The United Kingdom has announced an increase in the minimum maintenance funds required for international students applying for student visas, requiring those studying in London to show access to at least £14,130 for living expenses from November 30, 2026.
Key Highlights
- London students must show £1,570 a month, up from £1,529, or £14,130 for nine months.
- Students outside London must show £1,203 a month, up from £1,171, or £10,827 for nine months.
- New thresholds apply to applications made on or after November 30, 2026.
- Amounts cover living costs only, not tuition, visa fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The revised requirements, announced by the UK Home Office will affect prospective students from Nigeria and other countries planning to study at British universities.
Under the new rules, applicants must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover their living costs during their studies, in addition to tuition fees and other visa-related expenses.
The adjustment will increase the financial burden on international students as they prepare for higher education in the UK.
New Maintenance Thresholds
For students attending institutions in London, the required monthly maintenance amount will rise from £1,529 to £1,570.
For courses lasting nine months or longer, the maximum amount applicants must demonstrate will increase from £13,761 to £14,130, representing an additional £369.
Students studying outside London will also face higher thresholds, with the monthly requirement increasing from £1,171 to £1,203.
The maximum maintenance funds required for a nine-month course outside London will consequently rise from £10,539 to £10,827, an increase of £288.
These amounts cover living expenses only and do not include tuition fees.
Applicants must also make separate provisions for the student visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which generally provides access to the UK’s National Health Service during their eligible period of stay.
What It Means For Nigerian Students
The revised thresholds mean Nigerian students planning to study in the UK will need to review their financial plans before submitting visa applications.
Prospective applicants must meet the maintenance requirement applicable to their university’s location and provide acceptable evidence that the required funds are available.
Since the maintenance threshold is separate from tuition fees, students will need to budget for their education, accommodation, daily expenses, visa charges and healthcare surcharge.
The changes are particularly relevant to students who depend on family support, savings or other funding arrangements to finance their studies abroad.
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International Students And The UK Economy
Despite the financial challenges facing international students, they remain an important part of the UK’s higher education sector and wider economy.
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 this number, approximately 622,000 students came from outside the European Union, while around 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 £41.9bn to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
However, many continue to face financial pressures arising from accommodation costs, limited employment opportunities and restrictions on working hours.
With the revised maintenance requirements scheduled to take effect on November 30, 2026, prospective students are advised to check the applicable UK government guidance before applying and ensure their financial evidence meets the required threshold.
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