UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2027: Proof of Funds & Bank Balance

Understanding the UK Student visa financial requirements is essential before applying to study in the United Kingdom. International students must demonstrate that they can afford their tuition fees and living expenses by meeting the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) maintenance requirements. For Student visa applications submitted on or after November 30, 2026, students must show up to £14,130 for living costs in London or £10,827 outside London, in addition to any outstanding tuition fees. This guide explains how much money you need for a UK Student visa, the 28-day bank statement rule, acceptable proof of funds, and financial exemptions.

UK Student Visa Tuition Fee Requirements

Course Fees and CAS Deductions

You must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover the outstanding tuition fees stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). For a course lasting one academic year or longer, this generally means the tuition fees for the first academic year. If your course is shorter than one academic year, you must show enough money to cover the full course fees. Your CAS identifies the applicable course fees and any payments already made. If you have paid additional tuition fees after your CAS was issued, you can provide an official receipt from your education provider as evidence of payment.

• Outstanding tuition fees: You must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover the unpaid tuition fees stated on your CAS.
• Tuition deposits: Payments already made to your university can be deducted from the amount you need to demonstrate, provided the payment is recorded on your CAS or confirmed through an official receipt from your education provider.
• Scholarships and sponsorships: Eligible financial sponsorships and scholarships can contribute towards your tuition and living costs, provided you submit the required evidence.

For further details, consult the UKVI financial evidence guidance for Student visa applicants.

UK Student Visa Maintenance Funds (Living Costs) in 2027

The UKVI maintenance requirement is the minimum amount of money international students must demonstrate to cover their living expenses while studying in the UK. The amount depends on whether your education provider is located inside or outside London.

For Student visa applications submitted on or after November 30, 2026, the following maintenance amounts apply:

These amounts are calculated for each month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months. If your course includes part of a month, UKVI rounds the period up to the next full month. London includes the City of London and all 32 London boroughs.

The new thresholds were introduced through the Home Office's September 2026 Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 584) and take effect on November 30, 2026. The increase aligns student maintenance requirements with maintenance loans available to UK home students for the 2026/2027 academic year. See also UKCISA's September 2026 immigration rules update.

How Much Bank Balance Is Required for a UK Student Visa?

Your required bank balance depends on your outstanding tuition fees, study location, and course duration. For most students taking courses lasting 9 months or longer, the calculation is:

Required bank balance = Outstanding first-year tuition fees + Required maintenance funds.

For example, if you are studying in Manchester and have £12,000 in outstanding first-year tuition fees, you must demonstrate:

• Outstanding tuition fees: £12,000
• Living expenses: £10,827
• Total required funds: £22,827

If you are studying in London with the same outstanding tuition fees, you would need £26,130 (£12,000 in tuition fees plus £14,130 in maintenance funds).

These examples assume a course lasting at least 9 months, no qualifying accommodation deduction, and no eligible financial sponsorship or other payment that reduces the amount you must demonstrate.

UK Student Visa Financial Requirements for Dependants

Students can generally bring eligible dependants if they are:

• Government-sponsored students starting a course that lasts longer than six months.
• Full-time students enrolled in a postgraduate course at RQF level 7 or above that lasts at least nine months.

For postgraduate courses starting on or after January 1, 2024, the course must be a PhD, another doctoral qualification (RQF level 8), or a research-based higher degree. This means that most undergraduate students and students on taught Master's courses starting on or after this date cannot bring dependants under the Student visa route.

Eligible international students bringing a partner or child to the UK must demonstrate additional maintenance funds for each dependant. These funds are required in addition to the student's own tuition and living expenses.

For the full eligibility criteria and dependant financial requirements, consult the official UK Student visa dependant guidance.

The 28-Day Rule for UK Student Visa Bank Statements

One of the most important UKVI financial requirements is the 28-day rule. If you use personal or family savings to demonstrate your financial ability, you must show that the required funds have been held continuously for at least 28 consecutive days.

The following rules apply:

• Continuous balance: Your account balance must never fall below the required amount during the 28 consecutive days. This includes your outstanding tuition fees and required maintenance funds, after any eligible deductions.
• 31-day evidence window: The closing balance date of your financial evidence must be no more than 31 days before the date you submit your online visa application.
• Calculation period: UKVI counts the 28 days backwards from the closing balance date shown on your most recent financial evidence.
• Foreign currency: If your savings are held in another currency, UKVI converts the funds into pounds sterling using the OANDA spot exchange rate on the date you submit your visa application.

For example, if you need to demonstrate £22,827, your account must maintain at least that amount throughout the required 28-day period. If the balance falls below the required amount even once, you will not meet the financial evidence requirement.

The 28-day holding requirement does not generally apply in the same way when you rely on qualifying student loans or official financial sponsorship. However, you must provide the appropriate supporting documentation.

Read the official UKVI financial evidence guidance for further information.

Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Proof of Funds for a UK Student Visa

UKVI accepts several forms of financial evidence, provided the funds meet the relevant accessibility, ownership, and documentation requirements.

Your money must be held in an account that allows immediate access to the funds. The financial institution must be regulated by the appropriate authority in the country where it operates and use electronic record keeping.

Can You Use Your Parents' Bank Statements?

Yes. You can use money held in a parent's or legal guardian's account to meet the UK Student visa financial requirements. However, you must provide:

• A birth certificate or other acceptable official document proving your relationship to the parent or legal guardian.
• A signed letter from your parent or legal guardian confirming their consent for you to use the funds for your studies.

You can also rely on your partner's funds if your partner is already in the UK or applying for a visa at the same time as you, subject to the applicable UKVI requirements.

For more information, review the UKVI guidance on acceptable financial evidence.

UK Student Visa Financial Document Checklist

Before submitting your application, prepare the relevant documents to demonstrate that you meet the UKVI financial requirements.

• Bank statements: Provide paper or electronic bank statements showing the account holder's name, financial institution, and available balance. The evidence must demonstrate that the required funds were held for 28 consecutive days, where applicable.
• Student loan confirmation: Provide a letter dated no more than six months before your visa application. It must confirm that the loan is provided by a government, government-sponsored student loan company, or eligible academic or educational loan scheme. The letter must state the loan amount, confirm that the loan is for you, and confirm that the funds will be available before your course starts. There must be no conditions on releasing the loan other than your successful application to study.
• Financial sponsorship evidence: If you receive an official scholarship or financial sponsorship, check that the sponsorship is recorded on your CAS. If it is not, provide an official letter confirming the sponsor's name, contact details, sponsorship duration, and the amount or expenses covered. The letter must also be dated.
• CAS and tuition payment receipts: Check that your CAS accurately records your tuition fees and payments already made. If a subsequent payment is not recorded on your CAS, provide an official receipt from your education provider.
• Parent or guardian documents: If relying on parental funds, provide proof of your relationship and a signed consent letter.
• Certified translations: Any supporting documents that are not in English or Welsh must include a full translation that meets UKVI requirements. The translation must be independently verifiable and include the translator's confirmation and relevant details.

Review the official UK Student visa document checklist before applying.

UK Student Visa Financial Requirement Exemptions

Some applicants may not need to submit financial evidence with their initial Student visa application. However, this does not always mean they are exempt from meeting the underlying financial requirements.

You may qualify for an exemption from providing financial evidence upfront if you fall into one of the following categories:

• 12-month UK residence exemption: If you are applying for permission to stay in the UK and have held valid immigration permission in the UK for at least 12 months on the date of your application, you generally do not need to demonstrate the financial requirement.
• Differential evidence requirement: Nationals of certain countries and territories, including Canada, Australia, the United States, and several European countries, may not need to submit financial evidence upfront. However, UKVI can still request this evidence during the application process.
• Student Union Sabbatical Officers: Applicants applying under this category automatically meet the Student route financial requirement and are awarded the relevant points without having to demonstrate their funds.
• Doctors and dentists in training: Eligible applicants applying to study as a doctor or dentist in training do not need to provide financial evidence under the relevant exemption.

Applicants who qualify under the differential evidence requirement must still have the necessary funds available and be prepared to provide evidence if UKVI requests it.

Check the UKVI list of nationalities exempt from submitting financial evidence upfront to confirm whether your nationality qualifies.

Frequently Asked Questions