If you’re coming to study in the UK, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself and any dependents in the UK.
What you need to show depends on the route you’re applying on and your personal circumstances.
The financial requirement shows you have enough money to support yourself while studying in the UK. Usually, you’ll need to show a set amount of money for each month of your course for up to 9 months.
If you’re applying from overseas, or if you are applying in the UK but have not been here with permission for 12 months or more, you must show that you have enough money to cover your course fees (and boarding fees, if relevant) and living costs.
You might not need to provide financial evidence if you’re from an exempt country, but you should still ensure you have enough funds. UK Visas and Immigration may ask you to show that you have them.
You do not need to show funds if you apply as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer or study as a doctor or dentist in training.
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UK Student Visa Requirements
The amount of money you need to show depends on the following:
- Your course fees are set out on your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS). Your education provider will send you the CAS once they’ve offered you a place on a course
- the length of your course
- whether you have already paid some money to your sponsor
- Your course of study or the type of student permission you are applying for
- where you are studying – the amount is different if you’re studying in London
- if you have paid any money to your sponsor for accommodation; up to £1,334 can be deducted from the funds you need to show
- your living arrangements, if you are aged under 18
Type of Funds
You can show you have enough money using the following:
- an official financial or government sponsorship or grant
- a student loan from a government, government-sponsored loan company, or a regulated student loans scheme
- your own money
- your parent’s money (if they provide a letter confirming they agree to you using it this way)
- your partner’s money if your partner is present in the UK or applying at the same time
Evidence not Accepted
The following are not accepted as evidence to show you have the required amount of money:
- overdrafts
- bitcoin savings
- stocks and shares
- pensions
- bank accounts that are not regulated by the financial regulatory body in the country in which the bank operates
- bank accounts that don’t use electronic record keeping
Control of the Funds
You, or the account holder (such as your parents or partner), must control the funds you rely on.
You must show that the funds have been held for 28 days unless you rely on a student loan or official financial sponsorship.
The bank statement(s) or evidence you use to show funds have been held for 28 days must be from the 31 days before you submit your application.
The 28 days is calculated by counting back from the closing balance date on the most recent financial evidence.
Official Financial Sponsorship
If you have official sponsorship
To prove you have official financial sponsorship, you need to show your reference number for confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS).
If your official financial sponsorship is not recorded on your CAS, you’ll need to show a confirmation letter from the official financial sponsor. If you are not sure, ask your sponsor.
The letter must show the following:
- the date
- the name of the financial sponsor
- contact details of the financial sponsor
- how long the sponsorship will last
- the amount of money that is being given or confirmation that all of your fees and living costs will be covered
If you have a student loan
For student loans, you need to show a student loan letter that:
- Is dated no more than 6 months before the date of application
- Confirms the loan is a student loan provided by either the relevant government or a government-sponsored student loan company or an academic or educational loans scheme
- Confirms there are no conditions on the release of the loan funds other than a successful application to study
- confirms the amount of the loan
- confirms the loan is for you
- is on the official stationery
- confirms the funds will be available to you or paid directly to the sponsor before you begin your course
If you’re using your own money
If you’re not being financially sponsored or relying on a student loan, your funds can be held in any form of personal or building society account, including a:
- current account
- deposit account
- savings account
- pension savings
- investment account
Cash must be in an account that allows you immediate access.
Funds must have been acquired legally, and if you were in the UK, you must not have earned them when working illegally.
If you’re using your own money or that of a parent or partner, you’ll need to show you have the required amount in an account. You can provide the following:
- bank statements
- building society passbooks
- certificates of deposit
- a letter from your bank or building society
Your bank statement should show information like the following:
- The date it was issued.
- Your name (or the account holder’s name if it is your parent or partner)
- the name of the bank or building society
- balance on the account
You can provide a download of electronic bank statements as long as it has this information. You do not need to have these stamped by the bank.
We may do verification checks with your bank. If we cannot verify the funds, your application may be refused.
Money in other currencies
If your money is held in a foreign currency, this will be converted into pound sterling (£) using the spot exchange rate on OANDA for the date of the application.
Financial Evidence
Your CAS will show your course fees.
The table below shows how much you need depending on your circumstances.
Table: Financial requirement levels – Student
| Route | Amount: study in London | Amount: study outside London |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding at a residential independent school | Sufficient funds to pay fees (course fees plus boarding fees) for 1 academic year | Sufficient funds to pay fees (course fees plus boarding fees) for 1 academic year |
| Doctorate extension scheme | £2,668 | £2,046 |
| All other courses | Sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees as stated on the CAS, plus £1,334 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months) | Sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees as stated on the CAS, plus £1,023 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months) |
Student dependants must also each show funds of £845 for each month of your leave if you’re studying in London (for up to a maximum of 9 months).
You need £680 for each month of your leave if you’re studying outside London (for up to a maximum of 9 months).
Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to assist you.
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