Key Highlights
- A total of nearly 63,000 main applicant study visas were submitted to the UK in Q2 2025, marking a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
- Of those, over 56,000 visas were issued—a 24% year-on-year increase.
- Nigeria led the pack with a 149% jump in visas issued, signaling renewed student interest despite previous policy challenges.
- The 96% grant rate for Nigerian applicants places them among the most compliant and successful applicant groups
Nigerian students are driving a dramatic rebound in the United Kingdom’s higher education market, with UK student visa issuances to Nigerian applicants surging by 149% in the second quarter of 2025, according to new data from global education insights platform ApplyBoard.
The report highlights that the UK Home Office received nearly 63,000 main applicant study visa applications in Q2 2025, marking a 16% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. Out of these, more than 56,000 visas were granted, reflecting a 24% year-on-year rise.
Nigeria stood out as the fastest-growing source market, recording a 149% increase in student visa issuances and achieving a 96% approval rate, among the highest globally, according to ApplyBoard report.
Education experts say the surge underscores Nigeria’s resilience as a key student recruitment market, despite previous concerns about tightened UK immigration policies that restricted dependents.
Top 20 Student Populations Issued a UK Study Visa,
Main Applicants, Q2 2025
“This sharp rise shows that Nigerian students continue to see the UK as a top destination for quality education, and institutions are adapting with more targeted recruitment strategies,” the ApplyBoard report noted.
The development also reflects a broader stabilization of international student demand for the UK, marking the third consecutive quarter of steady growth, a significant signal for universities and colleges looking to diversify their student intake.
Analysts believe the rising demand from Nigeria could help UK institutions balance enrollment numbers amid increased competition from Canada, Australia, and the United States.
With Nigeria ranking among the fastest-growing markets, stakeholders in both countries are expected to deepen collaboration to strengthen pathways for student mobility, academic partnerships, and skills development.
