UK plans £925 annual levy on international students, raises concerns for Nigerians

Nigerian students seeking admission to universities in the United Kingdom could face additional financial pressure as the British government plans to introduce an annual levy of £925 for every international student enrolled at higher education institutions in England from August 2028.

Although universities, rather than students directly, would be responsible for paying the proposed charge, the measure could increase the cost of recruiting and educating overseas students, raising concerns about possible effects on tuition fees, scholarships and admission opportunities for Nigerians.

The proposed levy is intended to help fund maintenance grants for disadvantaged domestic students. Under the plan, eligible undergraduate students from households earning up to £30,000 annually would receive financial support throughout their studies.

The grants would provide up to £1,000 annually during the first two years of study, reducing to £750 in subsequent years. Support would focus on courses aligned with the UK government’s industrial strategy, including engineering and healthcare.

However, concerns have emerged over how universities will absorb the additional cost at a time when international student recruitment is already facing pressure from tighter immigration rules and declining visa applications.

Nigeria is particularly exposed to the changes because it remains one of the major sources of international students for British universities.

UK Home Office statistics for the year ending June 2026 identified China, India and Nigeria as the three largest nationalities receiving sponsored study visas. Together, they accounted for approximately 54 per cent of visas granted to main applicants.

The levy would apply to international students registered at eligible institutions during an academic year. Its provisions also indicate that continuing students could attract the charge in subsequent years, meaning universities may face recurring costs rather than a one-off payment for newly admitted students.

The British government has projected that the levy could generate £445 million in the 2028/29 financial year, rising to £465 million in 2029/30 and £480 million in 2030/31. Those estimates, however, were based on assumptions of relatively stable international student recruitment.

READ ALSO; US revokes over 300,000 visas under Trump’s immigration crackdown

The National Union of Students and the Russell Group, which represents leading UK research-intensive universities, have reportedly raised concerns about the proposed funding arrangement.

Nigerian students face rising uncertainty

For prospective Nigerian students, the levy comes amid an increasingly challenging UK admissions and visa environment.

Home Office figures reportedly show that international student visa applications have declined by 22 per cent over the past year and by more than 30 per cent compared with three years ago.

READ ALSO; Germany opens online application route for student, EU Blue Card and other long-stay visas

Visa refusals have also increased. During the first half of 2026, sponsored student visa refusals reportedly rose from approximately 5,300 to 8,400 compared with the corresponding period in 2025.

In June 2025, the UK government reduced the maximum permitted student visa refusal rate for university sponsors from 10 per cent to five per cent. Institutions that exceed the threshold risk sanctions affecting their ability to recruit overseas students.

The tighter rules have reportedly prompted some universities to withdraw admission offers to international applicants to avoid jeopardising their sponsorship licences.

Reports published in October 2026 also indicated that British universities had withdrawn offers from some Nigerian applicants amid rising visa refusals. The proportion of UK study visa applications withdrawn by Nigerian applicants reportedly climbed to 22.7 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared with 4.5 per cent during the same period in 2025.

Since January 2024, most international students have also been barred from bringing dependants to the UK, adding to the considerations facing Nigerians planning to study abroad.

The government introduced further student visa restrictions in March 2026 for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan.

Implications for university admissions

The levy could also influence how universities assess international recruitment, particularly if institutions are already managing financial pressures and stricter visa compliance requirements.

Universities may reconsider recruitment strategies, the number of overseas students they admit and the financial incentives offered to attract applicants. Any reduction in available places or scholarships could make competition more difficult for Nigerian students.

READ ALSO; Nigeria’s Passport ranks 181st globally as visa-free access remains limited

The potential impact will depend on how institutions respond to the levy, whether the policy is implemented as proposed and whether universities can absorb the cost without passing it on to students.

The developments follow a broader shift in the UK’s international education strategy. In January 2026, the government abandoned its target of attracting 600,000 international students annually and instead adopted a strategy aimed at growing education exports to £40 billion by 2030.

For Nigerian students considering the UK, the proposed levy adds another issue to monitor alongside tuition fees, living expenses, visa requirements and scholarship availability. Prospective applicants should check current university fee schedules and official immigration guidance before making financial commitments.