Student Visa
UK Student Visa Application
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
First Step
Check if the Student Visa Route is right for you. Eligibility and requirements for the Student Visa will be discussed in the following steps.
Second Step
After you decide to apply for a Student Visa, start preparing the evidence you need.
Third Step
Apply for your visa. You may be applying from inside the UK or outside the UK. At this stage you must prove your identity. The average decision time is 3 weeks for applications from outside the UK and 8 weeks for applications from inside the UK.
Fourth Step
If your application is successful, you need to get an eVisa. An eVisa is an online platform to keep and prove your immigration status. To get an eVisa, you should set up a UKVI account and upload the travel document details you use to come to the UK (passport).
UK Student Visa Eligibility Requirements
Are You Eligible for a UK Student Visa? Requirements Explained
To apply for a student visa, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements:
- You are 16 or over
- You have an offer for a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
- You meet the financial requirement, which means you have enough money to afford living costs in the UK and pay for course fees
- You meet the English proficiency level
- If you are under 18 years old, you must have your parents’ consent
Course Requirements for a UK Student Visa
What Courses Qualify for a UK Student Visa?
Applicants must work in an eligible occupation, as listed by the UK government, and meet specific skill level requirements.
Full-time courses below degree level:
- This includes courses leading to qualifications at RQF levels 3, 4, or 5
- The course must involve at least 15 hours of daytime study per week
Full-time courses at degree level or above:
- This includes courses leading to qualifications at
RQF levels 6, 7, or 8 - These courses are equivalent to a UK higher education qualification
Full-time overseas courses at degree level or above:
- If you’re studying a full-time course outside the UK that’s equivalent to a UK higher education qualification (RQF levels 6, 7, or 8), you can study this as part of a longer course overseas
Part-time courses above degree level:
- These are courses leading to qualifications at RQF level 7 or higher, which are part-time
Postgraduate foundation programmes for doctors or dentists:
- If you’re pursuing a recognised foundation programme in medicine or dentistry, this is also an eligible course
- Recognised UK degrees in medicine or dentistry: If you’ve completed a UK degree in medicine or dentistry where;
- The degree was awarded by a registered student sponsor
- You spent your final year and at least one other year of study in the UK
English Language Courses (Level B2 or above):
- You can study an English language course at level B2 or higher, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
You can also apply for this visa if you’re:
- Taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer
- You may also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you’re studying or researching sensitive topics at RQF level 7 or above.
Financial Requirements for a UK Student Visa
How Much Money Do You Need for a UK Student Visa?
When you apply for a Student visa, you must show you have enough money to pay for your:
- Course fees
- Living costs
- Partner or children’s living costs, if you’re bringing them on your visa
Course Fees
You need enough money to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). The amount you need to pay will be on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Money to Support Yourself (Financial Requirement)
You’ll need to show you have enough money to support yourself:
- £1,483 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
- £1,136 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London
For each dependant you bring, you also need:
- £680 for each month of your visa (up to a maximum of 9 months), if you’re studying outside London
- £845 for each month of your visa (up to a maximum of 9 months), if you’re studying in London
If you’re boarding at a residential independent school, you’ll need to pay boarding fees instead. The amount you need to pay will be on your CAS.
If you are applying with dependants, you will need to have extra money for each family member you bring with you.
You must have this money for at least 28 consecutive days. This 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for your Student visa.
Student Loan or Financial Sponsorship
If you have a student loan or financial sponsorship, you will need to provide evidence from your loan or sponsorship company.
You can prove you have enough money using:
- A student loan from a government, a government-backed loan provider, or a regulated student loan programme
- Official financial sponsorship, such as from a national government or university
- Your personal savings
- Your parent’s funds, accompanied by a letter confirming their consent for you to use the money
- Your partner’s funds, if your partner is in the UK or applying simultaneously
When You Do Not Need to Prove You Have Money to Support Yourself
You do not need to prove the financial requirement if:
- You’ve had a UK visa for 12 months prior to the date of your Student visa application – you must currently be in the UK
- You’re applying as a student union sabbatical officer
English Language Requirement for a UK Student Visa
How to Meet the English Language Requirement for a UK Student Visa?
You must prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.
You can prove your English proficiency by:
- Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
- Holding a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English, obtained through study at a UK school you attended before turning 18
- Having a degree-level qualification taught in English — if studied abroad, you must apply through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to confirm your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
Degree level or above – Equivalent to CEFR level B2 If you’re studying with a Higher Education Provider (HEP), they can assess your level of English themselves. They may ask you to do a different test. However, this must still be equivalent to a CEFR level B2.
Below degree level – CEFR level B1
When You Don't Need to Prove Your Knowledge of English
If you are from: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, USA.
You also do not need to prove your knowledge of English if one of the following applies:
- You’re a national of Canada
- You’re applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA
- You proved your level of English in a previous visa application
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa?
UK Student Visa Application Process: How to Get Approved?
Check if You Need a Student Visa
If you’re planning to study in the UK for more than 6 months, you’ll likely need a student visa. Ensure your course meets the UK government’s requirements for a student visa.
Confirm Eligibility
- You must have an offer to study from a licensed Tier 4 sponsor (usually a university or college)
- You need to prove that you can speak English
- You should have enough money to support yourself during your stay (tuition fees, living expenses)
Gather Required Documents
- Valid passport or travel document
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your sponsor
- Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS)
- Financial evidence showing you can support yourself (bank statements, sponsorship letters, etc.)
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if applicable to your country
- Academic qualifications (transcripts, certificates)
Complete the Online Application
- Visit the UK government’s official visa and immigration website to fill out the student visa application form. Pay the visa application fee and healthcare surcharge (Immigration Health Surcharge) if applicable.
Book an Appointment and Submit Biometrics
After submitting your online application, you may need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph).
To increase your chances of approval:
- Ensure all your documents are accurate and up to date
- Meet all financial requirements
- Prove your intention to leave the UK at the end of your studies
- Submit your application well in advance of your course start date
- Follow the official guidelines and make sure you’ve selected the right type of visa for your course and circumstances
UK Student Visa Fees and Costs
How Much Does a UK Student Visa Cost?
- £524 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK. You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
- £524 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK. You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.
Can I Extend My UK Student Visa?
How to Extend a UK Student Visa and Continue Your Studies?
To extend your visa you must:
- Be in the UK on a Student visa or a Tier 4 (General) student visa
- Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor – shown by your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Show that your studies are at a higher academic level than your current course (called the ‘academic progress requirement’) – there are some exceptions
If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for less than 12 months, you’ll need to prove you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
What Are My Options After My Course Has Finished?
What Can You Do After Completing Your Studies in the UK?
- Skilled Worker Switch: You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Skilled Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.
- Graduate: You can also switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course.
Can I Bring Dependants to the UK on a Student Visa?
Bringing Your Family to the UK on a Student Visa: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning to study in the UK and have a partner or children, you may be able to bring them with you or extend their stay in the country.
Who Can Bring Their Dependants?
To bring your dependants (your partner or children) along, you must meet certain criteria:
Government-Sponsored Students: If you’re a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts more than 6 months, you may be eligible to bring your dependants.
Full-time Postgraduate Students: If you’re enrolled in a postgraduate course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts at least 9 months, your partner and children may be able to join you.
Additionally, if your postgraduate course starts after January 1, 2024, it must be either:
- A PhD or another doctorate (RQF level 8)
- A research-based higher degree
Who Counts as a Dependant?
A dependant can include your:
- Husband, wife, or civil partner
- Unmarried partner
- Child under 18 years old (including children born in the UK during your stay)
Financial Requirements for Bringing Your Partner and Children to the UK
When bringing your partner or child to the UK, it’s important to ensure they have enough funds to support themselves. In addition to the money you need for your own living expenses, your dependants must also demonstrate they have a specific amount of money available for their stay.
How Much Money Do They Need?
The amount of money your partner or child needs will depend on where you’ll be studying:
Studying in London: £845 per month (for up to 9 months)
Studying outside London: £680 per month (for up to 9 months)
This money is required to support their stay, separate from your own financial requirements.
Whether you’re applying together or separately, you (or your partner or child) must have had the required funds for at least 28 consecutive days.
The final day of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the visa application date.
When Your Partner or Child Does Not Need to Prove Financial Support
In certain situations, your partner or child may not need to show they have enough money to support themselves when applying to join you in the UK.
- If They’ve Been in the UK for at Least 12 Months: If your partner or child has already been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, they will not need to prove they have the required funds to support themselves.
- If You Are From a ‘Differential Evidence Requirement’ Country: If you and your partner or child are from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’ and you’re applying at the same time, they won’t need to provide financial evidence either.
How Long Can They Stay?
If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
Latest Student Visa News
Contact Us
Meridien House
42 Upper Berkeley Street
W1H 5PW
London, England
+44 7739 699 968
+44 20 3988 0575
contact@lexlegal.com
