STUDENT VISA

The Student Visa category is for individuals who are aged 16 or over and who wish to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

If you are between 4 and 17 years old and wish to study at an independent school in the UK, you should apply for a Child Student Visa instead.

Requirements for a UK Student Visa

In order to qualify for a UK Student Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are aged 16 or over;
You have been offered an unconditional place on an approved course with a licensed student sponsor.
You can read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (if studying at degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (if studying at below degree level);
You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course without relying on public funds;
You have the consent of your parent(s) or legal guardian if you are 16 or 17 years old;

Course Requirements for a UK Student Visa

Student Visa applicants can apply for a visa to study the following courses:

A full-time course that leads to a qualification below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study;
A full-time course that leads to a qualification that is at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8);
A full-time course that is at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8), that is equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas;
A part-time course leading to a qualification that is above degree level (RQF level 7 or above);
A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists (if you have finished a recognised UK degree in medicine or dentistry, received that degree from a registered student sponsor and spent your final year and at least one other year of studies leading to that degree in the UK);
An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Who else can apply for a Student Visa

You can also apply for a Student Visa if you are:

Applying to extend your stay on the Doctorate Extension Scheme (you must currently have permission to be in the UK on a Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) Student visa) and your course must lead to a PhD);
Taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

Financial Requirement for a UK Student Visa

You will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you have enough cash funds to pay your course fees and support yourself financially in the UK.

Course Fees

Unless you fall within one of the special categories listed below, you will need to have sufficient cash funds available to pay any outstanding course fees for 1 academic year of your course (up to 9 months).

If the length of your course includes part of a month, the time period will be rounded up to the next full month.

If you have paid all or part of your course fees to your student sponsor then this can be offset against the funds required, provided this is either confirmed on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or you provide a receipt issued by your student sponsor confirming the amount of fees paid.

If you have paid a deposit to your student sponsor for accommodation, this deposit can also be offset against the funds required, up to a maximum of £1,265.

Living Costs

Unless you fall within one of the special categories listed below, you will need to have sufficient cash funds to meet your living costs in the UK.

If you will be studying in inner London, you will need £1,265 (or £1,334 from 1/12/2020) for each month of your course, up to a maximum of nine months. If you will be studying elsewhere in the UK, you will need £1,015 (or £1,023 from 1/12/2020) for each month of your course, up to a maximum of nine months.

If you will be on the Doctorate Extension Scheme, you will need to prove that you have a total of £2,530 for a course in London, or a total of £2,030 for a course outside London.

In either case, you will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your Student Visa application.

Additional funds may be required if you have dependents applying at the same time.

English Language Requirement for a UK Student Visa

You will need to be able to read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR Level B2 (if studying at degree level or above) or CEFR Level B1 (if studying at below degree level).

You will usually need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. However, nationals of certain majority English speaking countries are not required to prove their English language ability, nor are persons who have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree taught in English in one of these countries.

If you are a national of Canada or applying to travel to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA or have proved your level of English in a previous visa application then you will also not be required to prove your knowledge of English.

Student Visa Processing Times

If you apply for a UK Student Visa from outside the UK then you should receive a decision on your Student Visa application within 3 weeks.

If you apply for permission to stay as a Student from within the UK then you should receive a decision within 8 weeks.

Travel to the UK on a Student Visa

If your Student Visa application is approved then you will be able to travel to the UK up to 1 week before your course starts if your course will last 6 months or less and up to 1 month before your course starts if your course will last more than 6 months.