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Study Visa Issuances for Nigerian Students Surge, Amid Stronger Demand for International Education

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A sharp rebound in study visa approvals for Nigerian students in the UK has emerged, with a 149 percent increase in issuances compared to the same period in 2024. According to Apply Board, the grant rate for Nigerian students has reached 96 percent, solidifying Nigeria's position as one of the strongest-performing markets for the UK's higher education sector. This growth comes as nearly 63,000 main applicants applied for UK study visas in Q2 2025, with over 56,000 visas issued, representing a 24 percent increase. The steady demand for international education suggests a stabilisation following the volatility of 2023, but institutions face uncertainty as the government's 2025 immigration White Paper proposes stricter compliance thresholds.

Key Takeaways:

  • Study visa issuances for Nigerian students increased by 149 percent in Q2 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
  • The grant rate for Nigerian students has reached 96 percent, making Nigeria one of the strongest-performing markets for the UK's higher education sector.
  • Nearly 63,000 main applicants applied for UK study visas in Q2 2025, with over 56,000 visas issued, representing a 24 percent increase.
  • Refusal rates remained at 9 percent for the third consecutive quarter, indicating a stabilisation following the volatility of 2023.
  • Institutions face growing uncertainty as the government's 2025 immigration White Paper proposes raising Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) thresholds, requiring universities to keep refusal rates below 5 percent.
  • India remains the UK's largest source of international students, with over 15,000 visas granted in Q2 2025, a 44 percent year-on-year rise.
  • Smaller markets, such as Norway, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Switzerland, posted grant rates of 99 percent or above in the first half of 2025, offering reliable pathways for universities seeking to diversify.
  • The UK's wider data suggest that institutions will need to balance compliance with maintaining a diverse student body, as refusal thresholds tighten and enrolment completion rates will be closely monitored from 2026 onwards.
  • Universities may face difficult decisions about which markets to prioritise, given the proposed changes in immigration policies.

Statistics:

  • 149 percent increase in study visa issuances for Nigerian students compared to the same period in 2024 (Apply Board, Q2 2025).
  • 96 percent grant rate for Nigerian students (Apply Board, Q2 2025).
  • 63,000 main applicants applied for UK study visas in Q2 2025 (Apply Board, Q2 2025).
  • 56,000 visas issued in Q2 2025, representing a 24 percent increase (Apply Board, Q2 2025).
  • 9 percent refusal rate for the third consecutive quarter (Apply Board, Q2 2025).
  • 15,000 visas granted to Indian students in Q2 2025, a 44 percent year-on-year rise (Apply Board, Q2 2025).
  • 99 percent or above grant rates in smaller markets such as Norway, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Switzerland (Apply Board, first half of 2025).

Sources:

  • Apply Board, Q2 2025

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