Menu
STUDENT VISAS: HOW TO GET HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE UK
The UK is home to some of the oldest, highest-ranked and respected universities in the world, making it one of the most popular destinations for international students.
If you are aged 16 or over and want to study at a university, you need to apply for a student visa, which replaces the Tier 4 visa.
Before applying for a visa, you need to have an offer from a university or college. Their Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) will allow you to get a student visa. Your chosen educational institution must be approved by the UK Government as a licensed sponsor for the CAS to be valid.
You can apply for a student visa no later than six months before the start of your studies.
REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A STUDENT VISA
You can get a student visa to study in the UK if you are over 16 years old and meet the following requirements:
If you are 16 or 17 years old and want to study at an independent school in the UK, you can get a Child Student visa.
Course requirements
You can apply for a visa to study at the following courses:
You can also apply for this visa if you hold a full-time elected position as a student union sabbatical officer
Confirmation of Admission to Study (CAS)
Once you have been offered a place on a course, your institution will send you a CAS number. You must apply for a student visa within six months of receiving your CAS. Use of an Acknowledgment of Acceptance that was used in a previous application is not permitted, regardless of its results. The educational institution cannot withdraw its offer.
Finances
You need to prove that you have enough funds to pay for the course and support yourself financially in the UK..
Tuition fee
Unless you fall into one of the special categories below, you must have sufficient funds to cover all outstanding fees for one academic year of your course (up to 9 months).
Any course fee paid by the student’s sponsor may be credited against the required funds. Any fees paid must be stated on your confirmation of enrollment or you must provide a receipt issued by your sponsor confirming the amount paid. Any accommodation deposits made, not exceeding £1,256, can also be used to credit the required funds.
Accommodation expenses
Unless you fall into one of the special categories described below, you need to have enough funds to cover your living expenses in the UK.
If you’re studying in central London, you’ll need £1,334 a month for a maximum of nine months. If you are studying in another part of the UK, you will need £1,023 per month for a maximum of nine months.
You must have money in your account for at least 28 consecutive days and no more than 31 days before applying for a student visa.
If you are applying for a visa with dependents, you will need additional funds.
English language requirements
You must speak English at a level not lower than CEFR B2 (if you are studying at a bachelor’s degree or higher) or CEFR B1 (if you are studying at a degree below a bachelor’s degree).
You will normally need to take the Secure English Language Test (SELT) at an approved training institution. However, citizens of some English-speaking countries where the majority of the population speak English do not need to prove their knowledge of English, nor do people who have obtained a qualification equivalent to a British degree taught in English in one of these countries.
Testing for tuberculosis
If you are applying to enter the UK from outside the UK, you may need a TB test certificate, unless you are applying from an exempt country.
