UK Student Visa 70 Points Calculator
Quickly estimate whether you meet the 70-point requirement for a UK Student visa based on course, English language, and financial evidence.
Expert Guide: How the UK Student Visa 70 Points Calculator Works
If you are planning to study in the United Kingdom, one of the most important checks before submitting your visa application is whether you can reach the required 70 points under the Student route. This calculator is designed to help you model your situation quickly and clearly. It does not replace legal advice, but it gives you a practical way to spot weaknesses in your application before you pay fees or book a biometric appointment.
The UK Student route is a points-based immigration pathway. In simple terms, you must show that your course offer and sponsorship are valid, that your English language ability meets the requirement, and that your finances satisfy the maintenance and tuition evidence rules. When those three pillars are in place, you can reach 70 points. If even one pillar fails, the application may be refused.
Official 70-point structure at a glance
The Student route scoring model is fixed: 50 points for course-related requirements, 10 points for English language, and 10 points for financial evidence. The table below summarizes the same structure used by this calculator.
| Category | Points Available | What you must demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| Course and sponsorship requirements | 50 | Valid CAS, licensed sponsor, eligible course level and route compliance. |
| English language | 10 | Approved evidence at required level or accepted exemption. |
| Financial requirement | 10 | Sufficient funds for fees and living costs, or accepted official sponsorship. |
| Total required | 70 | You must meet all three categories to pass. |
What each calculator input means
1) CAS, sponsor, and course eligibility
A CAS is your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. It is issued by your UK education provider and carries a unique reference used in your visa application. A CAS alone is not enough unless the provider is a licensed Student sponsor and the course is eligible under the route. This is why the calculator checks all three conditions together. If any of these fail, the 50 points block is not awarded.
- CAS status should be current and linked to your intended course.
- Your provider must hold valid sponsorship status for Student visas.
- Course level typically needs to meet route standards (often RQF level 3 or above, depending on context).
2) English language requirement
The Student route generally expects evidence of English language capability, often at CEFR B2 for degree-level study. Some routes or course types can involve B1, and some applicants are exempt due to nationality, prior study, or other accepted criteria. This calculator awards 10 points if you select a qualifying level or exemption.
3) Financial requirement
Financial evidence is one of the most misunderstood areas. Applicants usually need to show money for outstanding tuition fees for the first academic year plus living costs for up to 9 months. The monthly maintenance amounts are currently:
- £1,483 per month for courses in London.
- £1,136 per month for courses outside London.
The calculator multiplies the monthly living rate by your selected number of months (capped at 9) and adds outstanding tuition fees. If your available funds meet or exceed that total, you get the 10 finance points. If you are fully sponsored by an official financial sponsor, the calculator marks finance as met.
| Location | Monthly maintenance amount | 6-month living funds | 9-month living funds |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,483 | £8,898 | £13,347 |
| Outside London | £1,136 | £6,816 | £10,224 |
Step-by-step: how to use this calculator effectively
- Confirm your CAS details with your university or college first.
- Select your course and sponsor eligibility values accurately.
- Choose the correct English status, not the hopeful one. Use evidence you can actually provide.
- Enter study location and months for maintenance (most applicants should assume up to 9 months unless rules indicate otherwise).
- Input first-year outstanding fees only, after deposits already credited by your provider.
- Enter liquid available funds and indicate sponsorship if relevant.
- Click Calculate and review both your total points and your missing categories.
Worked examples
Example A: Applicant likely to pass
Priya has a valid CAS from a licensed university in Manchester, enrolled on an eligible degree course. She meets English at B2. Her outstanding tuition fees for year one are £9,000 and she has £20,000 in accessible funds. She studies outside London and needs 9 months of maintenance.
Maintenance need: 9 × £1,136 = £10,224. Total required: £9,000 + £10,224 = £19,224. Available funds: £20,000. Financial requirement met. Priya scores 50 + 10 + 10 = 70 points and passes this calculator.
Example B: Applicant at risk
Daniel has a CAS and course eligibility, and his English is valid. But his funding is short. London study, 9 months maintenance, £7,000 fees outstanding, and only £16,000 available.
Maintenance need: 9 × £1,483 = £13,347. Total required: £7,000 + £13,347 = £20,347. Available funds: £16,000. Financial requirement not met. Score becomes 50 + 10 + 0 = 60 points. He should delay application, secure additional qualifying funds, and ensure evidence holding periods and document format meet the rules before submission.
Real-world refusal triggers this calculator helps you identify early
- Assuming CAS issuance alone guarantees the 50-point block.
- Misreading English exemptions and applying without acceptable proof.
- Underestimating London maintenance requirements.
- Calculating fees incorrectly by ignoring unpaid first-year balance.
- Submitting funds that do not satisfy evidence timing or account ownership rules.
- Relying on unconfirmed sponsorship letters.
Additional planning statistics for budgeting your visa process
Beyond points, applicants should budget for the wider cost of immigration compliance. Official charges can change, but two figures often matter for planning: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) rate per year of permission granted. Always verify current numbers immediately before payment, because published rates can be updated by policy changes.
| Cost category | Common published figure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Student visa application fee | Often listed around £490 | Paid at application stage; non-refundable if refused in many circumstances. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Often listed around £776 per year | Can be a major upfront expense for multi-year programs. |
How this tool should fit into your visa preparation workflow
Use this calculator as your first pass, then move to document validation. A strong workflow is: initial points check, evidence gathering, internal cross-check with your institution, final rule verification, and only then formal submission. Applicants who follow this order usually reduce mistakes caused by rushing.
You should also keep versioned records of what changed in your file. For example, if your university updates your CAS statement or if tuition balance changes after deposit confirmation, rerun the calculator with the revised numbers. Small updates can shift your finance threshold significantly, especially in London-based courses.
Official sources you should review before applying
For legal accuracy, always cross-check against official government guidance and immigration rules. Start with these resources:
- UK Government: Student visa overview and eligibility
- UK Immigration Rules: Appendix Student
- UK Government: Immigration Rules collection
Final advice for applicants and advisers
The best visa applications are not just complete, they are internally consistent. Your CAS, financial evidence, and personal statements should align with dates, amounts, and program details. If you are close to the financial threshold, avoid applying until your evidence comfortably exceeds the minimum and meets all documentary conditions. If your profile is complex, seek regulated immigration advice.
This UK Student Visa 70 Points Calculator gives you a practical decision snapshot. Treat it as a planning instrument that helps you identify risk before it becomes a refusal. Then verify every requirement against official policy on the date you apply.
Important: This calculator and guide are for informational use and do not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules can change, and individual circumstances vary.