How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa?
Nine months of living costs (£13,761 in London, £10,539 elsewhere) plus any first-year tuition still owed after payments shown on your CAS, held in your or a parent's account for 28 consecutive days before you apply.
Reviewed 17 September 2026 · 1 min read
Short answer: £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 elsewhere, for up to nine months, plus any first-year tuition you have not yet paid. It must have been in the account for 28 consecutive days.
The two parts
- Course fees for the first year, minus whatever the CAS says you have already paid.
- Living costs at the Home Office rate for up to nine months: £1,529 a month for London (£13,761) or £1,171 a month outside London (£10,539).
Dependants add £952 (London) or £680 (elsewhere) a month each.
The 28-day rule
The closing balance must not drop below the required amount at any point in the 28 days before the statement date, and the statement must be dated within 31 days of the application. A large deposit made 20 days before you apply fails the rule.
Whose money
Your own account, a joint account you hold, or a parent's or legal guardian's account with a letter of consent and proof of the relationship. Money in a business account, or from a friend, does not count.
Exemptions
Students who have been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months, and students with an official financial sponsor covering the amounts, do not need to show the funds.
Use the cost calculator to get the exact figure for your course.
Sources
General information, not regulated immigration advice. Rules change; check the source before you act, and speak to an IAA-registered adviser about your case.