How to Get Student Visa for UK (Requirements)

The United Kingdom is one of the top study abroad destinations in the world. Studying the UK can help you gain world-class qualifications and the chance to enjoy living in one of the most student-friendly countries in the world.

International students who wish to study in the UK need to obtain a student visa before they can pursue studies in the country. The UK student visa requirements are managed by the UK Visas and Immigration. Swiss nationals and those hailing from European Union or European Economic Area states, however, are exempted to this rule.

Kick-start your student journey in the UK with the guide below. For information, please check with the UK government website.

Which are the types of UK student visa?

There are three types of student visa in the UK:

Short-term study visa
Tier 4 (Child) student visa
Tier 4 (General) student visa

Tier 4 (Child) student visa
You can apply for a Tier 4 (Child) student visa if your child is aged 4-17 years old and wants to study in an independent school in the UK. You can choose a Tier 4 General visa if your child is aged 16 or above. Should parents wish to accompany their children during their studies, they need to apply for a Parent of Tier 4 (Child) visa.

It’s recommended that you apply for this type of visa the earliest at 3 months before you start your course. Most schools will provide their decision within 3 weeks. The visa processing time usually differs from one country to another.

Conditions before applying for this visa:
Before you apply for this visa, you must have a place on a course in the UK. You must also seek parental consent and be able to show that you have enough money to shoulder your expenses while studying in the UK. International students who wish to apply should be from any country other than those belonging to Switzerland or EEA.

Students with this visa can also do the following:

Students will be able to study at an independent school
Students can proceed with their application even from outside the UK
Students can extend their stay
For those aged 16 and over, you can work while studying for 10 hours per week and full-time during school breaks
Students can obtain work placement as part of the course or program
Students can serve as a student union sabbatical officer for two years

Students with this type of visa are prohibited to do the following:

Students can’t study at an academy or a local authority-funded school, or further education college
Students can’t get public funds
Students can’t take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed
Students can’t work as a doctor or dentist in training
Students can’t work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer
Students can’t settle in the UK
Students can’t bring in family members.

Short-term study visa
This type of visa is perfect for students who are 18 years old and above and students who wish to enrol for a short course in the UK. Valid for 6 months, the visa, however, can be extended to 11 months for English language courses.

It is greatly advised that students apply at least 3 months before the course begins. Students are also allowed to travel to the UK 3 months before. Your visa will reach you within 3 weeks after application.

Conditions before applying for this visa:
The short-term study visa is great for students who want to pursue a short course of study in the UK. You should be an international student from the non-EEA area and not a Switzerland citizen as well.

Students with this visa can do the following:

Students can enrol for a short course of study in the UK – it can be a training course or an English language course
Students can do research as part of a degree course while studying.

Students with this visa are prohibited to do the following:

Students can’t study at a state-funded school
Students can’t get public funds
Students can’t work or carry out any business
Students can’t extend this visa
Students can’t bring family members. Family members must apply first before obtaining their visa.

Tier 4 (General) student visa
This type of visa is perfect for students who wish to study for a longer course. They should make sure the institution they’re enrolling for holds a Tier 4 Sponsor License.

Once you have obtained this visa, it is possible for you to bring your family members to the UK. You can stay in the UK for as long as you’re enrolled in the course of study you choose.

Conditions before applying for this type of student visa:

Students can have a place offered on a course
Students must be able to speak, read, write and understand English
Students must show they have enough money to support yourself and pay for the course
Students must be from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
Students must other requirements (mentioned below)

Students with this type of visa can do the following:

Students can study with their chosen course
Students can work as a sabbatical officer in a student union
Students can apply both from inside or outside the UK
Students can extend their stay in the UK
Students can work in most jobs. This depends on which level of course you have.

Students with this type of visa are prohibited to do the following:

Students have no access to public funds
Students can’t work in certain jobs such as sportsperson or sports coach
Students can’t study at local authority-funded schools

What are the requirements for a UK student visa?

Once you’re admitted in the course, you can always seek help from the university or course provider in terms of applying for a student visa in the UK.

Here are the UK student visa requirements:

Passport
Recent photos
Placement letter from the course offered by a Tier 4 Licensed Sponsor/ Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
Proof of language skills. Students must pass the secure English language tests (SELT). No need to provide this if you’re from a non-English speaking country or have completed a UK-degree qualification
Proof of financial support (bank statements, letter from a financial sponsor) throughout the course of the study. It is advised to have at least £1,015 (US$1,300) per month in other states, and £1,265 (US$1,600) per month if you wish to study in London
ATAS certificate if studying a sensitive subject
Proof of Academic qualifications
Attend an interview or biometric test
Medical vaccinations or undertake a tuberculosis test
For students aged 16 or 17 years old, you need to have a written consent from your parent or guardian.