2025 guide to getting a study visa for the UK

To apply for a Tier 4 student visa in the UK, you must first be at least 16 years of age and have been offered a place in a course provided by a licensed student sponsor, which ensures the institution you plan to attend is authorised by the UK government to admit international students. You must also:

• Demonstrate financial sufficiency: Provide evidence that you have enough money to cover your course fees and living expenses.

• Provide parental consent (if applicable): If you are 16 or 17, you must submit evidence of consent from your parents or guardians, ensuring they approve of your study plans and living arrangements in the UK.

• Prove your proficiency in English: Demonstrate your ability to understand and communicate in English at a level suitable for your chosen course of study.

It helps to know the approach that the UK government takes towards international students, as this consideration can influence policies such as the Graduate Route visa, which will allow you to stay on in the UK after you complete your studies.

Required English proficiency

Academic English proficiency is not just a key criterion for obtaining a Tier 4 student visa; it is also crucial for your success in your academic and everyday life in the UK. To prove your English proficiency, you can take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS.

The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has minimum English language requirements for reading, writing, listening and speaking according to your level of study. Your education institution (sponsor) may have different English language requirements. IELTS for UKVI is a SELT-approved test that you can book with IDP to prove your ability to communicate effectively in an academic setting.

There is also a chance that you may be interviewed by a UKVI officer as part of the visa application process. If you cannot hold a simple conversation without an interpreter, you may be refused entry to the UK, regardless of your English language results.

If you aim to study in the UK or need to meet specific language requirements, consider taking your IELTS test with IDP, the official co-owner of IELTS, or downloading the IELTS by IDP app to access a wealth of preparation materials and practice tests designed to equip you with the skills and strategies needed to reach your target score.

Timing is essential when applying for a Tier 4 UK student visa. If you are applying from outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is six months prior to the start of your course. This advance window gives you ample time to gather all necessary documents, complete the student visa application process, and make any necessary adjustments.

Applying for a Tier 4 student visa to the UK involves several important steps:

Applying online

All UK student visa applications must be made online. During your application, you will need to prove your identity. The method for doing this depends on your location and the type of passport you hold. In some cases, you may need to provide biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph, at a visa application centre.

In other situations, you might be instructed to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document and either create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. Don’t worry, the specific steps required will be outlined during your application process based on your circumstances.

As part of your application, you must also obtain a biometric residence permit (BRP) from UKVI. Hence, you will need to make an appointment with UKVI to have your fingers and thumbs scanned and a digital photo taken of your face.

Required documents

When applying for a UK student visa, you must provide several key documents. These include a current passport or another valid travel documentation and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider. The CAS is a vital piece of evidence as it confirms that you have been offered a place in a course by a licensed student sponsor. This document also contains a unique reference number necessary for your visa application.

Aside from the CAS form, you will also need:

• A current passport or other valid travel documentation.

• Passport-sized colour photograph.

• Assessment documentation.

Additional documents

Depending on your situation, you may need to provide additional documents to support your UK student visa application. These can include:

• Tuberculosis screening (if required).

• Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and pay for your course (if required).

• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your course and nationality require it.

• If you're under 18, you'll need written consent from your parent or legal guardian.

• Applicants under 18 must also provide evidence of their relationship with their parent or guardian.

• Depending on your country of origin, you might need to submit tuberculosis test results.

• If you've received financial sponsorship for your course fees and living costs within the past year, include written consent from your sponsor.

The average processing time for a Tier 4 UK student visa application is about three weeks. However, if you are in a hurry, you may be eligible to pay for a faster decision using the ‘priority service’. This expedited service can significantly shorten the waiting time, but it comes with an additional cost of £500 on top of the standard UK student visa fee. Opting for this service can be particularly beneficial if you are facing tight deadlines or need to make travel arrangements quickly.

Applying for a Tier 4 student visa comes with certain costs. The standard visa application fee for those outside the UK is £490. In addition to the UK student visa fee, you must pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your application. This surcharge is mandatory and allows you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. The surcharge amount depends on the length of your visa, so it’s important to check the exact fee before you apply to avoid surprises.

With effect from 1 January 2024, there have been some important updates to the UK student visa policy. One significant change is the removal of the right for international students to include dependents unless they are enrolled in postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes.

Additionally, international students can no longer switch from a student visa to a work visa before completing their degree-level studies. These changes aim to tighten the regulations and ensure that the student visa route is used solely for educational purposes.

Moreover, the UK Home Office has revised the financial requirements for international students applying for a student visa. These changes will take effect for applications made on or after 2 January 2025. With these revisions, students in London must show they have access to £1,483 per month (up from £1,334), while those outside London will need £1,136 (up from £1,023). Furthermore, the maximum amount for the accommodation offset has been updated to align with these changes, rising to £1,483.

However, applicants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand remain exempt from the requirement to provide proof of sufficient funds for self-support. For more information, please check the official GOV.UK site.

Whether you're aiming for prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford or Cambridge, or exploring other top UK universities, knowing what to expect and understanding the steps you need to take before applying can significantly improve your chances of a successful visa application.

Remember, preparing for your UK student visa application involves more than just paperwork; you’ll want to have ironed out some decisions first, including choosing the right course for you and your future. If you’re ready to take the next step towards studying in the UK, book your free counselling session with IDP, a global leader in international education services, to get personalised guidance on the visa application process to study in the UK and achieve your goals.