UK Student Visa Refusal

Reasons for Student Visa Refusal in the UK

The most common reasons the Home Office reject a Student visa application are:

• Insufficient financial support.
• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation.
• Unsuccessful credibility interview.

If your UK student visa application has been refused, there are some steps you might be able to take, including sending a pre-action protocol letter and, if that doesn’t work, a judicial review or appeal. You might also re-apply; however, if you have been previously refused, it might affect your chances during the re-application.

To be certain you don’t hurt your chances of success after a UK student visa refusal, get in touch with our UK immigration lawyers today. Call us at +44 (0)333 4149244 or reach out via live chat or contact form.

Insufficient Financial Support

Overview

The most common reason the British authorities will reject your Student visa application is that you have failed to provide evidence of sufficient financial support for the duration of your stay in the UK.

Your university specifies the tuition fee amount for the academic year in your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) letter.

Along with this amount, you must be able to show that you can cover your living costs while you’re in the UK.

Proof of Support

If you’re studying in London, you will need to have £1,483 in your bank account every month for up to 9 months during your stay in the UK.

If you plan to study outside London, you must have £1,136 in your account every month for up to 9 months during your stay in the UK.

If you’re unable to prove you have access to the money to cover your expenses, your Student visa application will be refused.

The 28-day Period

When you apply for a Student visa you must also be able to show that the money in your account has been there over a period of 28 days in the past month.

For example, if you submitted your application on 1 January 2025, you’d have to show that the funds were in your bank account for the 28-day period that ended on 1 December 2024.

Failure to demonstrate that the required funds have remained in the account for 28 days in the month prior to your application will result in your application being rejected.

Non-Cash Funds

If you indicate in your application that your financial support is not in the form of cash funds (share certificates, bonds, pay slips, and credit cards), your application will be refused.

Eligible Bank Accounts

The money you intend to use to support yourself while you study in the UK must belong to one of the following people:

• You.
• Your parent or a legal guardian who is recognised by a court of law.
• Your partner if he or she has been granted permission to stay in the UK or is in the process of applying for permission to stay in the UK at the same time as you.

If you intend to use the bank account of a parent or legal guardian, you must provide the authorities with a letter confirming your relationship with the person.

This letter should indicate that the person you name in the letter is happy to sponsor your studies.

If the person whose account you intend to use is a legal guardian, you must provide a birth certificate or other legal document that confirms they are your guardian.

Failure to provide any of the evidence outlined above will result in your Student visa application being refused.

Missing Documentation and Application Errors

Overview

If you wish to apply for a UK Student visa, you must provide two important pieces of documentation:

• Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) form from the institution to which you have been accepted to study.
• A valid passport.

You must identify any errors on the CAS form and correct them before you make your Student visa application.

Failure to provide either of these documents will result in the application being refused.

Online Applications

When completing an online application you will be required to enter your CAS reference number.

If you enter an incorrect CAS reference number your application will be rejected.

ATAS Clearance

If you intend to apply for a PhD-level research degree or master’s programme in certain science and technology subjects, you will require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate before you apply for a visa.

Failure to acquire an ATAS will be grounds for rejecting your Student visa application.

Under 18s

If you are under 18 years old at the time you apply for a Student visa, you will need to provide proof of parental consent and proof of relationship (a birth certificate or equivalent).

The university will provide you with a form for your parent(s) to complete. This form should be used as evidence of parental consent and be included with your Student visa application

Failure to provide the required parental consent form will result in your application being refused.

Unsuccessful Credibility Interview

Overview

If the Home Office isn’t satisfied that you are a genuine student, they are likely to refuse your Student visa application.

This means that you must be able to demonstrate that you are familiar with the course and the university you intend to join.

Your application may also be refused if you are unable to demonstrate that the course you plan to take will contribute to your future career.

At the credibility interview, the British authorities also want to be assured that your English language ability will allow you to engage with the course material.

If the Home Office believes your English language skills aren’t at the required level, your student visa application will be refused.

Non Attendance

You will be given a deadline to confirm your attendance at a credibility interview.

If you cannot attend the interview, you must contact the relevant authorities to explain why you cannot attend and rearrange the interview.

Failure to provide a legitimate excuse for not attending a credibility interview are grounds for refusing your Student visa application.

How to Avoid the Chances of UK Student Visa Rejection

There are several things you can do to reduce the chances that your Student visa application will be refused.

• Have the required finance in place and be able to demonstrate that the funds are in the form of cash or some other liquid asset.
• Be ready and able to demonstrate familiarity with your chosen course and the institution that is providing the course.
• Make sure all the information on your CAS form is accurate and up-to-date.
• Provide the authorities with all the legal documents they require if you are under the age of 18.
• Reply promptly and with the correct information to requests from the Home Office.
• Provide evidence of a compelling reason if you are unable to attend a credibility interview to which the authorities have invited you to talk about your Student visa application.
• Provide a TB certificate from an approved centre if you come from or have lived in one of the countries on this list in the six months prior to filing your visa application.

Next Step After Student Visa Refusal

If you believe the decision to reject your Student visa application was incorrect, you can appeal.

The reason for the refusal will be outlined in the visa outcome letter or email, so be sure to read it carefully before you decide if you wish to appeal.

You have 28 days if you are outside the UK and 14 days if you are already in the UK to appeal.

You should consult an immigration adviser if you’re unsure whether you are eligible to appeal a Student visa refusal decision.

Reapplying for a Student Visa

If your application for a Student visa is unsuccessful, you can always reapply. There’s no limit to the number of times you can apply for a Student visa.

You should bear in mind that you cannot use a previous CAS certificate if you make a fresh visa application. You must request a new CAS from the academic establishment you wish to join.

How Can IAS Help?

If you have had your Student visa application refused it can be frustrating, but don’t panic because there is always something you can do.

If you need help applying for a student visa or simply want to learn more about the application process, IAS is here to help.

We are an experienced team of immigration lawyers with lots of expertise in guiding students through the Student visa application process.

To learn more about how we can help you apply for a Student visa, give a member of our team a call on +44 (0)333 4149244 or contact us via our website.