From offer letter to UK Student visa: requirements, timing and refusal traps

If you plan to start a degree in the UK, your Student visa application will live or die on details: the exact money you show, which documents match your CAS, and whether your answers convince UKVI you’re a genuine student. This page pulls the key rules into one place and shows you how to turn them into a clean, on‑time application—without guessing what UK Visas and Immigration expects.

Do you meet the Student visa basics?

You must have an unconditional offer from a licensed student sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), show enough money, and meet English language rules. The UK government’s overview lists these as the core eligibility points and links to the register of licensed sponsors. See the official overview.

If your degree is at bachelor’s level or higher, English must be at CEFR level B2. You can prove this with a UK or recognized English‑taught degree, or by passing an approved Secure English Language Test; some universities can assess English themselves at B2. Check accepted proofs and levels.

To place this visa in your wider study plan, see how degrees, programs and visas fit together in our guide to degrees, programs and student visas.

Exactly how much money must be in your account—and for how long?

The Student visa “financial requirement” has two parts: course fees for one academic year (as stated on your CAS) and monthly living costs. As of today, you must show either £1,529 per month (London) or £1,171 per month (outside London), each for up to 9 months. Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, and the closing balance must be dated within 31 days of your application. These amounts and rules are published by the UK government. (gov.uk)

If you’ve already been in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months on your application date, you usually do not need to show funds. The Immigration Rules and UKVI caseworker guidance confirm this exemption. See Appendix Student and financial‑evidence guidance. (gov.uk)

Two useful details many applicants miss:

• You can deduct money already paid to your university toward tuition, and up to a capped amount for university housing; UKCISA explains how these deductions work against the total you must show and illustrates the month‑rounding rule. See UKCISA’s breakdown. (ukcisa.org.uk)
• If part of a month is on your CAS (for example, 4 months and 2 days), UKVI rounds up—you must evidence 5 months. The rule is in Appendix Student. Read the rounding rule.

Fees, IHS and add‑ons you might need

The application fee is £558 whether you apply from outside or inside the UK. Standard decisions are “usually” 3 weeks (outside) or 8 weeks (inside). See the fee and timelines.

Students pay the discounted Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year of immigration permission. Caseworker guidance also explains that student permission commonly includes extra months before/after your course, which the IHS calculation includes. IHS rates and IHS calculation guidance. (gov.uk)

Depending on your nationality and course:

• ATAS: certain postgraduate subjects require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate issued before study. Check if ATAS applies to your subject. (gov.uk)
• TB test: if you’ve been in a listed country for 6+ months and part of that period was within the last 6 months, you need an approved TB clearance certificate. See Appendix Tuberculosis and the TB test checker. (gov.uk)

Who can bring dependants now?

From 1 January 2024, most new students cannot bring dependants. Partners and children can accompany you only if your postgraduate course is a PhD/doctorate (RQF 8) or another research‑based higher degree of 9+ months at a compliant provider (or if other narrow criteria apply). Read the current dependants rules and the matching Immigration Rules text. (gov.uk)

What to submit: a clean document list

Plan your evidence around your CAS so names, dates, fees and course length match exactly. The UK government’s checklist shows the required items (passport, CAS number, proof of money unless exempt, and extras like TB/ATAS where relevant). Follow the documents list. (gov.uk)

For money held in personal or parent accounts, Appendix Finance sets strict rules on ownership, 28‑day holding and closing‑balance dates; there are specific alternatives for student loans or official sponsorship. See Appendix Finance rules. (gov.uk)

The realistic timeline you can plan around

• Earliest application date: 6 months before your course if outside the UK; 3 months if applying inside the UK.
• Standard decision times: usually 3 weeks (outside) or 8 weeks (inside). Priority services may be offered at extra cost.
• Travel window: you can arrive up to 1 week before short courses (≤6 months) or up to 1 month before longer courses; never travel before the visa start date printed on your decision.

All of the above appear on the UK government’s Student visa overview. Check the official timeline.

The refusals UKVI sees most often—and how to avoid them

• Funds not evidenced correctly under Appendix Finance: the amount, 28‑day holding period, or closing‑balance date is wrong. UKVI’s guidance spells out the 28‑day rule and the 31‑day closing‑balance window. Follow the fund‑evidence rules. (gov.uk)
• Genuineness concerns at a UKVI “credibility” interview: officers can interview applicants to confirm they are genuine students whose plans match their CAS and background. The Home Office describes the credibility interview process and UKVI’s caseworker guidance explains the genuine‑student checks. See the interview policy and caseworker guidance. (gov.uk)
• Missing mandatory extras: required TB or ATAS certificates not provided where the rules apply. TB requirement; ATAS requirement.
• English evidence that doesn’t meet the level or isn’t from an approved route. Check your provider’s assessment or book an approved SELT at the right level. Accepted English proofs and CEFR levels.

Before you click “submit”: a last‑minute checklist

• CAS data matches every document (names, dates, fees, course length).
• Funds cover the required months at the correct London/outside‑London rate, held for 28 days, with the closing balance dated within 31 days of application.
• Any tuition/housing payments you’re deducting are clearly receipted and within the cap explained by UKCISA.
• ATAS/TB certificates uploaded if required by your course or travel history.
• IHS paid at the correct student rate and the application fee shown for the right location.

For picking a degree or program that fits your visa path, see how to choose a study‑abroad program that fits your degree. If you’re also comparing destinations, look at our take on Australia’s student visa for a sense of process differences.

After you apply: how to track and what to expect

You’ll prove your identity (app or biometrics) and then wait for the decision within the published timeframe. If UKVI needs more information, they can ask for extra documents or invite you to an interview. Standard processing times and paid priority options are listed on the official site. Track the stages and timelines.