Pre-CAS Interview Practice / UK Money Calculator
UK Student Visa Money Calculator
Living costs, course fees, and gov.uk’s 28-day rule — worked out for your exact numbers, so you walk into your interview already knowing the answer.
Updated August 2026From your CAS or offer letter.
Optional — only changes whether you'll usually need to prove this.
Fill in the form above to see exactly how much money you need to show.
General guidance based on gov.uk’s published rules, not legal or immigration advice — always confirm your numbers on gov.uk before you apply.
The interview asks you to SAY these numbers. Who pays your fees? What are your living costs?
Practise answering out loud, before a real interviewer asks you for real.
Practise saying your numbers out loud2 free coaching sessions · available until used · no card needed · no subscriptionThe 28-day rule
Whatever total you need to show, the full amount has to sit in your bank account (or your official financial sponsor’s) for 28 consecutive days in a row. That 28-day period has to end within 31 days of the date you submit your visa application — older evidence doesn’t count.
Gov.uk’s own example: if you apply on 1 January, the funds must have been held for at least the 28-day period ending on 1 December.
What counts as “London” for this calculator?
London means the City of London plus all 32 London boroughs. Everywhere else in the UK — including university towns just outside Greater London — counts as “outside London” for the monthly living-cost rate.
A few things this calculator doesn’t cover
- Applying to a boarding school? You show boarding fees instead of the living-cost calculation above. See gov.uk’s guidance ↗
- Bringing a partner or children with you? You need extra money for each dependant, on top of everything above. See gov.uk’s guidance ↗
- Funded by a student loan or an official financial sponsor? You don't total funds this way — you provide evidence from your loan or sponsorship company instead. See gov.uk’s guidance ↗
Two worked examples
London, 12-month course
Fee £16,000, £4,000 already paid
- Living costs (9 × £1,529)
- £13,761
- Remaining fee
- £12,000
- Total
- £25,761
Outside London, 6-month course
Fee £9,000, £0 already paid
- Living costs (6 × £1,171)
- £7,026
- Remaining fee
- £9,000
- Total
- £16,026
FAQs
How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?
It depends on your course length and fees, but broadly: your remaining first-year course fee, plus up to 9 months of living costs at £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London. Use the calculator above for your exact figure.
Do I need to prove my living costs if I've already been in the UK?
No. If you have held a valid UK visa for the 12 months immediately before you apply, gov.uk waives the financial requirement completely for your Student visa — you do not need to show funds for fees or living costs.
What counts as “London” for the higher living-cost rate?
The City of London plus all 32 London boroughs. Everywhere else in the UK, including university towns just outside Greater London, uses the lower outside-London rate.
How long do my funds need to be in my bank account?
For at least 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of the date you submit your application. For example, if you apply on 1 January, the funds must have been held for at least the 28-day period ending on 1 December.
Do all nationalities need to submit bank statements with their application?
No. Nationals of around 63 countries and territories (including the US, Canada, Australia and most of the EU) usually do not need to upload financial evidence with their application, though UKVI can still request it afterwards. Everyone still has to actually hold the money.
Sources
Figures last checked against gov.uk on 2026-08-20.
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Merra is an independent interview and visa-preparation practice platform and is not affiliated with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the Home Office, or GOV.UK. This calculator reflects gov.uk’s published rules as checked on 2026-08-20; rules and figures can change, so always confirm your numbers on gov.uk before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice; Merra does not review your application and does not predict whether it will be approved.