With effect from the 2024–2025 academic year, the UK government has announced a significant modification to the financial maintenance requirements for international students. The modifications will affect students seeking study permits in the UK and are a reflection of the government’s attempts to guarantee that foreign students are adequately funded to maintain themselves while residing there. This change also aims to align international students’ maintenance needs with home students’ access to maintenance loans.
The decision is a reaction to the growing expense of living, especially in places like London, and represents the first increase in maintenance levels since 2020. To receive a student visa, international students must now provide proof of more financial assistance, which could change how they arrange their money before traveling to the UK.
Latest Maintenance Schedule for 2024–2025
The maintenance criteria will be changed to align with the maintenance loans given to home students for the 2024–2025 academic year, effective January 2, 2025.
The updated numbers will be:
- £1,483 a month for students studying in London.
- £1,136 a month for non-London-based students.
For students studying in London, these new figures signify a significant increase of £149 per month, while for those studying elsewhere in the UK, it is an increase of £113 per month. With this adjustment, international students should be able to more effectively handle the growing expenses of housing, food, transportation, and other necessities while they are studying in the UK.
Note: Only applications for visas filed on or after January 2, 2025, will be eligible for these higher maintenance levels. Students who apply before this date will continue to be evaluated using the current maintenance thresholds.
Current Maintenance Levels
Currently, foreign students’ monthly maintenance levels are established at:
- £1,334 per month for London-based students.
- £1,023 per month for children enrolled in non-London schools.
Accommodation Offset: Essential Information
The accommodation offset policy has also been updated in addition to the increased maintenance levels. When an overseas student pays a deposit for housing in the UK, they can use the accommodation offset to demonstrate a lower level of maintenance funds. For students who would rather pay for their home upfront and have less total maintenance requirements, this is an important component of their visa applications.
Offset for New Accommodation in 2024–2025
Commencing on January 2, 2025, the maximum offset for housing will have an increment to £1,483, in line with the revised maintenance need for London’s student population. This modification is intended to account for rising lodging expenses, particularly in high-demand locations like the capital.
Evaluation of Dependent Maintenance Schedules
As of right now, no precise numbers or dates have been established for the modifications to dependent maintenance levels. The administration has acknowledged that it is looking into this issue and will release further information when it is ready. It will be crucial for families that intend to relocate to the UK with an overseas student to keep track of these developments, since any modifications may have a substantial influence on the overall amount needed for visa applications.
How Inspired Overseas Can Assist You with The UK Visa Process
The requirement to study at the best university in the UK with correct guidance and procedures is possible through our visa advisors who are professionally trained for students seeking answers to university admission queries from the first profile counselling day to the post-departure of any student who desires to be enrolled in an international university. Also, we provide a lot of on-the-spot frequent one-to-one meetings with the UK universities to help students understand eligibility criteria for admission is a helpful platform to speed the process. We help students choose the best university and course for their career as it is a decision taken on their personal, financial, and academic profile. The affordable accommodation and food plus living expenses complete details are shared with students once they are about to leave their native country to abroad for education to make the exit stress-free.
If you want to study in the UK and need assistance with your visa application, maintenance fund requirements, or accommodation offsets, get in touch with one of our friendly visa specialists straight away!
Purpose of these modifications
The UK government’s larger plan to guarantee that overseas students have enough money to support themselves while they study includes the rise in maintenance requirements. The cost of living has increased significantly in the UK over the past few years due to a number of factors, including property costs and inflation, especially in places like London. Consequently, the government has realized that in order to fairly represent these expenses, maintenance levels for students need to be updated.
Budgeting for Upcoming Students
When planning their schooling and living expenses, students who intend to apply for UK visas in 2025 and later will need to factor in these new requirements. The total cost of studying in the UK is mostly determined by living expenses, which include housing, food, transportation, and other necessities. Tuition fees are only one component of the picture.
To guarantee that their financial plans reach the new maintenance requirements, students need to start planning far in advance. To get the necessary money, this can entail looking into part-time jobs, scholarships, or family help.
In summary
In conclusion, the decision by the UK government to raise the maintenance requirements for foreign students is a reflection of the nation’s growing living expenses. With effect from January 2, 2025, the new requirements will guarantee that students have access to enough financial aid to live comfortably while they pursue their studies. International students must carefully arrange their finances and stay up to date on any changes to UK visa laws as soon as any changes take effect.
