Student
UK Student Visa Overview
You may apply for a Student visa to study in the United Kingdom if you are aged 16 or above and meet the following criteria:
- You have been offered an unconditional place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.
- You can demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover your tuition fees and living expenses (the required amount will vary depending on your circumstances).
- You possess the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English to the required standard.
- If you are aged 16 or 17, you have obtained formal parental consent, supported by documentary evidence.
Applicants aged 16 or 17 who intend to pursue studies at an independent school in the UK may alternatively qualify for a Child Student visa.
Important: The Student visa has replaced the former Tier 4 (General) Student visa.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Fees
The amount of Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) you are required to pay depends on the length of your visa. Please note that in some cases, a visa may extend beyond the duration of your course of study or employment, and charges will apply for the full visa period.
Annual Costs:
- £776 per year– for students, their dependants, and applicants under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
- Example: A 2-year visa will cost £1,552.
- £776 per year– for visa and immigration applicants who are under 18 at the time of application.
- £1,035 per year– for all other visa and immigration categories.
- Example: A 3-year visa will cost £3,105.
What You Can and Cannot Do on a Student Visa
Permitted activities:
- Enrol in and undertake your approved course of study.
- Work as a student union sabbatical officer.
- Undertake employment within the permitted limits. The number of hours allowed depends on your course level and whether you are in or out of term time.
Prohibited activities:
- Access public funds, including state benefits and pensions.
- Work in restricted occupations, such as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
- Engage in self-employment or business activities.
- Study at an academy or a local authority-funded (maintained) school.
Important:
If your application is granted, your visa vignette or digital status will clearly outline the specific conditions attached to your stay.
Student Visa – Course Requirements
Eligibility:
- You must hold an unconditional offerof a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor.
- To prove this, your education provider will issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference numberonce your place is confirmed. You must have a valid CAS before submitting your visa application.
Eligible courses:
You can study under a Student visa if your course is one of the following:
- A full-time coursebelow degree level (RQF level 3, 4, or 5) with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study.
- A full-time courseleading to a degree-level or higher qualification (RQF level 6, 7, or 8).
- A full-time courseat degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7, or 8), delivered in the UK as part of a longer overseas programme equivalent to a UK higher education course.
- A part-time courseat postgraduate level (RQF level 7 or above).
- An English language courseat level B2 or above under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
- A full-time elected roleas a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.
Additional requirements:
- If your chosen programme involves studying or researching sensitive subjects at RQF level 7 or above, you may also be required to obtain an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
Financial Requirements for a Student Visa
To qualify for a Student visa, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay for your course and to support yourself while in the UK. The exact amount required depends on your personal circumstances and the nature of your application.
Course Fees
- You must show you have enough money to pay your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months).
- The exact tuition fee amount will be listed on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
- If you have been lawfully living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months prior to your application, you are not required to prove your ability to pay tuition fees.
Living Costs (Financial Requirement)
Unless you have been in the UK on a valid visa for at least 12 months at the time of your application, you must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses. The required amount depends on where you study:
- In London: £1,483 per month (for up to 9 months).
- Outside London: £1,136 per month (for up to 9 months).
If you are attending a residential independent school, you must show evidence of funds to cover boarding fees as specified in your CAS.
Note: For immigration purposes, “London” refers to the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.
Dependants
If you plan to bring family members with you, you must demonstrate additional funds for each dependant.
Financial Evidence
- You must hold the required funds for at least 28 consecutive days.
- The end of the 28-day period must fall within 31 days of the date of your application.
Example: If you apply on 1 January 2025, your bank statements must show that you held the required funds for the 28-day period ending no earlier than 1 December 2024.
If you are relying on a student loan or official financial sponsorship, you must provide formal confirmation from your loan provider or sponsor.
When You Do Not Need to Prove Financial Evidence
In some cases, you are not required to demonstrate that you meet the financial requirement for a Student visa. This applies if:
- You currently hold a valid UK visa and have been living in the UK continuously for at least 12 monthsbefore the date of your Student visa application.
- You are applying as a student union sabbatical officer.
- You are applying from a country or territory listed under the differential evidence requirement.
Countries and Territories Under the Differential Evidence Requirement
If you are a British National (Overseas) or a national of one of the following countries or territories, you do not need to provide evidence of funds when you apply.
Eligible Countries and Territories:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America.
Important Note
Even if you fall under the above exemptions, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may still request financial evidence before making a decision on your application. If required, you will be contacted directly after submission.
Knowledge of English – Student Visa Requirement
When applying for a UK Student visa, you must normally demonstrate your knowledge of the English language.
How You Can Prove Your English Proficiency
You can meet this requirement by:
- Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT)from an approved provider.
- Holding a UK qualification: GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began before the age of 18.
- Holding a degree-level qualification taught in English:
- If the qualification was obtained outside the UK, you must obtain confirmation from Ecctisthat it is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree.
Required Level of English
Your required level depends on the course you intend to study:
Course Level | Required English Proficiency | Equivalent CEFR Level |
Degree level or above | Reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English | B2 |
Below degree level | Reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English | B1 |
If You’re Studying with a Higher Education Provider (HEP)
If you are studying at degree level or above, your HEP can assess your English proficiency directly. They may require you to take a different test, but it must still be equivalent to CEFR level B2.
Exemptions – Who Does Not Need to Prove English
You are exempt from proving your English language ability if:
- You are a national of one of the following countries/territories, or you hold a degree taught in one of them:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, 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, United Kingdom, United States of America. - Special exemptions also apply if:
- You are a Canadian national.
- You are applying to the UK for a study abroad programmeas part of a US university degree course.
- You have already proven your English proficiencyin a previous successful UK visa application.
Bringing Your Partner and Children (Dependants) to the UK
As a Student visa holder, your partner and children (dependants) may be eligible to accompany you to the UK or extend their stay.
Student Visa Dependants – Summary Table
Category | Details |
Who can bring dependants | • Government-sponsored students on courses longer than 6 months |
Who counts as a dependant | • Husband, wife, or civil partner |
Evidence required | • Marriage/civil partnership certificate (for partner) |
Conditions for children | Must be: |
Financial requirement (per dependant) | • £845/month (up to 9 months) – studying in London |
When applying together | Must show funds for tuition + your own living costs + additional amount for each dependant |
When applying separately | Each dependant only needs to show their own living cost requirement |
Proof of funds rules | • Funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days |
Exceptions (no proof of funds needed) | • Dependant has lived in the UK with a valid visa for 12+ months |
Dependant Visa Fees
Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
Visa Application Fee | £524 per dependant | Payable at the time of application |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £776 per year (outside London) or £1,035 per year (London & rest of UK – standard rate) | Charged for each year of the visa duration and for each dependant. Exact amount depends on the length of the main applicant’s visa. |
If the Application is Successful
- Applicants will receive an eVisa, which is an online record of their immigration status.
- If applying from outside the UK, they will also receive a vignette (sticker in their passport)to allow them to travel to the UK.
- The decision letter or emailwill provide detailed instructions on the next steps, including how to access the eVisa.
- Applicants will need to create a UKVI account (if they do not already have one) in order to view and manage their eVisa.
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