International students hoping to study in the United Kingdom now face higher financial requirements before they can secure a student visa, following changes the British government presented to Parliament on September 3, 2026.
Under the revised rules, students enrolled at institutions in London must demonstrate access to £1,570 (approximately KSh 275,472) per month for the duration of their course, up from the previous figure of £1,529 (approximately KSh 268,278).
Those studying outside London must now show £1,203 (approximately KSh 211,078) per month, compared with £1,171 (approximately KSh 205,463) previously.
For a standard nine-month course, the total maintenance requirement reaches £14,130 (approximately KSh 2.48 million) for London-based students and £10,827 (approximately KSh 1.90 million) for those studying elsewhere.
This represents an increase of £369 (approximately KSh 64,747) for students in London and £288 (approximately KSh 50,532) for those outside the capital.
What the new figures mean for African students
Because the revised thresholds apply to international applicants who are required to demonstrate maintenance funds, students from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Cameroon will need to meet the new financial requirements where the rules apply to their applications.
The UK remains a popular destination for African students.
In the year ending June 2026, Nigeria accounted for 26,060 Sponsored Study visas granted to main applicants, placing it third globally behind China and India and representing 7% of all such visas issued during that period.
Across all nationalities, 365,868 Sponsored Study visas were granted to main applicants during the same period, a decline of 12% from the previous year.
The Home Office said the updated maintenance thresholds have been aligned with the maintenance loans available to domestic students for the 2026/27 academic year.
The government also indicated that the figures will be reviewed annually.
Beyond maintenance: Other costs to consider
The maintenance requirement covers living expenses only. Tuition fees are separate and may also need to be accounted for when preparing a Student visa application.
The funds required for maintenance generally need to have been held in an eligible bank account for 28 consecutive days, with the end date of that period falling within the required timeframe before the visa application.
Applicants must therefore ensure their financial evidence satisfies the UK government’s requirements before submitting their applications.
Student visa and healthcare costs
In addition to the maintenance requirement, international students must budget for the Student visa application fee.
The current Student visa application fee is £558 (approximately KSh 97,907) for applications made from inside or outside the UK. The Home Office’s fee schedule confirms that the fee increased to £558 from April 8, 2026.
Students are also required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is currently £776 (approximately KSh 136,157) per year for students and certain other categories. The actual amount payable can depend on the length of the visa.
This means the financial burden for prospective students extends considerably beyond the maintenance funds they must demonstrate.
UK tightens international student rules
The maintenance increase forms part of broader changes to the UK’s international student immigration framework.
Since January 2024, most overseas students on taught postgraduate courses have been unable to bring dependants to the UK, subject to specific exceptions. There have also been restrictions affecting students seeking to switch to certain work routes before completing their studies.
The government has continued to review the student immigration system amid efforts to manage migration while maintaining the UK’s position as an international education destination.
For African students considering studying in Britain, the higher maintenance threshold means applicants will need to plan carefully for both their living costs and the additional expenses associated with obtaining a UK Student visa.
