Student Visa Funds: £1,529 London, £1,171 Outside

The financial requirement is one of the most common reasons for Student visa refusal. This guide breaks down exactly how much you need, how to show it, and what counts as acceptable evidence.

Checked 9 June 20269 min readWritten by the Rowan Editorial Team

Section: Student & Graduate
Reading time: 9 min
Last checked: 9 June 2026
Source: The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
Rowan does not: Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.

In short

Maintenance: £1,529/month (London) or £1,171/month (outside London) for up to 9 months.
You also need to cover the course fees still to be paid for your first year.
Funds must be held for 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of application.
Parent or guardian accounts are acceptable with a consent letter.
Scholarships recorded on your CAS reduce the amount you need to show.

To get a UK Student visa, you must prove you can pay your course fees and support yourself. The amounts depend on whether you are studying in London or elsewhere. This guide explains the exact figures, the 28-day rule, acceptable evidence, and how to use a parent or sponsor.

How Much Do You Need?

The financial requirement for a UK Student visa has two parts:

Course fees. The fees for one academic year (up to 9 months) that are still to be paid, as shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). If you have already paid all your fees, this is zero.
Living costs (maintenance). A fixed monthly amount for up to 9 months.

Maintenance Amounts (2026)

London: £1,529 per month x 9 months = £13,761
Outside London: £1,171 per month x 9 months = £10,539

Whether your institution counts as London or outside London depends on its location, as stated on your CAS. If your course is shorter than 9 months, you only need to show maintenance for the course length plus any gap before the course starts.

These amounts are separate from the £558 Student visa application fee and the healthcare surcharge, which are paid when you apply. GOV.UK also lists exceptions. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date you apply, you do not have to prove you have the money. Nationals of a list of countries set out on GOV.UK do not have to send the bank evidence with their application, although the Home Office can still ask for it.

The 28-Day Rule

This is the rule that catches the most applicants. Your bank statements must show that the required funds have been in your account for at least 28 days in a row. The closing balance on each day of the 28-day period must meet or exceed the required total.

The end date of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you submit your online application. If there is a gap of more than 31 days between the end of your 28-day holding period and your application date, the evidence will be rejected.

Large deposits made just before the 28-day period are not a problem as long as the balance remains above the required amount for the full 28 days. See our financial documents guide for how to present your evidence.

What Counts as Acceptable Evidence?

Bank statements. Official statements (not screenshots) from a regulated financial institution showing your name, account number, and daily or closing balances for the 28-day period.
Bank letter. An official letter from your bank on headed paper confirming the balance and that funds have been held for at least 28 days.
Loan letter. An official letter from a financial institution confirming an approved student loan that covers your fees and living costs.
Government or scholarship letter. A letter confirming funding from a government, international organisation, or scholarship provider.

Funds in savings accounts, fixed deposits, and current accounts are all acceptable as long as the money is accessible. Funds in investments, property, or pension accounts are generally not accepted.

Using a Parent or Guardian's Account

If the money is in a parent or legal guardian's account, you need:

A letter from the parent confirming they will fund your studies
Evidence of your relationship (birth certificate or legal guardianship document)
The parent's bank statements showing the funds for 28 days

The consent letter should state the parent's name, your name, their relationship to you, that they consent to funding your studies, and the amount they will provide.

Scholarships and Fee Payments

If your university has recorded a scholarship or fee payment on your CAS, this reduces the amount you need to show. For example, if your tuition fee is £20,000 and your CAS shows £15,000 has been paid, you only need to show £5,000 in outstanding fees plus the maintenance amount.

Always check your CAS carefully to confirm what has been recorded. If a payment is missing from the CAS, contact your university and ask them to update it before you apply. For help with the English language requirement, see our dedicated guide.

Common Mistakes

Not holding funds for 28 days. Even one day below the required amount resets the clock.
Submitting statements that end too early. The 28-day period must end within 31 days of your application.
Using unofficial documents. App screenshots and printed transaction lists are generally not accepted.
Forgetting to include dependant costs. If you are bringing dependants, you must show extra money for each family member: £845 per month in London or £680 per month outside London, again for up to 9 months.

Next Steps

Calculate your total financial requirement based on your CAS, then ensure the funds are in your account for the full 28 days before you apply. If in doubt, hold the funds for longer than 28 days to give yourself a buffer.

Related guides:

For official information, see the GOV.UK Student visa money page, the GOV.UK Student visa page and the GOV.UK visa fees table.

Questions and answers

How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?

You need to show enough funds to cover your outstanding course fees plus living costs (maintenance). Living costs are £1,529 per month for London or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months. So the maintenance element alone is up to £13,761 (London) or £10,539 (outside London).

How long must I hold the money in my account?

The required funds must be held in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row. The end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application.

Can my parents show the funds for me?

Yes. If the funds are in a parent or legal guardian's account, you need a letter from them confirming they consent to fund your studies, plus evidence of your relationship (such as a birth certificate). The 28-day holding period still applies.

Do scholarships count towards the financial requirement?

Yes. If your university or a scholarship body is covering your tuition or living costs, this is recorded on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The amount covered by the scholarship reduces the amount you need to show in your bank account.

This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.

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