Student visa in the United Kingdom
With over 100 universities to choose from, including some of the most reputable ones in the world, studying in the UK is guaranteed to be a rewarding experience. Once you have decided to study in the UK, you should start learning more about the visa eligibility and procedures required to make your dream a reality. This article will give you the information you need to guide you through the student visa requirements and application process.
Attention:
The current student visa we refer to in this article used to be known as the Tier 4 (General) Student visa.
Eligibility for a UK Student visa
The Student visa application is an online application that costs £363 if you apply from outside the UK and £490 if you apply for an extension of your Student visa or change to a Student visa from within the country. In addition, if you plan to bring dependents with you to the UK (i.e., spouse and children), you will pay the fee mentioned above for each person moving to the UK with you.
CAS number
To be able to apply for a Student visa, you should meet several conditions. First and foremost, students must be above the age of 16 when they apply for a Student visa and hold an unconditional offer to enroll on a course that is provided by a licensed student sponsor. Most recognised UK higher education institutions are licensed student sponsors but make sure to check whether your institution is on the list of licensed student sponsors before proceeding with your application. Once you get your unconditional study offer, the university will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) unique reference number, which you must submit during your visa application.
Important:
You cannot apply for your Student Visa without a CAS number.
Funds needed for the UK
Studying in the UK is costly due to the high cost of living and tuition fees, which depend on the course and the university. To apply for a student visa, you may be asked to prove that you have enough money to support yourself (i.e., living costs) and pay for your fees, at least, throughout your first academic year (9 months) in the UK. You may wonder how you will calculate the amount since living standards differ for each person and from one city to another. The amount you need to have in your bank account will be stated on your CAS. Usually, besides the tuition fees, it is an additional £1,334 per month for courses in London and £1,023 per month for courses outside London. The way to prove the availability of the funds is through a bank statement that will show that the money has been in your bank account for 28 or more consecutive days. The last day of the 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your visa application. For example, you cannot show funds that were in your bank account more than two months ago and have already been used up.
Important:
There might be cases when you do not have to show that you have the required funds to study in the UK. Some of these instances include when you are in possession of a UK visa for 12 months prior to the date of your student visa application, if you are a British national overseas or come from one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
For a full list of the exempted countries, read more through this link.
English language
To complete your Student visa application, you will also be asked to prove your English language skills (including writing, speaking, and listening). There are recognised tests from approved providers that organise English language tests in countries and issue valid certificates. A Secure English Language Test (SELT) for a Student visa application can be granted by one of the following recognised providers: IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, Pearson, Trinity College London (UK-based), and PSI Services (UK) Ltd.
Important:
You don't need to prove your English language skills if you have a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18. There are also specific countries that are not required to prove their knowledge of English.
The Student visa application in the UK
To submit your Student visa application, you must obtain consent from your parents or legal guardian if you are under 18 years old. It is always good to do your research and manage your application in advance, but remember that you cannot apply for the Student visa more than six months before the start date of your course. With your application, you will also have to pay by debit or credit card the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS), allowing you to access the UK health services and get prescriptions if needed.
Good to know:
The IHS costs £470 per year for those with a Student Visa.
An interview organised by the UK Home Office is usually part of the Student visa application. The time and location of your interview will be assigned to you via email (so remember to keep an eye on your junk email folder, too). The interview will include questions about your study programme, your motivation about studying in the UK, your long-term plans, etc. After the interview, an interview report will be attached to your application for the final assessment. You should hear back from the Home Office regarding the decision on your visa application within three weeks from the day you submitted your application.
Good to know:
On a Student visa, you may be able to register your dependents (e.g., spouse and children). However, note that additional fees and conditions for each dependent apply.
Attention:
If you are a Student visa applicant from a country listed under the Tuberculosis test required, you should make the appropriate arrangements for getting your results from a laboratory approved by the Home Office clinic.
Student visa refusal in the UK
In the unfortunate case that the Home Office refuses your Student visa, contact the immigration or international office of your university for advice on how to proceed next. If you believe that your application was unjustifiably refused, you have 28 days (if you are outside the UK) and 14 days (if you are within the UK) to contact the Home Office and request an Administrative Review based on the reasons for refusal stated on the refusal letter. This will cost you around £80.
In most cases, you cannot submit new or different documents during the Administrative Review other than those you submitted with your initial application. Last but not least, for refused visa applications, you are not entitled to receive a refund of the application fee, but you will get back the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge.
Attention:
If you proceed with a new visa application in the future, make sure you declare that you have previously been refused entry permission in the UK, as it is against the law to withhold such information.
Rights and responsibilities of a Student visa in the UK
Depending on the course length and your previous UK studies, if you have any, you will be permitted a specific stay in the UK with your visa. Usually, for degree-level courses, the allowed length of stay in the UK is up to five years, and for courses below degree level, the stay is two years or less. However, if you wish to continue your studies in the UK, you may be able to extend your Student visa or change to a Graduate visa (see below).
Once you have obtained your Student visa, you should plan your trip to the UK based on the start date of your course. For example, you can arrive in the UK up to one week before starting your course if the duration of your course is six months or less. On the other hand, you can arrive in the UK up to one month before beginning your course if your course is longer than six months (e.g., Bachelor's and Master's programmes).
While in the UK, you may be able to work on a Student visa. However, you should check what is stated on your visa and contact your education provider for more information. Also, note that working within term time differs from working outside of the term dates. In any case, you are not entitled to benefits and allowance, you cannot be self-employed, and you cannot study at an academy while in the UK on a Student visa.
Good to know:
Depending on your visa, you may be eligible to work a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time.
Useful links:
Full list of countries that don't need to prove funds
Calculate how much you should pay for healthcare surcharge
Do I need to do a TB test for my visa application?
Ask for a visa administrative review
Other UK study visas
If you are between four and 17 years old and want to study in the UK, you can apply for a Child Student visa, which costs £363. Your rights under this type of visa are more or less the same as those under the Student visa. However, besides the age requirement for the Child Student visa, this visa is also for students who will study the national curriculum, RQF level 3 or independent school education inspection standards. The national curriculum includes subjects taught at all public primary and secondary schools in the UK, whereas academies and private schools can follow their own curriculum.
Suppose you want to come to the UK to study a short course, as a researcher, or participate in an academic exchange programme. In that case, you should apply for a Standard Visitor visa, also valid for tourism or visiting family and friends in the UK. The fee for a Standard Visitor visa is £100, and the visa is valid for up to six months. If you are looking to come to study at an English language school, then you should apply for a Short-term study visa if your course is not more than six months.
Good to know:
You cannot undertake paid and unpaid work under the Standard Visitor visa.
Important:
Graduates who have completed their studies in the UK and wish to stay to search for job opportunities may be eligible to apply for a Graduate visa, allowing them to remain in the UK for at least two years. It's important to note that to apply for a Graduate visa, you must not have left the UK after completing your studies and must apply from within the UK.
Useful links:
