Do I have to show funds for living expenses and tuition fees for the UK visa application?
Yes, you must show funds covering your first year tuition fees, listed on your CAS, plus living costs of £1,529 monthly in London or £1,171 outside London for up to nine months. This total must sit untouched in your account for 28 consecutive days before you apply.
Yes, if you are applying for a UK Student Visa you must prove you can cover both your tuition fees and your living costs, known as maintenance funds. Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter states the exact tuition figure you need to show, and your living cost target depends on where you will study. Keep this total sitting untouched in your account before you apply.
Living Cost Requirements by Location
| Where You Study | Monthly Amount | Maximum Total (9 Months) |
|---|---|---|
| Inside London (33 boroughs) | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
Rules You Cannot Afford to Miss
- Hold the full required amount for at least 28 consecutive days, with the balance never dipping below the threshold on any single day.
- Acceptable evidence includes your own bank account, an official student loan letter, or a financial sponsorship letter.
- If your parents are funding you, attach their signed consent letter alongside the statement.
- You may be exempt if you have already lived in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months, or if your nationality falls under UKVI's differential evidence list.
My Advice
Start the 28-day clock as soon as your CAS is issued, not the week before you apply, and set a daily reminder to check your balance so a single low day does not force you to restart the whole count.
More expert answers
You do not need to bring the entire living expenses amount with you to the UK. You only need to show proof that you have access to the required funds when applying for your student visa.
- London: £1,529/month for up to 9 months (£13,761 total)
- Outside London: £1,171/month for up to 9 months (£10,539 total)
You must show these funds have been available in your or your parent’s bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before your visa application. This requirement is current but subject to change.
If you need help preparing your financial documents, contact your LeapScholar counsellor.
Yes, you can use your parents' funds for your UK student visa application, but you must provide specific documents.
- Bank statement: Required in your parents' name, showing the full amount needed.
- Parental consent letter: A signed and notarized letter from your parents confirming the funds are for your studies.
For living expenses (subject to change):
- London: £1,529/month (up to 9 months, £13,761 total)
- Outside London: £1,171/month (up to 9 months, £10,539 total)
These amounts are in addition to your tuition fees. The funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the statement dated within 31 days of your visa application.
If you need help preparing these documents, contact your LeapScholar counsellor.
Yes, you must show proof of funds for your student visa application to the UK or Ireland. This demonstrates you can cover tuition and living expenses during your studies.
UK:
- Tuition: Show funds for one academic year's fees (amount listed on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
- Living expenses:
- London: £1,529/month (up to 9 months)
- Outside London: £1,171/month (up to 9 months)
- Funds must be held for a continuous 28-day period.
Ireland:
- Tuition: Show funds for first-year tuition.
- Living expenses: At least €10,000 for a one-year course.
These amounts are subject to change. If you need help preparing your proof of funds, please contact your LeapScholar counsellor.
Not sure which documents your UK visa needs?
Interview prep, funds proof and timelines. Get a checklist for your case.
More Student visa questions
- Is a loan sanction letter from the government regulated Indian Bank accepted for a UK student visa application?
- How much bank balance is needed for an Italy student visa after failing math in 12th grade?
- Can I call my husband on a dependent visa after I go on a student visa for my masters abroad in UK/Ireland?
- Is it possible for my son, who is currently in twelfth grade, to study in New Zealand next year for a Diploma?
- Which countries have less strict or different financial requirements compared to New Zealand, especially regarding funding duration?
- Can other family members act as financial sponsors if my father’s income is insufficient in Germany?
- Is it necessary to include a cover letter explaining my financial arrangement, which combines a loan and personal savings, for my German student visa application?
- Can you track an Employment Pass application on the MOM portal when your employer files it?
More UK questions
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Is it possible to study computer science with specialization in artificial intelligence in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?
- Can I study in the UK without IELTS, and which universities accept other English tests?
- How do US universities evaluate Indian LLM applicants differently from UK or European law schools?
- What is the fee range for a one-year MBA course compared to a two-year course in UK?
- What scholarships are available for Cybersecurity Master's programs in UK universities?
- Which universities in the UK offer MS Accounting & Finance for a B.Tech Computer Engineering graduate and ₹40 lakhs budget?