UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2026 (with Calculator)
Reviewed against official UK university and UKVI sources. See oureditorial policy.
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UK Student Visa Financial Requirements 2026
The financial requirement is the single biggest reason UK Student Visa applications are refused. This guide gives you the exact UKVI 2026 figures, who can hold the money, what counts as an accepted account, and a worked calculator example so you know precisely how much to deposit and for how long.
The Two Amounts You Must Cover
For a UK Student Visa in 2026 you must show:
These are added together. You do not need to show more than this — UKVI does not give bonus credit for higher balances.
Living Cost Amounts 2026 (UKVI Published)
| Course Location | Per Month | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|
|---|---|---|
"London" means the 32 boroughs plus the City of London. Studying at Brunel, Roehampton, UEL, Greenwich, Middlesex, Westminster, City, King's, UCL, Imperial, LSE, SOAS, Queen Mary, Goldsmiths, St George's or Royal Holloway (Egham campus is *outside* London despite the name) — check the campus address, not the university name.
Worked Calculator Example
International student, MSc Computer Science at University of Birmingham, September 2026 start:
These funds must sit in your account (or your parent's) for 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance dated within 31 days of your visa application.
The 28-Day Rule Explained
UKVI requires that on every one of 28 consecutive days, your account balance was at or above the required amount. A single dip — even for one hour — resets the clock to zero.
The bank letter or statement you submit must show the lowest balance in the period and confirm the closing date is within 31 days of your visa application. Most refusals happen because applicants submit on day 27, not day 28.
Who Can Hold the Money?
UKVI accepts funds in:
UKVI does not accept funds held by uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends, sponsor company accounts, cryptocurrency wallets or trust funds (unless legally documented and pre-approved). If the money is in a parent's account, you must include a signed letter of consent plus your birth certificate (translated and notarised if not in English).
Accepted Account Types
Current accounts, savings accounts, fixed deposits maturing before course start, government-approved Islamic finance accounts and UK ISAs are accepted. Not accepted: stocks and shares, mutual funds, pension funds, business accounts, cryptocurrency.
Differential Evidence: Low-Risk Nationalities
If you hold a passport from a UKVI "low-risk" country (Annex 5 of Appendix Student), you may not need to submit financial evidence with your visa application — but you must still have the funds and produce them on request. Low-risk nationalities for 2026 include India, China, Pakistan (some categories), Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and most Gulf states. Always confirm your status on gov.uk before applying.
What If My Funds Are From a Loan?
UKVI accepts education loans from a regulated bank, building society or recognised lender in your country, or a government-approved student loan scheme. The loan must be in your name (or your parent's) and available to draw down before you travel. A sanction letter alone is not enough — the funds must be either in your account or guaranteed by the lender in a UKVI-acceptable format.
Common Reasons Financial Evidence Gets Refused
Quick Calculator: How Much in My Currency?
Approximate amounts at June 2026 rates (always verify on OANDA on the day) for the GBP 33,539 example above:
| Country | Approx. Equivalent |
|---|
|---|---|
Related Reading
*Sources: UKVI Appendix Finance and Appendix Student (gov.uk, accessed 2026), UKVI Annex 5 differential evidence list, UKCISA financial guidance 2026.*
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need in my account for a UK Student Visa in 2026?+
You must show unpaid first-year tuition plus living costs of GBP 1,529 per month for London (max GBP 13,761 for 9 months) or GBP 1,171 per month outside London (max GBP 10,539 for 9 months). A typical total for a non-London Master's is GBP 30,000-35,000.
What is the 28-day rule for UK Student Visa funds?+
Your account balance must stay at or above the required amount for 28 consecutive days. If it dips below even for one hour, the clock resets to zero. The closing balance must be dated within 31 days of submitting your visa application.
Whose bank account can hold the money?+
Your own account, a joint account with your name, or a parent or legal guardian's account (with a signed consent letter plus your birth certificate). UKVI does not accept funds held by uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends or company accounts.
Are fixed deposits accepted for the UK Student Visa?+
Yes, provided the fixed deposit matures before your course start date and you can show 28 consecutive days of holding. Current accounts, savings accounts, ISAs and government-approved Islamic finance accounts are also accepted. Stocks, shares, mutual funds, pensions and cryptocurrency are not.
Do I need to submit financial evidence if I am from a low-risk country?+
If you hold a passport from a UKVI 'low-risk' country listed in Annex 5 of Appendix Student (India, China, Pakistan in some categories, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya and others), you may not need to submit financial evidence with your application — but you must still have the funds and produce them on request.
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