Proof of funds for a UK student visa: how much and for how long

Proof of funds is where many Nigerian UK student visa applications quietly go wrong. Not because people don't have the money, but because it sat in the wrong account, for too few days, or at the wrong exchange rate. Here is exactly how much you need, how long it must sit, and what it looks like in naira.

How much you need to show

You need two things in your account: the course fees you still owe for your first year, as written on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), plus living costs for each month of your course, up to a maximum of 9 months.

The living cost figures are going up. Under HC 584, the new amounts apply to applications made on or after 30 November 2026. Applications made before then are decided on the old figures.

Naira figures use the Central Bank of Nigeria central rate for 22 October 2026: £1 = ₦1,797.61. They are rounded and they move with the rate. If you are applying for a January 2027 start, plan on the new figures.

Part months round up to a full month. A 12 month MSc is capped at 9 months of living costs, so it costs the same to evidence as a 9 month course.

Worked examples in naira

Amaka, MSc in Leeds, 12 months. Her tuition is £22,000 and she has paid a £5,000 deposit, which shows on her CAS. She applies in December 2026.

Had she applied before 30 November 2026, her living costs would be 9 x £1,171, making the total £27,539, about ₦49.5 million.

Femi, MSc in London, 12 months. He owes £20,000 in fees after his deposit. He has also paid a £1,570 deposit for university halls. GOV.UK lets an accommodation deposit paid to your university be offset, up to the London monthly figure. Payments to private landlords or other third parties do not count.

The lesson: every pound you pay your university before applying, and get on your CAS or an official receipt, is a pound you no longer need to hold.

The 28-day rule, explained

The money must have been in the account for at least 28 days in a row. The Home Office counts back from the closing balance on the most recent statement you send. That statement must be dated no more than 31 days before you apply.

Say Tolu's most recent statement closes on 10 January 2027. Her 28 days run from 14 December 2026 to 10 January 2027, and she must apply by 10 February 2027. If her balance dips below the required amount on any single day in that window, even for a transfer that comes back the next morning, she does not meet the rule.

So park the money early, and do not touch it. No wahala if you top up during the period, but the balance must never fall below the target.

Why Nigerians must show it upfront

GOV.UK keeps a list of nationalities that usually don't need to submit financial evidence with their application. Nigeria is not on it. That means you must include your evidence when you apply, and caseworkers will check it.

What counts as evidence

GOV.UK accepts:

• bank statements, building society passbooks, certificates of deposit or letters from your bank
• a student loan letter from a government, a government sponsored loan company, or an academic or educational loans scheme
• official financial sponsorship, shown by the reference on your CAS or a sponsor letter

Statements must show your name, the bank's name and how much is in the account. Electronic statements are fine. The account must give immediate access to the money.

These do not count: overdrafts, cryptocurrency, stocks and shares, pensions, or accounts at institutions that are not regulated in their country or don't keep electronic records. Appendix Finance also excludes funds where the Home Office cannot complete satisfactory verification checks. The current rules do not publish a named list of Nigerian banks, so the test is whether your bank can be verified, not which bank it is.

Using your parents' money

Plenty of us japa on family savings, and that is allowed. The account must be one your parent or legal guardian controls. You need:

1. written consent from your parent or guardian to use the money for your studies
2. proof of your relationship, for example a birth certificate that names them

Money held by an aunty, uncle or family friend does not count, even with a letter. If they are helping, the money needs to move into your account or your parent's account early enough to complete the 28 days.

Loans and official sponsors

If you rely on a student loan or an official financial sponsor, the 28-day rule does not apply. A loan letter must be dated no more than 6 months before you apply and confirm there are no conditions on release other than a successful visa application.

An official financial sponsor is the UK government, your own national government, the British Council, an international organisation, an international company, a university or an independent school. A sponsor letter must show the date, the sponsor's name and contact details, how long the sponsorship lasts, and the amount or confirmation that they cover all fees and living costs. A full scholarship can remove most of this stress, which is why our fully funded UK master's scholarships guide is worth a look.

Watch the exchange rate

This is the trap that catches naira savers. The Home Office converts your balance using the OANDA spot rate on the date you apply, not the rate on the day you saved, and not the CBN rate we use above. If the naira weakens during your 28 days, ₦50 million can fall short of £27,827.

Keep a sensible buffer above the target, or hold the funds in pounds if your bank allows it. Then check the Student visa route page for the rest of your application, and the Graduate visa for what comes after your degree.