The United Kingdom will increase the minimum financial requirements for international students applying for study visas from November 30, 2026, requiring those intending to study in London to show at least £14,130 for living expenses.
The revised requirements, introduced by the UK Home Office, will affect prospective international students, including Nigerians planning to pursue higher education in British institutions.
Under the new rules, students studying in London will be required to demonstrate access to £1,570 monthly, up from the existing £1,529.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the minimum maintenance funds will rise from £13,761 to £14,130, representing an increase of £369.
Students intending to study outside London will also face higher financial requirements, with the monthly maintenance threshold increasing from £1,171 to £1,203.
Consequently, the maximum nine-month living expenses requirement for students outside London will rise from £10,539 to £10,827, an increase of £288.
The funds are intended to cover students’ living expenses during their studies and are separate from tuition fees, visa application charges and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which applicants must pay separately.
The increase means Nigerian students preparing to apply for UK study visas will need to make additional financial provisions to meet the revised requirements.
Rising Costs Add to Students’ Financial Pressure
The adjustment comes amid rising accommodation and living costs in the UK, which have increased the financial burden on international students.
Figures cited in the report show that approximately 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, accounting for about 24 per cent of the total student population.
Of the international student population, approximately 622,000 came from countries outside the European Union, while about 63,600 were from EU countries.
Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, was quoted as saying that international students contributed approximately £41.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
Despite their economic contributions, international students continue to face challenges, including rising rents, limited employment opportunities and restrictions on working hours.
Previous Increases to Visa Financial Requirements
The latest adjustment follows earlier increases in the minimum maintenance funds required for international students.
In January 2025, the monthly requirement was raised to £1,483 for students studying in London and £1,136 for those studying elsewhere in the UK.
Meanwhile, Nigerian applicants have also faced changes in the UK student visa environment, with reports of some universities withdrawing admission offers amid rising visa refusal rates.
The UK reportedly issued 30,204 study visas to Nigerian nationals in 2025, representing a 59 per cent increase compared with 2024.
The new financial thresholds are expected to make advance budgeting increasingly important for prospective Nigerian students, who must account for living costs alongside tuition fees and other immigration-related expenses before submitting their applications.
