Nigerian students planning to study in the United Kingdom will need to provide evidence of higher living expenses from November 30, 2026, following an increase in the financial requirements for student visas.
Under the revised rules announced by the UK Home Office, students attending institutions in London must show access to at least £1,570 monthly for living costs, up from £1,529.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the maximum maintenance requirement will increase from £13,761 to £14,130, an additional £369.
Students studying outside London will also face higher thresholds. Their required monthly living allowance will rise from £1,171 to £1,203, while the maximum amount for a nine-month period will increase from £10,539 to £10,827.
The maintenance funds are separate from tuition fees and other visa-related expenses. Applicants must also budget for the student visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which provides access to the UK’s National Health Service under applicable rules.
The increase means prospective Nigerian students will need to review their budgets and ensure they meet the relevant threshold based on the location of their institution before submitting their applications.
Applicants must also provide acceptable evidence that the required funds are available to support their living expenses during their studies.
The adjustment comes amid rising living costs in the UK, adding to the financial pressures faced by international students, particularly those paying for accommodation and other essential expenses.
International students remain a significant part of the UK’s higher education sector. Figures cited in the report showed that about 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions in the 2024/2025 academic year, representing approximately 24 per cent of the student population.
Of the total, about 622,000 came from countries outside the European Union, while approximately 63,600 were from EU countries.
Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, was cited as saying international students contributed about £41.9bn to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
Despite their economic contribution, international students continue to contend with accommodation costs, limited employment opportunities and restrictions on working hours.
The revised thresholds will require applicants to account for the higher maintenance requirements alongside tuition fees and other charges when planning their studies in the UK.
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