from 30 November 2026.
Under the revised guidelines introduced by the UK Home Office, prospective students, including Nigerians, will be required to show higher levels of financial support to cover living expenses while studying in the UK.
For students studying in London, the monthly maintenance requirement will increase from £1,529 to £1,570. Those enrolled in courses lasting nine months or longer will now need to demonstrate access to £14,130, up from the previous £13,761, representing an increase of £369.
Students studying outside London will also face higher financial thresholds. The required monthly maintenance amount will rise from £1,171 to £1,203, while the maximum nine-month maintenance requirement will increase from £10,539 to £10,827, an additional £288.
The maintenance funds represent the minimum amount applicants must have available for living costs and are separate from tuition fees. Students must also budget for visa application charges and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which provides access to the UK's National Health Service. The adjustment comes amid rising living costs across the UK and growing financial pressures on international students.
For Nigerian students and other international applicants, the changes mean additional financial planning will be necessary before submitting visa applications. Applicants must provide acceptable evidence that they have access to the required funds based on the location of their chosen institution.
Education analysts note that prospective students will now need to consider tuition fees, living expenses, visa charges and healthcare costs when calculating the overall cost of studying in the UK.
Despite the higher financial requirements, international students remain a significant part of the UK's education sector. According to figures cited in the report, about 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, accounting for approximately 24 per cent of the total student population.
Of that number, around 622,000 students came from non-European Union countries, while approximately 63,600 students were from EU member states. Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, noted that international students contributed an estimated £41.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
However, many international students continue to face challenges linked to accommodation costs, restrictions on working hours and limited employment opportunities.
With the updated maintenance thresholds taking effect later this year, prospective students are being advised to review their budgets carefully and ensure they meet all financial requirements before applying for a UK student visa.
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