The University of Sheffield
Welcome to New Students

Sufficient Funding

Sufficient Funding

You must have sufficient funding for tuition fees, personal maintenance and the maintenance of any dependants who come with you or who will join you later.
The documents you use must be EXACTLY what UKBA demands. There is no flexibility in this.

a. The UK Government says you must have these sums:

i. For courses of 9 months or less:

ii. For courses of more than 9 months:

iii. If you are bringing dependants – as (a) above plus £450 per month for each dependant (e.g. spouse, child) up to a maximum of 9 months.

iv. If you do not have these funds or proof of an internationally recognised sponsor you will not get a visa.

b. If funds are in your name you must show:

  1. Bank or savings statements or a letter from a financial institution.
  2. that you have had these funds for at least 28 days. The last transaction on any bank documents will be counted as the end of the 28 day period. This date must not be more than one month before
    the date of your visa application.
  3. Money must be held in a financial institution that is considered to be acceptable by the UK Border Agency. The UK Border Agency publishes lists of financial institutions that will not be accepted in visa applications. This list can be updated at any time so check it regularly:
    www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/studying/financial-institutions

c. If you have an official financial sponsor

  1. If you have full or part financial sponsorship from one of the following:

ii. You must provide a letter from the sponsor showing:

iii. All letters must be on your sponsor´s official stationery or letter-headed paper and have the sponsor´s official stamp on it.

iv. If you are only part financially sponsored, you will need to show that you have the remaining funds yourself (see below).

v. Parents are not accepted as official "sponsors". Parents can still provide your necessary funds. You will be considered as "Self Funded" or "Part Funded".

d. Using funds from your parents

If you do not have the money yet but your parents will support you financially whilst you are a student, you can use their bank statements as evidence of funding. If your parents transfer the funds to your account in good time (see 2b above), you do not need to provide other documentation listed here. You must submit all of the following with your student visa application:

e. Deposits

  1. If you accept an offer for a taught postgraduate programme (Masters), you must pay a tuition fee deposit before we will contact you about a CAS number.
    www.sheffield.ac.uk/feedeposits
    www.sheffield.ac.uk/newstudents/international/fees
  2. If you pay some or all of your tuition or University accommodation fees before your visa application, we will update your CAS record to show this. This will show the Entry Clearance Officer how much you have paid towards your tuition and/or University accommodation fees.
  3. A maximum of £1,000 can be deducted from maintenance requirements if you pay for University accommodation before you apply for your visa.
  4. Nationals from certain countries will not normally need to present their financial documents and qualifications as part of their visa application. However, these documents can be requested by immigration officials and we recommend that you have these documents prepared. For more information visit
    www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/welcome/visasandimmigration
  5. All visa applicants must sign a declaration confirming that funds are available and will continue to be available when in the UK.

f. Translations

All your supporting documents including bank documents, qualification transcripts and certificates must be translated into English by an official translator or translation organisation. Sworn affidavits, government
translators etc. will not be accepted. The translation must include:


If you have paid some or all of your tuition or University accommodation fees in advance of your visa application your CAS record will be updated and the Entry Clearance Officer will know how much you have paid towards your tuition and/or University accommodation fees. From 4 July 2011, nationals from certain countries will not need to routinely present their financial documents and qualifications as part of their visa application if applying in their country of nationality or in the UK. However, these documents can be requested by immigration officials and must be provided within a special timescale. Even if you are eligible for this concession, it is very important that you still prepare your documents in case you need to present them at a latest date.

List of countries will not need to routinely present their financial documents and qualifications as part of their visa application if applying in their country of nationality or in the UK:

Argentina
Australia
British National Overseas
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Hong Kong
Japan
New Zealand
Singapore
South Korea
Taiwan (including those who hold a passport issued by Taiwan that includes the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan).
Trinidad and Tobago
USA

For more information visit:

www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/welcome/visasandimmigration