UK Student Visa

Planning to study in the UK? After you’ve been accepted by a British educational institute, you need to apply for a UK Student Visa. It allows you to legally enter the UK as an international student and is arguably the most important part of your study abroad preparation.

To help you get ready for your UK Study Visa, we’ve put together this guide, detailing the requirements, process and fees of UK Student Visa.

UK Student Visa Types

Before you apply for a UK Student Visa, you need to first check your eligibility and which Student Visa you need. There are 3 types of UK Student Visas for anyone that is not a UK citizen, including those from EU/EEA.

• Short-term Study Visa: for people who enroll in an English language course for up to 11 months

• Child Student Visa: for students between 4 to 17 and planning to study at a British Independent school

• Student Visa: for people who are over 16 and have received an offer from a

  licensed student sponsor

If you are not sure which Visa is right for you, you can also check your eligibility on the UK government website here by simply entering your nationality, your purpose of entering the UK and the length of your stay in the UK.

UK Student Visa Requirements

To apply for a UK Student Visa, you will need to get an array of documents ready. It’s important to make sure your documentation is presented as it is specifically required by the British government to avoid Visa denials. Here we have listed the requirements of a UK Student Visa application so that you will have an easier time completing your application.

Required documents

• A valid passport or other travel documentation

• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the course provider

• Proof of funding

• Your tuberculosis test results

Additional documents

• Proof of parental or legal guardian consent (if you’re under 18)

• English proficiency proof

• ATAS (if required)

• Written consent from your financial sponsor (if you’ve been financially sponsored for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months)

English language requirements

Proof of your knowledge of the English language is essential. It’s how you show that you’re able to study on a course. There are a few tests you can take to prove you’re adequately proficient in English.

• IELTS SELT Consortium

• LanguageCert

• Pearson

• PSI Services (UK) Ltd

You can take a secure English language test from one of the above four test providers if you’re outside of the UK.

If you’re in the UK, consider taking a SELT from one of the following test providers:

• IELTS SELT Consortium

• LanguageCert

• Pearson

• Trinity College London

Do keep in mind that you need to make sure the test you take is from the list of approved English test, taken at an approved test centre and taken in less than 2 years before the date of your UK Student Visa application.

Biometric Residence Permit

Biometric residence permit (BRP) is a document that can confirm your identity, your right to study and your right to public services and benefits that you’re entitled to.

It is necessary for people who wish to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months, anyone applying for a UK Student Visa is also required to obtain a BRP. To obtain one, you will need to give your fingerprints and have a digital photo (i.e., the biometric information) taken of at your Visa application centre if you’re outside of the UK. If, on the other hand, you’re applying for it in the UK, you will need to go to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point or a Service and Support Centre (SSC) to give your biometric information.

UK Student Visa Application Fees

After getting the required documents ready, you can proceed to fill out the application online and pay an application fee. This fee varies depending on your location when you apply.

• Applying from outside of the UK: £348

• Applying from inside the UK: £475

*If you’re looking to apply for a Short-term Visa or a Child Student Visa, the application fees are also different. For more information, Contact your IDP counsellor now

Those fees are for regular UK Student Visa applications. If you wish to receive the decision for your Visa application earlier, you can consider to opt for priority or even super priority services and pay an additional fee.

However, priority and super priority services are not always available. Check up the information about faster UK Student Visa on the Visa application centre website to see if they are available in your country.

UK Student Visa Decision Waiting Time

Last but not least, don’t forget to check how much time you need to wait before you learn the decision on your UK Student Visa application. Make sure you submit the application within the required timeframe and also apply for it early so you don’t miss the beginning of your course.

Below is the UK Student Visa processing time:

• Applying from outside the UK: within 3 weeks

• Applying from inside the UK: within 8 weeks

• Priority service: within 5 working days

• Super priority service: within 2 working days

Let IDP Help You with Your UK Student Visa Application

Visa application can be tedious as a single mistake in the documentation can be costly. But don’t worry if you still don’t know where to start with your student visa application. We’re here to help! No matter which Visa you are considering applying for, our counsellor can walk you through the whole process in detail.