How Much Money Is Required for a UK Student Visa? Financial Requirements Explained

If you are hoping to study in the UK on a Student Visa, you will need to meet a financial requirement to qualify for entry clearance.

Our UK Immigration Solicitors specialise in Student Visa applications and can advise you on the financial requirements and explain how to make a successful Student Visa application.

Contact OTS Solicitors.

Types of UK Study Visas

There are three types of Student Visa:

1. Child Student Visa.
2. Student Visa.
3. Short-term Student Visa.

The Short-term Student Visa

Those wanting to study English in the UK can apply for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) if they are aged 16 or over and their English language course lasts between 6 and 11 months. Although the course needs to be held at an accredited institution in the UK, the student does not require college sponsorship.

The requirements for a Child Student Visa

The Child Student Visa route is restricted by age to children aged between 4 and 17.  The pupil must be sponsored by an independent school.

The requirements for a Student Visa

The Student Visa is for those who are aged 16 or above, planning to study in the UK for:

1. A further or higher education course, or
2. A pre-sessional English course, or
3. A recognised foundation programme.

Those who are elected to the post of Student Union Sabbatical Officer also fall within the Student Visa study criteria.

Sponsorship and Student Visas

Most international students need to attend a private school, college, educational institute or university authorised to sponsor them.

Student sponsorship differs from Spouse Visa, Family Visa, or Work Visa sponsorship in that it does not include financial support. Student sponsorship means that a student has been offered a place at a reputable private school (for Child Student Visa applicants) or higher education institution (for Student Visa applicants) on a Home Office-approved student sponsorship list. The sponsor must comply with Home Office reporting and record-keeping duties.

The financial requirement for Student Visas

There are two distinct financial requirements: one for the Child Student Visa and another for those aged 16 and over applying for a UK Student Visa. All applicants must meet the financial requirement unless they fall within an exemption.

The Child Student Visa financial requirement

The financial requirement for the Child Student Visa depends on the child’s schooling and home circumstances.

The complex financial requirement rules for Child Student Visa applicants include:

1. Boarding school pupils – must evidence that they have the money to pay their fees for a full academic year.
2. Child students with parents with a Parent With Child Student Visa - must evidence that they have the money to pay for their boarding or course fees for a full academic year, and £1,560 for each month of the course (up to 9 months). The rules require an additional £625 per month of the course (up to 9 months) for any additional child in the UK accompanying the parent on the Parent With Child Student Visa.
3. Child students aged 16 or 17 years and studying in London and living independently – must evidence they can pay their course fees for one academic year and have £1,334 for each month of the course (up to 9 months).
4. Child students aged 16 or 17 years and studying outside London and living independently – must evidence they can pay their course fees for one academic year and have £1,171 for each month of the course (up to 9 months).
5. Child students living with an extended family member who is a British citizen or is settled – must evidence that they have the money to pay for their school or course fees for one academic year and that their relative (or private foster carer) has funds of at least £570 per month for each month of the course (up to 9 months).

Boarding school pupils

The boarding school financial requirement applies to children who board full-time or are weekly boarders. The fees that a visa applicant must evidence they have are accommodation and study fees.

The financial requirement for an applicant for a Parent With Child of a Child Student Visa

The immigration rules state that:

1. Where a parent is applying for a Parent With Child of a Child Student Visa and has been in the UK for 12 months or longer at the date of application, they do not need to meet a financial requirement.
2. Where a parent is applying for a Parent With Child of a Child Student Visa at the same time as their child is applying for a Student Visa, and they have been in the UK for less than 12 months, they do not need to meet a financial requirement in addition to their child’s financial requirement.
3. If a parent is not applying for their visa at the same time as the student and they have been in the UK for less than 12 months, the parent must meet a financial requirement when applying for their visa. The parent applicant must evidence that they have funds of at least £1,560 for each month of their planned stay in the UK (up to 9 months). For any children accompanying the parent, the applicant must evidence that they have additional funds of £625 per month per child (for up to 9 months).

The Student Visa financial requirement

The Study Visa financial requirement applies to overseas students who have been in the UK for less than 12 months.

The Study Visa financial requirement means overseas students need to provide evidence that they have:

1. The fees to pay for one academic year of the course if the course is for over one year.
2. The fees to pay for the full course if the course is less than 12 months in duration.
3. Funds to cover their living expenses.

Living expenses and the Student Visa financial requirement

Living expenses and the Student Visa financial requirement can be broken down into three categories:

1. Applicants applying for Student Visas to attend a boarding school (in London or elsewhere) must have sufficient funds to pay the fee amount on the confirmation of acceptance for studies provided by their sponsoring education provider. The amount covers course fees and any board or lodging fees for one academic year.
2. Applicants applying for Student Visas to study in London need to provide evidence that they have the course fees stated on the confirmation of acceptance for studies, and living costs of £1,529 per month for the duration of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months).
3. Applicants applying for Student Visas to study outside London need to provide evidence that they have the course fees stated on the confirmation of acceptance for studies and living costs of £1,171 per month for the duration of the course (up to a maximum of 9 months).

If a Student Visa applicant is one of the limited number of students under the new immigration rules where a close family member can accompany them on a Dependant Visa, the Dependant Visa applicant must meet a separate financial requirement to qualify for their Dependant Visa.

The Short-term Student Visa (English Language) financial requirement

Applicants for a Short-term Student Visa (English Language) must demonstrate that they can:

1. Pay their course fees, and
2. Financially support themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds, and
3. Pay their travel expenses to leave the UK at the end of their course.

Exemptions from the financial requirement for Student and Child Student Visa applicants

The exemptions from the financial requirement for Student and Child Student Visa applicants include:

1. Students who have been in the UK with entry clearance of 12 months or longer.
2. Students with British National (Overseas) status or students from specified countries, such as Taiwan.
3. Students who are applying for a visa because they are Student Union Sabbatical Officers.

Evidence of funds to meet the Student Visa financial requirement

The immigration rules state that a Student Visa applicant must have had the funds they are relying on to prove they meet the financial requirement for 28 days, with those funds ending no more than 31 days before the application date.

Students can also provide evidence that they meet the financial requirement through government loans, government-sponsored loan companies, regulated academic or educational loan schemes, or official government or financial sponsorship.

Student Visa Solicitors

Student Visa rules are complicated. It is easy for applicants to become confused about which financial requirement applies and the evidence needed to support an application. The Student Visa Lawyers at OTS Solicitors in London have substantial experience in:

• Student Visa applications.
• Student Visa extensions.
• Visas for short-term study.
• Student Visas for school children.
• Visas for parents of students.
• Visas for dependants of students.
• Graduate Visas.
• Skilled Worker Visas for graduates.
• Visitor Visas for family visiting students.
• Switching from a Student Visa to a Family Visa.
• Student Visa appeals and second applications.

Our dedicated Immigration Lawyers in London can support and guide you through your Student Visa application.

Our immigration law expertise is recognised through our inclusion in the 2026 editions of the Legal 500 and the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession.

Talk to OTS Solicitors if you need specialist immigration law advice tailored to your circumstances.

Contact OTS Solicitors Today.

 

Related Posts

UK Immigration and Visa Fees will Increase on 8 April 2026 - OTS Solicitors

Changes to the Skilled Worker Visa Salary Framework From 8 April 2026

Choosing a UK Immigration Solicitor - OTS Solicitors

Working in the UK on a Student Visa - OTS Solicitors

OTS Solicitors are Ranked in the 2026 Editions of the Chambers and Partners Guide and Legal 500 - OTS Solicitors