Most students from outside the UK need a student visa in order to study there. Checking the UK government website is an easy way to find out if you need a visa to study.
With your visa, you can live and study in the UK for as long as your course lasts.
Applying for your student visa
If you are 16 or older and want to study in the UK for more than six months at a higher education level, you will probably need to apply for a student visa through the Student Route.
To get your student visa, follow this step-by-step guide:
- Step 1: Apply to the university (or universities) of your choice and you will be given an offer without any conditions.
- Step 2: Once you have received your unconditional offer and accepted it, your university will give you a document called a Certificate of Acceptance of Studies (or CAS).
- Step 3: You can start the visa application process once you have your CAS. You can apply for a visa up to six months before the start of your course. You’ll have to pay a fee to apply (£363 for students) and have a valid passport.
European students: If you are from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app on a smartphone to finish the identity part of your application. -
Step 4: You will need to pay a fee called an Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application. This lets you use the National Health Service in the UK. Students get a discount of 25% off the normal price, so the rate for people with a student visa is £470 per year.
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If you are a European student and have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to get your Immigration Health Surcharge money back. Check out the GOV.UK website to see if you can apply for a refund.
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Step 5: You may need to show that you know how to speak English as part of your student visa application. Different universities have different requirements, so make sure you check with your school to see what kind of proof of English language you will need.
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Step 6: Before you come to the UK, you will need to finish your application and have it accepted.
You can get help with your visa application from your university, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Some universities have immigration advisors who help international students fill out their visa applications.
Other types of visa
Visitor Route
Check if you need a visa to study in the UK for less than six months at a recognised school. For courses that last less than six months, many students won’t need a visa. This includes students from the European Union and other countries.
For a short course in the UK, students from some countries will need to apply for a standard visitor visa. Find out if you need a visa to go to school in the UK.
If someone you know is coming to the UK to visit you on vacation, they may need to get a visitor visa. Find out more about a visitor visa.
Short-term Student Route
Students who want to take English language courses that last between six and eleven months can get short-term study visa. Learn more about the visa for short-term study.
Child Student Route
You can apply for a child student visa if you are between the ages of 4 and 17 and want to go to school in the UK. Find out more about child study visas.
Can I work in the UK on a student visa?
Many international students in the UK work part-time, do an internship, or do a work placement while they are there. During term time, you will be able to work up to 20 hours per week for most classes. Before you look for a job, check your visa and biometric residence permit, as well as the rules of your university, to see if there are any limits on the kind of work you can do or the number of hours you can work.
European students: If you decide to work part-time in the UK, it could affect your ability to get a refund on the Immigration Health Surcharge payment you made. Make sure you think about all of this when deciding if you need to work in the UK while you are studying.
On the website, you can learn more about the hours you can work and the kinds of jobs you can do.
Can I stay in the UK after I graduate?
How long your course is will determine when your student visa expires. Make sure you know when your visa will run out so you can plan what to do next.
You might be able to get an extension on your student visa if, for example, you want to keep studying in the UK. If you want to stay and work in the UK, you may also be able to switch to a different type of visa.
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