Table of Contents
A UK student visa lets non-UK nationals study at a licensed UK institution. You need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS number), proof of funds, English-language evidence, and the visa fee plus Immigration Health Surcharge paid before enrolling.
The UK Student visa (previously called Tier 4) is the main immigration route for international students enrolling on courses lasting more than six months at UK universities, colleges and some schools. It replaced the old Tier 4 system in December 2020.
It sits alongside the Child Student visa for younger applicants and the Short-term Study visa for brief English-language courses. Choosing the right route from the start avoids wasted fees and delays. Our guide to studying in the UK covers the wider decision.
The route sits within the UK’s points-based immigration system, where a CAS, financial evidence and English ability effectively substitute for scored points. Meeting each requirement clearly is what secures approval, not competing against other applicants.
Anyone who is not a UK or Irish national and wants to study a full degree, foundation year, or long pre-sessional course in the UK generally needs this visa. Some short courses fall outside this route entirely.
If your course is an English-language programme lasting under eleven months, you may only need a Short-term Study visa instead, which has lighter requirements but no work rights and a shorter validity period.
PhD and other research students typically follow the same Student visa route as taught-course undergraduates and postgraduates, though sponsorship and course-length rules can differ slightly by institution and subject area.
Every applicant must show a valid CAS from a licensed student sponsor, evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs, and proof of English-language ability, usually via a UKVI-approved test or your provider’s own assessment.
You’ll also need a valid passport, proof of parental or guardian consent if you’re under 18, and, depending on your nationality, a tuberculosis test certificate. Requirements can shift, so always confirm the current list on GOV.UK before applying.
Financial evidence usually needs to be held in your account for a set period before you apply and must clearly show your name, the balance, and the date. Joint accounts and third-party sponsors follow separate, stricter rules.
| Route | Typical Applicant | Course Length | Work Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa | Age 16+, degree, foundation or long pre-sessional course | Length of course | Usually yes, with conditions |
| Child Student visa | Age 4–17 at an independent school | Length of course | No |
| Short-term Study visa | Short English-language course | Up to 6 or 11 months | No |
A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a unique reference number your university issues once you’ve accepted an unconditional offer and paid any required deposit. It’s not a physical document — just a code you enter on your application.
The CAS confirms your course details, fees, and sponsor information to UK Visas and Immigration. It’s usually valid for six months, so apply for your visa promptly once it’s issued to avoid it expiring before you submit.
Costs include the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which gives you NHS access for your stay. Both amounts change periodically, so check GOV.UK for the current visa fee and IHS rate before budgeting.
On top of official fees, factor in your CAS deposit, translation costs for non-English documents, a possible TB test fee, and courier costs if you’re posting your passport rather than using a visa application centre.
Some applicants also pay for priority or super-priority services to speed up a decision. These are optional add-ons, not standard fees, and their availability depends on your country and the visa route you’re applying through.
If your funds are held in a foreign currency, UK Visas and Immigration converts the balance using its own exchange rate on the day of decision, not the rate your bank quotes you. Keep a buffer above the minimum.
You apply online via the GOV.UK Student visa service, ideally once your CAS is issued. Applications from outside the UK can typically be submitted a set number of months before your course start date.
Standard processing from outside the UK usually takes several weeks, though this varies by country and season. Priority services can speed this up for an extra fee where available. Always check current GOV.UK processing times before booking travel or accommodation.
Applying inside the UK to extend or switch into the Student route follows a different timeline. Build in a buffer before your CAS course start date, since delays are more common during peak intake months.
Refusals often stem from insufficient or oddly-timed financial evidence, a missing or expired CAS, inconsistent personal details across documents, or failing to meet the English-language requirement. Genuine student intent is also assessed carefully.
Double-check that bank statements match the required format and holding period, that your CAS details match your passport exactly, and that any previous visa refusals are declared honestly. Small paperwork errors cause a disproportionate number of refusals.
Caseworkers may also ask for a credibility interview if your study plans seem inconsistent with your history, such as a sudden change in subject or level. Answer clearly and keep evidence of your genuine intentions to study.
Most Student visa holders on degree-level courses can work part-time during term and full-time during vacations, subject to conditions stated on their visa. Exact hour limits and eligibility depend on your course level and sponsor.
Below-degree-level courses and Child Student visas usually carry no work rights at all. Always check the conditions printed on your own visa or BRP rather than assuming what applies to a friend on a different course.
Some postgraduate students on courses of nine months or longer can bring a partner or children as dependants, though eligibility has narrowed sharply in recent years. Check current GOV.UK rules before assuming you qualify.
Dependant visas carry their own fees and their own Immigration Health Surcharge, calculated separately from yours. Budget for each dependant individually rather than assuming family costs scale down as numbers grow.
If you progress from a foundation year to a degree, or continue onto a master’s, you’ll usually need a new CAS and a fresh application rather than an automatic extension. Apply before your current visa expires.
Switching from another visa category into the Student route, or extending within the UK, follows slightly different evidence rules than a first application from overseas. Your university’s international office can confirm which route applies.
On arrival, you may need to collect a Biometric Residence Permit or activate an eVisa, register with a local GP, and, if required, register with the police within the timeframe stated on your visa. Keep your CAS and offer letter safe.
Settling in academically is its own adjustment. Our guide to being an international student in the UK covers accommodation, culture shock and study habits once your visa is approved.
UK essay conventions can feel unfamiliar at first. Guidance on how to structure an essay and on choosing an essay topic can help you settle into academic writing expectations faster. You can also browse our international students section for more visa and settling-in guides.
See a Model Essay From Our Writers
A UK student visa is paperwork-heavy but predictable once you know the sequence: offer, CAS, evidence, application, biometrics, decision. Start early, verify every figure on GOV.UK, and keep copies of everything you submit.
You pay a visa application fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge for the length of your course, alongside any CAS deposit your university sets. Both official fees change periodically, so always check GOV.UK for the current visa fee and IHS rate before budgeting.
A CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) is a unique reference number your university issues after you accept an unconditional offer and pay any deposit. It confirms your course, fees and sponsor details and is usually valid for six months.
You typically need a valid passport, your CAS number, financial evidence covering tuition and living costs, and proof of English-language ability. Some applicants also need a TB test certificate or parental consent. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm the full current list on GOV.UK.
Standard processing from outside the UK usually takes several weeks, though timing varies by country, season and application volume. Priority services can speed this up for an extra fee where available. Check current GOV.UK processing times for your location before booking flights or accommodation.
Most degree-level Student visa holders can work part-time during term and full-time during vacations, subject to the conditions printed on their visa. Below-degree-level courses and Child Student visas usually carry no work rights at all, so always check the conditions on your own visa.
Some postgraduate students on courses of nine months or longer may bring a partner or children as dependants, though eligibility rules have narrowed sharply in recent years. Dependant visas carry separate fees and their own Immigration Health Surcharge, so check current GOV.UK criteria before assuming you qualify.
You May Also Like
All work is written by human writers. 100% AI free, guaranteed.
100% money back guarantee if you find plagiarism in our work.
COMPANY DETAILS
