How Much Money You Need from 30 November
Planning to study in the UK in 2027? Your bank balance just needs to be a little bigger. From 30 November 2026, the UK student visa maintenance funds requirement rises to £1,570 per month in London and £1,203 per month outside London. Miss the new figure by even one pound, or hold it for one day less than required, and your visa can be refused.
In this guide, we break down the new UK student visa living expenses, what the money does and does not cover, the 28-day and 31-day rules, and a simple checklist so your financial evidence is right the first time.
What Is Changing from 30 November 2026?
The Home Office updates the Student route maintenance requirement each year so it stays in line with the maintenance support available to UK home students. For applications made on or after 30 November 2026, the monthly figures increase by £41 in London and £32 outside London.
Current vs New UK Student Visa Maintenance Requirement
| Study location | Current / month | Current (9 months) | From 30 Nov 2026 / month | New (9 months) | Increase |
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 | £1,570 | £14,130 | +£41/month (+£369) |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 | £1,203 | £10,827 | +£32/month (+£288) |
Why Is There a London vs Outside London Difference?
The amount you must show depends on your study location, not where you plan to live. GOV.UK defines London as the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. Because rent, transport and daily costs are higher in the capital, the London figure is around £367 more per month.
If your university has campuses both inside and outside London, use the location where you will spend most of your study time, as stated on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
What Do UK Student Visa Maintenance Funds Actually Cover?
Here is a point many students misunderstand: the monthly maintenance figure is a visa financial requirement, not a budget that UKVI splits into rent, food or travel. It simply proves that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in the UK.
In practice, these funds are what you will use for everyday living costs such as accommodation, food, local travel, phone and utility bills, study materials and personal expenses.
What Is NOT Included in the Maintenance Figure?
| Cost | How it is treated |
| Tuition fees | Any outstanding course fees shown on your CAS are a separate financial requirement and must be shown on top of maintenance funds. |
| Visa application fee | Paid separately when you apply. It is not part of your maintenance funds. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A separate visa-related cost paid during the application. It is not part of the monthly maintenance figure. |
1. The 28-Day Rule
Where financial evidence is required, the full amount must be held in your account for 28 consecutive days. If your balance drops below the required figure even for a single day during this period, the evidence can fail.
2. The 31-Day Window
The end date of your 28-day evidence period must normally fall within 31 days of your visa application date. Old bank statements will not work, so time your application carefully.
3. Up to 9 Months Maximum
Maintenance is calculated per month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months. If your course is longer than 9 months, you still only need to show 9 months of living costs. For shorter courses, multiply the monthly figure by the number of months (part months are rounded up).
How the New Figures Affect Your UK Student Visa Planning
Always plan your maintenance money separately from tuition fees. You need to satisfy the financial evidence rules for both your outstanding course fees and your living-cost funds.
Example: Applying Under the New Figures
| Scenario | Required living-cost funds |
| Studying in London | £1,570 × 9 months = £14,130 |
| Studying outside London | £1,203 × 9 months = £10,827 |
| Plus | Any outstanding tuition fees shown on your CAS |
Quick example: If you are joining a one-year master’s in Manchester with £6,000 of tuition still unpaid, you would need to show £10,827 + £6,000 = £16,827 held for 28 consecutive days.
Can Accommodation Payments Reduce the Amount?
Yes, in some cases. If you have already paid accommodation fees to your university or college, part of that payment can usually be deducted from the maintenance amount, up to a limit set by UKVI. Keep the receipt or confirmation on your CAS as evidence.
- Confirm whether your main study location is in London or outside London.
- Use the maintenance figure that applies on the date of your visa application.
- Keep the required funds in your account for 28 consecutive days.
- Submit your application within 31 days of the end of that 28-day period.
- Keep tuition-fee evidence separate from living-cost funds.
- If you have paid accommodation fees to your university, keep proof of that payment.
- Check the latest UKVI rules on GOV.UK before you submit.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Refusals
- Using the old figure: applying on or after 30 November 2026 with the pre-change amount.
- Balance dipping below the limit: a single withdrawal during the 28 days can break the rule.
- Stale statements: evidence that ends more than 31 days before you apply.
- Mixing up costs: counting the IHS or visa fee as part of your maintenance funds.
- Wrong location: using the outside-London figure when your CAS shows a London campus.
Conclusion
The new UK student visa maintenance funds from 30 November 2026 are a modest increase, but they matter. Students heading to London now need £14,130 and those studying elsewhere need £10,827 for a 9-month period, plus any unpaid tuition fees. Get the location right, hold the full amount for 28 days, apply within the 31-day window and keep every receipt.
Plan your finances early, recheck the official rules before you apply, and speak to an experienced study abroad counsellor if you are unsure. A well-prepared bank statement is one of the simplest ways to avoid a UK student visa refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much money do I need for a UK student visa from 30 November 2026?
You need £1,570 per month if you study in London and £1,203 per month if you study outside London, for up to 9 months. That is £14,130 for London or £10,827 outside London, plus any unpaid tuition fees.
2. How long must the money stay in my bank account?
The required funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the end of that 28-day period must be within 31 days of your visa application.
3. Do the maintenance funds include tuition fees or the IHS?
No. Tuition fees, the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are all separate from the monthly maintenance requirement.
4. Which figure applies if I apply before 30 November 2026?
The figure that applies is the one in force on the date you submit your visa application. Applications made before 30 November 2026 use the current amounts of £1,529 (London) and £1,171 (outside London).
5. What counts as “London” for the UK student visa?
London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. If your main study location on your CAS is in one of these areas, you must use the London maintenance figure.