UK Universities Halt Admissions for Nigerian Students Amid Visa Issues

Universities across the United Kingdom are withdrawing admission offers from international students, including those from Nigeria, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, due to a sharp increase in student visa refusals. An analysis by the Financial Times revealed that the share of withdrawn study visa applications from Nigerian students rose from 4.5 percent in the first half of 2025 to 22.7 percent in the same period of 2026.

The overall withdrawal rate for all nationalities reached 10.5 percent in early 2026, compared to 2.3 percent the previous year. This situation is attributed to a doubling of visa refusals and a rule that risks institutions losing their international recruitment licenses if more than five percent of applicants have their visas rejected.

Sir David Bell, vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland, noted that the unexpected spike in refusals has led to pre-emptive actions, including pulling back from certain international markets. Concerns have also been raised about the reasons for some visa rejections, with the Home Office stating that international students contribute positively to Britain while emphasizing the need for responsible recruitment practices.