Student visa financial requirements for the UK

What you have to show

The requirement has two parts: the maintenance funds above (£1,529 a month in London, £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months) and the first-year tuition fee stated on your CAS, less anything already paid. The amounts above were confirmed on gov.uk in October 2026. Increases to £1,570 and £1,203 from 30 November 2026 have been reported by third parties but we could not confirm them on gov.uk, so check gov.uk before you apply.

How the 28-day rule works

The required total must stay in your account (or accounts) for 28 consecutive days, and the last day of that period must fall within 31 days of the date you apply. A balance that dips below the required amount during that window can lead to a refusal, so plan the timing with care.

Whose money counts

Funds can be in your own account or in the account of a parent or legal guardian, provided you meet the relationship and consent evidence the application asks for. Official student loans and certain sponsorships can be used instead of cash balances. The exact documents are listed on gov.uk and can change.

Common mistakes

• Letting the balance fall below the required amount during the 28 days.
• Using a bank statement format or age that does not meet the rules.
• Counting expected earnings from part-time work. They never count.
• Using an old maintenance figure from a blog post instead of the current gov.uk amount.