To get a UK Student visa you must be 16 or over, have an offer from an approved sponsor (a licensed education provider), have enough money and meet the English requirement. The visa costs £558 when you apply from outside the UK, and you usually get a decision within about 3 weeks. Full details are on the GOV.UK Student visa page.
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course starts.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Age: 16 or over.
- An offer from an approved sponsor. GOV.UK refers to an offer from an approved sponsor; do not assume it must be an unconditional offer.
- Enough money for your course fees and living costs, held for the required time.
- English at the required level, shown through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) where applicable.
- A tuberculosis (TB) test if you are coming for 6 months or more and have lived in a listed country.
These are the uk student visa requirements in brief; the sections below explain each one.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
The Home Office sets the passport or travel document requirements for your application. Check them on the Student visa page before you start.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
Your education provider issues the offer from which you apply; you cannot apply without it. The full list of documents for your situation is on the GOV.UK application pages and can differ by nationality and course, so confirm it there.
English: you need level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for a degree-level course or above, and B1 for a course below degree level, shown through a SELT. See Knowledge of English.
TB test: you need one if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more and have lived in a country on the list. Check the TB test guidance and the list of countries.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
You must show you can pay your course fees and support yourself. For living costs, the funds figures are £1,529 a month for a course in London and £1,171 a month outside London, for up to 9 months. You must have this money for at least 28 days in a row. These amounts change, so check the current figure on Money you need before you apply.
You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £776 per year for students. See the Immigration Health Surcharge page.
If you are 18 or over on a degree-level course, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Get an offer from an approved sponsor and confirm it with your provider.
- Check your funds have been held for 28 days in a row.
- Book or take your English test if you need to show it.
- Check whether a TB test applies to you.
- Apply through the official GOV.UK Student visa service no earlier than 6 months before your course starts, paying the £558 fee and the health surcharge.
Steps for biometrics and visa application centres are not covered on the GOV.UK Student visa page we checked, so follow the instructions you receive during your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply without a CAS?
No. You need an offer from an approved sponsor before you can apply. Ask your education provider what it must give you, and check the Student visa page.
Do I need an unconditional offer?
GOV.UK says you need an offer from an approved sponsor. It does not say it must be unconditional, so confirm the status of your offer with your provider.
How much does the UK Student visa cost?
£558 when you apply from outside the UK, plus £776 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
How long does a decision take?
You usually get a decision within about 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK.
Why do applications fail on funds?
Funds must meet the required amount and be held for at least 28 days in a row. Check the current figures before you apply.
How much proof of funds do I need?
£1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, held for 28 days in a row. Confirm the current amounts on GOV.UK.
What English level do I need?
B2 for degree level or above and B1 below degree level, through a SELT.
Can I bring family members?
Only some students can. See the family members page for who is eligible.
Confirm everything with the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration) on GOV.UK before you apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.