Student visa: An in-depth guide for international students

For international students who are looking to study in the UK, you need to get yourself a student visa. Previously known as a Tier 4 visa, the student visa process process can be long, but knowing what to expect will make applying that little bit easier!

What is a student visa?

A student visa was formerly known as the Tier 4 visa. It is a visa that is designed specifically for international students who are looking to study in the UK. The visa can only be obtained by those who are 16 or over. You also need to meet the following criteria:

• You must have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
• You must have enough money to support yourself and to help pay for your course
• You must be able to read, speak, write and understand English as a language
• You must have the consent of your parents (if you are between the ages of 16 and 17)

With regards to having the consent of your parent or guardian, you will be required to produce evidence of this when you apply for the visa.

If you are 16 or 17 and wish to study in the UK at an independent school, then you may be eligible for a Child student visa instead of a student visa.

Do I need a student visa?

If you (or a close family member) started living in the UK before 1st January 2021, it is possible to apply for settled status, one of the new immigration policies brought in as a result of Brexit. This is specifically for foreign nationals coming from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

If you do not qualify for settled status or do not require it, then you will need to apply for a student visa. If you are an Irish citizen, you are not required to apply for a visa or settled status.

How long can I stay in the UK with a student visa?

How long you can stay in the UK with a student visa, depends on the length of the course you're studying and what study (if any) you have already completed.

If you are 18 or over and your university course is of a degree level, then it is possible to stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it is not at a degree level, then you will likely be granted stay in the country for 2 years.

It is also possible to extend your student visa if you meet the eligibility criteria or you can switch to a more relevant visa if you need it and are already in the UK.

Can I use the NHS if I'm on a student visa?

For international students who are studying in the UK for 6 months or more, you are entitled to full healthcare in the UK (excluding dental treatment) under the National Health Service (NHS). Anyone who is staying in the UK with you, be it a spouse, partner or child and are listed as dependents are also entitled to the same level of healthcare you are. You are required to pay the NHS surcharge before you can use the NHS, however.

If your course in the UK is only for less than 6 months but is funded by the UK government to 35% or more, you will qualify for free healthcare, as long as you can provide funding evidence.

If your course does not meet the funding criteria and is still less than 6 months, then you will need to take out medical insurance, which should be arranged for the duration of your stay in the UK.

One of the first things to do when arriving in the UK, is to register yourself with a General Practitioner (colloquially referred to as a GP in the UK), this is an essential part of healthcare in the UK and is very important if you fall ill and need a professional opinion of your circumstances or if you need medication prescribed.

What is provided free by the NHS?

If you and your university course meet the correct eligibility criteria, then you are entitled to NHS treatment, the following are free of charge:

• GP consultation
• Treatment in Accident and Emergency (A&E)
• Hospital treatment if recommended by your GP
• Contraceptive services
• Maternity care

What do I need to pay for?

Not everything on the NHS is free, even if you meet the eligibility criteria, even for British nationals. Dental care is not covered by the NHS at all and still incurs costs for all UK residents, whether international or not. The following are not free of charge:

• Dental care
• Medicines that are prescribed by your GP
• Select GP services (travel vaccinations etc)

What can I do on a student visa?

Under a student visa, there are certain limitations around what you are allowed to do and what you are not allowed to do. These restrictions are also at the behest of your university as well, who may have their own restrictions for international students based on their visa status.

You are able to:

• Study
• Work as a Student Union officer
• Work is permitted but is dependent on what you are studying, when you are planning to work and what your university's work policies are for international students

You are not able to:

• Claim benefits or pensions
• Work in certain jobs: Such as sports or as a sports coach
• Be self-employed
• Study at a local authority-funded school (maintained school) or at an academy

How much is a student visa?

The student visa cost differs depending on where you are applying from. The cost is higher for those from inside the UK already.

The costs are:

• £348 to apply from outside the UK
• £475 to extend (or switch to a new visa) from inside the UK

If anyone is going to be joining you on the visa, then you are required to pay an additional fee on top, which is usually the same amount you have already paid. These UK student visa fees have been known to change, so make sure you keep an eye on them.

What documents do I need for a student visa?

When applying for a student visa, you will have two compulsory documents that you need to provide, as well as other relevant documentation that may or may not be required.

You will require:

• A current, in-date passport or other valid travel documentation
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
• Parent or guardian's consent (if under 18) for your visa application, living arrangements and travel to the UK
• A copy of your birth certificate (if you are under 18)

You may also be asked to provide:

• Proof of finances
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)certificate
• Relationship proof (if you are under 18)
• Tuberculosis test results
• Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor (if applicable)

If you need to provide your biometric evidence on your passport, you will be informed beforehand at a visa application centre.

When should I apply for a student visa?

The date of applying for a student visa depends on where you are applying for the visa from. You must also meet the above criteria to lodge your application.

Outside the UK

If you are applying for a student visa from outside the UK, then you can apply 6 months before your course officially starts. The turnaround for this method is fairly quick as well, as most students tend to receive their decision within 3 weeks of their application being submitted.

Inside the UK

If you are applying from inside the UK, then you can apply 3 months before your course officially begins.

You must apply for the student visa before your current visa expires and your course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring. You can usually expect a decision on your visa within 8 weeks.

What courses can I study on a student visa?

With a student visa, you are limited in the courses that you can study either at university or at school or college. With your student visa, you can only study the following courses:

• A full-time course that leads to a qualification that is below degree level and has at least 15 hours a week of organised study time
• A full-time course that leads to a qualification that is degree level or above
• A full-time course at degree level or higher that is equivalent to a higher education course and is taught as part of a longer overseas course
• A part-time course that leads to a qualification that is above degree level
• A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
• An English Language course at level B2 or higher in the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages

You may also require an ATAS certificate if you are studying certain topics.

You are also permitted to apply for a student visa if you have extra-curricular goals or if you are planning on remaining to complete a postgraduate qualification. You must meet one of the following criteria:

• Applying to extend your stay on the Doctorate Extension Scheme. For this, you must already have permission to be in the UK on a student visa and your course must lead to a PhD
• Take up a full-time position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer

For postgraduate doctors and dentists, you are able to apply for a student visa if you are sponsored by a recognised foundation programme and you meet the following criteria:

• You must have finished a degree in the UK in medicine or dentistry
• That same degree must have been awarded by a registered student sponsor
• You must have spent your final year (and at least 1 more year of study) leading to that same degree

Once you have been offered a place on the course of your choosing, then your education provider will need to send you a reference number, a number referred to as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). That same number will then need to be entered into your visa application. You are required to apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS number.

Finances

For your student visa to be accepted, you must have enough money in your bank account to pay for your course and to support yourself when you are in the UK. Your circumstances and what you are applying for will determine how much money you require.

You will need to have enough money to pay for your course for 1 full academic year (usually 9 months). You will be asked to pay this amount upon receiving your CAS.

For those that have already been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, do not need to provide proof that you have the money when applying for your visa.

You also need to have enough money to support yourself, unless you have already been in the UK (with a valid visa) for 12 months or more on the date of your visa application. Where you are studying affects the amount you will be required to have:

• For courses inside London, you will need to have: £1,334 (for up to 9 months)
• For courses outside London, you will need to have: £1,023 (for up to 9 months)

If you are applying under the Doctorate Extension Scheme, and you have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you will need to have:

• For courses inside London, you will need to have: £2,668
• For courses outside London, you will need to have: £2,046

London has a higher figure for students as the cost of living in London is far greater than that of other cities in the United Kingdom. You will need to provide proof of extra money for each family member that you bring with you as well.

You will also need to provide proof of any grants, bursaries, student loan, sponsorship or scholarship that you are taking advantage of on your visa application as well.

If you are a British national overseas or you are from any of the following countries (or territories), you are not required to provide proof that you have enough money:

• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Croatia
• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• The Dominican Republic
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

English Proficiency

You must prove your knowledge of the English language when applying for your student visa. You may be required to pass the Secure English Language Test (SELT), which must be from a registered provider.

You are required to prove that you are able to read, speak, write and understand English to a certain level, per the CEFR scale:

Study level	Required scale
Degree	CEFR Level B2 (or equivalent)
Below degree	CEFR Level B1

If you have completed a qualification that is equivalent to a UK degree in one of the following countries or are from one of the following countries, you are not required to prove your knowledge of English:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA

If you have already displayed your English proficiency on a previous visa application, then you will not be required to display your English proficiency or if you meet any of the below criteria:

• You are applying to enter the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the United States of America
• You are a Canadian national

If you have been successful in applying for your student visa, you may be given a Biometric Residence Permit to prove your immigration status.