Free · Private · Based on official rules
Know exactly how much money you need for your UK Student visa.
Get your required balance, the date it must be in your account, and the earliest day you can apply — in one clear plan.
Add your CAS details
Course dates, tuition and anything already paid.
See your required balance
A complete breakdown using the correct regional rate.
Follow your exact dates
Know when to hold funds, get evidence and apply.
Your course
Everything here comes off your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Nothing is stored and nothing is sent anywhere.
Optional. Choosing one sets the living cost rate and shows the reasoning.
The Immigration Rules do not list boroughs. "Studying in London" means the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies confirms study at an institution wholly within the Greater London Area. Where a course runs across sites both inside and outside that area, the London rate applies only if the CAS states the majority of study time is at sites inside it.
Part months round up. Living costs are capped at 9 months.
Exactly as stated on your CAS.
Only money paid to your sponsor counts, capped at £1,529.00. Private landlords do not count.
Your timing
Leave blank and we work out the earliest date you could apply.
Leave blank if the money is not there yet.
Money you must show
£10,539
Student visa · Outside London · 9 months of living costs
- Money in the account by
- 2 February 2027
- and held every day for 28 days
- Apply on or after
- 1 March 2027
- statement valid until 1 April 2027
How this is made up
| Outstanding course fees | £0.00 |
|---|---|
| Living costs | £10,539.00 |
| Total to show | £10,539.00 |
What to do, and when
- 2 February 2027Have the full amount in the account. From this day the balance must not fall below the required amount, even for a single day.
- 1 March 2027The 28-day holding period is complete. This is the earliest closing balance date that proves it.
- 1 March 2027Get the bank statement or bank letter. Its closing balance must be dated no more than 31 days before you apply.
- 1 March 2027Submit the visa application.
- 1 April 2027Last day this closing balance can be used. After this you need a newer statement covering a fresh 28-day period.
- 1 September 2027Course start date as stated on the CAS.
Other costs, not part of the above
You pay these when you apply. They are not part of the money you have to prove you hold.
- Application fee
- £558.00
- Healthcare surcharge
- £776.00 / year
Remind me when these dates arrive
Timed to your course start date: a warning a week before your money needs to be in place, a note on the day your application window opens, and a handful of practical steps before you travel. Around ten emails, never more than one a week. To keep a copy of the result above, use Save as PDF on it — nothing needs to be sent anywhere for that.
Transparent by design
What the rules actually require
These figures were verified against the primary sources on 1 August 2026. Each one links to the rule it comes from.
- Living costs, LondonST 12.3(a)
- £1,529.00 per month
- Living costs, outside londonST 12.3(b)
- £1,171.00 per month
- Maximum months of living costsST 12.3
- 9 months
- Each dependant, LondonST 33.2, ST 37.2
- £845.00 per month
- Each dependant, outside londonST 33.2, ST 37.2
- £680.00 per month
- Accommodation paid to your sponsor, maximum offsetST 12.4
- £1,529.00
- Consecutive days the funds must be heldST 12.6
- 28 days
- Maximum age of the closing balance when you applyFIN 7.1, FIN 7.2
- 31 days
Full quotations for every figure are on the methodology page.
Helpful answers
Common questions
How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?
You need your outstanding first-year course fees plus living costs of £1,529.00 a month in London or £1,171.00 outside London, for up to 9 months.
How long must the money stay in my account?
The full amount must stay in the account for 28 consecutive days without falling below the requirement.
How soon after that must I apply?
Your latest financial evidence must be dated no more than 31 days before you apply.
Can I count rent I have already paid?
Only accommodation paid directly to your student sponsor counts, up to £1,529.00. Private rent does not count.
Does my university count as being in London?
Use the study location stated on your CAS. If most study is at sites inside Greater London, the London rate normally applies.
How early can I apply?
You can normally apply up to 6 months before your course from outside the UK, or 3 months before it from inside the UK.