If you’re an international student you’ll probably need a student visa to study in the UK. To find out whether you need a visa to study in the UK simply use our visa checker below, or check the UK Government website.
Read more to find out about the requirements of a student visa and what to do if you need a post-study or graduate visa.
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Student Visa
If you need a student visa to study in the UK there are a few things you must have before you apply. You must:
- Be 16 years of age or over
- Have been offered a place on a course run by a licensed student sponsor
- Have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself (this amount will vary based on your personal circumstances)
- Be able to speak, read, write and understand English
- Have evidence of consent from your parents (only required at 16 or 17 years old)
Other visas to consider
If you are 16 or 17 years old and want to study at an independent school (private school for which you pay school fees) you may be eligible for a child student visa instead.
Courses you can study on a Student visa
You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor, to see the full list of licensed student sponsors see the UK Government website.
Once you have been offered a place on your course your education provider will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You must enter this CAS reference number on your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.
The following courses are approved to study with a Student visa:
- A full-time course leading to a qualification that’s below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study
- A full-time course leading to a qualification that’s degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8)
- A full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8) that’s equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas
- A part-time course leading to a qualification that’s above degree level (RQF level 7 or above)
- A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists
- An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
When should you apply for a Student visa?
When you should apply for your student visa will depend on whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK.
- The earliest you can apply for a student visa from outside the UK is 6 months before you start your course
- You'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks
- The earliest you can apply for a student visa from inside the UK 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
Once you have applied for your student visa and it has been approved you can travel to the UK before your course starts. This can be either up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less or up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months. It is important to note that you must not travel to the UK before the start date given on your visa, no matter when your course starts.
What are the conditions of a Student visa?
If you have a student visa you can study and work as a student union sabbatical officer. You may also be able to work other part-time jobs, however, this will depend on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.
Once your application is successful you’ll be told the specifics of what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.
Generally, with a Student visa, you can’t claim benefits and pensions. You cannot work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson, or be self-employed. You are also unable to study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school).
How much does a Student visa cost?
To see how much your student visa will cost check the UK Government website.
How long can you stay in the UK with a Student visa?
How long you can stay in the UK on a student visa 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. If you want to stay longer in the UK you may be able to extend your visa if you’re eligible. Alternatively, if eligible, you may be able to switch to a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing your course.
Graduate visa
If you have completed your course with a student visa you may be looking for a post study work visa. This is also known as a graduate visa and gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after successfully completing a course in the UK.
You can apply for a Graduate visa if:
- You’re in the UK
- Your current visa is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- You studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible courses for a minimum period of time with your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
- Your education provider (such as your university or college) has told the Home Office you’ve successfully completed your course
- If you’re not eligible for a Graduate visa, you may be eligible for another type of visa to stay in the UK such as a work visa.
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