UK universities withdraw admission offers to Nigerian students over visa rule
UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian students after study visa withdrawals rose to 22.7 per cent in the first half of 2026 from 4.5 per cent in 2025. Universities now risk being barred from recruiting international students if more than five per cent of admitted prospective international students have visa applications rejected, down from the previous 10 per cent threshold.
What the institution said
UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian students amid a surge in study visa application withdrawals
“UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian students amid a surge in study visa application withdrawals”
The Financial Times published the report on Saturday
“The Financial Times, in a report published on Saturday”
22.7 per cent of UK study visa applications from Nigerians were withdrawn in the first half of 2026
“22.7 per cent of UK study visa applications from Nigerians were withdrawn in the first half of 2026”
The Nigerian withdrawal rate was 4.5 per cent during the same period in 2025
“up from 4.5 per cent during the same period in 2025”
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Universities risk being barred from recruiting overseas students if more than five per cent of prospective international students they admit have visa applications rejected
“if more than five per cent of prospective international students they admit have their visa applications rejected”
The threshold was previously 10 per cent
“The threshold was previously 10 per cent”
Study visa refusals by the UK Home Office doubled in the first six months of 2026 compared with the corresponding period last year
“a doubling in study visa refusals by the UK Home Office in the first six months of 2026”
The proportion of study visa applications withdrawn by prospective students from Pakistan rose to 40.9 per cent in the first half of 2026
“from Pakistan rose to 40.9 per cent in the first half of 2026”
Pakistan's withdrawal rate was three per cent a year earlier
“compared with three per cent a year earlier”
Bangladesh's withdrawal rate increased from 7.1 to 23.5 per cent
“For Bangladesh, the rate increased from 7.1 to 23.5 per cent”
India's withdrawal rate rose from 1.2 to 5.2 per cent
“while India’s rose from 1.2 to 5.2 per cent”
About 15 universities were believed to have suspended recruitment from Pakistan entirely this year
“about 15 universities were believed to have suspended recruitment from Pakistan entirely this year”
Sir David Bell is Vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland
“Vice-chancellor of the University of Sunderland, Sir David Bell”
Jamie Arrowsmith is the Director of Universities UK International
“The Director of Universities UK International, Jamie Arrowsmith”
Vanessa Wilson is chief executive of University Alliance, a group representing 20 professional and technical universities
“Vanessa Wilson, chief executive of University Alliance, a group representing 20 professional and technical universities”
All 15 facts in this piece were located word for word in the institution's own notice before it was published.
Read the original notice
Punch, educationPublished by the institution on Sat, 10 Oct 2026 15:46:21 +0000. We summarise and link; we do not reproduce their notice.
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