UK Student Visa Maintenance Funds Calculator
See the exact amount you need in your bank account for 28 days before applying.
Based on official Home Office rates. This tool does not connect to UKVI systems. Always verify at gov.uk before applying.
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The Home Office uses different monthly rates for London and the rest of the UK.
London = institutions whose main campus is within Greater London.
The calculation uses actual months, capped at 9 months maximum. A 3-year degree and a 1.5-year course both cap at 9 months.
Each dependant adds a fixed monthly amount to your requirement: £845/month for adults, £845/month for children (same rate).
Note: dependants on Student visas are restricted for most undergraduate students at UK HEIs from January 2024. Check eligibility carefully.
Mistakes That Cause Student Visa Refusals
Balance dipping for one day in the 28-day window
A single day where the balance drops below the required amount, even briefly due to a bank charge or direct debit, can result in refusal. Park the money in a dedicated account for the full 28 days and leave it untouched.
Using a fixed deposit account that shows no daily balance
Term deposits and investment accounts that do not show daily closing balances do not meet the requirement. You need statements that show the balance on every individual day in the period.
Confusing the 9-month cap with a 9-month course
The cap is on the number of months used in the calculation, not on course length. A 3-year programme and a 1-year programme both calculate maintenance at the same 9-month maximum. The cap is not how long the course is.
Not checking if your CAS reduces the requirement
If your university has confirmed accommodation or full funding in your CAS letter, you may owe less than this calculator shows. Always read your CAS before deciding how much to put in the bank.
How the UK Student Visa Maintenance Funds Calculator Works
The Home Office sets a specific monthly rate that overseas students must hold in their bank account. The rate depends on where in the UK you will study. The number of months used in the calculation is capped at 9, regardless of actual course length. If you are bringing dependants, each dependant adds a further fixed monthly amount to the total.
What Counts as London for Student Visa Purposes
The Home Office defines London as institutions whose main campus is within Greater London. This includes all boroughs within the M25 broadly, but the official test is whether the university’s registered address and primary campus fall within the Greater London boundary. Many universities with London in their name are genuinely in London. Some institutions branded as London have satellite campuses outside Greater London, in which case the outside London rate may apply.
If you are unsure, check your CAS letter. The institution’s registered address on the CAS and the Home Office list of Tier 4 sponsors will usually clarify which rate applies to your situation.
Table of Truth: Required Balance by Profile
| Profile | Location | Months | Required (GBP) | ~NGN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single student | London | 9+ (capped) | £12,006 | ~₦25.2M |
| Single student | Outside London | 9+ (capped) | £9,207 | ~₦19.3M |
| Single student | London | 6 months | £8,004 | ~₦16.8M |
| Single student | Outside London | 6 months | £6,138 | ~₦12.9M |
| Student + 1 adult dependant | London | 9+ (capped) | £19,611 | ~₦41.2M |
| Student + 1 adult dependant | Outside London | 9+ (capped) | £16,812 | ~₦35.3M |
| Student + spouse + 1 child | London | 9+ (capped) | £27,216 | ~₦57.2M |
| Student + spouse + 2 children | Outside London | 9+ (capped) | £31,824 | ~₦66.8M |
NGN at illustrative ₦2,100/£1. Verify all figures at gov.uk before applying.
What the 28-Day Rule Actually Means
The Home Office requires that the required balance be present in your account on every one of the 28 consecutive days that end on your visa application date. This means if you apply on the 28th of the month, the 28-day window runs from the 1st to the 28th. The balance must not drop on any day, including weekends and bank holidays.
The most common reason applicants fail this check is a regular bank charge, standing order, or direct debit that pulls money from the account. Even a small overdraft or fee charge on one day will break the 28-day sequence.
The Dependants Restriction from January 2024
From January 2024, new rules significantly restrict which Student visa holders can bring adult dependants to the UK. Most international students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses at universities and higher education institutions can no longer bring dependants unless they are government-sponsored students or studying at postgraduate research level.
The dependants option in this calculator is included for completeness and for those who are eligible. Before including dependants in your calculation, verify whether your specific course and institution type qualifies under the current rules at gov.uk.
Realistic Scenarios
Scenario 1: Single student, London, 1-year Masters
Tunde applies for a Student visa for a one-year MSc in London (12 months). The calculation uses 9 months (capped). Required: £1,334 x 9 = £12,006. He needs this in his or his parent’s bank account for 28 consecutive days. In naira at ₦2,100/£1, this is approximately ₦25.2 million. This is the most common scenario for Nigerians pursuing postgraduate study in London.
Scenario 2: Single student, outside London, 9-month pre-sessional plus 1-year Masters
Amaka is enrolled in a 3-month pre-sessional English course followed by a 12-month MSc at a university in Manchester. Total course length on CAS: 15 months. Calculation months: capped at 9. Required: £1,023 x 9 = £9,207. Her course is outside London so the lower rate applies. In naira: approximately ₦19.3 million.
Scenario 3: Postgraduate research student, London, with eligible spouse dependant
Emeka is a government-sponsored PhD student in London (eligible to bring dependants). Course length: 3 years (36 months, capped at 9). He brings his wife as a dependant. Required: (£1,334 x 9) + (£845 x 9) = £12,006 + £7,605 = £19,611. In naira: approximately ₦41.2 million. This is the balance that must sit untouched in the account for 28 days.
