The United Kingdom is a world-leading education destination and is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. If you’re planning to study in the UK, you must apply for a student visa. This process can seem daunting, but we’re here to help. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to easily apply for a UK study visa. We will also provide some helpful tips and resources to make the process as smooth as possible.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to apply for a UK study visa!
As per the latest data, student visa applications to the UK, have drastically increased by over 70%. Under such circumstances, efforts are being made to improve the processing time for UK study visas. Students, who wish to study in the UK for more than 6 months, need to know about the following 3 UK Study Visas:
Short-term Study Visa: Short-term UK Study Visa is for those who want to study an English language course for up to 11 months.
If your course is fewer than 11 months, you can choose the short-term visa. With a short-term study visa, you can stay in the UK for the duration of your course (up to 11 months). But, you cannot extend this visa, and you cannot work while studying.
If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA), the US, Canada, or Australia, you can enter the UK as a visitor on arrival. Also, you can study a short course for fewer than 6 months. Alternatively, you can complete an accredited or recreational course with a duration of fewer than 30 days while holding a visitor status. Therefore, a short-term study visa will not be needed in this case
Student Visa: This visa category is for students coming to the UK for higher education. It was formerly called Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, popularly called Tier 4 Student Visa.
With this type of visa, you can stay in the UK for the duration of your course. Also, you can apply to extend the visa, and you can work whilst studying.
Additionally, you can apply for a graduate visa up to 2 years after completing your course. Through this option, you can decide whether you want to stay in the UK and work, but this is completely optional.
Child Student Visa: If you’re 16 or 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead. This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa.
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:
- you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK
- you have ‘reasonable grounds for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse
When to apply
This solely depends on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
Applying from outside the UK
The earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course. You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Applying from inside the UK
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts. You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring. You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks
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.
UK Student Visa Eligibility
A student must have received an offer of an academic course from a licensed student sponsor
A student must have sufficient financial resources to support himself/ herself during the duration of the course
A student must be able to speak, read, write and understand English
If a student is aged 16 or 17, he/ she needs consent from his/ her parents
How To Apply For a UK Student Visa
Upon deciding on the best option for your course and study requirements, you must apply for your student visa.
Kindly follow the guide below for a quick and easy application process.
- Financial evidence
To apply for a UK student visa, international students must provide evidence of funding for tuition fees and living expenses. This includes providing proof of funds for accommodation.
As part of this, you’ll need bank statements (from yourself, parents, or guardians) with the required funds in place for at least 28 days.
This evidence should include the following:
- Tuition Fees for the first year of your course.
- Living expenses of £1,023 per month for the first nine months of your course. However, if your university is in London, you will need evidence of £1,334 per month as living costs are higher.
- Additional living expenses of any eligible family members, at a rate of £680 per person per month
2. Check UK student visa requirements
UK student visa application forms sometimes can take time. Along with your financial evidence, it’s worth getting your documentation started early.
Therefore, it is important that your passport is on date and that you have any additional travel documents. In addition, you will need the following:
- A valid ATAS certificate (depending on your course and nationality).
- Parental or guardian consent if you are under 18.
- Tuberculosis test results (for certain listed countries).
UK student visa requirements may also require original academic certificates and transcripts, as well as English language test certificates. Your course provider’s Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies letter (CAS) will confirm all the documents you need.
3. Accept your offer and pay course fees
Before you can apply for your student visitor to the UK, you must formally accept your university’s course offer. This is a crucial first step before your institution can offer a CAS.
Some institutions also require a deposit towards course fees. This payment will go towards your total tuition fees and are deducted from the final amount. But this payment is separate from UK student visa fees.
4. Check your CAS letter
Your CAS letter is important during the UK student visa application. Therefore, it’s worth checking that all details are correct, including personal details and course information.
The CAS letter will include information like your personal details, course details, tuition fees, and deposits. In addition, any further English language qualification requirements will be shown on the letter.
To successfully apply for a UK student visa, you might need to complete a short questionnaire before your university can issue a CAS. However, this only applies to any students who have previously studied in the UK.
5. Complete the UK student visa application
With your documentation and CAS letter in place, you are ready to start the online application process.
Currently, UK student visa fees are £363 per person. You will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge for NHS services, which is usually around £470 a year.
For any short courses, UK student visa fees are £97 for six months and £186 for eleven months.
UK student visa processing time can take up to three weeks. But if you have to provide biometric information at a visa application center, you may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
6. Finalise documents and biometrics
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity.
You’ll either give your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) at a visa application center. Alternatively, you can use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to scan your identity document.
You may also be selected for a “credibility interview” which is a five-minute interview via video link with UKVI staff. If selected, this is nothing to worry about, it’s just a check to make sure you’re a genuine student.
7. Receive your entry vignette and decision letter
Usually, UK student visas are processed within three weeks. Once your application is processed, your decision letter and passport will be returned alongside a vignette added to a blank page.
This vignette allows you to enter the UK within a 30 or 90-day window. This period is usually directly before your course start date, which is specified on your UK student visa application form.
Although, there are some cases where a visa may be refused, or where an issued visa is incorrect. If this has impacted you, contact your university in the first instance and they will provide information on the best way to proceed.
8. Collect your biometric residence permit
Once you arrive in the UK, you must collect your biometric residence permit (BRP) within ten days of arrival. When you collect the BRP, bring your passport, entry vignette, and visa decision letter with you.
Your BRP is an important immigration document. Once you receive the document, you must keep it safe and secure. However, if you use the UK Immigration ID Check app, you won’t need a BRP, as you’ll receive your digital immigration status via the app.
Staying longer in the UK
You may be able to:
- extend your visa if you’re eligible 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.
Fees
It costs:
- £363 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
- £490 to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK
You must pay the visa fee for each person that joins you.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. How much you pay depends on how long your visa lasts.
Checklist
These are a set of documents that you need to submit when you apply for your student visa. You will receive your visa only after the documents listed below have been verified.
- A valid passport.
- Parental or legal guardian consent with proof of relationship if the student is under the age of 18.
- University letter of acceptance along with the CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number. Your university will provide the CAS reference number. You need to start your visa application within six months of receiving your letter of acceptance because your CAS number will expire in 6 months. However, 3 months is generally more than enough to obtain your visa.
- Statement of proof for your funds. This is to check if you will be able to take care of yourself financially. You need proof you can pay tuition fees for the first year of education and your cost of living for up to 9 months
In conclusion, applying for a UK study visa is not as difficult as you might think. You simply need to gather the necessary documents, submit your application online, and then wait for a decision. If you keenly follow the steps mentioned above, you should have no problem getting a study visa for the UK.
