The United Kingdom will increase the financial requirements for international students applying for student visas from November 30, 2026, requiring applicants studying in London to demonstrate access to as much as £14,130 for living expenses.
The revised requirements will also affect Nigerian students planning to study at British universities, with applicants outside London required to show up to £10,827 for living costs, excluding tuition fees.
Under the new rules, students in London will need to demonstrate 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 by £369, from £13,761 to £14,130.
Students studying outside London will face an increase from £1,171 to £1,203 per month. The maximum amount required for a nine-month period will consequently rise by £288, from £10,539 to £10,827.
The revised requirements are intended to demonstrate that applicants can support themselves while studying in the UK. The amounts are separate from outstanding tuition fees and other visa-related expenses.
What Nigerian students need to know
Under the revised requirements, applicants will need to calculate the amount required based on their university’s location and the length of their course, subject to the nine-month cap.
Students studying in London will need to show a maximum of £14,130 for living expenses, while those studying outside London will need to demonstrate access to up to £10,827.
The new figures apply to student visa applications submitted on or after November 30, 2026. Applications submitted before that date remain subject to the existing thresholds.
Prospective students must also provide evidence of outstanding course fees as stated in their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Applicants generally need to demonstrate that the required funds have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within 31 days of the visa application. Students should confirm the applicable rules and documentary requirements before submitting their applications.
The student visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge are additional expenses. The application fee for a student visa submitted from outside the UK is currently £558, while the healthcare surcharge depends on the length of the visa.
International students remain significant to UK universities
The increase comes as international students continue to account for a substantial share of enrolments in British higher education.
Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency recorded 685,565 students with non-UK permanent addresses at UK higher education providers during the 2024/2025 academic year. This represented approximately 24 per cent of the total student population.
The figure covers students with non-UK permanent addresses and is not a count of new student visa applicants.
The supplied report also cited Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, as estimating that international students contributed approximately £41.9bn to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
For Nigerian applicants, the increase means preparing a larger financial reserve before submitting a visa application, particularly for those intending to study in London.
Applicants should confirm their individual requirements with their university and consult official UK government guidance to determine the applicable financial thresholds, acceptable evidence and additional costs.
