Sep 16, 2026
May 06, 2026
Aryan P
Most UK student visa guides online repeat the same generic points — shorter degrees, world-class universities, good career outcomes. All true, but none of it answers the question that actually determines whether your visa gets approved: exactly how much money do you need, and how do you prove it correctly?
This guide is different. Every figure below is verified directly against the UK government's official Student visa guidance, updated for the 2026/27 academic year. We cover the financial requirement precisely, the 28-day rule that causes most refusals, the CAS process, English language options, and what happens after you graduate — written for Indian students and families who want accurate numbers, not approximations.
→ See also: UK Student Visa overview at Volumaax
Two structural advantages set the UK apart, and both have a direct financial impact:
The shorter duration is not just a convenience — it directly reduces the total financial requirement you need to demonstrate for your visa, since living cost calculations are based on your course length.
This is the single most important number in your entire application, and it is also the most commonly misquoted figure online. Here are the official 2026/27 figures, confirmed directly on gov.uk:
| Study Location | Monthly Requirement | Maximum (9 months) |
|---|---|---|
| London (City of London + 32 boroughs) | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
This maintenance amount is in addition to any outstanding tuition fees shown on your CAS. If you have already paid part of your tuition (most Indian students pay 30–50% as a deposit to secure their CAS), you only need to show the remaining balance plus the maintenance figure above.
Worked example: A student with a £20,000 Master's tuition fee studying in London, who has already paid £10,000 toward fees, needs to demonstrate: £10,000 (outstanding fees) + £13,761 (London maintenance) = £23,761 total.
If you are bringing dependants, you need to show extra funds for each one — the dependant rates are separate and confirmed on your specific CAS.
This is the rule that catches more applicants than any other single requirement — including many who genuinely have sufficient funds.
Your required total (maintenance + outstanding fees) must sit in your bank account for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the minimum on even a single day. The closing date of this 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application.
Here is exactly how it works:
The most practical advice we give clients at Volumaax: deposit the required amount at least 35–40 days before you plan to apply, and avoid any transactions in that account during the holding period. This gives you a buffer against bank processing delays or accidental transactions.
Yes. Most Indian students rely on parental funding, and this is fully accepted by UKVI under specific conditions:
Important: Bank statements from grandparents, siblings, uncles, or family friends are not accepted under the standard rules. Funds must come from your own account, your parent's account, or your legally married partner's account.
CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies — a unique reference number issued by your UK university once you have accepted your offer and met all admission conditions. You cannot submit a UK student visa application without a CAS number. It will state your course details, tuition fee, any payments already made, and your sponsor's licence information — all of which UKVI cross-references during your application.
Always check your CAS carefully once issued. If a fee payment is missing or incorrectly recorded, contact your university immediately to have it corrected before you apply — this directly affects how much you need to show as outstanding fees.
→ See also: Student visa assistance at Volumaax
→ See also: Visa interview preparation at Volumaax
IELTS is the most commonly used test, but it is not the only option recognised by UKVI for the Student visa route. Accepted alternatives include:
The general visa requirement is B2 level on the CEFR scale. Many universities also accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate — a letter from your previous school or college confirming your education was conducted entirely in English — as an alternative to a formal English test. This is institution-specific, not a blanket UKVI policy, so always confirm directly with your chosen university before assuming it applies to you.
Yes. If you are studying at degree level at a UK university, you can work:
Students at further education colleges (below degree level) are restricted to 10 hours per week. This work right is built into your Student visa — no separate work permit is required. Working beyond your permitted hours is a visa violation that can affect future UK applications.
The UK's Graduate Route visa allows you to stay and work in the UK after finishing your studies:
During this period, many graduates secure a Skilled Worker Visa sponsor and switch from within the UK — beginning the pathway toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 continuous years.
→ See also: UK work permit pathway | UK permanent residency guide
A clean, correctly timed financial document file resolves more visa applications successfully than any other single factor we see at Volumaax. Getting this part right, before you submit, is worth far more time and attention than most students give it.
£1,529 per month for courses in London (up to £13,761 for 9 months), or £1,171 per month outside London (up to £10,539 for 9 months) — plus any outstanding tuition fees shown on your CAS. These figures are confirmed directly on gov.uk for the 2026/27 academic year.
Your required funds must remain in your account for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the minimum on any day. The closing date of this period must fall within 31 days of your application date. This single rule causes more refusals than any other financial requirement.
No — TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge English qualifications are also accepted. The visa minimum is B2 level. Some universities also accept an MOI certificate confirming your prior education was in English, though this is institution-specific.
Yes, provided their statement independently meets the 28-day rule and you submit a signed consent letter confirming the relationship. Grandparents, siblings, and other relatives' accounts are not accepted under standard rules.
It allows you to stay and work in the UK for 2 years after a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or 3 years after a PhD, with no job offer required. You must apply while your Student visa is still valid.
£558 from outside the UK, confirmed directly on gov.uk. The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid separately online as part of the same application process.
Standard processing typically takes around 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority and Super Priority services are available at VFS Global centres for faster decisions at an additional cost.
Applying for a UK student visa from Ahmedabad? Volumaax provides complete support — university selection, CAS guidance, financial document review, and full visa filing. Visit www.volumaax.com or call +91 96872 95519.
→ Also read: UK Student Visa 2026: 20 Questions Indian Students Ask
→ Explore: Student Visa Assistance at Volumaax
Disclaimer: UK immigration rules and financial thresholds are updated periodically by the Home Office and UKVI. This blog reflects figures confirmed on gov.uk as of June 2026. Always verify current requirements at gov.uk/student-visa/money or consult a qualified immigration adviser before applying.
