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The short answer
Since 1 January 2024, only government-sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months, and postgraduates on a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree, can bring a partner or children on a UK Student visa. As at October 2026, GOV.UK says each dependant needs £845 a month in London or £680 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, on top of the student's own funds.
For years, many Nigerian families moved to the UK together on a master's student visa. That route narrowed sharply for courses starting from January 2024. This guide sets out who can still bring dependants and how much money must be shown, from GOV.UK's Student visa pages as at October 2026.
Who can still bring dependants
GOV.UK says the student must be one of the following:
- a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months; or
- a full-time student on a postgraduate course at RQF level 7 or above lasting 9 months or longer, and, if the course starts on or after 1 January 2024, that course must be a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8) or a research-based higher degree.
In practice, a taught MSc, MBA or LLM starting in 2024 or later does not allow dependants, unless the student is government-sponsored. A research master's such as an MRes or MPhil may qualify if the university classes it as a research-based higher degree; ask the admissions or visa team to confirm in writing before you plan around it.
Who counts as a dependant
A husband, wife or civil partner; an unmarried partner; and children under 18, including those born in the UK during your stay. You must prove the relationship (for example a marriage or birth certificate) and, for a child, that they are not married and live with you, using two address documents.
The money each dependant needs
| Where the student studies | Per dependant, per month | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| London (City and 32 boroughs) | £845 | £7,605 |
| Outside London | £680 | £6,120 |
This is in addition to the student's own funds: unpaid first-year tuition plus £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months. The funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of the application date.
Worked example
Example: Ifeoma is a government-sponsored student starting a two-year course in Leeds. Her husband and one child apply with her. Her balance owed on first-year tuition is £6,000 (example).
| Item | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid tuition | from CAS | £6,000 |
| Ifeoma's living costs | £1,171 × 9 | £10,539 |
| Husband | £680 × 9 | £6,120 |
| Child | £680 × 9 | £6,120 |
| Total to show | £28,779 |
If her husband applied later and separately, he would only need to show his own £6,120.
If your course does not qualify
Families on a taught master's have three realistic options to weigh. The partner can apply on a visa of their own, such as the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker route, which carries its own sponsor and maintenance rules (see our Skilled Worker funds guide). The student can go alone and the family can plan a reunion later: GOV.UK's Graduate visa pages say only people who were already dependants on the Student visa can stay as Graduate dependants, while a later switch to a route such as Skilled Worker may allow new dependants to join. Or the student can look at a research degree or a sponsored place instead. Each choice changes the money you need to show, so cost the plan before accepting an offer.
Exemptions and sponsor letters
- A dependant who has been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months does not need to show funds.
- If the student has an official financial sponsor or student loan, evidence must come from the sponsor or lender. If it does not cover dependants, their money must be shown separately.
- Nationals of 'differential evidence requirement' countries may not need to submit financial evidence when applying together. Nigeria is not on that list, so Nigerian applicants should plan to submit full evidence.
What to check first
- Confirm your course type: is it a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree, or are you government-sponsored?
- Get written confirmation from the university's visa team.
- Calculate the student's funds and add £845 or £680 a month per dependant, up to 9 months.
- Keep the total in qualifying accounts for 28 days, ending within 31 days of applying.
- Prepare marriage and birth certificates, and two address documents per child.
Where Pryme fits
Holding a large family balance for 28 days in naira exposes it to currency movement. A Pryme account can hold GBP next to NGN, and Savings Boxes can keep naira set aside for later costs. For the student's own figure, see how much a Nigerian student needs for a UK visa and the 28-day rule.
Questions people ask
Can I bring my wife on a UK master's student visa in 2026?
Only if the course is a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree, or you are a government-sponsored student on a course over 6 months, according to GOV.UK.
How much does a UK student dependant need to show?
As at October 2026, £845 a month in London or £680 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, per dependant.
Does an MRes count for bringing dependants?
It may, if your university treats it as a research-based higher degree. Confirm with the university before applying.
Do dependants need their own 28-day bank statements?
Yes. The funds must be held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of the application, unless an exemption applies.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Student visa – your partner and children (updated Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Student visa – money (updated Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Graduate visa (updated Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
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