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By Olami, AbroadPilot · Reviewed September 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
Quick summary: The UK Student visa financial requirement is a flat monthly rate set by course location — £1,529/month if your course is in Greater London, £1,171/month outside it — capped at 9 months regardless of how long your course runs. The maximum you’ll ever need to show is £13,761 (London) or £10,539 (outside London). The money must sit in your account for a continuous 28 days, ending within 31 days of your application.
The published figure
| Course location | Monthly rate | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| Greater London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
The 9-month cap is the detail most applicants miss: even on a 3-year degree, the Home Office only asks you to evidence 9 months of living costs at a time, not the full course length.
The holding period is the strict part
The balance must sit in your account for a continuous 28-day period, with the end date of that period falling within 31 days of your visa application date. A single day where the balance dips below the required figure restarts the clock. See our full breakdown of the UK’s 28-day bank statement rule for how officers actually check this.
What it excludes
This figure covers living costs only. Unpaid first-year tuition is added on top — if your CAS shows tuition still owing, you need to evidence that amount separately, in addition to the maintenance figure above.
Who’s exempt
If you’ve already held a valid UK visa for at least 12 months, you may be exempt from the financial requirement entirely. Confirm your specific case on GOV.UK before assuming either way.
Free tools for this
- Proof of Funds Calculator — your exact UK figure based on your course location
- Proof of Funds by Country — how the UK’s requirement compares to Canada, the US, Australia and Germany
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to prove for a UK student visa in 2026?
£1,529 a month if your course is in Greater London, £1,171 a month outside it, capped at 9 months — a maximum of £13,761 or £10,539. Unpaid tuition is added on top of this figure.
Do I need to show the money for the whole length of my course?
No. The requirement is capped at 9 months regardless of course length, though the money still has to sit for the full 28-day holding period before you apply.
What happens if my balance dips during the 28 days?
The 28-day clock restarts. A single day below the required amount means you need a fresh continuous 28-day period before applying.
Official & verified sources
Checked directly against GOV.UK on 27 July 2026. Maintenance requirements change without much notice — confirm the current figure before applying.
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