The UK government has proposed significant revisions to the financial criteria for international students applying for visas, effective January 2, 2025. This adjustment will increase the maintenance fund levels required to demonstrate that overseas students can sustain themselves while studying, matching the maintenance loans available to UK students for the 2024-25 academic year.

Currently, international students are required to show they have enough funds to cover living expenses for up to nine months. The current monthly maintenance requirement is set at £1,334 for students studying in London and £1,023 for those studying outside of London. From January 2025, these rates will rise to £1,483 per month for students in London and £1,136 for students outside the capital. This adjustment marks the first update since 2020.

The government has also increased the maximum amount that can be deducted from maintenance costs under the accommodation offset. This offset enables students who have paid a deposit for their UK accommodation to reduce the total maintenance money they must demonstrate. Beginning in 2025, the amount for London-based students will increase from £1,334 to £1,483.

Additionally, the government is reviewing the maintenance requirements for student dependants and plans to release further updates in due course.

The new measures are aimed at ensuring international students have adequate financial support during their studies in the UK, reflecting rising living costs and maintaining parity with the financial support available to domestic students.

Source: https://www.gov.uk