International students planning to study in the United Kingdom (UK) will face higher financial hurdles later this year, as the UK Home Office has officially announced an increase in the proof of funds required for student visa applications.
Effective November 30, prospective students applying to institutions in London will need to demonstrate higher proof of funds to the tune of £14,130 in living expenses, marking a jump from the previous £13,761 requirement.
The adjustment stems from a monthly rate increase set out in recent updates to the UK Immigration Rules.
For students studying within the Greater London area, the required monthly living cost allowance will rise from £1,529 to £1,570 per month for up to nine months.
Meanwhile, applicants enrolling in universities outside London will also see an increase, with the monthly maintenance threshold rising from £1,171 to £1,203, bringing the nine-month total outside the capital to £10,827.
This financial benchmark represents the bare minimum living expenditure required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and does not cover university tuition fees, the visa application fee, or the mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge.
The decision comes as the UK government addresses persistent cost-of-living inflation, rising student accommodation expenses, and broader shifts in national immigration policy.
Applicants must also account for the UK student visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, which are payable separately.
The changes mean Nigerian students planning to study in the UK will need to make additional financial provisions before submitting their visa applications.
The revised requirements come as international students continue to make significant contributions to the UK’s higher education sector and wider economy.
- According to figures cited in the report, approximately 685,565 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions during the 2024/2025 academic year, representing 24% of the total student population.
- Of this number, approximately 622,000 students came from countries outside the European Union, while 63,600 were from EU countries.
- Professor Padam Simkhada, Dean of Global Impact and Research at the University of Chester, noted that international students contributed approximately £41.9 billion to the UK economy during the 2021/2022 academic year.
However, rising accommodation costs, limited employment opportunities and restrictions on working hours continue to create financial challenges for international students.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the latest increase follows previous adjustments to the UK’s financial requirements for international students.
In January 2025, the UK increased maintenance requirements to £1,483 monthly for students studying in London and £1,136 for those outside London.
