UK Student Visa Application | Student Visa

You must prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies. The financial requirements are:

• £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.
• £2,668 per month for the Doctorate Extension Scheme in London.
• £2,046 per month for the Doctorate Extension Scheme outside London.

You must show these funds have been available for 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of your visa application.

English Language Requirement

To study in the UK, you must demonstrate English proficiency. Students below degree level need a B1 level, while those at degree level or above require a B2 level. The most common way to prove this is through a SELT English language test. Approved providers include Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, and Pearson Education Ltd.

Exemptions from the English Language Requirement

Certain students are exempt from this requirement, including those who have:

• Studied a course in English at undergraduate or postgraduate level at an approved institution.
• Previously met the required English level in another visa application.
• Are from majority English-speaking countries.

Exempt countries include 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, and USA.

Required Documents for the UK Student Visa

When applying, ensure you have the following documents:

• Current passport or valid travel document.
• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements).
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate, if required.
• Tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
• Written consent from your sponsor, if applicable.
• Additional documents for applicants under 18, including parental consent.

A certified translation must accompany all documents not in English or Welsh.

How to Apply for a Student Visa

The application process is online, and you can apply from inside or outside the UK. Most students apply from their home countries. Here’s how:

1. Complete the online application form.
2. Pay the application fee (£490 for applications made both inside and outside the UK).
3. Wait for a decision (typically three weeks for applications made outside the UK and eight weeks for those made inside the UK).

Extensions are possible for certain students, including those on the old Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. To extend your visa, you must:

• Be in the UK on a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
• Have an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor.
• Provide a CAS.
• Show the new course is at a higher academic level.

Post-Study Options: The Graduate Visa

After completing your course, you can apply for a Graduate Visa, allowing you to stay in the UK for up to two years to work or look for work. PhD graduates can stay for up to three years.

Bringing Dependents to the UK

Since January 2024, international students can only bring dependents if they are:

• Government-sponsored students on courses lasting six months or longer.
• Enrolled in postgraduate research programmes lasting nine months or longer.

This restriction applies to all international students starting courses from 1 January 2024.