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The short answer
For a UK Student visa you must show your course fees for the first year (minus anything already paid) plus living costs of £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months. The money must have been held for 28 days in a row, and the evidence must be dated no more than 31 days before you apply.
The two parts of the financial requirement
UK Visas and Immigration asks Student visa applicants to show they can pay for two things: course fees and living costs. Course fees are the unpaid balance for the first academic year, or the whole course if it is shorter. Living costs are set by the Home Office and depend on where you will study.
| Applicant | London (per month) | Outside London (per month) | Maximum months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student | £1,529 | £1,171 | 9 |
| Each dependant | £845 | £680 | 9 |
| Child Student (16–17, living independently) | £1,334 | £1,023 | 9 |
These are the GOV.UK figures at the time of writing. The Home Office changes them from time to time, so check the official page in the week you apply.
The 28-day and 31-day rules
- 28 days: the full amount must have been in the account for 28 consecutive days. A single dip below the required total on any day can break the run.
- 31 days: the closing date of the evidence must be no more than 31 days before the date you submit your application.
- If the money sits in a parent's account, you normally need proof of the relationship and the parent's consent.
Worked example in naira
Example only. Tolu will study a one-year master's degree in Manchester (outside London). Tuition is £18,000 and she has paid a £5,000 deposit that appears on her CAS.
| Item | Pounds | Naira at an example rate of ₦2,050 |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid tuition (£18,000 − £5,000) | £13,000 | ₦26,650,000 |
| Living costs: £1,171 × 9 | £10,539 | ₦21,604,950 |
| Total to show | £23,539 | ₦48,254,950 |
Because exchange rates move, a naira balance that covers the total on day one may fall short by day 28 if the naira weakens. Applicants holding naira often keep a buffer above the converted figure. Holding the money in pounds removes that particular risk, though the account and currency must still meet the evidence rules.
Other costs to budget for separately
The financial requirement is not the whole bill. You also pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when you apply. For students the IHS is £776 for each year of stay, and £388 for any extra period under six months. A three-year degree with a few extra months on the visa can therefore cost several thousand pounds in IHS alone, paid up front.
- Visa application fee (check the current fee on GOV.UK)
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Tuberculosis test, required for many applicants from Nigeria
- Flights, first month's rent and deposit, and warm clothing
Common mistakes Nigerian applicants make
- Moving money in at the last minute. A large deposit a week before applying does not meet the 28-day rule, and sudden lump sums invite questions about where the money came from.
- Using borrowed money that leaves again. Funds that appear and disappear around the application date can damage credibility. The money should be available for your studies.
- Converting at the wrong time. If you hold naira and the rate moves, a balance that covered the requirement can fall short. Build in a margin.
- Statements that do not show what UKVI needs. The evidence must show the account holder's name, the institution, the date and the balance. Check the format before the 28 days start.
- Forgetting dependants. Each dependant adds £845 a month in London or £680 elsewhere, for up to nine months.
- Ignoring fees already paid. Deposits paid to the university can reduce the total, but only if they are on the CAS or you have the receipt.
If you are thinking about where to keep foreign currency savings in the longer term, our guide to saving in dollars in Nigeria covers domiciliary accounts and their risks.
Choosing the account the money sits in
The Home Office accepts funds held in several kinds of accounts and institutions, but sets rules on what counts. Before moving savings, read the 'financial evidence' guidance and confirm the account and statement format will be accepted. Some families move money too late and miss the 28-day run; others convert too early and lose value. A plan that sets the date for each step avoids both.
For the costs of the course itself, see paying UK university fees from Nigeria, and for life after arrival, managing living costs in two currencies.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Personal Account holds pounds alongside naira, with local account details for each, so money sent by a UK-based relative can stay in pounds through the 28-day period. If you convert from naira, Swap shows the rate and fee before you approve. You can generate a verifiable statement through our VerifyDoc.ai partnership; whoever receives it can check that it is genuine and unaltered. Whether a particular statement meets visa rules is for UKVI to decide, so read their guidance first. Learn more on multicurrency.
Questions people ask
How much is proof of funds for a UK student visa in naira?
It depends on your unpaid tuition, your city and the exchange rate on the day. Work it out in pounds first (tuition balance plus £1,529 or £1,171 a month for up to nine months), then convert and add a buffer.
Can I use my father's account for a UK student visa?
Usually yes, if you provide proof of the relationship and a letter of consent from the parent. Check the GOV.UK financial evidence guidance for the exact documents.
What happens if my balance drops below the amount for one day?
The 28-day period is broken and a new 28-day run would need to start. Keep the balance comfortably above the required total.
Is the IHS included in proof of funds?
No. The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid separately when you apply. It is £776 per year for students, plus £388 for any extra period under six months.
Sources
- Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants (GOV.UK) · accessed Oct 2026
- Immigration Health Surcharge for students (University of Westminster) · accessed Oct 2026
- UK increases financial requirements for foreign students (ICIR) · accessed Oct 2026
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