The financial rules are UK-wide: you must show your unpaid tuition plus 9 months of living costs (£1,529/month in London, £1,171/month outside), held for 28 consecutive days. What trips up Ghanaian applicants is how the money is evidenced - an unstamped print-out or a mobile-money screenshot will be rejected.

The 28-Day Rule

What the Statement Must Show

RequirementDetail
LetterheadOfficial bank letterhead with the bank's name and logo
NameYour name, or your sponsor's name if using a parent/guardian account
Account numberShown clearly on the statement
DateIssued recently, covering the full 28-day period
BalanceDaily or running balance proving the threshold was met every day
AuthenticationEach page stamped by the bank, or a covering letter from the bank confirming the statement is genuine

A plain PDF download or a mobile-app screenshot is not enough on its own - it must be stamped or accompanied by the bank's letter.

Mobile Money is Not Accepted

An MTN MoMo or other mobile-wallet balance is not valid proof of funds, no matter how much it holds. Move the money into a regulated bank account and let it season for the full 28 days before you apply.

Using a Parent or Sponsor's Account

Allowed, and very common. You'll need:

What Counts and What Doesn't

Accepted

  • Regulated Ghanaian banks (GCB, Ecobank, Stanbic, Fidelity, Absa, Cal, Zenith, and similar)
  • Current or savings accounts
  • Official loan or scholarship letters
  • A parent/sponsor account (with consent + relationship proof)

Not Accepted

  • Mobile money wallets (MTN MoMo, etc.)
  • Unstamped print-outs or app screenshots
  • Overdrafts
  • Shares, investments, pensions, crypto
  • Unregulated fintech app balances

Leave an Exchange-Rate Buffer

If your funds are in cedis, the pound value moves daily. Keep 5-10% above the minimum so a rate swing on application day doesn't push you below the threshold. UKVI converts using the OANDA rate on the day you apply.

Last updated: June 2026. Always confirm requirements at gov.uk.

Next Steps