For many Indian students, study in UK is their ambition, and getting a UK student visa is essential to realizing that dream. Knowing the financial criteria is one of the most important parts of getting a UK student visa. The shortage of funds or unable to meet the fund requirement is something that a lot of international students must have faced either due to lack of funds or due to lack of knowledge regarding the funds required for UK study visa. We’ll go over the amount of money you’ll need, how to demonstrate it, and some helpful tips in this article to help you with the financial side of the UK student visa 2024 application process.
Say you finally understood what the UK study visa is and the documents you need for that. However there is one component you do not understand and that is, the funds required for UK student visa for Indian students. This is a common query that our consultancy firm gets and we understand why that is. The information on the official sites may be a little hard to understand so we will tell you how much bank balance is required for UK study visa. In simple terms, you need to have enough so that you are able to pay for your course and handle the cost of living in the UK. Let us have an in-depth look at this.
Tuition Fees for Courses in UK
When the university sends you your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS), it will have the tuition fees of the course you have been accepted into. You need to have at least the full tuition fee of the first year of the course which would roughly be for a period of 9 months. Tuition fees in the UK vary depending on the institution and course. On average, Indian students can expect to pay between 11 lakhs to 40 lakhs per year. For undergraduate courses, the fees typically range from 11 lakhs to 27 lakhs, while postgraduate courses and higher can be more expensive. For instance, if you get admission into one of the Russel group universities, then the tuition fees that you would have to pay would be on the higher side as compared to other colleges. Similarly, the cost will be considerably higher for an MBA program as compared to a master of arts for study in UK. It is essential to check the specific fees for your chosen course on the UK university’s website.
How to Calculate Funds Required as Living Cost for UK Study Visa
The amount of funds required for UK student visa for Indian students as everyday living in the UK, including housing, groceries, utility bills, and other expenses, depends on the location of your university. If your university is located in London, you’ll need to show proof of at least 1,334 GBP per month for the first nine months, reflecting the higher cost of living in the capital. So if we calculate the total amount you need to have, it will be approximately 12,006 GBP for the first nine months of your stay in London. In contrast, if your university is outside of London, where the cost of living is generally lower, you’ll need to demonstrate at least 1,023 GBP per month to cover the same period which would be around 9,207 GBP in total. Thus, the financial requirement varies based on whether your study destination is in London or elsewhere in the UK. The other factors which could impact the funds required for UK student visa for Indian students would be whether you decide to stay in the university halls, shared accommodation or a separate flat for yourself with the latter being the most expensive.
| Location of University | Cost of Living (per month) | Total Cost of Living for 9 months |
| London | 1334 GBP | 12,006 GBP |
| Outside London | 1023 GBP | 9207 GBP |
Additional Funds Required for UK Student Visa from India
When planning your finances for study in UK, several key expenses must be considered. Firstly, while the UK provides students with access to the National Health Service (NHS), you are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, which is approximately 83,000 rupees per year for the academic year 2024. Additionally, you should account for travel costs, including flight tickets and any potential expenses for travel within the UK. It is also wise to set aside emergency funds, with a recommended buffer of 1 lakh to 2 lakhs, to cover unexpected expenses or unforeseen costs. Together, these financial considerations ensure that you are well-prepared for your daily life and study in UK.
Requirements for UK Student Visa
To apply for a UK student visa, you must first secure a valid offer from a UK university accredited to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which confirms your acceptance into a recognized program. Additionally, you need to demonstrate your English language proficiency by taking an approved test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE, with minimum scores typically ranging from an overall IELTS score of 6.0 to 7.0, depending on the course and institution. Furthermore, if your stay in the UK exceeds six months, you are required to undergo a tuberculosis (TB) test at an approved clinic and submit the report along with your visa. These academic, language, and health requirements are essential for obtaining your student visa and ensuring your readiness for study in UK.
Application Process for UK Student Visa
To apply for a UK student visa, start by researching and selecting an educational institution in the UK that offers your desired course and is authorized to issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Once accepted, the institution will provide you with a CAS, which includes details about your course and associated costs. Prepare the required documents, including a valid passport, recent passport-sized photos, proof of financial means (such as bank statements, financial guarantees, or scholarship letters), proof of English proficiency (test results), the CAS statement, and TB test results if your stay exceeds six months. Complete the online student visa application on the UK government’s official website, ensuring all information is accurate. Pay the visa application fee, approximately 52,000 rupees, plus a healthcare surcharge. Schedule and attend a biometric appointment at a Visa Application Center (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and photographs. Finally, submit your application and required documents, and be prepared to attend an interview to discuss your study plans if necessary.
West Highlander Immigration – Consultancy for UK Study Visa
It is always better to apply for your visa from trusted immigration consultants because firstly, they have years of experience and handled different case scenarios which makes them better at all this. Secondly, you would already have a lot of other things to worry about and West Highlander Immigration is here to help you. One of the directors at our consultancy, Mr. Gurvinder Singh Kang is a certified counselor from the British Council with over nineteen years of experience. He and his team have been aiding students with their UK student visa and if you are able to meet all the criteria for the study visa, they can definitely help you as well.