Student Visa

If you are 16 or over and want to study a course at higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months, you will most likely need to apply for a student visa through the Student Route.

Student Visa

The Student Visa category is designed for individuals over 16 years old planning to undertake further or higher education courses in the UK. For those aged between 4 and 17 years looking to study at an independent school in the UK, the Child Student Visa is theappropriate route.

Requirements for a UK Student Visa

To be eligible for a UK Student Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 16 years or older.
  • Have an unconditional offer for an approved course with a licensed student sponsor.
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B2 for degree-level courses or
    CEFR Level B1 for sub-degree level courses.
  • Have sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course without public funds.
  • If you’re 16 or 17 years old, have parental or legal guardian consent.

Course Eligibility for Student Visa

You can apply for a Student Visa for the following courses:

  • Full-time courses leading to a qualification below degree level (RQF levels 3-5) with atleast 15 hours of weekly daytime study.
  • Full-time courses leading to a qualification at degree level or above (RQF levels 6-8).
  • Full-time courses at degree level or above (RQF levels 6-8) that are equivalent to a UK higher education course and part of a longer course overseas.
  • Part-time courses leading to a qualification above degree level (RQF level 7 or above).
  • Recognized foundation programs for postgraduate doctors or dentists.
  • English language courses at CEFR Level B2 or above.

Who Else Can Apply for a Student Visa?

You’re eligible to apply if:

  • You’re extending your stay under the Doctorate Extension Scheme.
  • You’re a full-time elected Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

Place of Study Requirements

Your study must be at the premises of your student sponsor or a partner institution, except
for course-related work placements or study abroad programs.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

You need a CAS reference number, valid for 6 months from issue, with details of your course, study level, place of study, accommodation, fees, and English language proficiency.

Financial Requirement

You must prove you have funds for course fees for 1 academic year (up to 9 months) and living costs, varying depending on whether you study in inner London or elsewhere.

How much money you need depends on where you will be studying. You will need either:

  • £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

Special Categories

Some applicants are deemed to have met the financial requirement, including those in the UK for 12 months before the application, Student Union Sabbatical Officers, postgraduate doctors or dentists on recognized programs, British Nationals (Overseas), or citizens from certain countries.

English Language Requirement

You need English proficiency at CEFR Level B2 for degree-level courses or B1 for sub- degree level courses, usually proven by a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Genuine Student Rule

You may face an interview focusing on your immigration and education history, course choice, reasons for studying in the UK, post-study plans, and personal and financial circumstances.

Switching into the Student Route

You can switch to this route from within the UK, except from certain visa categories likeVisitor or Short-term Student.

Application Process

Apply for a Student Visa up to 6 months before your course starts if outside the UK, or 3months before if inside the UK. Processing times vary, but decisions typically come within 3 weeks for outside UK applications and 8 weeks for within the UK.

Duration of Stay

Stay duration depends on your course level, typically up to 5 years for degree-level courses and 2 years for below degree level.

Working on a Student Visa

Degree-level students can work 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time outside term-time. Sub-degree level students can work 10 hours per week during term-time and full-time outside term-time.

Dependent Family Members

Certain students can bring dependents, with varying financial requirements based on course location and dependent status.

Extensions and Settlement

Extensions are possible under certain conditions, but the Student route does not lead directly to settlement.

Switching from Student Visa to Work Routes

Students may switch to various work routes. Options include Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, and more, under specific conditions.

How We Can Help

We specialize in assisting international students with their UK education journey, offering clear, trustworthy advice on immigration rules and policies.

How we help

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Areas of focus

Partner & Family Visas

UK Family Visa allows you to bring family members (eligible foreign nationals) to join you in the UK for an extended period of 6 months or more. You can bring your spouse or partner, fiance or proposed civil partner, child, parent, or a relative to who you will provide long-term care.

Global Business Mobility Visas

The Global Business Mobility visa is an umbrella category of five different types of UK work visas. These visas are designed for employees of overseas companies to undertake specific types of work or assignments in the UK.

Short Term Visit Visas

Our lawyers act for schools, colleges and universities across the world. We understand your context and are able to advise on any legal and regulatory matters, as well as international projects.

Short Term Work Visas

The UK Temporary Worker Visa is a work visa that permits you to work in the UK temporarily. The time you can stay in the UK for a Temporary Worker Visa varies depending on the category you apply for and ranges from 6 months to 2 years.

EEA Nationals & Family

EEA nationals are required to obtain leave to enter or remain in order to visit or live in the UK. Unless a person is coming to the UK for a short visit, they will need to apply for a visa in advance of their arrival.

business Visas

Whether you wish to recruit a foreign worker, establish a UK branch of an overseas company or effect an intra-company transfer, our immigration barristers can assist. Our expertise covers immigration routes for individual investors and entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, as well as multinational companies.

Global Talent Visas

Well versed in both the legal and technical languages of decentralized finance, our global team can support anyone wanting to navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital assets.

Settlement in the UK

Often people want to come to the UK to settle in the UK, without a specific idea as to what they want to do when they are here. In fact, our clients regularly ask us, what is the quickest way to settle in the UK?

British Citizenship

With British citizenship you can apply for a British passport and you will be free of immigration control, allowing you to travel into and out of the UK freely without the need for a visa.

Student & Graduate Visas

The UK Graduate visa allows international students to remain in the UK after completing their studies for up to two years, or three for doctoral graduates.

Immigration appeals

If your UK visa or immigration application has been refused, our immigration appeal lawyers can advise you on the merits of appealing to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), prepare your immigration appeal and represent you at your immigration appeal hearing.

Human Rights

Applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK can be made, in certain circumstances, on the basis that to require the individual to leave the UK or to not allow them entry into the UK would be a breach of the individual’s human rights.

Asylum & Protection

Applications for leave to enter or remain in the UK can be made, in certain circumstances, on the basis that to require the individual to leave the UK or to not allow them entry into the UK would be a breach of the individual’s human rights.

Hong Kong (BNO) Visa

The Hong Kong BN(O) route allows BN(O) status holders and certain family members to live, work and study in the UK. After 5 years, applicants will be able to apply for settlement, and after a further year, British citizenship, providing they meet the requirements.

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.