The United Kingdom has increased the minimum amount international students must show they can access for living expenses when applying for student visas, raising the requirement from £13,761 to £14,130 for students affected by the new rules.

The revised financial requirements will take effect on November 30, 2026, affecting Nigerians and other international students planning to study in the UK.

London Students Face Higher Monthly Requirement

Under the new rules, students intending to study in London must show they have access to £1,570 per month for living expenses if their course lasts nine months or longer. This represents an increase of £41 from the previous requirement of £1,529 monthly.

Meanwhile, students studying outside London will be required to demonstrate access to £1,203 per month, amounting to £10,827 for a nine-month course.

The previous minimum of £1,171 per month, equivalent to £10,539 for nine months, will be phased out. The new requirement represents an increase of £288 for students studying outside London.

International Students Make Up 24% of UK Student Population

Government figures show that 685,565 international students enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, accounting for 24 per cent of the country’s total student population.

The adjustment comes as the UK government considers further measures affecting international education and immigration.

UK Plans Annual Levy on International Students

The government is also proposing an annual levy of £925 on British universities for each international student from 2028, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration seeks to tighten immigration rules and raise funds for grants supporting domestic students.

However, British universities have warned that declining international student enrolment could threaten the viability of the proposed levy.