Immigration - Tier 4 Super Guide

Question 10: How do I show the funds available to me and how long do I need to show them for?

This depends on how you are financed. You can be:

  • Self-financed: You pay for your studies, or your parents pay, or a family friend or relative in the UK pays, etc. If you are financed privately, you would be considered to be self-financed.
  • Sponsored: You are paid for by your government, an international company, a University (including Exeter) or a major scholarship provider such as the British Council

Self-financed

You will usually need to show that you have the total amount of tuition fees and living expenses money in cash funds in an instant access bank account. It is best if the bank account is in your name, but you can use your parents’ bank statements if you need to. If you do use your parents’ statements, you will need additional documents as described below. You cannot use bank statements in anyone else’s name even if they are actually paying for your studies (for example, your uncle or a family friend.)

The funds must have been in your bank account at all times for at least the last 28 days. The balance in your account must not drop below the required amount during that time, even for one day, or your application will be automatically refused.

Your bank statement needs to meet the following rules:

  • It must cover the whole 28 day period
  • It must be recent – no more than 28 days old
  • It must include at least your name, account number, all transactions, and the logo of the bank
  • It must be original – you cannot use a print-out or copy unless it has been certified by the bank and meets set criteria
  • It must be in English – you will need an official translation in addition to the original if it is not
  • If the currency is not British Pounds Sterling (GBP), you should check the conversion of the final balance on the Oanda website and write this on a post-it note to attach to the bank statement 

If you use your parents’ bank statements, they must meet all of the above rules (you cannot submit payslips or proof of property instead, for example) and you must also include:

  • Your birth certificate with an official translation if it is not in English
  • A letter from your parents (in English) confirming that the funds in their bank account will be used to pay for your tuition fees and living expenses.
  • Your parents will also usually need to sign a section of your application form

Note that you can sometimes use proof of other types of finances, such as loans, on some occasions. Information is in the official Tier 4 (Policy Guidance) or contact us for more information.

Dependants of self-financed students

You can show the money for your dependants in your bank account or in a bank account in the dependant’s name.

 

Sponsored students

If you are fully sponsored, you do not have to provide bank statements. Instead you will need to include a letter from your official sponsor, which must meet the following criteria:

  • Printed on official letterhead paper, and stamped
  • Dated within the last 6 months
  • Confirms that you are covered for all of your tuition fees and living expenses. It does not need to state specific amounts, but if it does you must ensure that they meet the UK Border Agency minimum of £800 per month for living expenses
  • Confirms the dates of your sponsorship, in particular the timeframe or end date of your sponsorship
  • If the letter specifies the course that your sponsorship covers, it must state the course that your visa application is for. For example, if you have studied three months of English and are now applying for a visa for a PhD, you cannot use a sponsor letter that just mentions the English programme.

The above also applies if you have receive a studentship or scholarship from the University of Exeter which includes full tuition fees and a living expenses stipend. You will receive a letter from your college which confirms the details as above and your CAS will also include a note explaining your scholarship.

If you are fully sponsored or receive a full University studentship (covering tuition fees and living expenses stipend), you will not need to provide any bank statements. If you are part-sponsored or receive a scholarship from the University, you should submit the sponsor letter and deduct the amount from the total you need to show. You will then need to show the remainder in bank statements in the same way as a self-financed student.

Dependants of sponsored students

If your dependants are covered by your official sponsorship, they must be specifically mentioned in your sponsor letter. If your sponsor letter does not state that your dependants are covered, you will need to show the funds for them in a bank account in the same way as a self-financed student, even if you are actually receiving enough money in sponsorship to pay for their living expenses.

Even if your dependants are covered by your sponsorship, you should check that you will be receiving the full UKBA minimum monthly amount of £800 for yourself and £450 per dependant in living expenses allowance from your sponsor. If you are not receiving this level of funding, you will need to show the remainder in a bank account as for a self-financed student.

Next: Question 11: What immigration documents do I need?

 

Tier 4 Frequently Asked Questions

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