Student Visa
Study in the UK from age 16 with a licensed student sponsor. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies to apply.
- Screening A few questions about your work, your family and your plans.
- Documents A checklist built around your route and who is coming with you.
- Expert review A qualified adviser reads every document before anything is filed.
- Application Every answer is checked against the published rules for your route.
- Submission Filed, with everything that went with it kept in one place.
- Arrival We stay with you through the crossing and the first steps after.
Living costs in London
£1,529 a month
GOV.UK; up to 9 months
Living costs outside London
£1,171 a month
GOV.UK; up to 9 months
Earliest to apply, outside UK
6 months
GOV.UK; before your course starts
Earliest to apply, inside UK
3 months
GOV.UK; before your course starts
What is the UK Student visa?
The Student visa lets a person aged 16 or over study a course of further or higher education, a pre-sessional English course, or a recognised foundation programme with a licensed student sponsor. Applicants need an unconditional course offer confirmed by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), enough money to support themselves, and the required knowledge of English.
Sponsorship, money and English language
To apply, an applicant needs an unconditional offer of a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor, confirmed by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from that education provider. The application must also show enough money to pay any outstanding course fees and to support living costs, unless an exemption applies, and demonstrate knowledge of English to the level set for the course, for example through a qualification already held, a degree taught in English, or an approved English language test. Some courses in sensitive subject areas at postgraduate level also require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. An applicant aged 16 or 17 needs written consent from their parents or legal guardians as part of the application.
Arrival, duration and what your Student visa allows
A successful applicant can travel to the UK a short period before their course starts and is granted permission that runs for the length of the course, with a short period either side to arrive and to wind up affairs afterwards. The visa lets the holder study and, depending on their course and sponsor, work part-time during term-time and more widely outside of it, but it does not allow access to public funds, self-employment, work as a professional sportsperson, sports coach or entertainer, or study at a state-funded academy or maintained school. A partner or child may in some circumstances be able to join or accompany a Student visa holder as a dependant.
If a Student visa is refused
A refusal decision sets out the reasons under the published rules, and in most cases the applicant can ask for an Administrative Review of the decision. The refusal notice explains how to request a review and the time limit for doing so.
Requirements
- Unconditional course offer and CASYou need an unconditional offer of a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor, confirmed by a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number issued by that sponsor.
- Financial requirementYou must show you have enough money to pay any outstanding course fees and to support yourself and any dependants for the length of the course (up to 9 months), unless a published exemption applies, for example having already been in the UK with a visa for 12 months or more.
- English language requirementYou must show knowledge of English to the level set for your course, either through a qualifying nationality or previous study, a degree taught in English, or by passing an approved English language test, unless a published exemption applies.
- Consent if you are under 18If you are under 18, you need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or from one parent with sole responsibility), covering your visa application, your living and care arrangements, and your travel to the UK.
- ATAS certificate where it appliesIf you are studying or researching a sensitive subject at postgraduate level, you may need a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you can apply.
Documents typically needed
- Current passport or other valid travel documentation
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)The reference number your course provider sends once they have offered you a place.
- Proof of the required fundsWhere the financial requirement applies to your application; the amount varies by circumstances.
- ATAS certificateWhere your course and nationality require one.
- Parental or legal guardian consentRequired if you are under 18, covering the visa application, your living and care arrangements, and your travel to the UK.
- Proof of your relationship to a parent or guardianRequired if you are under 18.
- Tuberculosis test resultsIf you are applying from a country where the test is required.
- Written consent from a financial sponsorWhere a sponsor has covered your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.
- Birth certificate or other government-issued documentShowing the names of your parents, if you are under 18.
How to apply
Check the published requirements
Confirm you have (or can get) an unconditional course offer and CAS, check the level of English required for the course, work out the money needed for fees and living costs, and check whether the course needs an ATAS certificate.
Prepare your supporting evidence
Gather your passport, your CAS reference number, evidence of the required funds where it applies, and, if you are under 18, written parental consent and proof of your relationship to a parent or guardian.
Apply online
Apply from outside the UK earlier than an application to extend or switch from inside the UK; both routes use the online Student visa service.
Prove your identity and give biometrics
Confirm your identity using the ID check app or by attending an appointment to give your fingerprints and a photograph, depending on your nationality and the type of passport you hold.
Wait for a decision
A successful application results in an eVisa, a digital record of your immigration status, accessed through a UKVI account. An application can take longer where supporting documents need to be checked, an interview is needed, or personal circumstances require further checks.
Fees & costs
- Apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
- £558
- Extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK
- £558
- Each dependant (partner or child) added to the application
- £558 per person
- Healthcare surcharge
- Payable in addition to the visa fee; amount depends on how long the visa lasts
You must pay the visa fee for each person who joins the application. Fees are set by the Home Office and can change. Source: GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
Processing times
- Apply from outside the UK
- Usually within 3 weeks
- Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch)
- Usually within 8 weeks
Standard service times published by the Home Office; a faster decision service may be available for an extra fee. Source: GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/student-visa
What you can and can't do
Permitted
- Study on the course named on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, or at a partner institution of your sponsor
- Work as an elected student union sabbatical officer
- Work part-time within the published hours during term-time, and more widely outside of term-time, depending on your course and sponsor
- Bring a partner or child as a dependant, if you meet the published requirements
Not permitted
- Claim public funds or a state pension
- Work as a professional sportsperson, sports coach or entertainer
- Be self-employed or run a business
- Study at a state-funded academy or maintained school
Extending and switching
A Student visa holder who wants to continue studying can apply to extend their permission, usually by showing that the new course represents academic progress from the course they are completing, with some published exceptions. Someone already in the UK on another type of permission may in some circumstances be able to switch into the Student route, and a Student who successfully completes an eligible course may be able to switch into the Graduate route or another route afterwards. A dependent partner or child normally needs to apply separately to extend or switch their own permission.
If the application is refused
A refusal decision sets out the reasons under the published rules. In most cases you can apply for an Administrative Review of the decision, and the refusal notice explains how to do this and the time limit that applies.
Common questions
How much money do I need to show for a Student visa?
When can I apply for a Student visa?
Can I work on a Student visa?
Can I bring my partner and children on a Student visa?
Do I need an ATAS certificate?
Do I need to prove my knowledge of English?
Can I extend my Student visa or switch into it from another visa?
What happens if my Student visa application is refused?
Talk it through with one of our solicitors.
Book a consultation and one of our immigration solicitors will go through your situation, the documents involved, and what happens next.
Graduate Visa
Work or look for work in the UK after completing degree studies. 2 years for most graduates, 3 years for PhD holders.
Read the guide →Study as a Visitor (Up to 30 Days)
Study a short course at an accredited institution while you visit the UK, including an English language course.
Read the guide →Skilled Worker Visa
Work in the UK for approved employers in skilled occupations. Minimum salary £41,700 (or going rate), B2 English required, with a pathway to settlement after 5 years.
Read the guide →