Every document, deadline and fee you need before you book your visa appointment — in the order you actually need them.
Your student visa application is mostly a document exercise. If the paperwork is right, the decision is usually straightforward. The problems start when one item — usually financial evidence — is prepared out of order.
Start with your unconditional offer and CAS. Your university issues the CAS only once conditions are met and the deposit is paid, and the CAS number is required before you can submit the visa application.
Next, hold your maintenance funds for 28 consecutive days in an eligible account, and take the closing balance statement on day 28 or later. This single rule causes more refusals than any other.
Then pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, complete the online form, book biometrics and upload your documents. Keep digital copies of everything — you will need them again at the border and when you open a UK bank account.