The UK government has announced a 31% increase in the maintenance fees requirements for international students applying for student visas. According to the Home Office, students planning to study in London will now need to show proof of £1,483 per month, while those studying outside of London must provide evidence of £1,136 per month to cover their living expenses. This marks a notable increase from the previous rates of £1,334 for London and £1,023 for other UK cities.
Under the new rules, students enrolled in courses lasting nine months or more will need to demonstrate that they have at least £13,348 in savings for studies outside of London and £14,830 for those studying in the capital. These financial requirements are necessary before applying for a student visa, and students must be able to show that they can meet these monthly requirements throughout their course, up to a maximum of nine months.
The Home Office explained that the adjustment is designed to align international student requirements with the financial benchmarks set for domestic students, ensuring that both groups have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses amid rising costs.
“This increase reflects the rising cost of living in the UK and is essential for keeping pace with inflation,” said a spokesperson for the Home Office. The adjustments also come as part of a broader effort to ensure that international students are financially prepared to live and study in the UK.
Despite these changes, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on international student enrollment, particularly from countries like Nigeria, which has seen a 65% drop in student deposits in recent months. In the 2021/2022 academic year, 680,000 of the 2.86 million students in the UK’s higher education institutions were international, with Nigerian students accounting for 44,000 (6.5%) of the total. This places Nigeria behind China’s 151,000 and India’s 126,000 students.
Critics argue that the increase in maintenance requirements may further discourage international students from choosing the UK as a study destination. “We’re already seeing significant drops in deposits, especially from Nigerian students,” said a representative from a UK university.
However, the Home Office has indicated that the changes are necessary to maintain the financial integrity of the student visa system. Students who have already paid for UK accommodation can deduct their deposit from the total funds they are required to show. The new rules will take effect for students arriving in the UK on or after January 2, 2025, and future adjustments may be made to account for inflation and changes in domestic student loans.
With international students making up nearly a quarter of the UK’s higher education population, these changes will be closely monitored to assess their long-term impact on one of the UK’s most significant education markets.
