International students
How much money you need to study in the UK
For the student visa you have to show that you can pay your tuition fees and live during your course. We explain the official figures, with examples.
In 30 seconds
- You show your first-year tuition fees (whatever you still have to pay) and 9 months of living costs.
- Living costs: £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 outside London.
- The money has to be in your account for 28 days in a row.
- On top of that you pay the visa fee (£558) and the health surcharge (£776 a year).
The official figures
The money to live on is calculated by months of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months:
- In London: £1,529 a month, up to £13,761.
- Outside London: £1,171 a month, up to £10,539.
Add to that the first-year tuition fees shown on your CAS, minus anything you've already paid (for example, the deposit).
Two examples
| 1-year master's in London | 3-year degree outside London | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fees still to pay | £18,000 | £15,000 |
| To live on, 9 months | £13,761 | £10,539 |
| What you show | £31,761 | £25,539 |
| Visa | £558 | £558 |
| Health surcharge | £1,164 | £2,716 |
The health surcharge is paid for the whole visa, which lasts a little longer than the course. That's why it comes to a year and a half for the master's and three and a half years for the degree. Work out your case.
The 28-day rule
- The money has to be in the account for at least 28 days in a row, without ever dropping below the amount.
- The last of those 28 days can't be more than 31 days before you apply for the visa.
- The account can be yours or your parents'. If it's your parents', you need a letter from them and a document proving your relationship.
The most common mistake: letting the balance drop below the amount for a single day. Leave a margin.
Other costs
- The university deposit, which is deducted from your tuition fees.
- Accommodation: the deposit and the first month.
- Your flight.
- The tuberculosis test, if you come from a country on the GOV.UK list.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to show the money for all 3 years of my degree?
No. Only the first-year tuition fees and up to 9 months of living costs.
I already live in the UK on another visa. Do I have to show it too?
If you've been in the UK for at least 12 months on a valid visa on the day you apply, you normally don't have to show the money to live on.
Can a scholarship sponsor me?
Yes. If an official scholarship or a government pays your costs, you submit their letter instead of bank statements.
Official sources (checked on 25/10/2026): GOV.UK · Student visa: money you need · GOV.UK · Immigration Health Surcharge · GOV.UK · Student visa.
