July 13, 2026

If you dream of studying in the UK, money is often the first worry. Before a university can give you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), most universities ask for a small advance payment. This is called a pre-CAS deposit. Many Bangladeshi students think they need lakhs of taka ready on day one. That is not always true. Some UK universities ask for a very low pre-CAS deposit, and a few do not ask for one at all. This guide explains everything. You will learn how much money you really need, which UK universities have a low pre-CAS deposit, how to pay it safely, and what happens to your money if your visa does not get approved. By the end, you will feel more confident about planning your study in the UK. What is Pre CAS Deposit for UK Visa? A pre-CAS deposit is an advance payment towards your first year’s tuition fee. UK universities ask for this deposit to confirm that you are serious about joining them. Once you pay it, the university issues your CAS, which is a key document for your UK student visa application. The deposit amount is not the same everywhere. It depends on the university, your course, and sometimes your home country. Some universities want a small fixed amount, like £2,000. Others may ask for a bigger share, sometimes 30% to 60% of your full tuition fee. This is why comparing universities before you apply can save you a lot of money and stress. For Bangladeshi students, choosing a UK university with a low pre-CAS deposit is a smart way to reduce the upfront cost of studying in the UK. It also means your family does not need to arrange a huge amount of money all at once. Why do universities ask for this deposit in the first place? When a university gives you an offer letter, it holds a seat for you and prepares your CAS, which is needed for your visa. The deposit shows the university that you genuinely plan to join, and it also becomes part of your first tuition fee payment, not an extra cost. So, the money you pay as a deposit is never lost; it simply reduces the amount you owe later. How Much Funding Is Initially Required to Study in the UK Before we talk about the deposit, let’s understand the full financial picture. The UK Home Office asks every student visa applicant to show two kinds of money: 1. Tuition fee (unpaid part): Your CAS will show your total first-year tuition fee and how much you have already paid. Whatever is left unpaid, you must show that amount in your bank account. 2. Living costs (maintenance funds): This is money for your food, rent, and daily needs. For 2026 entry, students studying in London must show £1,529 per month, and students studying outside London must show £1,171 per month. This is counted for a maximum of 9 months. So, the total living cost requirement becomes about £13,761 for London and about £10,539 for other UK cities. This money must sit in your bank account (or your parent’s account) for 28 continuous days, and the closing balance must not be older than 31 days when you apply for your visa. This is known as the 28-day rule, and it is one of the most common reasons for visa refusal when not followed carefully. On top of this, you will also need to pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which covers your healthcare in the UK. The IHS is charged for the full length of your visa, not just your course, so a one-year master’s degree often gets a slightly longer visa and a higher IHS bill than students expect. Together with the Pre-CAS deposit, these costs form your total “initial funding” for studying in the UK. So, in short, your initial cost usually includes: The pre-CAS deposit (paid to the university) Remaining tuition fee proof (shown in your bank account, not always paid immediately) Living cost proof for 9 months Visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge Choosing a university with a low pre-CAS deposit does not reduce your living cost requirement, but it does reduce the amount of cash you need to send abroad before your visa is even approved. That is a big relief for many Bangladeshi families. Low Pre-CAS Deposit Universities in the UK Many well-known UK universities, including several Russell Group universities, ask for a pre-CAS deposit that is much lower than the usual 30-50% of tuition fees. Below is a list of universities and their typical pre-CAS deposit amount for the 2026-27 intake. Please note that deposit amounts can change, so always confirm the latest figure with the university or your consultant before applying. University Pre-CAS Deposit Amount University of Reading £2,000 Anglia Ruskin University £4,000 University of Kent £5,000 University of Birmingham £3,000 Cardiff University £2,500 (standard); £5,000 for clinical programmes Durham University £2,000 University of Exeter £2,500 University of Leeds £2,000 University of Liverpool £2,000 University of Nottingham £4,500 Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) £2,000 Queen’s University Belfast £2,500 to £6,000 (set per offer letter) University of Sheffield £2,000 (standard); £5,000 for some dentistry courses University of Southampton £2,000 University of York £3,000 As you can see, most of these universities ask for a deposit between £2,000 and £3,000, which is much easier to manage than paying half of your tuition fee upfront. This makes them a popular choice among Bangladeshi students who want a reputable UK university without a high initial cost. Which Bank Should You Use to Pay Your Deposit or Tuition Fees? In Bangladesh, you cannot simply walk into any bank and send money abroad. To send foreign currency out of the country for education, you must open what is called a “Student File” at an Authorised Dealer (AD) bank. This is a central bank requirement, not just a university rule. Most private commercial banks in Bangladesh, such as Standard