Every year, UK Student visa applications get refused for an avoidable reason: funds not shown correctly. Here is the checklist.
What you need to show
- Tuition fees: the remaining first-year balance after any deposit you have paid to the university (shown on your CAS).
- Living costs: £1,529 per month if you study in London, or £1,171 per month outside London, for a maximum of 9 months.
- The 28-day rule: the money must be in your account (or your parent's, with the right documents) for 28 consecutive days, and that period must end within 31 days of your visa application.
Many genuine applications are refused because the statement date was off by a few days, or the balance dipped below the required amount during the 28 days.
Our advice
Start checking your funds two months before you plan to apply, not two weeks before. The timing of your funds matters as much as the amount.
Source: GOV.UK – Student visa money requirements
Published 21 October 2026. Rules can change; we confirm current requirements during counselling.