Nigerians planning to study in the United Kingdom could face changes in university tuition costs as the British government moves to introduce a £925 annual levy on higher education institutions in England for international students from August 1, 2028. The proposed charge, which will be paid by universities rather than students, has raised concerns that institutions could eventually increase tuition fees to offset the additional financial burden.
The International Student Levy, first announced in the government's 2025 Budget, will apply to eligible overseas students enrolled in higher education courses, including continuing students. Under the proposed arrangement, each institution will receive an annual allowance covering its first 220 international students, while the levy will apply to additional chargeable enrolments. Payments will be collected after the relevant academic year, with the measure still subject to parliamentary approval.
The British government says revenue generated from the levy will be reinvested into higher education and skills development, including maintenance grants for disadvantaged domestic students. Official projections indicate that the scheme could raise approximately £445 million in the 2028–2029 academic year, increasing to £465 million in 2029–2030 and £480 million in 2030–2031. The grants are intended to support eligible students pursuing courses aligned with national development priorities, including healthcare and engineering.
However, the planned levy has attracted concerns from university representatives and student organisations over its potential impact on institutional finances and international recruitment. Universities that depend heavily on overseas tuition fees could face additional costs at a time when the sector is already experiencing financial pressures. Although the levy will not be charged directly to international students, individual institutions may review their tuition fees, scholarships or recruitment strategies in response.
Nigeria remains an important source of international students for British universities, alongside countries such as India and China. The proposed policy could therefore influence the financial planning of Nigerian families considering overseas education. Prospective applicants are advised to monitor official university fee announcements ahead of the 2028–2029 academic year, as the government has not mandated an automatic £925 increase in tuition fees and the final impact will depend on how individual institutions respond.
Filed under
#UK Universities
#International Students
#Nigerian Students
#UK Student Visa
#Tuition Fees
#Education Abroad
#United Kingdom
#Student Levy
#Higher Education
#Study in UK
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Summary
The UK government plans to introduce a £925 annual levy on universities in England for each chargeable international student from August 2028, raising concerns about possible tuition fee increases for Nigerians and other overseas applicants. Nigerians planning to study in the United Kingdom could face changes in university tuition costs as the British government moves to introduce a...
Key takeaways
- The UK government plans to introduce a £925 annual levy on universities in England for each chargeable international student from August 2028, raising concerns about possible tuition fee increases for Nigerians and other overseas applicants.
- Nigerians planning to study in the United Kingdom could face changes in university tuition costs as the British government moves to introduce a £925 annual levy on higher education institutions in England for international students from August 1, 2028.
- The proposed charge, which will be paid by universities rather than students, has raised concerns that institutions could eventually increase tuition fees to offset the additional financial burden.The International Student Levy, first announced in the government's 2025 Budget, will apply to eligible overseas students enrolled in higher education courses, including continuing students.
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The UK government plans to introduce a £925 annual levy on universities in England for each chargeable international student from August 2028, raising concerns about possible tuition fee increases for Nigerians and other overseas applicants. Nigerians planning to study in the United Kingdom could face changes in university tuition costs as the British government moves to introduce a...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Babatunde Ademola Fadewo listed as author.
When was it published?
October 28, 2026
