The UK remains one of the world’s most popular destinations for international students, with globally recognised universities, respected qualifications and a multicultural learning environment. Before you can begin your studies, however, you need to make sure your visa application is accurate, complete and supported by the right evidence.
This guide covers what you need to know about the UK Student visa, from basic eligibility requirements through to what you can and cannot do while you are in the UK. If you would like personalised guidance on your application, the immigration advisors london at Hedgley Immigration are here to help.
What Is the UK Student Visa?
The UK Student visa is the main route for people aged 16 or over who want to study a further or higher education course in the UK with a licensed student sponsor. It replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa under the UK’s points-based immigration system.
If you are aged 16 or over and want to study at a university, college or other licensed education provider in the UK, this is likely to be the visa you need, unless you already have immigration permission that allows you to study.
Irish citizens do not need a Student visa to study in the UK. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals may also not need one if they already hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or another valid UK immigration status that permits study. Otherwise, most non-UK and non-Irish students will need to check whether the Student visa route applies to them.
You can read more about the specific documentation and evidence requirements in our detailed blog post on UK student visa requirements.
Who Needs a UK Student Visa?
You will usually need a UK Student visa if you are:
- A non-UK and non-Irish national without an existing UK immigration status that allows you to study
- Planning to study an eligible course in the UK for more than 6 months
- Aged 16 or over
- Sponsored by a UK education provider that holds a valid Student sponsor licence
If your course lasts 6 months or less, you may be able to study as a Standard Visitor, depending on the type of course and your circumstances. If you are studying an English language course that lasts more than 6 months but no more than 11 months, the Short-term study visa may be more appropriate.
Visitor routes come with restrictions, especially around work, switching visas and bringing family members. It is worth getting advice before assuming a short-term route is suitable.
The Core Requirements
To be granted a UK Student visa, you need to satisfy several key requirements. Each part matters, and missing or weak evidence can lead to delays or refusal.
A Confirmed Place With a Licensed Student Sponsor
This is the foundation of your application. You must have an unconditional offer from a UK education provider that holds a Student sponsor licence from the Home Office. Not every college or course provider is licensed, so you should check this before you accept an offer or pay fees.
Once your place is confirmed, your education provider will issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, usually called a CAS. This is a unique reference number that you include in your visa application.
Your CAS contains important details about your course, tuition fees, sponsor and any money already paid to the institution. It is usually valid for 6 months from the date it is assigned, so you need to apply within the correct timeframe.
A CAS does not guarantee that your visa will be granted. You still need to meet the Student visa requirements in full.
English Language Proficiency
You need to show that you can speak, read, write and understand English to the required level.
The level depends on the course. If you are studying below degree level, you usually need English at B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If you are studying at degree level or above, you usually need English at B2 level.
You may be able to prove this through:
- An approved Secure English Language Test
- A UK school qualification, where the rules allow it
- A degree taught or researched in English
- Assessment by your higher education provider, where permitted
- Nationality from a majority English-speaking country accepted by UKVI
You should follow the exact evidence requirements given by your sponsor and UKVI. If your test score is below the required level, it is usually better to retake the test before applying rather than risk a refusal.
Sufficient Financial Funds
You need to show that you have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself in the UK, unless you are exempt from showing financial evidence.
You usually need to show:
- Enough money to pay your course fees for 1 academic year, up to 9 months, or the remaining balance if you have already paid part of the fee
- £1,529 per month for living costs if you will study in London, for up to 9 months
- £1,171 per month for living costs if you will study outside London, for up to 9 months
For these rules, London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs. The money usually needs to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end date of that 28-day period must normally be within 31 days of the date you apply.
You may be able to rely on money held by a parent or legal guardian, but you will need the right evidence, including proof of your relationship and written consent. If you have an official financial sponsor or student loan, you will need appropriate evidence from that sponsor or loan provider.
Some applicants do not need to submit financial evidence with the application, such as those who have been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months before applying. Some nationals also benefit from differential evidence arrangements, although UKVI can still ask to see the evidence later.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme Where Required
If you are studying certain sensitive subjects at master’s degree level or above, particularly in science, engineering, medicine or technology, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate before you apply.
This is commonly known as ATAS. It is a security clearance requirement for certain courses and research areas. If it applies to you, your university should tell you, and your CAS should normally confirm whether ATAS is required.
ATAS clearance can take time, so it should be dealt with early. If you need ATAS and apply without it, your visa application is likely to be refused.
Parental Consent If You Are 16 or 17
If you are aged 16 or 17, you need written consent from your parent or legal guardian. This must usually confirm that they agree to your visa application, your living and care arrangements in the UK, and your travel to the UK.
If you are under 18 and want to study at an independent school in the UK, the Child Student visa may be more appropriate than the Student visa.
Applying for Your Student Visa
Once you have your CAS and supporting documents ready, you can apply online through the UK Visas and Immigration system.
You can usually apply:
- Up to 6 months before your course starts if you are applying from outside the UK
- Up to 3 months before your course starts if you are applying from inside the UK
If you apply from inside the UK, you must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must usually start within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
You will need to prove your identity. Depending on your nationality and document type, this may be done through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending a visa application centre to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
You will also need to pay:
- The Student visa application fee, currently £558
- The Immigration Health Surcharge, currently £776 per year for students
The amount of Immigration Health Surcharge you pay depends on the length of visa granted. If dependants are applying with you, each person must pay their own visa fee and healthcare surcharge.
How Long Does Processing Take?
Standard processing is usually around 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the UK to extend or switch to a Student visa, the standard decision time is usually around 8 weeks.
Priority services may be available in some countries or through some application routes, but availability is not guaranteed. It is sensible to apply as early as you can once your CAS and supporting documents are ready.
If your application is successful, you will usually receive an eVisa, which is a digital record of your immigration status. You should make sure your UKVI account is set up correctly and linked to the passport or travel document you will use to travel.
What Can You Do on a Student Visa?
Your Student visa allows you to study the course listed on your CAS, but it also comes with conditions.
Depending on your course, sponsor and visa conditions, you may be able to:
- Work up to 20 hours per week during term time if you are studying a full-time degree-level course with a qualifying higher education provider
- Work up to 10 hours per week during term time if you are studying certain below-degree-level courses with a qualifying provider
- Work full-time during official vacation periods if your visa conditions allow it
- Work as a student union sabbatical officer, where permitted
- Travel in and out of the UK during your studies, provided your visa remains valid
You cannot usually:
- Claim public funds
- Be self-employed or engage in business activity
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Work as an entertainer
- Fill a permanent full-time vacancy, except in limited circumstances allowed by the rules
- Study at an academy or local authority-funded school
Your exact work conditions should be checked carefully. They will depend on your course level, sponsor type and the conditions attached to your visa.
Can You Bring Dependants?
The dependant rules for Student visas are now much more restricted than they used to be.
Your partner and children may be able to apply as dependants if you are:
- A government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts more than 6 months
- A full-time student on a postgraduate-level course lasting at least 9 months, where the course qualifies under the current dependant rules
For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, the postgraduate course must be either a PhD or other doctorate at RQF Level 8, or a research-based higher degree. This means most taught master’s students cannot bring dependants under the Student visa route.
If your dependants are eligible, they also need to meet relationship and financial requirements. The current dependant maintenance requirement is £845 per month for each dependant if you study in London, or £680 per month for each dependant if you study outside London, for up to 9 months.
After Your Studies: What Are Your Options?
For many international students, graduation is not the end of their UK immigration journey. It can be the beginning of the next stage.
Some of the main options include:
- Graduate visa – This allows eligible international students who have successfully completed a qualifying UK course to stay in the UK after study. For most applicants, it lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, or 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. Doctoral graduates can still receive 3 years. No job offer is needed upfront. (GOV.UK)
- Skilled Worker visa – If you secure a qualifying job offer from a licensed UK employer, you may be able to switch onto a skilled worker visa london. Our blog on skilled worker visa eligibility covers what this involves, and our guide on skilled worker salary thresholds explains the current salary requirements.
- Self-sponsorship – If you are entrepreneurially minded and want to set up your own UK business rather than work for someone else, the self-sponsorship route may be worth exploring. The skilled worker sponsor licence guide is a good starting point.
- Settlement and citizenship – The Student visa and Graduate visa do not usually lead directly to settlement under a 5-year route. However, time spent lawfully in the UK as a Student may count towards 10-year long residence, and switching into a settlement route such as Skilled Worker may later support an application for ilr advice london. After ILR, you may eventually be able to apply for british citizenship london. Our blog on dual citizenship in the UK is worth reading if you want to understand your long-term options.
- Partner or family route – If your circumstances change and you have a partner who is British, settled in the UK, or otherwise eligible to sponsor you, the partner visa london route may become relevant.
For those who have been in the UK for a significant period, the long residence leave london route may also be applicable, particularly if your time in the UK spans multiple visa categories over 10 or more years.
Commonwealth nationals may also wish to check whether the right of abode services london or uk ancestry visa advice london route could open up additional options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a UK Student visa without a CAS?
No. A CAS is a fundamental part of a Student visa application. You cannot properly apply under the Student route without a valid CAS from a licensed Student sponsor.
Before applying, check that your CAS details are accurate, including your name, course title, fees, payments made and course dates.
What if my English test score is just below the required level?
You should usually retake the test and achieve the required score before applying. If you apply with a score that does not meet the requirement, your application is likely to be refused unless another valid form of English language evidence applies.
A refusal can complicate future applications, so it is better to resolve the issue before submission.
Does my savings account need to be in my own name?
Not necessarily. You may be able to rely on funds held in your own account or in a parent’s or legal guardian’s account. If you use a parent or legal guardian’s funds, you will need evidence of the relationship and written consent confirming that the money can be used for your studies and living costs.
You may also be able to rely on an official financial sponsorship letter or student loan evidence, if it meets the rules.
Can I work full-time during the summer?
If your Student visa allows work and your education provider confirms that the summer period is an official vacation, you may be able to work full-time during that period.
You should check your visa conditions and your sponsor’s term dates before accepting full-time work. Working more hours than allowed can create serious immigration problems.
What happens if my course is extended?
You may need to apply to extend your Student visa before your current permission expires. Your sponsor will need to issue a new CAS, and you will need to meet the Student visa requirements again.
You should begin planning as soon as you know your course end date is changing.
Can I switch from a Student visa to a work visa without leaving the UK?
In many cases, yes, provided you meet the requirements for the new route and apply before your Student visa expires.
For Skilled Worker applications, there are specific rules for students switching in the UK. You may need to have completed your course, or your job start date may need to fall after course completion, depending on your circumstances. The Graduate visa is also available to eligible students who have successfully completed a qualifying UK course and apply from inside the UK before their Student visa expires.
Is the Student visa the same as the Child Student visa?
No. The Child Student visa is a separate category for children aged 4 to 17 who want to study at an independent school in the UK.
The Student visa is generally for people aged 16 or over who want to study a further or higher education course with a licensed Student sponsor.
Ready to Start Your UK Study Journey?
Getting your Student visa application right first time means you can focus on what really matters: your studies. Whether you are applying from overseas or switching from another visa category in the UK, our team can help you prepare a strong, well-evidenced application.
At Hedgley Immigration, Sean and Lydia Hedgley provide clear, practical support for students at every stage, from understanding your options to submitting a complete and accurate application. Get in touch today for an honest assessment of your situation.
- Call Sean: 07704 909490
- Call Lydia: 07587145994
- Email: sean@hedgleyimmigration.co.uk
Straightforward advice, so you can get on with your future.