⚡ Key Takeaways
- You must show tuition for one year (or the full remaining course if under a year) plus a fixed monthly living-cost figure.
- Funds must be held for a 28-consecutive-day period, and your bank statement or letter must be dated within 31 days of your application.
- The living-cost figure is higher for courses based in London.
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university states your exact required amount — always work from that, not a general estimate.
How the Amount Is Calculated
Your total requirement is: (1) any tuition fees not already paid to the university, shown on your CAS, plus (2) a monthly living-cost allowance (higher for London, lower elsewhere in the UK) multiplied by up to 9 months. Your university's CAS statement will state the exact figure UKVI expects for your specific case — that number, not a generic online estimate, is what you should plan around.
The 28-Day Rule
The full required amount must have been held continuously in your (or your parent/legal guardian's, if they are your financial sponsor) account for at least 28 consecutive days, and the closing balance on your statement must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your application. If the balance dips below the required amount at any point during that 28-day window — even briefly — the clock resets.
Accepted Documents
- A bank statement (personal or from your parent/legal guardian if they are sponsoring you) meeting UKVI's specific formatting rules, or
- An original bank letter confirming the account, the balance and the 28-day holding period, or
- For a parent/guardian sponsor, an original letter confirming your relationship, alongside their own financial evidence.
If a university, government or official financial sponsor is covering your costs directly, an official sponsorship letter can replace personal bank evidence — your ICS consultant will confirm which route applies to you.
Common Refusal Triggers on Financial Grounds
- Statement dated outside the 31-day window at the time of submission.
- Balance dropping below the required amount at any point in the 28-day period.
- Using a bank that isn't on UKVI's list of financial institutions it will not verify, without providing an original bank letter as a substitute.
- Mismatched currency conversion calculations that leave the shown amount just short of the actual requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parents sponsor me even if I have my own bank account?
Yes — you can use either your own funds or a parent/legal guardian's, with the correct supporting relationship documents for the parent/guardian route.
Does the 28-day rule apply to every UK visa route?
It applies specifically to the Student visa maintenance requirement. Other visa categories have different financial evidence rules — ask your ICS consultant for the rule that applies to your specific application.
What if my university is already covering my tuition through a scholarship?
You typically only need to show the remaining living-cost portion (and any tuition still unpaid) — your CAS will reflect the reduced figure once your scholarship is confirmed with the university.