Financial questions are where more CAS interviews fail than any other category. The UK government updated the maintenance fund requirements in November 2025, and many students are still using outdated figures. If you give the wrong numbers in your interview, it signals that you haven't done your research — and that's an immediate red flag for interviewers.
The Updated Maintenance Fund Requirements (Effective November 2025)
As of 11 November 2025, the UK government increased the maintenance fund requirements for Student visa applicants. The new thresholds are:
| Location of Study | Monthly Maintenance Required | 9-Month Total (Standard Course) |
|---|---|---|
| London (Inner London boroughs) | £1,529 per month | £13,761 |
| Outside London (rest of the UK) | £1,171 per month | £10,539 |
How to Calculate Your Total Maintenance Requirement
The maintenance fund requirement covers your living expenses for the duration of your course (up to 9 months). Tuition fees are separate. Here's how to calculate the total you need to show:
- Identify your study location: London or outside London
- Multiply the monthly rate by 9 (the standard calculation period)
- Add your first year's tuition fees (as stated on your CAS)
- Subtract any fees already paid (if your CAS confirms payment)
For example, a student studying outside London with £16,000 tuition and no fees pre-paid would need: £10,539 (maintenance) + £16,000 (tuition) = £26,539 in available funds.
Bank Statement Rules: The 28-Day Requirement
Your bank statements must meet strict criteria. Failing any of these can result in a visa refusal, regardless of how much money you have:
- ✓ Statements must cover a continuous 28-day period ending no more than 31 days before the date of your visa application
- ✓ The balance must not drop below the required amount at any point during the 28 days
- ✓ The statement must be on official bank letterhead or a printed electronic statement (screenshots are not accepted)
- ✓ The account must be in your name or your parent/legal guardian's name
- ✓ The account must be a current/checking account — savings accounts are accepted but must allow immediate access
- ✓ If using a parent's account, you need a letter of consent from them confirming they consent to you using their funds
Presenting Your Finances in the CAS Interview
The interviewer will ask about your funding to verify that you understand how you'll pay for your studies and that the money is genuinely available. This is where many students falter — not because they don't have the money, but because they can't explain it clearly and specifically.
What a Strong Answer Looks Like
"My studies are funded by my father, who works as a senior mechanical engineer at [Company]. His monthly salary is £X. We currently have £Y in savings at [Bank Name], held in a joint account with my mother. This covers my tuition of £20,000 and my maintenance requirement of £10,539 for my course in [City outside London]. I have 6 months of bank statements showing the balance consistently above £32,000."
Notice what makes this answer strong: it names the sponsor, their job, the bank, the exact amounts, the specific requirement, and references the evidence. There's no vagueness and no room for the interviewer to doubt the credibility of the funding.
Common Financial Answer Mistakes
- "My parents will handle it" — Too vague. Name the parent, their income source, and the exact amount available.
- "I have a loan" — Education loans are accepted, but you must specify the lender, the amount, and that it's been approved (not just applied for).
- "My uncle is sponsoring me" — Only parents and legal guardians can sponsor without additional documentation. Extended family sponsors require extensive proof of relationship and a formal letter.
- Incorrect maintenance amounts — Using the old £1,334/£1,023 figures signals you haven't checked current requirements.
What If Your Course Is Less Than 9 Months?
If your course is shorter than 9 months, you only need to show maintenance for the actual course length plus 2 months (for the pre-departure and post-course period). For example, a 6-month course outside London would require: 8 months × £1,171 = £9,368.
Financial Documents Checklist for Your Interview
- ✓ Bank statements covering the full 28-day period (printed on bank letterhead or official electronic format)
- ✓ CAS letter confirming your tuition fees and any amount already paid
- ✓ Sponsorship letter (if funded by family — including relationship proof and letter of consent)
- ✓ Scholarship award letter (if applicable — must state the amount and what it covers)
- ✓ Education loan approval letter (if applicable — must show approved status, not just application)
- ✓ Proof of income for your sponsor (e.g., payslips or employer letter)
Practice Your Financial Answers Before the Real Interview
Our AI interviewer will ask you about your funding, score your answer on specificity and accuracy, and show you exactly what to improve.
Start a Free Mock Interview →The Bottom Line
Financial preparation is the most commonly failed aspect of CAS interviews — but it's also the most preventable. Know the updated figures (£1,529/month London, £1,171/month outside London), ensure your bank statements meet every requirement, and practise delivering specific, confident answers about your funding. The students who pass are the ones who can state their financial situation with the same precision they'd state their name.