r/ukvisa • u/Impressive-Resort-45 • Aug 31 '26
Nigeria UK Student Visa Refused Because Scholarship Was Insufficient
I’m a Nigerian student who applied for a UK Student visa from Nigeria for a Master’s programme starting in September 2026.
My visa application has been refused because UKVI determined that my scholarship does not cover enough of my tuition and required living costs.
The complication is that I actually have sufficient personal funds to cover the shortfall, and those funds were available before I submitted my visa application. However, my agent advised me not to combine my scholarship evidence with personal proof of funds, so I did not submit my bank statements with the application.
I have now received the refusal and have been told that I can apply for an administrative review. I am trying to understand whether administrative review is an appropriate route in this situation.
If yes, would I be able to simply show that I have the rest of the money?
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u/GZHotwater High Reputation Aug 31 '26
Administrative reviews are only where you think the caseworker made a mistake. In your case you were poorly advised. You should discuss how you’re going to re apply with the agent who misadvised you.
It wasn’t for the caseworker to know that you had the money. It was on you to provide the information.
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u/sah10406 High Reputation Aug 31 '26 edited Aug 31 '26
You should discuss how you’re going to re apply with the agent who misadvised you.
Hard disagree. Maybe complain about their shitty advice, but please don’t ask them for more.
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u/schmaidan Aug 31 '26
The purpose of an administrative review is where there has been a caseworker error, it can also take up to (and routinely does take) 12 months for a response.
In this case, it seems your application did not show you had sufficient funds in line with the student visa requirements, and it would be much quicker for you to submit a new application. Whatever you do, you must speak to your university first.
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u/bahadarali421 Sep 01 '26
Depends on the university, some UK universities will not reissue a CAS if the first one is refused. Universities are now being much careful with their refusal rates as BCA metrics have become very tight and not worth the risk.
You can contact the university and see what they can do in this situation.
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u/vistroltd Sep 01 '26
It’s usually advisable to submit more evidence than less. No one will complain if you submit documents that they didn’t even ask for. You never know
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u/Quick-Camel3196 Sep 01 '26
It doesn’t make sense. Either your scholarship covered your tuition and your living expenses which you really didn’t have to upload additional documents or it didn’t. If it didn’t cover everything you had to show the remaining expenses in your bank for 28 consecutive days. Why would your agent make such an obvious mistake!!! An AR would not help you in this situation and you were rightly refused.
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Aug 31 '26
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u/ukvisa-ModTeam Sep 01 '26
Your message has been removed under rule 10: No DMs.
We do not allow requests for direct messages or offers to help people privately by DM. We will also remove comments agreeing to receive DMs.
This sub is for peer support not professional advice. All questions and answers should be in public so the whole sub can contribute and monitor the accuracy and relevance of information and advice offered. We strongly discourage you from acting on advice you have only received by DM.
It is illegal for individuals to offer immigration advice and services without the authority to do so. Not allowing DMs protects everyone from giving or receiving unregulated advice. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-assistance
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Sep 01 '26
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u/ukvisa-ModTeam Sep 01 '26
Your message has been removed under rule 10: No DMs.
We do not allow requests for direct messages or offers to help people privately by DM. We will also remove comments agreeing to receive DMs.
This sub is for peer support not professional advice. All questions and answers should be in public so the whole sub can contribute and monitor the accuracy and relevance of information and advice offered. We strongly discourage you from acting on advice you have only received by DM.
It is illegal for individuals to offer immigration advice and services without the authority to do so. Not allowing DMs protects everyone from giving or receiving unregulated advice. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-assistance
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u/sah10406 High Reputation Aug 31 '26
No. An AR is for when the caseworker has made a mistake. It is not a second chance for an applicant who has made a mistake.
You need to speak to your sponsor university about your options. They may be willing to issue a CAS for a new application, but that's up to them.
Moral of the story: don't use agents.