The Department for Education has published draft legislation for an annual levy of £925 per international student, charged to registered higher education providers and planned to take effect from 1 August 2028. It is charged to universities, not students, and it is not yet law.
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Department for Education (GOV.UK)
Introducing an international student levy on higher education providers (opens in a new tab, external government website)Published · Checked by MATES
Department for Education (GOV.UK)
International student levy: draft finance bill (opens in a new tab, external government website)Published · Checked by MATES
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For Student visa applications made on or after 30 November 2026, the monthly maintenance requirement rises to £1,570 for courses in London and £1,203 outside London, for up to nine months. Applications made before 30 November 2026 are decided under the current £1,529 and £1,171.
Since 8 January 2026, people seeking an initial grant on the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual or Scale-up routes must show English at CEFR level B2 instead of B1. This matters to students who plan to move into skilled work after their studies.
Graduate visa applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027 will be granted for 18 months instead of two years. PhD graduates will continue to receive three years.
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