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Student Visa

Student visa in the UK

Student visa offers international students the possibility to study in the UK. To be eligible for a study visa in the UK, you must have an unconditional offer from a licenced sponsor and specific eligibility criteria like sufficient funds, English language proficiency, and a certificate of acceptance (CAS) onto a recognised course.

With a UK Student Visa, students aged 16 and over can come ot the UK to study full-time or part-time at an approved educational institution in the UK. The length of leave granted depends on the length of your course of study.

Children can apply under a different route, the Child Student route, to study at independent UK schools.

After successfully completing your studies, you can apply for a Graduate Visa, which permits you to stay in the UK for up to two years to work or find a job. PhD graduates can stay for up to three years.

At MGBe Legal, we guide you through the UK student visa application process and ensure you meet all the requirements to study in the UK.

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Eligibility for Student Visa in the UK

  • You must be 16 or over and have received an unconditional offer to study from a licenced student sponsor from the UK.
  • You need to have sufficient funds to support yourself and cover your course fees.
  • You must show that you can speak, read, write, and understand English to the required level unless exempt.
  • If you are aged 16 or 17, you will need consent from your parents or guardians, and evidence of consent must be provided with your student visa application.
  • If your child is aged 16 or 17 and wishes to study at an independent school in the UK, a child student visa may be more appropriate.
  • You must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number from your sponsoring institution and comply with the points-based system requirements for your application to be considered.

Requirements for Student Visa in the UK

70-Point Requirement

To be eligible for a UK Student Visa, you must satisfy the relevant requirements. The UKVI grants points on three key factors:

  • 50 points for receiving a CAS from a licensed student sponsor.
  • 10 points for proving that you fulfil the financial requirements to support yourself during your studies.
  • 10 points for having your English language skills at the required level.

Course Requirement

Your course must meet specific criteria to be eligible for your UK student visa. Eligible courses must be offered by licenced UK student sponsors and contain:
  • Full-time courses leading to a qualification at below degree level (RQF levels 3-5), needing at least 15 hours of organised daytime study each week.
  • Full-time degree-level courses (RQF levels 6-8).
  • Part-time courses at degree level or higher (RQF level 7+).
  • English language courses that meet the B2 level.

Financial Requirement

You must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover both your course fees and living expenses during your stay in the UK. You must show that:
  • The funds in your or your sponsor’s bank account must be available for 28 consecutive days before your application. By sponsor, we mean a parent of whoever is responsible to pay your fees.
  • If your course is less than a year-long, you will only need to show funds for the duration of your course.

English Language Requirement

You must prove that you meet the required level of English proficiency to study in the UK. For courses below degree level, you need to confirm a B1 level, while degree-level courses generally require a B2 level.

The most common way to prove your English proficiency is by taking a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. If you are from a majority English-speaking country or have completed an English-language qualification, you may be exempt from this requirement. In some cases, your university will test your English language skills and provide confirmation to the UKVI.

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  • Current passport or other valid travel documentation.
  • CAS from your course provider.
  • Proof of English language proficiency.
  • Educational certificates.
  • Proof of financial means, like bank statements.
  • Valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if required).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if applicable).
  • Written consent from financial sponsor (if applicable).
  • Parental or legal guardian consent and proof of relationship (if you are under 18).
  • Other documents as required, depending on your circumstances.
  • Certified translation certificate documents that are not in English or Welsh.
  • Generally, the standard processing time for a UK student visa is three weeks.
  • Priority processing offers a quicker decision in some circumstances. Additional fees are payable.
  • We recommend you apply as early as possible to avoid delays.
  • Current passport or other valid travel documentation.
  • CAS from your course provider.
  • Proof of English language proficiency.
  • Educational certificates.
  • Proof of financial means, like bank statements.
  • Valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if required).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if applicable).
  • Written consent from financial sponsor (if applicable).
  • Parental or legal guardian consent and proof of relationship (if you are under 18).
  • Other documents as required, depending on your circumstances.
  • Certified translation certificate documents that are not in English or Welsh.
  • Generally, the standard processing time for a UK student visa is three weeks.
  • Priority processing offers a quicker decision in some circumstances. Additional fees are payable.
  • We recommend you apply as early as possible to avoid delays.

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Process to apply for Student Visa in the UK

  • Check your eligibility criteria and ensure that your university has provided you with a CAS number.
  • Submit the online application for your student visa on the official UK government website.
  • Pay the required fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the National Healthcare Service (NHS) during your stay in the UK.
  • Provide biometric information at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or using a dedicated App, if you are eligible.
  • Upload supporting documents online or take them to your VAC appointment as instructed.
  • Wait for a decision during your application is reviewed by UKVI.
  • If your application is approved, you’ll receive a confirmation and a visa vignette (sticker) in your passport, valid for travel to the UK. Alternatively, you may receive an eVisa.
  • Collect your passport from the VAC or wait for it to be returned by post.

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    FAQs

    1What documents are required for a student visa application?
    A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the education provider, evidence of funds, passport, and English language test results are necessary.
    2What financial requirements apply to these visas?
    Applicants must meet the minimum income threshold (£29,000/year) or demonstrate sufficient savings to support themselves without public funds.
    3How early can you apply for a UK Student Visa?
    Applicants can apply up to six months before the course start date if applying from outside the UK, or three months ahead if applying inside the UK.
    4How long does it take to receive a UK Student Visa decision?
    Decisions are typically made within three weeks for applications outside the UK, and up to eight weeks for those made inside the UK.
    5Can Student Visa holders work while studying in the UK?
    Yes, students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays, subject to restrictions.
    6What is the 70-point requirement system for student visas?
    The UK uses a points-based system where you need 70 points total: 50 points for a valid CAS from a licensed sponsor, 10 points for proving sufficient funds, and 10 points for meeting English language requirements. You must satisfy all three to qualify.
    7Do I need parental consent if I am under 18?
    Yes, if you are 16 or 17 years old, you must provide written consent from your parents or legal guardians. For children under 16 studying at independent schools, a Child Student visa route may be more appropriate instead.
    8What is an ATAS certificate and when do I need it?
    An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate is required for certain postgraduate students studying sensitive subjects like science and technology. Your university will advise if you need this certificate before applying for your visa.
    9Can I study part-time on a student visa?
    Yes, part-time degree-level courses (RQF level 7 or higher) are eligible for a student visa. However, courses below degree level must be full-time with at least 15 hours of organized daytime study per week.
    10What happens after I finish my studies in the UK?
    You can apply for a Graduate Visa, which allows you to stay in the UK for up to two years to work or find a job. PhD graduates can stay for three years after completing their studies.
    11Why do I need to show funds for 28 consecutive days?
    The Home Office requires proof that your funds have been in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying to verify their genuine and available for your studies, not borrowed temporarily.
    12What English language level do I need depending on my course?
    For courses below degree level, you need B1 English proficiency, while degree-level courses generally require B2 level. You can prove this through an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) or by having completed a qualification taught in English.