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
- Your funds must sit in the account for 28 consecutive days without the balance dropping below the required amount on any single day.
- The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before the date you submit your online application (not your biometrics date).
- The money can sit untouched - no transactions are required during the 28 days.
What the Statement Must Show
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Letterhead | Official bank letterhead with the bank's name and logo |
| Name | Your name, or your sponsor's name if using a parent/guardian account |
| Account number | Shown clearly on the statement |
| Date | Issued recently, covering the full 28-day period |
| Balance | Daily or running balance proving the threshold was met every day |
| Authentication | Each 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:
- Their stamped bank statement covering the 28 days.
- Proof of your relationship - your birth certificate naming them.
- A signed letter from them confirming they consent to you using the funds for your studies.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must show living costs of £1,529 per month for a course in London, or £1,171 per month outside London, for up to 9 months (up to £13,761 or £10,539), plus any unpaid tuition shown on your CAS.
The funds must sit for 28 consecutive days without the balance ever dipping below the required amount, and the statement's 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before you apply.
Yes. Use their stamped bank statement covering the same 28 days, your birth certificate showing your relationship, and a signed letter from them consenting to you using the funds for your studies.
No. A mobile-money wallet such as MTN MoMo is not valid proof of funds no matter how much it holds. Move the money into a regulated Ghanaian bank and let it season for the full 28 days. A plain PDF or app screenshot must be stamped or backed by a bank letter.
If your funds are in cedis, keep 5-10% above the minimum so a rate swing on application day does not push you below the threshold. UKVI converts using the OANDA rate on the day you apply.
Last updated: July 2026. Always confirm requirements at gov.uk.