The number most applicants search for — “how much does a UK student visa cost” — has two very different answers. There’s the fee you pay to apply, and there’s the money you must prove you have to qualify in the first place. Most guides only cover the first. Here’s the full picture, broken down into what actually leaves your bank account versus what simply has to sit in it.
The application fee: £558
As of the April 2026 fee update, a Student visa application costs a flat £558, whether you’re applying from outside the UK or extending/switching from inside the UK. This is a one-time, non-refundable government fee paid when you submit your online application — it doesn’t scale with your course length or nationality (gov.uk, Student visa: fees).
If your application is refused, this fee is not returned, which is one more reason to get your documents right the first time — see our guide to reapplying after a refusal if that happens to you.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 per year
Separately from the application fee, every Student visa applicant must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which grants access to the NHS for the length of your stay. The standard rate is £776 per person, per year of your visa — including for any dependants joining you (gov.uk, healthcare immigration application).
- The IHS is charged upfront, for your entire visa length, not annually in instalments. A 3-year Student visa means roughly £2,328 paid in one go at application.
- If your course is 6 months or shorter and you’re applying from outside the UK, you may be exempt — check the calculator on gov.uk before assuming you owe it.
- Applicants inside the UK have 10 working days to pay; those outside have 7. Miss the window and your application is refused outright, so pay it the same day you submit your form.
Maintenance (proof of funds): the part that catches people out
This is money you must prove you have access to — it isn’t a fee you pay to the Home Office, but it’s the single biggest number in the whole process and the most common reason for refusal when it’s wrong. As of the 2025–26 update, the monthly maintenance figures are:
- £1,529 per month if your course is in Inner or Outer London
- £1,171 per month if your course is anywhere else in the UK
You need this covered for up to 9 months of your course (less if your course itself is shorter), giving a maximum requirement of roughly £13,761 (London) or £10,539 (outside London) (gov.uk, Student visa: money you need).
Two rules make this harder than it looks:
- The 28-day rule — the funds must have sat in your (or your parent/guardian’s) account for a continuous 28-day period, and that period must end no more than 31 days before you apply. Money deposited the week before you submit doesn’t count.
- Exemptions exist — if you’ve already held a UK visa for 12+ months, or your sponsor is covering your funds directly and confirms this in writing, you may not need to show this evidence at all. Always check the current exemption list on gov.uk before assuming you’re exempt.
For a full walkthrough of how to evidence funds correctly, see our proof of funds guide.
Extras most people forget to budget for
- Tuberculosis (TB) test — required if you’re applying from a country on the Home Office’s TB test list, typically £50–£150 depending on the clinic.
- Priority/super-priority service — optional, but if you want a decision in 5 working days (priority) or by the end of the next working day (super-priority), expect an additional £500–£1,000 on top of the standard fee.
- Document translation — any document not in English or Welsh must be professionally translated and certified, typically £20–£50 per document.
- CAS fee from your institution — not a Home Office charge, but most universities charge a deposit to issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which is a prerequisite for applying at all. This varies widely by university.
Putting it together: a realistic total
For a one-year master’s outside London, a typical applicant should budget roughly:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £558 |
| IHS (1 year) | £776 |
| Maintenance funds (proof only, not spent) | up to £10,539 |
| TB test (if applicable) | ~£100 |
| Cash actually spent applying | ~£1,434 (excl. maintenance funds) |
The maintenance figure is the one that trips people up — it’s not money you send anywhere, but you must be able to show it exists and has been held correctly, or your application is refused regardless of how strong your academic offer is.
FAQ
Does the fee change if I bring dependants? Yes — each dependant pays their own £558 application fee and their own £776/year IHS. Maintenance fund requirements are also higher per dependant; check the current dependant rates on gov.uk.
Can I get a fee waiver? There is no general fee waiver for Student visas the way there is for some other UK visa routes. Some universities offer scholarships that include visa costs — ask your institution directly.
Is the £558 fee refundable if I withdraw my application? No. Once submitted, the fee is non-refundable even if you withdraw before a decision is made.
This is preparation guidance, not legal or immigration advice — fees and thresholds change with little notice, so always confirm the current figures on gov.uk before you apply. If you want help tracking your document checklist and deadlines as you prepare, join the VisaMet waitlist.