Vietnamese Students Applying to UK Universities: CAS, IELTS UKVI and Financial Documents
By Muntasir • Published Dec 09, 2025 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Study Abroad
Vietnamese applicants need an unconditional offer and a CAS from their UK university, English proof meeting CEFR B2 for degree-level courses, and £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London held for 28 days before applying for the Student visa.
📩 CAS comes after you accept your offer and often pay a deposit
🎓 Degree-level courses need CEFR B2 English; universities can assess this themselves
💵 Show £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London, up to 9 months
⏱️ Hold that balance for 28 straight days, ending within 31 days of your application
Step 1: Get your unconditional offer and CAS
Accept your offer and, where the university asks for it, pay any deposit before it issues your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Your CAS carries a unique reference number, your course details, your tuition fee, and any sponsor information the university records for the Home Office.
Check your CAS carefully once it arrives. It has to match your passport details, course title, and start date exactly, since any mismatch can hold up your Student visa application.
Step 2: Meet the English language requirement
Degree-level courses (RQF level 6 and above) need proof of English at CEFR level B2. Universities teaching degree-level courses can assess this themselves rather than requiring a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), confirmed on the gov.uk English requirements page .
In practice, this means the standard IELTS Academic score your university accepts for admission usually satisfies the visa requirement too, without needing the separate IELTS for UKVI version. A SELT such as IELTS for UKVI Academic becomes compulsory only for courses below degree level, such as a pre-sessional English or foundation program, or if you lack qualifying academic credentials the university can verify. You skip the test entirely if you hold a degree taught in English, verified through Ecctis.
Step 3: Gather your financial documents
Your Student visa financial requirement depends on where you study.
| Where you study | Amount per month | Maximum months counted |
|---|---|---|
| Inside London | £1,529 | 9 months |
| Outside London | £1,171 | 9 months |
Hold the required total in your account, or a parent's account with an acceptable relationship letter, for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of your application, as set out on gov.uk . Translate any Vietnamese-language bank documents into English before you submit them.
Step 4: Apply for your Student visa
Check your CAS and gov.uk for the earliest date you can submit your application from Vietnam. Complete the online form, pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then book your biometric appointment at your nearest visa application center.
Common errors Vietnamese applicants make
Applying with a CAS that has expired, since a CAS has a limited window before you need to use it
Submitting untranslated Vietnamese bank statements without an English translation attached
Letting the account balance dip during the 28-day holding period because of a transfer or fee
Assuming IELTS for UKVI is always required, when most degree-level courses only need the standard IELTS Academic score the university already accepted