If you are not a citizen of the European Union and you are
planning to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a UK student visa. There
are different types of visa, each with their own conditions and restrictions.
The type of student visa you require will depend on your age, the type of
course you wish to study, the length of your course and the type of college or
university where you will study. This list of frequently asked questions
provides some general information on UK immigration requirements for
international students.
Frequently Asked Questions
· Will I need a student visa
to come to the UK to study?
If you are a citizen of the EU (or Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or
Liechtenstein) you will not need a student visa to come to the UK to study. If
you are a national of any other country, you will need entry clearance. In most
cases, that means you will have to apply for a student visa.
What types of student visa
are there?
There are two types of UK student visa: Student Visitor Visa and
Tier 4 Student Visa. A Student Visitor Visa (SVV) is sufficient for short
academic courses and for most English courses. For longer academic courses, you
will need a Tier 4 Visa. These are divided into two categories: Tier 4
(General) and Tier 4 (Child). Tier 4 visas are issued under the provisions of
the UK Points Based System (PBS).
What type of student visa
will I need?
For academic courses up to 6 months, or English courses up to 11
months, a Student Visitor Visa will be sufficient. (Note: the 6 - 11 month visa
is also known as an Extended Student Visitor Visa, or ESVV). For longer
courses, or if you plan to extend your study time in the UK, you will need a
Tier 4 Student Visa.
If you are under 18 and want to study a course at
GCSE level (NQF Level 2), you must apply for a Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa. If
you want to study at a higher level (e.g. A Levels or University Foundation),
you can choose whether to apply for a Tier 4 (Child) or Tier 4 (General)
Student Visa. The requirements and conditions differ, so the best choice will
depend on your own circumstances.
If you are over 18, you must apply for a Tier 4
(General) Student Visa. Note that you cannot study at GCSE level or below if
you are over 18.
What are the requirements
for obtaining a Tier 4 Student Visa?
The requirements for obtaining a Tier 4 Student Visa are:
·
You must obtain a document called a Confirmation of
Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution where you intend to
study. Normally, an institution will issue a CAS only when you have confirmed
your place by paying a substantial deposit.
·
The institution must be recognised (i.e. have a sponsor's licence)
by the UK Border Agency.
·
If you are over 18 and you want to study an academic course, the
courses must be at NQF Level 3 or above (e.g. A Level or University
Foundation). There is no restriction on study level for under 18s.
·
You must prove you have the funds to pay for your studies.
As a minimum, you will need sufficient funds to pay your first year tuition
fees in full, plus at least £7,200 (£9,000 in London) for accommodation and
living expenses. Usually, you will be asked to produce bank statements showing
the funds have been in your account (or your parents' / legal guardian's account)
for 28 days before you apply for your visa. Documentary evidence of a bank loan
or sponsorship from a Government body is also acceptable. Visa applications are
automatically rejected if you cannot prove you have these funds, or if they
have not been in your account for 28 days before you apply for your visa.
·
If you are over 18, you may need to pass an approved
English language test before you apply for your visa. English tests
are mandatory if you are studying below degree level and may be required at
degree level or above. For more information on approved English language tests,
see our section on Secure English
Language Tests, or contact your student advisor*.
When assessing your visa application, the British Embassy or High
Commission will also take into consideration other factors, in particular
whether you have been refused a visa or refused entry in the past.
What are the requirements
for obtaining a Student Visitor Visa?
The requirements for obtaining a Student Visitor Visa are:
·
You must provide documentary evidence to show you have been
accepted onto a course of study by an education institution recognised by the
UK Border Agency.
·
Your course must be no longer than 11 months (for English language
courses) or 6 months (for academic courses).
·
As with a Tier 4 Student Visa, you must prove you can pay for your
course and support yourself during your studies. You will need sufficient funds
to pay your tuition fees in full, plus £800 per month (£1,000 in London) for
accommodation and living expenses.
What if I am already in the
UK?
You cannot apply for a Student Visitor Visa or new Tier 4 Visa
from within the UK. However, you can extend an existing Tier 4 visa, provided
your course begins no more than one month after the expiry of your current
leave to remain.
If you have a Tier 4 visa and have been studying in the UK for at
least 6 months, you will have a special immigration status calledestablished
presence. When you apply to extend your Tier 4 visa, you will still need to
meet the requirements described above. However, you will only need £1,600
(£2,000 for London) for accommodation and living expenses, instead of £7,200
(£9,000 for London).
How do I know if the institution
I apply to is recognised by the UK Border Agency?
Institutions are rated as Highly Trusted, A (Trusted) or B
(Sponsor). Only Highly Trusted Sponsors can accept students onto courses at or
below NQF Level 3 (e.g. GCSE, A Level and University Foundation courses). The B
rating is assigned as a temporary measure for institutions that need to improve
to keep their licence. B rated institution must either regain A status or be
suspended from the register.
Will I be able to work when
I am in the UK?
If you have a Tier 4 Student Visa, you may be allowed to work full
time during vacations and part time during term time, but it depends on the
level of course you are studying and the type of institution that sponsored
your student visa.
·
You can work full time during vacations and up to 20 hours per
week during term time if your student visa was sponsored by a UK university and
you are studying at degree level above (i.e. NQF Level 6+).
·
You can work full time during vacations and up to 10 hours per
week during term time if your student visa was sponsored by a university or a
publicly funded college of further education and you are studying below degree
level (NQF Level 3+).
·
If your student visa was sponsored by a private institution, you
will not be allowed to work at all.
Important: if you are studying a
university foundation or pre-masters course on a university campus, you should
check whether your student visa is sponsored by the university or by a private
education provider working with the university. This will affect your right to
work during term time. Your student advisor can provide further details if you
are not sure.
Can I bring my family with
me to the UK while I study?
You can bring dependants with you only if you are studying a
postgraduate course at a university or publicly funded college. The course must
be more than 12 months' duration. You will have to demonstrate your family
members (or you) have sufficient funds to cover monthly living costs.
What are the restrictions
on Student Visitor Visas?
Restrictions apply if you enter as a student visitor. The main
restrictions are follows: i) you will not be able to apply for more time in the
UK, even to extend your studies; ii) you will not be able to undertake any
employment, even unpaid placements or internships as part of your study; iii)
you will not be able to study at a government funded school.
What is a Non-Visa
National?
Non-Visa nationals do not need to apply for a visa for courses of
6 months or less. You are a non-visa national if you are from a country
designated as a non-visa national country by the UK Border Agency. Countries on
the list change from time to time, so you should always check with the UK
Border Agency website for the latest information - www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
If you are unsure, please contact your student advisor* for
advice.
What is a Confirmation of
Acceptance for Studies (CAS)?
If you need a Tier 4 Student Visa to study in the UK, you must
obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a recognised
institution before you apply for your visa. The CAS contains information about
you, the institution, your course, the fees due (in the first year) and the
amount already paid. It also states the course start date and the latest
arrival date, after which the CAS expires if unused. A CAS is specific to an
institution, so you cannot use a CAS issued by one institution to study at
another.
Where can I find more
information?
Further information is available on the UK Border Agency web site
at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk