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How Much Bank Balance Is Required for UK Student Visa

Table of Content

1. Introduction

2. What the UK Student Visa Financial Requirement Means

3. How Much Bank Balance Is Required for UK Student Visa

4. How Tuition Fees and Living Costs Are Calculated

5. Common Bank Statement Mistakes Nigerian Students Make

6. How to Prepare Your Bank Statement Correctly

1. Introduction

One of the most important questions Nigerian students ask when planning to study in the UK is how much bank balance is required for UK student visa. This requirement is also one of the biggest reasons UK student visa applications get refused.

Many applicants wrongly assume that having money in their account at the time of application is enough. Others think they only need to show tuition fees. In reality, the UK Home Office has very specific financial rules, and even small errors can lead to refusal.

This guide explains exactly how much money you need, how UKVI calculates it, and how Nigerian students can prepare their bank statements correctly to avoid unnecessary visa problems.

2. What the UK Student Visa Financial Requirement Means

The UK student visa financial requirement is proof that you can:

Pay your tuition fees
Cover your living expenses in the UK
Support yourself without public funds

UKVI assesses this using your bank statement or financial evidence, not assumptions or promises. The money must be genuine, accessible, and held for a specific period before application.

Students who do not understand where this requirement fits into the visa process often make mistakes early. This is why it helps to understand the full timeline. This step-by-step guide to getting a UK student visa explains where financial evidence comes in and how it affects your application.

3. How Much Bank Balance Is Required for UK Student Visa

The total amount you must show is made up of two parts:

1. Outstanding Tuition Fees

You must show the remaining tuition fee for your first academic year. Any deposit already paid is deducted from the total.

This figure is not guessed. It is written clearly on your CAS. If you are not sure where to find the correct amount, this guide on the difference between CAS and offer letter explains how tuition figures move from admission to visa stage:

2. Living Costs

Living costs depend on where your school is located:

£1,334 per month if your school is in London
£1,023 per month if your school is outside London

UKVI allows a maximum of 9 months for living costs.

This means:

London: £12,006
Outside London: £9,207

Your total required bank balance is:

Outstanding tuition fee + living cost amount

4. How Tuition Fees and Living Costs Are Calculated

Let us use a simple example.

If your tuition fee is £16,000 and you have paid a £6,000 deposit, your remaining tuition is £10,000.

If your school is outside London, you must add £9,207 for living costs.

Total amount required:
£10,000 + £9,207 = £19,207

This full amount must be held continuously for at least 28 days before you submit your visa application.

Many students underestimate the true cost of studying abroad and only plan for tuition. This often leads to problems later. Reading about the hidden costs of studying abroad Nigerian students overlook helps you plan realistically beyond just visa requirements.

5. Common Bank Statement Mistakes Nigerian Students Make

A large number of UK student visa refusals are linked to bank statement issues, not lack of money.

Common mistakes include:

Funds not held for the full 28 days
Large last-minute deposits with no explanation
Using joint or business accounts incorrectly
Name on bank statement not matching passport
Submitting statements outside the allowed date range

Even when the amount is correct, presentation matters. Many refusals happen because documents do not meet UKVI formatting rules.

Understanding common UK visa rejection reasons and how to avoid them helps you see how financial errors fit into wider refusal patterns.

6. How to Prepare Your Bank Statement Correctly

To meet UK student visa requirements, your bank statement must:

Be from an approved bank
Clearly show your name and account number
Display the bank logo
Cover a full 28-day period
Be dated within 31 days of application

Avoid sudden inflows close to application time unless fully explained. If you are using a parent or sponsor’s account, additional documents such as consent letters and proof of relationship are required.

Students who want to avoid mistakes at this stage often seek professional review before submission. AfriXGlobal Connect supports students through its UK Study Advisory, starting with an Initial Eligibility Check, to confirm that financial documents meet UKVI standards before applying.