UK student visa applications fell by 10.3% in September 2026, as stricter immigration rules continued to affect international students, including applicants from Africa.
According to UK Home Office figures, approximately 71,600 sponsored study visa applications were submitted during September. This marked a 10.3% decline compared with the same month in 2025.
The decline comes as British universities face growing financial pressure. Meanwhile, several institutions have tightened recruitment requirements for international students.
UK student visa applications continue to decline
The latest figures show a wider slowdown in international student recruitment.
In the 12 months ending September 2026, applications from main students reached 352,500. This represented a 19% decline compared with the previous year.
Applications from student dependants also fell sharply.
The Home Office recorded 15,700 dependant applications during the same period. This was 31% lower than a year earlier.
Furthermore, dependant applications were 89% below their December 2023 level.
However, these figures represent applications rather than visas granted or students enrolled at universities.
African students face tighter UK visa restrictions
African students are among those affected by changes to the UK’s immigration system.
Since January 2024, most international students have been unable to bring family dependants. Exceptions mainly apply to postgraduate research students and certain government-sponsored scholars.
In March 2026, the UK introduced additional visa restrictions affecting applicants from four countries.
These included Cameroon and Sudan, alongside Afghanistan and Myanmar.
According to the Home Office, applications on the affected visa routes from these nationalities fell by more than 90% between late 2025 and mid-2026.
Meanwhile, Nigeria remains one of the UK’s largest sources of international students.
Despite the wider decline, Nigeria ranks as the country’s third-largest international student source, according to Business Insider Africa.
UK universities tighten recruitment requirements
Some British universities have introduced stricter requirements for international applicants.
Business Insider Africa reported that the University of Sunderland paused applications from several Sub-Saharan African countries for courses beginning in early 2027.
The affected countries reportedly included Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.
The university is also seeking to reduce annual operating costs by approximately £40 million.
Meanwhile, Oxford Brookes University has tightened visa-sponsorship procedures for Nigerian applicants.
The changes include earlier deadlines for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies documents.
Applicants must also provide evidence of a visa application within seven days under the revised requirements.
Additionally, the university has restricted sponsorship documentation for certain management-course applicants using funds from specified banks.
These measures reflect growing compliance pressures facing universities that recruit international students.
International student fees generate £12.4 billion
The decline in UK student visa applications comes at a challenging time for higher education finances.
According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, international student tuition fees generated £12.4 billion during the 2024/25 academic year.
This represented approximately 23% of total university income.
International students therefore remain an important source of revenue for British institutions.
Unlike domestic undergraduate tuition fees, international fees are not subject to the same government caps.
As a result, universities can charge overseas students higher tuition rates.
However, financial pressures continue across the sector.
In 2024/25, 48 publicly funded universities in England recorded financial deficits.
International students contribute billions to UK economy
International students also contribute to the wider British economy.
Research cited by Business Insider Africa estimates that 404,500 international students who began courses in 2024/25 will generate £45.1 billion in economic benefits during their studies.
After estimated public costs of £4.7 billion, their projected net contribution reaches £40.4 billion.
That represents approximately £100,000 per student.
Nevertheless, tighter immigration rules and declining applications could create additional challenges for universities.
The latest figures highlight the difficult balance between immigration controls and the economic importance of international education.
For African students, the changing rules could also affect access to British universities in the coming years.