Are you dreaming of living your best student life in the United Kingdom? The vibrant academic environment, renowned universities, and diverse cultural experiences make the UK an appealing destination for international students. Before you embark on your academic journey in the UK, there's an essential step you’ll need to follow: obtaining a UK student visa.

Whether you're planning to pursue an undergraduate, postgraduate, or research program, understanding the UK study visa requirements and procedures is crucial to having a smooth start. So let’s get started!

Who needs a visa to study in the UK?

The majority of international students coming to the UK to study require a student visa to do so. International students who plan to study in the UK for less than 6 months do not require a visa.

What are the requirements for getting a UK study visa?

There are a number of requirements that you must pass to get your UK study visa.

1. You’ll need to have been unconditionally offered a place on a course that fits the visa requirements from a UK university with a sponsor licence.
2. You’ll need to prove you have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living expenses while studying in the UK.
3. You’ll need to provide evidence of your English language skills by taking an approved English language test, such as the IELTS or TOEFL.
4. You may need to provide a health and background screening.
5. You must provide your CAS (confirmation of acceptance for studies), a unique reference number that you’ll receive once you receive an unconditional offer from a university.

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Scotland does not use the same RQF levels as the rest of the UK. To use the Scottish SCQF levels, check out this interactive framework to determine what level your course falls under.

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Documents required for your UK student visa application

In order to secure your UK study visa, you may also need to provide some additional documents:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Visa application form
• Passport photo
• Proof of payment of both your visa and healthcare surcharge
• ATAS certificate for certain nationalities studying sensitive subjects
• If under 18, birth certificate and parental/legal guardian consent for visa, travel, and living arrangements.
• If applicable, tuberculosis test results from an approved clinic (no longer than 6 months ago)
• For sponsored students, written consent from your financial sponsor

What is the financial requirement for a UK student visa?

To get a UK study visa, you’ll have to show you can support yourself financially while covering your course fees.

This amount will vary depending on where you choose to study.

• In London, you’ll need to have £1,334 per month for up to 9 months.
• Outside of London, you’ll need to have £1,023 per month for up to 9 months.

At the moment of application, you'll need to make sure that the bank balance required for the UK student visa remains untouched for at least 28 consecutive days.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need to provide this evidence to get your student visa. You can find a list of countries exempt from the financial evidence on the UK Government website.

The application process for the UK study visa

You can apply for your student visa up to 6 months in advance. Let’s walk through the steps of the application process

1. Apply for your student visa up to 6 months before your course starts on the UK government website.
2. Pay your visa application fee online.
3. Attend your appointment to submit your biometric information and documents.
4. Some applicants may be selected for a “credibility interview”, a 5-minute video call where you may be asked questions about your motivation to study in the UK.
5. Once you arrive in the UK, collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of arrival. You’ll be able to collect your BRP at your university or at your local post office.

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Check out this guide for the visa application form to see what you can expect to answer.

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How much does a UK study visa cost?

The visa application costs

Regardless of whether you’re applying from within or outside the UK, the cost of the UK study visa is £490. This is also the case if you are extending your current visa or switching to a student visa.

Should you need a decision quicker than the usual wait times, you can pay an additional £250 for the “priority service” to have your decision in 5 working days. You can also pay an additional £956 for the “super priority service” and have a decision by the end of the next working day.

Health surcharge costs

You may also be required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge (IHS) to apply for your study visa. This surcharge allows immigrants to access the National Healthcare Service (NHS) during their time in the UK. The cost of the healthcare surcharge for UK student visas is £470 per year. If you plan to study in the UK for 6 months or less, you’ll pay half the yearly cost at £235.

What is the processing time for a UK student visa?

If you apply for a UK student visa while living outside the UK, you can expect a decision within 3 weeks. If you’re already living in the UK and want to extend your current student visa or switch from your current visa to a student visa, it’ll take up to 8 weeks to get a decision.

If you need a decision faster than these times, paying extra for priority services is possible.

How soon can I move to the UK once my student visa has been approved?

If the duration of your course is 6 months or less, you may arrive up to 1 week before the start date of your course.

If the duration of your course is longer than 6 months, you may arrive up to 1 month before the start date of your course.

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You’re not permitted entry to the UK before the start date indicated on your visa, regardless of your course start date.

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If you’re worried about finding a place to live before you arrive in the UK, you can book your accommodation with HousingAnywhere in advance without needing to be in the country.

Can you work if you have a UK study visa?

Once you’ve gotten your tier 4 study visa, you can work part-time or during vacation. During term time, you can work up to 20 hours a week. During vacation periods, you can work a full 40-hour week. Student visa holders can work on a temporary contract only, so you won’t be able to get a permanent contract while studying in the UK.

If you’ve to complete work placement during your course, you may work full-time during the term. However, work placement shouldn’t be longer than 50% of your total course length unless otherwise indicated.

How long can you stay in the UK with a study visa?

The length of time you can stay in the UK after getting your visa depends on the length of your course and what you study. For example, if you complete a degree-level course on a UK study visa, you may be able to switch your visa to a graduate visa and stay up to 2 more years to find employment that can support your work visa.

Now that you see how simple the UK study visa process is, it’s time to start preparing for your move! Searching for student housing in London, Birmingham, and other popular UK student cities can be intense. HousingAnywhere allows you to find and book your student accommodation before you even land in the UK. Why not make your move to the UK as easy as you can?

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