What is Student Visa?
If you want to study in the UK, you will need to apply for the Student Visa. In the post-Brexit environment, both EEA nationals and non-EEA nationals will need to have an unconditional offer from a licenced sponsor to be eligible for the visa.
Those who graduate from an approved course in the UK will be able to remain in the country under the new Graduate Visa route for up to two years to live, work and look for work. PhD graduates will be able to do so for up to three years.
UK Student Visa Eligibility
If you are looking to apply for a UK Student Visa, there are certain requirements which you must fulfil.
The Student Visa requirements are as follows:
- You must have received an unconditional offer of study from an approved sponsoring institution
- You must have received a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from your sponsoring institution
- You must score at least 70 points on the points-based system
- You need to have the relevant academic qualifications needed to take the course and genuinely intend to study in the UK
- You can financially support yourself in the UK (and any family members/dependents who will be joining you)
Meeting the 70-point Requirement as a Student
Whilst the points-based immigration system might seem daunting, it is actually relatively straightforward to meet the 70-point threshold. Ultimately, if you meet the main eligibility criteria, you will hit the 70-point threshold.
The points work as follows:
- 50 points: Receiving a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
- 10 points: Meeting the financial requirements
- 10 points: Able to demonstrate your English language ability is at the level of B2 as set bye the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
What are the Course Requirements?
If you want to study in the UK must be in accordance with the rules of the Student Visa. Eligible courses include:
- Full-time course which will lead to a qualification at below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5). There must be at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study
- Full-time course which will lead to a qualification at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8)
- Full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8) which is equivalent to a UK higher education course, and will be delivered as part of an overseas course
- Part-time course which will lead to a qualification that is above degree level (RQF level 7 or above)
- A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists
- An English language course which is at the level of B2 as set by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
What are the Requirements Around Finances?
To be eligible to study in the UK, you will need to provide evidence of your financial means. You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself in the UK.
The financial requirements for are as follows:
- £1,334 per month for up to 9 months for courses based in London
- £1,023 per month for up to 9 months for courses based outside London
- £2,668 per month four the Doctorate Extension Scheme if based in London
- £2,046 per month for courses outside London if based outside London
You will need to be able to prove that you have this money for 28 consecutive days, and the end-date of this period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for the visa.
What is the English language requirement?
If you want to study in the UK, you must be able to demonstrate a certain level of English language ability. Those studying below degree level need to prove a level of B1, whereas those studying at degree level or above must have a B2 level.
The most common way of demonstrating your English ability is to take a SELT English language test. The four approved SELT test providers are Trinity College London, ITELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert and Pearson Education Ltd.
You can take a test at test centres throughout the world. A list of approved test centres can be found here.
Exemptions from English language requirement
International students exempt from the English language requirement if:
- You have already studied a course in English at either undergraduate or postgraduate level at an approved educational provider
- You have already proved the required level of English in another visa application
- You are applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA
Also, those from majority English-speaking countries will not need to fulfil the English language requirements.
Nationals of the following countries are exempt:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- UK
- USA
Required Documents for Student Visa
As part of the Student Visa application process, you will need to submit certain information and documents. Without providing the necessary information and documentation, your application will not be successful.
Some of the required information and documents for the UK Student Visa are as follows:
- Current passport or another valid travel document (necessary)
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies from your course provider (necessary)
- Proof that you have the necessary financial means, such as bank statements (if applicable)
- A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate if course requires it
- Tuberculosis test results (if applicable)
- Written consent from your sponsor if they have agreed to financially support you for your course fees and living costs
If you are under 18, you will need to provide additional information including written consent from your parents/legal guardians showing that they consent to your visa application, your living and care arrangements in the UK and your travel to the UK.
Bear in mind that any documents which are not in English or Welsh must be translated by an accredited translator. You will need to provide both the original and translated versions in your portfolio of evidence.
How to Apply for a Student Visa
The Student Visa application is done online, and you can apply from both inside and outside the UK. Most applicants choose to complete their visa application from their home country.
The first step is to complete the application form online. Once you have completed it, you will need to pay the application fee.
The current UK Student Visa fees are as follows:
- £490 for applications made outside the UK
- £490 for application made inside the UK
- £490 for Student Visa extensions (more below)
If you complete your application outside the UK, you can expect to receive a decision within three weeks. Applications made inside the UK usually have a processing time of around eight weeks
Can I Extend the Student Visa?
Student Visa extensions are possible for students in certain circumstances. Currently, it’s also possible for the old Tier 4 (General) Student Visa to be extended too.
In order to extend the visa, the following must apply:
- Must be in the UK on a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
- Must have an unconditional offer on a course with a licenced student sponsor
- Must be able to provide a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
- Must be able to show that the course is at a higher academic level than your current course
What are my Options After my Course has Finished?
One of the changes in the rebranding of the student route was the creation of a route to UK residency for students who have graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Sometimes referred to as the Graduate Visa, this immigration permission enables graduates to work, look for work and live in the UK for up to two years. PhD students can remain in the UK under the Graduate Visa for up to three years.
This immigration permission will open from the Summer of 2021 and will be available to all international students who have graduated.
Can I bring my dependents with me to the UK?
As of January 2024, international students will not be able to bring dependents with them to the UK unless they are either:
- A government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts 6 months or longer
- Enrolled in a postgraduate course designated as a research programme that lasts 9 months or longer
Eligible postgraduate programmes include PhDs and other doctoral qualifications or masters programmes with a research component, including a requirement to produce original work.
International students who do not fit either one of these categories will not be eligible to bring their dependents with them to the UK.
