UK Student Visa
UK Student Visa Application Process
The UK is an attractive place for international students with its quality education system and the conditions it provides. The UK student visa, which is required for students who have been accepted to a college or university in the UK, gives the holder the right to live and study in the UK.
The student visa UK, which replaces the Tier 4 visa in the UK’s previous immigration system, is available to students aged 16 and over who wish to study in the UK full-time, and in some cases part-time, if they are supported by an education provider with a valid student sponsor licence.
What Programmes Can I Study in the UK for a Student Visa?
The educational programs that allow you to obtain a student visa in the UK are listed below.
- Full-time, sub-degree level courses (more than 15 hours per week) that include the last two years of high school, an internship, or the first two years of a bachelor’s degree
- Full-time courses at undergraduate, graduate, masters or doctoral degrees
- Part-time courses at undergraduate level (postgraduate, masters or doctoral degree)
- Approved courses for postgraduate level doctors or dentists
- English language courses at the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level, leading to B2 or above
To go to the UK as a student, you must be at least 16 years old.
What are the UK Study Visa Types?
UK study visa types are listed below
- UK short term student visa
- UK long term student visa
- UK child student visa
What is a UK Short-Term Student Visa?
The UK short-term student visa is a type of visa that gives the holder the right to live in the UK for 6 to 11 months and study the language in an English language course.
UK short-term student visa holders can stay in the UK for the duration of their course and for a further 30 days after the course ends, but the total length of stay must not exceed 11 months.
Is There a 6-Month Student Visa for the UK?
There is no 6-month student visa for the UK, a standard visitor visa can be obtained for education of 6 months or less.
What is a UK Long Term Student Visa?
A UK long-term visa is a type of visa that students who have received sponsorship from a licensed college or university for a study period of more than 6 months can apply for.
A person who wants to have a long-term visa to the UK must have a place to stay during their studies determined in advance, and the visa allows the holder to work part-time.
What is a UK Child Student Visa?
A UK child student visa is a type of visa that students between the ages of 4 and 17 can obtain to study at a private school.
UK child student visa holders over the age of 16 can work part-time.
What are the UK Student Visa Requirements?
UK student visa requirements are listed below.
- Be 16 years or older
- Have been offered or accepted to a course by a licensed student sponsor
- Have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during the training period and pay for the course.
- Having the skills to write, read, speak and understand English
- For students who are 16 or 17 years old, a consent form from the family must be submitted at the time of application.
What is a Licensed Sponsoring Agency for a UK Student Visa?
A licensed sponsoring body for a UK study visa is the name given to universities and colleges affiliated with education providers that a student needs to gain admission to study in the UK.
Sponsorship to apply for a UK student visa is a type of sponsorship where licensed education providers undertake to accept the person as a student and provide education at a level that complies with UK immigration requirements. Introduced in October 2020 and replacing the Tier 4 sponsor system, sponsoring organisations are authorised to sponsor visas and are known as licensed student sponsors.
The majority of public universities in England, and some private universities, are charter student sponsors and a full list of universities with charter student sponsorship can be viewed on the UK government website.
What are the Required Documents for a UK Student Visa?
The documents required for a UK student visa are listed below.
- Passport: A passport containing at least 1 blank page and valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires must be submitted.
- UK CAS document: The UK Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document is an electronic acceptance document given to the student by the college or university where the student will study. The CAS document includes the 4-digit reference number for the CAS, the Sponsor Licence Number (SLN) of the university where the student will study, the start and end dates of the department, the name of the department, the tuition fee to be paid for the first year or the entire course, the tuition fees paid in advance to the university, the accommodation fees paid in advance, and information about IELTS or TOEFL scores.
- UK student visa application form: Must be completed online via Gov.uk, completely, in English, and consistent with the information provided in the CAS document.
- Biometric photo: 2 biometric photos, 35x45mm in size, taken within the last 6 months must be submitted.
- English language proficiency certificate: Academic education documents or language exam results must prove that the person knows English at least at A1 level.
- Proof of financial situation: The applicant must submit a 6-month bank statement, scholarship document or sponsorship letter and financial documents from the sponsor, showing that the applicant can cover the costs of education and living in the UK.
- Consent: For students under the age of 18, a consent form signed by both parents is required.
All documents required for a UK student visa must be submitted in English, and additional documents may be requested depending on the person’s specific situation.
What is the UK CAS Certificate?
The UK CAS document is an electronic acceptance document given to the student by the college or university where the student will study and contains a unique 4-digit CAS number. A UK student visa application cannot be made without the CAS document and the university sending the CAS document undertakes to act as the student visa sponsor.
After receiving acceptance from the institution where the student will study and meeting the requirements, the CAS document is sent to the student via e-mail. The CAS document includes the reference number for the CAS, the Sponsored License Number (SLN) of the university where the student will study, the name of the department, the start and end dates of the department, the amount of tuition fee to be paid for the first year or the entire course, information on tuition fees paid to the university in advance, if any, accommodation fees paid in advance, and information on IELTS or TOEFL scores.
A sample image of the UK CAS document is given below.
How to Fill in the UK Student Visa Application Form?
The UK student visa application form is filled out online via the Gov.uk application portal.
The UK student visa application form can be viewed in Turkish, if desired, but all questions must be answered in English and details of the approval letter (CAS document) received from the UK educational institution must be written on the application form.
What Documents Can Be Used to Prove English Language Proficiency for a Student Visa?
Language proficiency for a UK student visa can be proven with TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Trinity College London, C1 Advanced, ECPE, Secure English Language Test (SELF), OIETC and Skills for English UKVI English Language Level Test exams.
The certificate or exam by which the university evaluates the person’s language proficiency is included in the CAS document, and the certificate or exam result must be submitted during the application.
How Much Money Do I Need in the Bank for a UK Student Visa?
The money required in the bank for a UK student visa includes the course fee and the money the person needs to live in the UK, and varies according to the person’s specific situation.
The course fee that must be in the bank for the UK student visa is the amount to be given to pay for 1 year of the course to be studied and the person’s CAS document includes the amount of money to be paid. People who have been studying in the UK for more than 12 months do not need to have the course fee amount.
For a UK student visa, the amount of money a person needs to support themselves in the UK is £1,334 per month for courses in London and £1,023 per month for courses outside London.
The amount of money that needs to be in the bank for a UK student visa can be proven with personal bank statements, bank letters, official letters of credit and official letters of financial sponsorship. Other documents that can be presented when submitting a bank account for a UK visa are; government sponsorship or grant document, student loan document from a government, government-backed loan company or a regulated student loan program, family bank statement supported by a letter from the person’s family or bank statement of a partner who is in the UK or applying for the visa at the same time.
What are the Required UK Visa Documents for Students Under 18?
The required UK visa documents for students under the age of 18, in addition to the standard student visa documents, are; consent and a birth certificate or a copy of the full civil registration certificate.
How to Apply for a UK Student Visa?
To apply for a UK student visa, you must first obtain a letter of approval from the educational institution in the UK, prepare the necessary visa documents within 6 months of receiving the letter of approval, and apply online to the UK government website (Gov.uk).
During the online application for a UK student visa, you must choose where to obtain the biometric residence card in the UK, pay the visa fee and immigration health surcharge, and make an appointment at the application centre.
After the online application process for the UK visa, the biometric data recording process must be completed at the intermediary institution visa application center on the appointment date and a visa interview must be attended if requested.
The image of the application page for the UK student visa is given below.
When Should You Apply for a UK Student Visa?
Applications for a UK student visa can be made up to 6 months before the start of the course.
In order to start applying for a UK student visa, you must wait to receive a CAS number from the institution where you will study.
How Much Does a UK Student Visa Cost?
As of April 2024, the UK student visa fee is £400 for 6-11 month visas and £771 for long-term visas.
The UK visa fee is paid by the student directly to the UK Visa and Immigration Department by credit card during the online application.
What is the UK Immigration Health Surcharge for a Student Visa?
The UK immigration health surcharge for a student visa is an amount that students taking courses lasting longer than 6 months must pay when applying for a visa.
The UK immigration healthcare fee (IHS) allows students to access healthcare services provided by the national healthcare system whilst in the UK and the fee varies depending on the validity of the UK visa.
What is the UK Student Visa Interview?
The UK student visa interview is conducted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) staff at the TLScontact visa centre where the application is made.
In the UK student visa interview, questions are asked about the university the person will study at, the course he/she has chosen, why he/she wants to study in the UK, how he/she made his/her decision, where he/she plans to live and how he/she will finance his/her education in the UK.
The UK visa interview , conducted by UKVI staff , is conducted in English and the applicant is expected to understand and answer all questions without an interpreter.
What are the Questions Asked in the UK Student Visa Interview?
Questions asked in the UK student visa interview are listed below.
- Why do you want to study in the UK?
- How will you cover your expenses?
- Have you been to England before?
- What is your reason for choosing the college/university you will study at?
- What kind of training did you receive in Turkey?
- Are you traveling alone or with someone you know?
- Where will you stay in England?
- Do you have relatives or friends in the UK?
- Are you considering working while studying in the UK?
How Many Days Does It Take to Get a UK Student Visa?
The UK student visa is issued within 3 weeks after the biometric procedures are completed.
Where to track UK Student Visa?
The UK student visa tracking process is carried out through the intermediary institution website.
To track your UK student visa, you must log in to the system via the Gov.uk website, open the email confirmation sent from the Gov.uk website, click on “Log in for your application”, enter your password, click on “Provide Documents and Biometrics” and then click on “Continue”. After selecting the Continue option, the person is directed to their account on the TLScontact website and can track their student visa by clicking on the “Follow” option.
How to Get a Residence Permit After Getting a UK Student Visa?
The UK biometric residence permit (BRP) is available to people applying to come to the UK for more than 6 months, those extending their visa for more than 6 months, those applying to settle in the UK, those transferring their visa to a new passport, and
It is a type of residence permit given to people who apply for a Ministry of Interior travel document.
After obtaining a UK student visa, a residence permit is an immigration document that proves the holder’s right to stay, work or study in the UK, and the centre where the UK biometric residence permit will be obtained is marked during the online application.
The image of the UK biometric residence permit card is given below.
How Many Years Can I Stay in the UK with a Student Visa?
The number of years you can stay in the UK with a student visa depends on the length of your course and the type of education you have completed in the UK. A UK visa is granted to students for a maximum of 5 years.
People aged 18 and over who are taking a degree course can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years with a UK long-term student visa. Students who are taking a degree course can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.
How to Extend a UK Student Visa?
UK student visa extensions can be made by students who want to continue their education in the same course or start a new course.
In order to extend your UK student visa, you must be studying in the UK with a student visa, be staying in a place listed on the CAS document, and show that the new course you will start is at a higher academic level than the previous course.
UK student visa extension to study on same level course
People need to prove that the new course is at degree level or above Higher Education Provider (HEP) level and those who have been in the UK on a student visa for less than 12 months need to prove that they have sufficient funds to support themselves.
UK student visa extensions can be made online, up to 3 months before the visa expires, and the new course must start within 28 days of the visa expiry date.
When extending a UK student visa online, the applicant needs to prove their identity, and the method of proving their identity varies depending on where they are from and the type of passport or residence permit they have.
Is It Difficult to Get a UK Student Visa?
It is not difficult to obtain a UK student visa if you obtain the CAS Certificate from the educational institution and carry out the student visa procedures correctly.
For visa applications to be made under the consultancy of rsscanadaimmigration.com, firstly the personal conditions and visa documents of the applicant are examined by expert country consultants and if found appropriate, the application process is initiated with document upload and visa appointment procedures.
What are the Reasons for UK Student Visa Application Rejection?
Reasons for UK student visa application rejection are listed below.
- Submitting missing documents
- Failure to clearly state the purpose of travel to the UK
- Leaving a blank space in the application form
- Applying for the wrong type of visa
- Failure to meet financial requirements
- Having violated visa conditions on a previous visit
In order for the UK student visa application not to be rejected, the applicant must apply for the correct visa type, fill out and sign the application form completely, submit no missing documents, prove that they have sufficient funds in their bank account and clearly state the purpose of the travel in the visa interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our experts on the UK student visa, the rights granted to the visa holder and studying in the UK are answered below.
What are the differences between a UK Student Visa and a Tier 4 Visa?
The differences between the UK student visa and the Tier 4 visa are; The UK student visa is divided into two as the Student Route for adult students aged 18+ and the Child Student Route for students aged 4-17, It allows you to apply for a student visa 6 months in advance instead of 3 months, It makes visa eligibility dependent on collecting 70 points in the Point Based System, It allows those who graduate from a UK educational institution after the summer of 2021 to apply for a postgraduate visa and have permission to work/seek work in the UK for up to 2 years, and It will require EU/EEA citizens to apply for a visa when they go to the UK after 1 January 2021.
The conditions for the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) document are the same as for the UK student visa and the Tier 4 visa.
What are the UK High School Exchange Programs?
UK high school exchange programs are listed below.
- Classical High School Exchange Program
- 2 in 1 High School Exchange Program
- High School Selection Exchange Program
- Academic Exchange Program
- Private Boarding School Exchange Program
Which Visa Should Be Obtained for Language Education in the UK?
A UK visitor student visa is required for English language education in the UK that will last less than 6 months, and a UK short-term student (language school) visa is required for participation in English language courses that will last 6-11 months.
The requirements for a UK language school visa include being over 16 years of age, having been accepted by an accredited education board, having sufficient financial resources to continue studying in the UK without the help of a sponsor or scholarship, and having enough money to return from the UK.
In addition to the general conditions, UK language course visa holders under the age of 18 must make arrangements for accommodation and flights before departure and provide signed consent from their parents.
What are the visa requirements for postgraduate studies in the UK?
Visa requirements for postgraduate studies in the UK include; the student must be provided with accommodation by an education provider with a valid student sponsor licence, the student must have a CAS number from the institution where they will be studying, the student must have proof of English proficiency and the student must be able to prove that they meet the minimum financial requirements to live in the UK, pay tuition fees and cover expenses.
Students who have completed their education in the UK and have a UK graduate visa can look for a job or work for 2 years with a graduate visa.
Does a UK Student Visa Provide a Work Permit?
Yes, a UK student visa provides permission to work.
With a UK student visa, you can work part-time for up to 20 hours per week while studying, full-time during official school holidays (Christmas, Easter) and full-time after the official course end date.
To work with a UK student visa, you must not exceed 20 hours of work per week while studying.
According to the visa conditions, UK student work permit holders cannot work as a freelancer or business operator, as a professional athlete including a sports coach, as an entertainer, as a doctor or dentist unless they are on a foundation scheme, and are not allowed to have a permanent full-time job.
Can a UK Student Visa Holder’s Spouse and Children Go to the UK?
Yes, the spouse and children of a UK student visa holder can travel to the UK.
The people a UK student visa holder can take with them are their spouse, civil partner and child under the age of 18.
A UK student visa holder must prove that they have enough money to live in the UK for each family member they will be taking with them.
Can Student Visa Holders Stay in the UK After Graduation?
Yes, those who have a student visa can stay in the UK after graduation.
Those who graduate from a UK educational institution after the summer of 2021 can apply for a graduate visa and be allowed to work/seek work in the UK for up to 2 years. If a job is found within the 2-year period, the visa holder can switch to a different immigration category by applying for a work visa.
For those who have completed their doctorate , the UK graduate visa is issued for 3 years.
What Are the Costs of Living for Students in the UK?
The average living expenses for a student in the UK are around £1,170 per month, excluding tuition fees.
The average monthly accommodation cost for a student living in a hall of residence in England is £640, and the monthly accommodation cost for a student renting a house outside of the city centre is £1,200.
For a student in England, a meal at a chain restaurant like McDonald’s costs an average of 6-8 pounds, while a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs an average of 20 pounds. For those who want to prepare a meal by grocery shopping in England, the prices at the grocery store are; 2.30 pounds for 12 eggs, 2.18 pounds for 1 kilogram of tomatoes, 1.08 pounds for 1 kilogram of potatoes, 1.14 pounds for 1 kilogram of onions, and for students who eat out a few times a month and eat at home on the other days, the average monthly food expense is 190-290 pounds.
In the UK, a cinema ticket for students costs £14, a one-month gym membership costs an average of £35 and the average monthly activity expense is £160.
There is a Young Pass option for students who travel by train in England and the average monthly fee is £30. For students who travel by bus in England, a one-way bus ticket costs an average of £1.50-2.50 and a monthly pass costs £62. Students over the age of 19 in England can travel on buses for free with an Oyster card.
Average annual university fees for a student in the UK range from £9,250 to £38,000.
Considering all expenses, the cost of living for students in the UK is high.
What are the Accommodation Opportunities for Students Studying in the UK?
There are many different accommodation options for students studying in the UK. There are many options such as staying in a dormitory, sharing a house, living in a studio apartment, or staying with a host family.
The average weekly dormitory fee for students who want to stay in a dormitory in London, the most preferred city by students in England, is £166. The average weekly fee for those who want to stay in a suite-style dormitory room in London student housing is £155; while the average weekly fee for those who want to stay in a studio-style room is £228.
For those studying in the UK, the prices for homestay accommodation are £158 per week including 3 meals in a standard area, £182 per week including 3 meals in a central area, and £221 per week including 3 meals in a central area.
In the UK, renting a room in a shared house is a less popular option than other accommodation options and costs between £110 and £306 per week, including bills, depending on factors such as the location of the house and the number of people staying in the house.
For those who want to live in a studio flat in London, the average rent for students in the UK is around £2,500 per month for furnished studio flats in central London, while it is around £1,200 per month for parts of London that are not in the centre.
What are the Homestay Options Like in England?
Homestay accommodation opportunities in the UK are well developed and are an option especially considered for students studying in the UK on a child and young student visa.
The homestays where students will stay with a host family in the UK are researched and selected by the school or the agreed company, and the hosts are expected to provide the student with a room with a bed, table, chair, bookshelf, regularly cleaned, linens changed, internet connection, prepare breakfast and dinner, and be friendly.
Homes where students who want to stay with a host family in the UK will stay are selected by schools or companies and are regularly inspected as they provide an average of £7,500 in additional income per year to the homeowner.
Can I Study in the UK with a Visitor Visa?
A maximum of 6 months of education can be received in the UK with a visitor visa.
The UK student visitor visa requirements include being accepted onto a non-government funded course and the course being a maximum of 6 months in duration (unless it is a distance learning course).
With a UK visitor visa, you can study at an accredited institution, including English language courses; conduct research in the UK on a course that is equivalent to a course to be taken in the UK; optional additional placements can be made for those studying medicine, veterinary and science, nursing or dentistry; take the entrance exam, course module or doctoral oral exam (aviva) for a course; free clinical attachment can be made for those who have graduated from medical, dentistry or nursing school; and take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) test or the Vocational and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test.
Those who have obtained a UK student visitor visa to take the Vocational and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test can stay for another 6 months and take the test again if they fail. Students who pass the PLAB test can stay in the UK for up to 18 months and have a clinical attachment.
Which Countries Can I Visit With a UK Student Visa?
With a UK student visa, you can enter the countries that make up the United Kingdom (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and Ireland, provided you first enter England.