{
  "id": 16732532,
  "title": "UK to impose $1,200 levy on universities for Nigerian, other foreign students",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/uk-to-impose-1-200-levy-on-universities-for-nigerian-other-foreign",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-27T10:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nairametrics",
    "slug": "nairametrics",
    "url": "https://nairametrics.com/2026/10/27/uk-to-impose-1200-levy-on-universities-for-nigerian-other-foreign-students/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Kingdom is scheduled to introduce an annual levy of £925 (around $1,200) on universities in August 2028 for every international student from Nigeria and other nations, including India and China. The levy, applicable to institutions in England, aims to provide maintenance grants for domestic students facing financial difficulties. According to the latest UK Home Office data from June 2026, China, India, and Nigeria constituted approximately 54% of the sponsored study visas granted. The National Union of Students (NUS) and the Russell Group have expressed concerns over the proposed funding mechanism, which follows a decline in international student visa applications by 22% in the past year and more than 30% over three years. The legislation indicates that students who enrolled in previous academic years will become eligible for the annual charge on the anniversary of their initial registration. However, these figures were based on assumptions of steady international student recruitment. Under the proposed system, eligible students from households earning up to £30,000 annually would receive financial assistance throughout their undergraduate education. The funding issue arises amid stricter immigration policies impacting international students. Home Office statistics reveal that sponsored student visa rejections rose from around 5,300 to 8,400 between the first half of 2026 and the same period in 2025. The government has also implemented several restrictions on overseas applicants. Universities have reportedly halted admission offers to some international students to avoid exceeding the visa refusal limit and potentially losing their sponsorship licenses. The funding concerns stem from broader changes in the UK's international education policies, which have affected overseas student recruitment and university finances. In January 2026, the UK government abandoned its target of attracting 600,000 international students annually, opting instead for a strategy to expand education exports to £40 billion by 2030.",
  "summary": "The United Kingdom is set to impose an annual levy of £925 (approximately $1,200) on universities for every international student enrolled from Nigeria and other countries, including India and China, beginning in August 2028. The post UK to impose $1,200 levy on universities for Nigerian, other foreign students appeared first on Nairametrics .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}