Money is the part of the UK Student visa that trips applicants up most often. On top of tuition, you must prove you can cover living costs (“maintenance”) — and the required amounts rose for 2026.
How much you must show (2026)
Maintenance is set per month and capped at nine months:
- Studying in London: £1,529 per month — £13,761 for nine months.
- Studying outside London: £1,171 per month — £10,539 for nine months.
On top of that you must hold any outstanding first-year tuition shown on your CAS. So your total is: unpaid first-year tuition + nine months of maintenance for your location.
The 28-day rule
The funds must sit in your account — or a parent's, with a birth certificate and consent letter — for 28 consecutive days. The balance must never dip below the required amount during that window, and the closing bank statement must be dated no more than 31 days before you apply. This is where many refusals happen: a single day below the threshold resets the 28-day clock.
What counts (and what doesn't)
Cash savings and certain official loans or scholarships are accepted; ordinary shares, investment accounts and crypto usually are not. If you have already paid a deposit toward tuition or university accommodation (up to a capped amount), you can subtract it from what you need to show. Students who have lawfully been in the UK for 12+ months may be exempt from proving maintenance at all.
Figures are set by UK Visas & Immigration and change — confirm the current amounts and rules on GOV.UK before you apply.