UK Student Visa Application | Student Visa

A Guide to the UK Student Visa Application Process

Securing a UK Student Visa is required if you plan to study in the UK. In the post-Brexit era, both EEA and non-EEA nationals must obtain an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor to be eligible for this visa. Here’s everything you need to know about applying for a UK Student Visa.

UK Student Visa Eligibility

To apply for a UK Student Visa, you must meet specific criteria, ensuring you are well-prepared for your study journey. Here are the key requirements:

Unconditional Offer: You must have an unconditional offer of study from an approved sponsoring institution.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS): Your sponsoring institution must provide a CAS.
Points-Based System: You need to score at least 70 points.
Academic Qualifications: You must possess the relevant academic qualifications and a genuine intent to study.
Financial Support: You should be able to financially support yourself and any dependents joining you in the UK.

Meeting the 70-Point Requirement

Navigating the points-based system might seem complex, but it’s straightforward if you meet the eligibility criteria. Here’s the breakdown:

50 Points: Obtaining a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
10 Points: Meeting financial requirements.
10 Points: Demonstrating English language proficiency at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Course Requirements for the UK Student Visa

Your course must comply with the rules of the Student Visa. Eligible courses include:

Full-time courses leading to a qualification below degree level (RQF level 3, 4, or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study.
Full-time courses at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7, or 8).
Full-time courses equivalent to a UK higher education course as part of an overseas programme.
Part-time courses leading to a qualification above degree level (RQF level 7 or above).
Recognised foundation programmes for postgraduate doctors or dentists.
English language courses at B2 level.

Financial Requirements for UK Study

You must prove you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies. The financial requirements are:

£1,483 per month for up to 9 months for courses in London.
£1,136 per month for up to 9 months for courses outside London.
£2,668 per month for the Doctorate Extension Scheme in London.
£2,046 per month for the Doctorate Extension Scheme outside London.

You must show these funds have been available for 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of your visa application.

English Language Requirement

To study in the UK, you must demonstrate English proficiency. Students below degree level need a B1 level, while those at degree level or above require a B2 level. The most common way to prove this is through a SELT English language test. Approved providers include Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, and Pearson Education Ltd.

Exemptions from the English Language Requirement

Certain students are exempt from this requirement, including those who have:

Studied a course in English at undergraduate or postgraduate level at an approved institution.
Previously met the required English level in another visa application.
Are from majority English-speaking countries.

Exempt countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, and USA.

Required Documents for the UK Student Visa

When applying, ensure you have the following documents:

Current passport or valid travel document.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements).
Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate, if required.
Tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
Written consent from your sponsor, if applicable.
Additional documents for applicants under 18, including parental consent.

A certified translation must accompany all documents not in English or Welsh.

How to Apply for a Student Visa

The application process is online, and you can apply from inside or outside the UK. Most students apply from their home countries. Here’s how:

Complete the online application form.
Pay the application fee (£490 for applications made both inside and outside the UK).
Wait for a decision (typically three weeks for applications made outside the UK and eight weeks for those made inside the UK).

Extending Your Student Visa

Extensions are possible for certain students, including those on the old Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. To extend your visa, you must:

Be in the UK on a Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
Have an unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor.
Provide a CAS.
Show the new course is at a higher academic level.

Post-Study Options: The Graduate Visa

After completing your course, you can apply for a Graduate Visa, allowing you to stay in the UK for up to two years to work or look for work. PhD graduates can stay for up to three years.