🇬🇧 UK · Student visa
UK Student visa approval odds
The UK Student route needs a CAS from a licensed student sponsor plus proof of funds for tuition and living costs: £1,334 per month for courses in London or about £1,023 per month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for 28 consecutive days (2025/26). With a genuine CAS and correct funds, approval is generally high.
Last reviewed July 2026. Source: GOV.UK — UK Home Office .
How likely is a student visa to the United Kingdom? Officers focus on whether you are a genuine student who can fund and complete the course. A typical applicant sees roughly 90%, and the biggest single lever is admission and funding.
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Your trip
The essentials. Pre-filled if you came from a specific page.
Key requirements
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed sponsor
- Maintenance funds: £1,334/month (London) or ~£1,023/month (outside), up to 9 months
- Funds held in your account for 28 consecutive days
- Meet the English language requirement
- TB test certificate where required for your country
Money & funds
Course fees (or first-year fees) plus £1,334/month for London or about £1,023/month outside London, for up to 9 months — held for 28 straight days ending within 31 days of applying.
Typical timeline
Apply after receiving your CAS; decisions typically take about 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK.
Common refusal reasons
- Funds not held for the full 28-day period
- Missing or incorrect financial evidence
- An invalid, withdrawn, or mismatched CAS
- Failing the credibility / genuine-student assessment
- English language requirement not met
What actually moves the needle
Admission to an accredited institution
This is the heart of student decisions for UK. Make it concrete and documented rather than assumed.
Clearly documented funding for tuition and living costs
Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.
A credible study plan that fits your background
Officers weigh this alongside everything else — gather clear evidence before you apply.
Avoid the common pitfall
The most frequent reason this route fails is unclear funding or a course that does not fit your profile. Address it directly and you remove the biggest doubt.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for a UK Student visa in 2026?
Tuition plus £1,334 per month for study in London or about £1,023 per month outside London, for up to 9 months — held in your account for 28 consecutive days.
What is a CAS and why do I need one?
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is a reference number from your licensed sponsor (university/college). You cannot apply for the Student route without a valid CAS.
How long must the funds be in my account?
For 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before you apply. Money that dips below the required level during those 28 days can cause a refusal.
Are UK student visa approval rates high?
Yes — because a licensed sponsor issues the CAS after vetting you, and the financial rules are clear. Meeting the funds and CAS rules correctly makes approval likely.
Do I need an English test for a UK Student visa?
You must meet the English requirement, usually via an approved test (or an exemption, e.g. for nationals of majority-English-speaking countries or certain degree-level courses assessed by the university).