Before you study in the UK, you should know first whether you need a visa to study in the UK. Luckily, we can provide the information for you!
To study in the UK, the majority of international students need a student visa. You can easily find out if you require a visa to study by visiting the UK government website. For the duration of your course, your visa will allow you to reside and pursue your studies in the UK.
Read and see whether you need a visa to study in the UK.
Do I Need a Visa to Study in the UK?
You must, of course, have a visa to study in the UK. Typically, students who want to study in the UK can apply for the necessary visas once the university has made an admissions offer.
- You must apply for a student visitor visa (StudentVisitorVisa) if you are over 18 and intend to study in the UK for a brief period of time. This visa allows you to stay in the country for six months and enroll in English language or short-term courses there. If you are on an English language course, you can extend your visa for up to 11 months.
- If your age is between 4 and 17 years old, you need to apply for a Tier 4 Child student visa. Under-15s are required to attend a private, fee-paying school in the UK, while 16- and 17-year-olds are allowed to enroll in a state institution. Students over 16 who hold a Tier 4 youth student visa are permitted to work part-time during their studies in the UK, but only for the allotted amount of time.
- You must submit a Tier 4 General Student visa application if you are over 18 and want to study in the UK. Proof of a language proficiency test is required to apply for a visa. You are permitted to work part-time in the UK while you are a student with a Tier 4 student visa, but only for the allotted amount of time.
See also: How Do You Apply For A Post-Study Work Visa?
Applying for Your Student Visa
If you are 16 years old or older and want to enroll in a course at a higher level of education in the UK that will last longer than six months, you will probably need to apply for a student visa via the Student Route.
Follow this step-by-step guide to applying for your student visa:
- Step 1: Receive an unconditional offer after submitting an application to your top choice of university.
- Step 2: Your university will provide you with a document known as a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (or CAS) once you have received your unconditional offer and accepted it.
- Step 3: Once you have your CAS, you can begin the visa application process. Up to six months prior to the start of your course, you may apply for a visa. You will need to pay an application fee (£363 for students) and have a current passport.
- Students from Europe can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone to complete the identity stage of their applications if they are from an EU nation, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
- Step 4: You must include a fee known as an Immigration Health Surcharge with your application. You can use the National Health Service of the UK thanks to this. The rate for holders of a student visa is £470 per year due to the 25% discount students receive off the standard price.
- Students from Europe may be eligible for a refund of the Immigration Health Surcharge if they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Step 5: As part of your student visa application, you may need to prove your knowledge of the English language. Verify with your university what kind of English language proof they will require as different universities have different requirements.
- Step 6: Before traveling to the UK, you must submit your application and have it approved.
Your university will provide you with advice about your visa application, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support. To assist international students with their visa applications, some universities have specialized immigration advisors on staff.
Students With Existing UK Immigration Permission/visa
You will be required to provide proof of your current Right to Study in the UK (such as a passport, visa, or other immigration documents) if you already have such permission or authorization for the UK. passport and biometric residence permit) using our online verification system. After you accept our offer to have you study with us, you will be required to do this. You must also read our Right to Study Policy.
You cannot enroll in your course or attend any classes until the University has confirmed your right to study.
All international students are responsible for obtaining the proper immigration documentation that enables them to attend school in the UK for the entire course.
Please be aware that UK immigration laws are always subject to modification, so students should always refer to the most recent Immigration Rules.