The proof of funds or financial requirements for foreign students seeking study visas in the UK have been raised. As of November 30, 2026, candidates wishing to study in London must prove they have access to at least £14,130 in living expenses.
Nigerians and other potential overseas students applying to British universities would be impacted by the UK Home Office’s updated maintenance criteria.
The new regulations require students to show that they have enough money to pay for living expenses while they are enrolled in school, in addition to tuition and other charges associated with obtaining a visa.
The change coincides with growing living costs in the UK and mounting financial strain on overseas students.
The UK increases student visa maintenance funds.
Instead of the previous £1,529, international students studying in London will now need to demonstrate that they have access to £1,570 per month.
- For courses lasting nine months or more, the total maintenance requirement will increase from £13,761 to £14,130, or an additional £369.
- Students studying outside of London will have to pay £1,203 per month instead of the current £1,171.
- The maximum nine-month maintenance requirement outside of London will therefore rise from £10,539 to £10,827, an increase of £288.
- These amounts are the least living expenses that applicants must furnish when requesting a student loan; they do not include tuition. visa. fees.
- The UK student visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which are paid individually, must also be taken into consideration.
Nigerian students wishing to study in the UK would now have to make extra financial arrangements before applying for a visa.
Living expenses are growing for international students.
International students continue to contribute significantly to the UK’s higher education system and overall economy, which is why the requirements have been changed.
- Approximately 685,565 international students, or 24% of all students, were enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024–2025 academic year, according to data given in the article.
- About 622,000 of these students were from non-EU nations, and 63,600 were from EU nations.
Nonetheless, international students continue to face financial difficulties due to growing housing expenses, a lack of job opportunities, and limitations on working hours.
UK costs are greater for international students.
The most recent rise comes after earlier changes to the UK’s financial requirements for foreign students.
The UK raised maintenance requirements to £1,483 per month for those studying in London and £1,136 for those studying outside of London, according to a January 2025 Nairametrics analysis.
More recently, it was claimed that due to an increase in visa rejections, some UK colleges had cancelled admissions offers to Nigerian students. According to the report, Nigerians received 30,204 study visas from the UK in 2025, a 59% increase from 2024.
