Applying for a Student Visa
How to Apply for a Student Visa
Obtaining your student visa
Applying for a UK student visa involves more than simply receiving a university offer — understanding eligibility requirements, application timelines, supporting documents, and travel regulations is essential for a successful application. Derived from official UK Government guidance, this guide provides an overview of the UK Student Visa process, including who can apply, when and how to apply, the documents required, and when students are permitted to travel to the UK, helping international students prepare confidently and avoid common mistakes.
Overview
This section provides a concise overview of the UK Student Visa, explaining what it is, who can apply, when applications can be submitted, and how the application process works, helping international students understand the key stages before applying.
Overview of the UK Student Visa - What, Who, When, How?
What is a student visa?
A Student visa is an official document or electronic authorization required for international students (aged 16+) to live and study in the UK. It is obtained after receiving an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor/university, fulfilling English language proficiency, and proving sufficient funds for tuition and living costs.
Who needs a visa?
You are likely to need a student visa if:
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You do not hold a UK or Irish passport
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You do not have indefinite leave to remain in the UK
You must be aged 16 or over to get a student visa to study at the University. A CAS (the confirmation you need for your visa from the University) cannot be issued to anyone under 16.
You can find detailed guidance on applying for a student visa on the International Student Office website.
For part-time study, visa support depends on the course. Visit the International Student Office website for information on part-time study and immigration.
You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:
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have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
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have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
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have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply
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.
When to apply
When you can apply 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.
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.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
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3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
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8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
Documents Needed
Applying for a UK Student Visa requires several important supporting documents to verify your identity, admission status, and financial eligibility. This section outlines key documents commonly required for a student visa application, including your passport, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), tuberculosis (TB) test certificate where applicable, and financial documents demonstrating sufficient funds for tuition and living costs.
Documents Needed to Apply for a Student Visa
When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:
• a current passport or other valid travel documentation
• a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
You may also need to provide:
• 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
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Read the guidance for the full list of documents you’ll need to provide below.
If you’re under 18
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.
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Full List of documents Needed
•A CURRENT PASSPORT OR OTHER VALID TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION -UKVI does not require that a passport is valid for any particular period of time after arrival in the UK, but it must be valid when you make your application and when you arrive in the UK. -If your passport will expire very shortly after you arrive in the UK, it is advisable to renew it before you apply for your Student visa, if there is time to do so. If your passport will expire at any other point during your time in the UK, you should check with the passport issuing authority in your home country if you will be able to replace it in the UK. This is possible for most nationalities, but not all.
•A CONFIRMATION OF ACCEPTANCE FOR STUDIES (CAS) FROM YOUR COURSE PROVIDER -You must enter the CAS reference number given to you by the University in your visa application form
•ATAS -Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) -If you’ve applied for certain science and technology courses and you will be studying on a time-limited visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. -The ATAS gives you clearance to study certain sensitive subjects at postgraduate level in the UK. -Where your course requires ATAS clearance you must apply for an ATAS clearance certificate and provide this with your visa application. Visit the page below to check if you need to provide an ATAS clearance certificate
•TUBERCULOSIS TEST CERTIFICATE (APPLYING OUTSIDE THE UK) -Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) -If you’ve applied for certain science and technology courses and you will be studying on a time-limited visa, you may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. -The ATAS gives you clearance to study certain sensitive subjects at postgraduate level in the UK. -Where your course requires ATAS clearance you must apply for an ATAS clearance certificate and provide this with your visa application. Visit the page below to check if you need to provide an ATAS clearance certificate
• FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
- General Requirements
- For new students, you may need to submit financial documents with your visa application that meet the requirements below:
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this is your first year’s tuition fees plus living costs. You can deduct any amount of the tuition fee that has already been paid to the University
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Living costs are £1171 per month of your course up to a maximum of nine months for courses utside of London and £1,529 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London. Therefore, if the length of your course is nine months or more this amount is £10539 (£1171 per month x 9).
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For applications submitted on or after 11 November 2025, these amounts increase to £1171 per month and £10,539. Where you have paid money to the University for accommodation that shows on your CAS (this does not include money you have paid to a private accommodation provider other than the University) the maximum amount you can deduct will increase to £1529 for applications submitted on or after this date. If you have paid less than this amount of accommodation, you can only deduct the amount you have already paid
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The rules and guidance no longer set out specific criteria that a financial document must meet (except for loan letters). More guidance on what UKVI caseworkers may expect to see when assessing if they are satisfied with the evidence is published below:
- Self-funded students - Requirements
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You must show that you have held the correct amount of money for at least 28 consecutive days before the date you complete your visa application online.
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Your funds must not have dropped below the required amount during this time.
Acceptable documents include:
For loans:
A letter confirming your Education Loan
The loan must be from either a government; or
A government sponsored student loans company, or
An educational loans scheme regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK, or where the money is held overseas, official regulator for the country the money is held in.
For bank documents:
The financial institution or bank must:
Use electronic record keeping; and
Be regulated by the appropriate regulator in the country it is in; and
UKVI must be able to make verification checks with the bank and may check that they are regulated as above on the bank's website
The funds held must be:
In your name; or
In your partner's name (only if they are applying at the same time as you or if they have already been granted a visa); or
In your parent or legal guardian's name; and
Held in a personal bank or building society account; and
Can be accessed immediately
As long as the funds can be withdrawn and accessed immediately, you can use the following types of funds:
Current accounts
Deposits
Savings accounts
Pensions
Investment accounts
The document itself must be:
A current bank statement dated no more than 31 days old
A bank letter dated no more than 31 days old confirming your funds have been held for 28 days
A deposit certificate issued at least 28 days after the date of deposit and dated no more than 31 days old
You can now use electronic statements from online banking, and there is no longer any need to get these stamped by the bank
To find out more about student visa and how to apply click here:
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When you can travel to the UK
Once a UK Student Visa has been approved, there are specific rules regarding when international students can travel to the UK before their course begins. This section explains permitted travel timelines and important considerations students should be aware of before arranging their journey.
Understanding when you can Travel to the UK after Receiving your Student Visa.
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:
• £558 to apply for a Student visa from outside the UK
• £558 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.
Additional information
Your partner and children
You may be able to bring your partner and children (‘dependants’).
What you can and cannot do
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)
If your application is successful, you’ll be told what you can and cannot do on a Student visa.
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