Nigerian applicants for a UK student visa will need to show access to as much as £14,130 to cover living costs for a nine‑month programme in London, with the new rule coming into force on 30 November 2026. The increase, announced by the UK Home Office, replaces the previous £13,761 requirement and applies only to courses based in the capital.
What are the revised financial thresholds?
- For London‑based institutions, the monthly maintenance amount rises from £1,529 to £1,570, totalling £14,130 for a nine‑month study period.
- Outside London, the monthly figure climbs from £1,171 to £1,203, which equals £10,827 for nine months – an uplift of £288.
- The adjustments are part of a broader UK government review of the minimum funds international students must have available while studying.
How do the new figures compare with the previous ones?
- London: £14,130 versus the former £13,761, a £369 increase.
- Rest of UK: £10,827 versus £10,539, a £288 rise.
- Monthly maintenance: £1,570 in London and £1,203 elsewhere, up £41 and £32 respectively.
What did the source say about the change?
> "The increase from £13,761 to £14,130 reflects rising living costs for > students in London," the report by Peoples Gazette noted.
The maintenance funds are separate from tuition fees and any other visa‑related charges, meaning applicants must budget for both tuition and living expenses. Data from the report indicate that 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher‑education institutions for the 2024/2025 academic year, representing 24 % of the total student body.
What other policy shifts are under discussion?
The UK government is also proposing an annual levy of £925 per international student on universities, slated for implementation by 2028. Proceeds are intended to fund scholarships for domestic students, though university leaders warn that a drop in international enrolments could jeopardise the levy’s viability.
Nigerian students and education consultants are advised to review the updated requirements promptly to ensure compliance before submitting visa applications.
For further details on the UK student visa programme, see the official student visa guidance.