Study Visa
Study Visas
Reasons why foreigners choose to study in Great Britain:
- Quality Education: Great Britain is home to some of the world’s top universities and educational institutions with a strong reputation for academic excellence and research facilities.
- Cultural Experience: Studying in Great Britain provides international students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in British culture and history, as well as to experience the rich diversity and vibrant student life.
- Language Skills: Many foreigners choose to study in Great Britain to improve their English language skills, which is widely spoken around the world and is considered an important asset in an increasingly globalized job market.
- Career Opportunities: Studying in Great Britain can open up numerous career opportunities for international students, as many British universities have strong links with industries and offer internships or work placements to help students gain valuable practical experience.
- Networking and International Connections: Studying in Great Britain allows foreigners to build a global network of connections with peers, professors, and professionals from different backgrounds, which can be beneficial for future career prospects and collaborations.
Student visa
You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:
- have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
- have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
- can speak, read, write and understand English
- have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 – you’ll need evidence of this when you apply
- You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
How long you can stay
How long you can stay depends on the length of your course and what study you’ve already completed in the UK.
If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years. You may be able to:
- extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK
- switch to a Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
- switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course
When you can travel to the UK. You can arrive before your course starts. This can be either:
- up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less
- up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months
You must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts. You can:
- study
- work as a student union sabbatical officer
You may be able to work – how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.
You cannot:
- claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
- work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- be self-employed
- study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)
Documents you’ll need to apply
- a current passport or other valid travel documentation
- a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
- proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – this will vary depending on your circumstances
- a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
- proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18
- proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
- your tuberculosis test results
- written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months
If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).This must include their consent for:
- your visa application
- your living and care arrangements in the UK
- your travel to the UK
You’ll also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of your parents.
You can prove your knowledge of English by:
- passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
- having a 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 when you were under 18
Child Student visa
You can apply for a Child Student visa if you’re between 4 and 17 years old and you want to study at an independent school in the UK.
You must:
- have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school
- be able to show you’ll have access to enough money to support you in the UK and pay for your course
- have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK – you’ll need to prove this when you apply
How long you can stay
How long you can stay depends on your age on the date you apply and the length of your course.
Under 16 – Course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards
16 or 17 – Course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards
Staying longer in the UK
You may be able to:
- extend your visa if you’re eligible, for example to continue your studies in the UK
- switch to a Child Student visa from another visa if you’re already in the UK
If you’re 16 or over you can work:
- part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week
- full-time during vacations
- on a work placement as part of your course (but not for more than 50% of your course)
You cannot:
- study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school) or further or higher education institution
- get public funds (benefits)
- take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed
- work as a professional sportsperson (for example a sports coach) or entertainer
apply for settlement - bring family members (‘dependants’) – if a parent wants to accompany you, they’ll need to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa
Documents you’ll need to apply
- a current passport or other valid travel documentatio
- a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
- written consent from your parent or legal guardian for your study in the UK
- proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – this will vary depending on your circumstances
- proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian (for example a birth certificate or other government issued document showing their names)
- evidence of the qualifications you used to get a place on your course – if this was required by your course provider
- your tuberculosis (TB) test results
- written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months
Parental consent
You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to:
- your visa application
- your living arrangements and care in the UK
- your travel to the UK
If you’re living with a close relative or foster carer, you’ll need to provide additional evidence. Read the guidance for the full list of
documents you’ll need to provide.
Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)
You can apply for a Short-term study visa to study English language in the UK. This visa is for English language courses lasting longer than 6 months and up to 11 months.
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. You cannot:
- study on any other course or change your course while in the UK
- study at a state-funded school
- work or carry out any business (this includes paid or unpaid work, work experience or work placements)
- extend this visa
- bring family members (‘dependants’) with you on this visa
- apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension
Documents about your course
You must provide written proof of the course you’re studying. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation).
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of your:
- permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national)
- financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies
- identify them in your visa application.
- Their name will appear on your visa, and you’ll be refused entry to the UK if you arrive in the UK without them.
- You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application, and your visa will only be valid if you travel with at least one of them.
- The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.
Documents you’ll need to apply
- a current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or other valid travel document
- evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
- details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans – you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa
- evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them
- your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test
- contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country, if you’re under 18 years old
- a certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh