The United Kingdom has increased the minimum funds international students must demonstrate for living expenses when applying for student visas, with the new requirements taking effect on November 30, 2026.
Under the revised rules, Nigerian students planning to study in the UK will need to show access to up to £14,130 for living expenses if their institution is based in London and their course lasting nine months.
The amount represents an increase from the previous requirement of £13,761, according to a report by Peoples Gazette on Wednesday.
Students attending institutions outside London will be required to demonstrate access to £1,203 monthly, up from £1,171. For a nine-month course, this amounts to £10,827, an increase of £288.
For students studying in London, the monthly maintenance requirement will rise from £1,529 to £1,570, representing an additional £41.
The revised financial requirements are part of the UK government’s adjustments to the minimum amount international students must have available to cover their living expenses while studying.
The maintenance funds are separate from tuition fees and other applicable visa-related charges, meaning applicants must make additional financial provisions to meet the full cost of studying in the country.
Figures cited in the report showed that 685,565 international students enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic session, accounting for 24 per cent of the total student population.
Meanwhile, the UK government is also proposing an annual levy of £925 per international student on universities by 2028, with the proceeds intended to support grants for domestic students.
However, British universities have warned that a decline in international student enrolment could undermine the viability of the proposed levy.
