How these figures are sourced and verified

Immigration Rules: Appendix Student

ST 4.1 and ST 4.2 (application timing); ST 12.3 (living costs and course fees, both region tables); ST 12.4 (accommodation offset cap); ST 12.6 (holding period); ST 33.2 and ST 37.2 (dependant rates).

Governs: high_cost_region_monthly_minor, standard_region_monthly_minor, max_months, dependant_high_cost_region_monthly_minor, dependant_standard_region_monthly_minor, prepaid_accommodation_cap_minor, seasoning_days, earliest_application_months_before_course_outside_country, earliest_application_months_before_course_inside_country

Immigration Rules: Appendix Finance

FIN 7.1 (evidence must be dated within 31 days before the date of application); FIN 7.2 (the holding period is counted back from the closing balance date); FIN 7.3 (evidence must cover the whole period).

Governs: application_window_days

Immigration Rules: Introduction (definitions)

Definitions of "Studying in London" and "Studying outside London", which key the classification to the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and to the Greater London Area.

Governs: region_classification

Student visa: Money you need

Plain-English restatement of the living cost figures and the 28/31 day rules. Used only to corroborate the Immigration Rules, never as the source of a figure.

Corroboration only — governs no figure.

Student visa: overview and fees

Application fee for applications made outside and inside the UK.

Governs: visa_fee_minor

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates

Current rates table, by age band and apprentice status. Rates change on 1 April every year, so this source is the one most likely to move on a predictable schedule.

Governs: minimum_wage_bands

Immigration health surcharge: how much you pay

Annual rate for students, their dependants, and under-18 applicants.

Governs: health_surcharge_annual_minor

max_months

up to a maximum of 9 months. If the length of the applicant's course includes a part of a month, the time period will be rounded up to the next full month.

seasoning_days

The applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance

visa_fee_minor

£558 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK

region_classification

"Studying in London" means the applicant's Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies confirms they will be studying at an institution wholly within the Greater London Area. If the applicant will be studying at more than one site, one or more of which is in Greater London Area and one or more outside, then the applicant will be considered to be studying in London if the applicant's Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies states that the applicant will be spending the majority of time studying at a site or sites situated within the Greater London Area.

application_window_days

The most recently dated piece of financial evidence must be dated within 31 days before the date of application. The length of time for which funds are held will be calculated by counting back from the date of the closing balance on the most recently dated piece of financial evidence.

health_surcharge_annual_minor

£776 per year for students, their dependants, and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa

standard_region_monthly_minor

Sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees as stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and £1171 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months)

high_cost_region_monthly_minor

Sufficient funds to pay any outstanding course fees as stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, and £1529 for each month of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months)

prepaid_accommodation_cap_minor

If the applicant has paid a deposit to the student sponsor for accommodation arranged by the sponsor, this deposit (up to a maximum of £1529) can be offset against the funds required in ST 12.3.

dependant_standard_region_monthly_minor

Studying outside London — £680 per month

dependant_high_cost_region_monthly_minor

Studying in London — £845 per month

earliest_application_months_before_course_inside_country

An application for permission to stay must be made no more than 3 months before the start date of the course on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

earliest_application_months_before_course_outside_country

An application for entry clearance must be made no more than 6 months before the start date of the course stated on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.