UK Student Visa | Requirements, Application & Study in the UK
Planning to study in the UK as an international student? Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may need a UK Student visa before starting your course. The Student visa route allows eligible international students to study with an approved education provider in the UK, provided they meet the relevant course, sponsorship, financial, English language and immigration requirements.
This UK Student Visa guide covers the application process, eligibility, CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), financial and English language requirements, documents, visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, working while studying and bringing eligible dependants. It also covers study abroad in the UK, student immigration requirements and options after completing your studies, covering the key stages from accepting a university place and applying for your visa to preparing for your arrival in the UK.
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UK Student Visa Requirements at a Glance
The exact UK Student visa requirements depend on your course and individual circumstances, but most applicants need an offer for an eligible course from a licensed student sponsor and must meet the relevant immigration requirements.
| Requirement | What You May Need |
|---|---|
| 🎓 Course Offer | An eligible course with a licensed student sponsor |
| 📄 CAS | Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies |
| 💷 Course Fees | Funds for applicable tuition fees |
| 🏠 Living Costs | Required maintenance funds where applicable |
| 🗣️ English Language | Evidence that you meet the required English level |
| 🛂 Passport | Valid passport or other accepted travel document |
| 🩺 Healthcare | Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) where applicable |
| 🧪 TB Test | Required for some applicants depending on their circumstances |
| 🔬 ATAS | Required for certain postgraduate subjects and applicants |
| 💻 Application | Online Student visa application and identity verification |
The Student route is generally available to people aged 16 or over who want to study an eligible further or higher education course in the UK. Applicants aged 16 or 17 who intend to study at an independent school may instead be eligible for the Child Student route, depending on their circumstances.
💡 International Student Tip: Don’t make major travel arrangements based solely on receiving a university offer. Receiving an academic offer, receiving your CAS and receiving immigration permission are separate stages.
Who Needs a UK Student Visa?
Whether you need a visa to study in the UK depends on factors including your nationality, existing immigration status, course and length of study. International students planning longer courses at UK universities and colleges commonly use the Student route, but different immigration arrangements may apply to shorter courses or particular circumstances.
For example, eligible English-language study lasting more than six months but no more than 11 months may use the Short-term study visa, while some study lasting up to six months may be permitted under the Visitor route. Don’t choose a visa simply because it appears cheaper or easier; check which immigration route permits your particular course and intended activities. Check if you need a UK visa
CAS – Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an important part of the UK Student visa process. Once you’ve accepted an eligible place and met your education provider’s requirements, your licensed student sponsor can issue the CAS information needed for your visa application.
Your CAS contains important information about you, your course and your sponsorship. Check the details carefully and follow your university’s instructions before submitting your UK Student visa application. A Student visa application must normally be made within six months of receiving your CAS.
💡 Important: Receiving a CAS does not mean your Student visa has been approved. Your immigration application is considered separately by UK Visas and Immigration.
UK Student Visa Financial Requirements
Students may need to demonstrate that they have enough money to cover their course fees and living costs in the UK. For course fees, the amount required is generally based on the amount shown on your CAS for up to one academic year, although the amount you need to demonstrate depends on your individual circumstances.
Where the financial requirement applies, Student visa applicants generally need to show £1,529 per month for courses in London or £1,171 per month for courses outside London, calculated for up to nine months. Where financial evidence is required, the money normally needs to have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within 31 days before the visa application.
| Study Location | Current Living-Cost Requirement |
|---|---|
| London | £1,529 per month |
| Outside London | £1,171 per month |
| Maximum period calculated | Up to 9 months |
Based on nine months, the maximum maintenance calculation is currently £13,761 for studying in London or £10,539 for studying outside London, before adding any applicable outstanding course fees.
Not every Student visa applicant has to provide financial evidence in the same way. Exemptions can apply in certain circumstances, including to some applicants who have already been in the UK with valid immigration permission for at least 12 months. There are also specific rules governing acceptable financial evidence, currencies and the types of funds that can be used, so always check the current requirements before applying.
💡 Money Tip: Don’t calculate your Student visa funds using an old university blog or visa article. Maintenance requirements can change, so check the current official amount before submitting your application.
English Language Requirements for a Student Visa
Most Student visa applicants need to demonstrate an appropriate level of English language ability. How you meet the requirement can depend on your course, qualifications, nationality and education provider. Evidence can include certain qualifications, an eligible degree taught in English or an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), depending on your circumstances.
The required standard is generally equivalent to CEFR level B2 for degree-level study or above and CEFR level B1 for study below degree level. Eligible higher education providers can assess English themselves in certain degree-level cases, while some applicants are exempt from demonstrating English in the usual way. Check Student visa English language requirements
Documents Required for a UK Student Visa
The documents required for a UK Student visa application depend on your individual circumstances. A valid passport or other accepted travel document and your CAS details are central to the application, while additional evidence may be required for finances, English language ability, parental consent for applicants under 18, dependants or other circumstances.
Some international students may also need a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, while students studying certain postgraduate courses or research subjects may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. Additional evidence or appropriate translations may also be required depending on the documents and circumstances involved.
Student Visa Document Checklist
| 📄 Core Documents | 🔎 Depending on Circumstances |
|---|---|
| Valid passport or travel document | Financial evidence |
| CAS information | English language evidence |
| Required application information | TB certificate |
| Identity information | ATAS certificate |
| Supporting documents requested by UKVI | Parental consent for relevant applicants |
| Dependant or relationship evidence where applicable |
Use the document checklist and instructions provided for your own Student visa application rather than assuming every international student needs to submit exactly the same evidence.
💡 Document Tip: Prepare important documents early and check that names, dates, course details and other information are consistent across your CAS and supporting evidence before submitting your application.
UK Student Visa Fees & Immigration Health Surcharge
The UK Student visa application fee is £558 as of August 2026, whether applying from outside the UK or applying to extend or switch to the Student route from inside the UK. Eligible dependants making their own applications will also normally have an application fee.
Most Student visa applicants staying for the relevant period must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their immigration application. The current student rate is £776 per year, although the total amount charged depends on the length of immigration permission granted rather than simply the academic length of your university course.
| Cost | Current Amount |
|---|---|
| Student visa application | £558 |
| Student IHS rate | £776 per year |
| Other application costs | Vary by applicant |
Other potential costs can include an English language test, TB testing, document translations, travel to a visa application centre and optional priority processing where available. Students should therefore budget for the total cost of applying for a UK Student visa, rather than considering only the application fee.
💡 Important: UK immigration fees and requirements can change. Always check the current official fees and requirements before submitting your Student visa application.
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa
The UK Student visa application is completed online. Before applying, you should have received your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university or other licensed student sponsor and prepared the documents and financial evidence required for your circumstances. During the application process, you’ll also need to prove your identity, either digitally where available or by attending a visa application centre to provide biometric information.
UK Student Visa Application Process
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply to a UK university | Apply for an eligible course with a licensed student sponsor. |
| 2. Receive and accept your offer | Meet any academic or other conditions attached to your university offer. |
| 3. Receive your CAS | Your university issues your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies when its requirements are met. |
| 4. Prepare your documents | Gather your passport, financial evidence and any other documents required for your application. |
| 5. Apply for your Student visa | Complete the application online and pay the applicable visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. |
| 6. Prove your identity | Follow the instructions provided during your application, which may include using an app or attending a visa application centre. |
| 7. Wait for your visa decision | UK Visas and Immigration considers your application and supporting information. |
| 8. Prepare to study in the UK | Once immigration permission is granted, arrange your travel, accommodation and university enrolment. |
Applications made from outside the UK usually receive a decision within around three weeks after the required application steps have been completed, while applications to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK usually take around eight weeks. Processing times can vary, so apply as early as you’re permitted to and avoid making non-refundable travel arrangements before your immigration permission is confirmed. Apply for a UK Student visa
Working in the UK on a Student Visa
Many international students want to work while studying in the UK, but the hours and types of work permitted depend on the conditions attached to your Student visa. Students on qualifying full-time degree-level courses sponsored by an eligible higher education provider can generally work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time outside term time. Some students studying below degree level may be limited to 10 hours per week during term time, while other courses or immigration conditions may not permit work.
Don’t assume every UK Student visa automatically allows 20 hours of employment. Check the conditions attached to your own immigration permission before accepting a part-time student job, and remember that restrictions can apply to both the number of hours and the type of work you can undertake.
Bringing Dependants to the UK
The rules for bringing a partner or children to the UK on a Student visa are now more restricted. For courses starting on or after 1 January 2024, postgraduate students can generally bring eligible dependants only when studying a PhD, doctorate or other qualifying research-based higher degree, subject to the detailed immigration requirements. Different provisions can apply to certain government-sponsored students.
Being an international postgraduate or Master’s student does not automatically mean you can bring dependants to the UK. Check the current Student visa dependant requirements for your course, sponsorship and individual circumstances before making travel, accommodation or financial arrangements for your family.
Study Abroad in the UK
For students around the world, study abroad in the UK can mean completing an entire undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a British university, joining an exchange programme or spending part of an overseas degree at a UK institution. The immigration permission you need depends on your nationality, programme, course duration and individual circumstances.
International students planning to study in the UK should consider more than the Student visa itself. Budget for university tuition fees, student accommodation, travel, food, healthcare-related costs and everyday living expenses, and research your university city before arriving. Student living costs can vary considerably between London and other parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Student Immigration & Your Responsibilities
Receiving a UK Student visa doesn’t end your student immigration responsibilities. International students must continue to comply with the conditions attached to their immigration permission while studying in the UK, while universities that sponsor international students also have responsibilities under the Student sponsorship system.
Keep required contact and immigration information up to date, follow your university’s enrolment and attendance requirements and seek advice before making significant changes to your studies. Changing, interrupting or withdrawing from a course can affect your immigration status, so speak to your university’s appropriately authorised international student or immigration advice team before making a decision that could affect your Student visa.
Arriving in the UK as an International Student
Students whose courses last more than six months can generally arrive in the UK up to one month before their course starts, while those studying for six months or less can generally arrive up to one week before their course begins. You must not travel to the UK under your Student permission before the date from which that permission allows you to enter.
Before travelling, check your immigration status, passport and travel documents, student accommodation, university enrolment instructions and transport from the airport or station. Keep essential immigration and university documents accessible during your journey rather than packing important originals in checked luggage.
After University – UK Graduate Visa
Eligible international students who successfully complete an eligible UK course may be able to apply for a Graduate visa, allowing them to remain in the UK after university to work, look for work or develop their career. Eligibility depends on factors including your course, education provider, successful completion and immigration status when you apply.
For non-doctoral graduates, a Graduate visa lasts two years for applications made on or before 31 December 2026 and 18 months for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. Eligible graduates who complete a PhD or other doctoral qualification can receive three years. The Graduate route itself does not lead directly to settlement, although graduates may later be able to switch to another immigration route if they meet its requirements.
💡 Important: Graduate visa rules and other UK immigration requirements can change. Check the current eligibility, application requirements and permitted length of stay before applying.
UK Student Visa Checklist
Before submitting your UK Student visa application, make sure you’ve completed the main requirements and prepared the documents relevant to your circumstances. Checking everything before you apply can help you avoid missing important information or evidence.
✔ Accept Your UK University Offer
✔ Receive Your CAS
✔ Check the Student Visa Financial Requirements
✔ Prepare Your Financial Evidence
✔ Meet the English Language Requirements
✔ Check Whether You Need a TB Test or ATAS
✔ Prepare Your Passport & Supporting Documents
✔ Complete Your UK Student Visa Application
✔ Pay the Visa Fee & Immigration Health Surcharge
✔ Prove Your Identity as Instructed
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Planning to study in the UK? Join the StudentUK community to connect with prospective students, university students, international students, postgraduates and graduates from across the UK and around the world. Ask questions and share experiences about UK universities, studying abroad, student accommodation, moving to the UK, degree courses and international student life while meeting other students preparing for the same journey.
Students can share their personal experiences of applying for visas and studying in the UK, but UK immigration rules depend on individual circumstances and can change. StudentUK and its community do not provide regulated immigration advice. Always verify immigration requirements through official UK government information or an appropriately authorised immigration adviser before making decisions about your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
A UK Student visa is an immigration route that allows eligible international students aged 16 or over to study qualifying courses with licensed student sponsors in the UK, provided they meet the applicable immigration requirements.
CAS stands for Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. It is issued by an eligible licensed student sponsor and contains information required for your Student visa application. Receiving a CAS does not itself mean your visa has been approved.
As of August 2026, the Student visa application fee is £558. Applicants may also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and other costs relevant to their circumstances.
Many students studying qualifying full-time degree-level courses can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, but this does not apply to every Student visa holder. Always check the work conditions attached to your own immigration permission before accepting employment.
Not necessarily. IELTS may be one way of demonstrating English ability where an appropriate approved test is required, but applicants can meet the English requirement in different ways depending on their qualifications, nationality, course and circumstances.
Applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within around three weeks after the required application steps have been completed. Applications to extend or switch to a Student visa from inside the UK usually take around eight weeks, although processing times can vary.
Where the standard financial requirement applies, you’ll generally need to demonstrate the required outstanding course fees plus maintenance funds. Current maintenance requirements are £1,529 per month in London or £1,171 per month outside London, calculated for up to nine months.