UK Study Visa: Types, Requirements, Process, and Cost

International students accepted into a British educational institution must apply for a UK Study Visa. 

The previous Tier 4 (General) UK Study Visa has undergone a "rebranding" as a result of Brexit, which is mostly owing to the fact that students from the EU and EEA will now be needed to apply for a visa in order to study in the UK.

Begin your "Study in UK" Journey with India's #1 Study Visa Masters!

What is the eligibility for a UK Study Visa 2024?

If you're 16 or older and want to study in the UK, you can apply for a UK Study Visa, provided that:

  • A licensed student sponsor has offered you a place on a course. 
  • You have enough money to support yourself as well as pay for your studies. The cost will vary based on your financial circumstances. 
  • You are fluent in English (speaking, reading, writing, and listening). 
  • Have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17. You’ll need to demonstrate evidence of this when you apply.

If you're 16 or 17 years old and wish to attend an independent school in the UK, you might be eligible for a Child Student visa.

Check Your Eligibility In 60 Seconds

What are the requirements for a UK Study Visa 2024?

When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:

  • A valid passport or equivalent travel document.
  • A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.

You may also need to provide:

  • Proof of enough money to support yourself as well as pay for your study. The cost will vary based on your financial circumstances. 
  • Proof of minimum language proficiency. 
  • A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it.
  • Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18.
  • Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
  • Your tuberculosis test results.
  • If you've received financial support for your course fees and living expenses in the last 12 months, you'll need to get written consent from your financial sponsor to submit your application.

If you're under the age of 18, you'll need both parents' or legal guardians' written consent.

This must include their consent for:

  • Your visa application.
  • Your living and care arrangements in the UK.
  • Your trip to the UK.

You'll also need a copy of your birth certificate (or another government-issued document) with your parents' names on it.


What is the process to apply for a UK Study Visa 2024?

Here’s what you need to know about the UK Study Visa process.

STEP 1: Check if you qualify

A Tier 4 Visa is required to study in the UK. A UK  Study visa is required if you have not yet been accepted into an institution.

STEP 2: Get your documents ready

Refer to the above-mentioned requirements for a UK Study Visa. For every document you provide, you must include the original document and a photocopy. 

STEP 3: Apply online

You must register and create an account on the official UK Visa website. After completing your online application form, you need to print and sign it. 
To schedule an appointment at the visa application center, you can use the online appointment calendar. Once you complete your online application, you will receive an email with your application number.

STEP 4: Pay your application fee

There are 4 ways to pay your visa application fee.

  • Payment at Standard Chartered Bank.
  • Demand draft from a nationalized or foreign bank.
  • Payment at the visa application center. 
  • Pay online.

STEP 5: Visit the visa application center on the appointed date

You will now be required to submit your application, facial photograph, and fingerprints. Schedule and attend an appointment at your nearest visa application center


What is the cost of a UK Study Visa 2024?

There are several other costs involved for those studying in the UK as international students. Let us break down the key costs involved when acquiring a UK Study Visa.

Application fee:

Type of VisaVisa DurationWho can ApplyApplication Fees
Short-term study visa6 months
11 months
Applicants over 16 years of age;
Enrolling in 6-month Short Course in
UK institution;
Enrolling in 11-month English
Language Course
97 GBP for 6
months;
186 GBP for 11 months
Tier 4 student visa
(General)
Duration of the program + 1 monthApplicants over 16 years of age;
Enrolling in courses longer than 6 months
348 GBP
Tier 4 student visa
(Child)
Under 16: 6yrs + 4
months;
16-17yrs: 3yrs + 4
months
Applicants aged between 4 and 17
years
348 GBP

Immigration Health Surcharge

You will be required to pay the Health Surcharge fee as a non-British national to use the NHS during your stay. This is a mandatory fee that must be paid even if you intend to use private healthcare while in the UK. It currently costs £470 per person for a year's leave or £235 for six months' leave.

Course Fee

Before coming to study in the UK, you must pay your course fees in full for at least one academic year. The amount will vary, but you can find it on your letter of Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
Study ProgramAverage Tuition fee in GBP (£)
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree£6,000 to £16,000 yearly
Postgraduate master’s degree£10,000 to £20,000 yearly
Doctoral Degree£13,000 to £29,000 yearly

Proof of Funds

Unless you've been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application, you'll need to establish that you have enough money to sustain yourself. 

The amount of money required is determined by where you will be studying. You will require either:

- £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
- £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you board at a residential independent school, you must pay boarding costs instead. Your CAS will reflect the amount you need to pay.

What is the processing time of a UK Study Visa 2024?

Processing times may vary if you have submitted an incomplete application or have a complex case. The current processing time for a UK Study Visa is 3 days to a few weeks long. 
Waiting times for your visa interview vary wildly between countries.

Apply Now For UK Study Visa

Top 10 Universities in the UK for International Students

Here are the top 10 universities in the UK that attract the highest numbers of international students.

1. Oxford University
2. Imperial College
3. Kingston University
4. Royal Holloway University
5. University of Manchester
6. University College London
7. University of Southampton
8. St. Andrew’s University
9. Bristol University
10. Brunel University


What are the benefits of a UK Study Visa?

  • 2-Year Post-study Work Visa
  • 3-Year Post-study Visa Extension for Ph.D. students
  • Extended Time in the UK for Postgraduate Students
  • Dependent Work Rights
  • Benefits for STEM Graduates
  • Easy to Find Jobs on the Shortage Occupation List

How Nationwide Visas Can Help You?

CICC Registered

CICC
Registered

Hand Holding Support

Hand Holding
Support

7 days Offer Letter

7 days
Offer Letter

Process Time 9 weeks

Process Time
9 weeks

Nationwide Visas has accumulated a treasure of goodwill and exhaustive experience over the last 16+ years in this dynamic immigration industry and has constantly facilitated a wide range of aspiring immigrants to achieve their overseas goals. 

We are among the top-most brands in the Immigration sector being a highly reliable immigration firm with an outstanding track record of several thousands of triumphant PR Visa applications. The following major factors make us the Best Study Abroad Consultant : 

Our Consultation is offered by authorized and licensed Immigration Consultants

Step-by-step guidance through eligibility and process

We maintain a Secure Online Process & transparency

System of Complaint Redress for any process

Experience having processed more than 30,000 applications

Every Case is assessed multiple times before submission

Easy evaluation of the qualifications and other skills


 

Get a call within 55 seconds

Frequently Asked Question

  • Can I work with a UK Study Visa?

    Students on student visas can only work on a temporary basis; they cannot be hired on a permanent basis. They cannot be self-employed, start a business, or work as a professional athlete or entertainer.

  • There are currently three types of UK student visas, including:

    • Student visa for most higher education courses, including graduate and postgraduate programs
    • Child Student visa for minors studying at an independent school
    • Short-term study visa for learning English in the UK (6–11 months)
  • The UK student visa comes under Tier 4 (General), and B1 is required CEFR level. The minimum IELTS score for a UK study visa is 4.03 and above (for all the skills).

  • To study in the UK, you must be above 16 years of age. There is no upper age limit for a UK Study visa

  • The length of your course and the studies you've already done in the UK will determine how long you can stay. If you are 18 or older and studying at the university level, you can normally stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it is less than a degree level, you can normally stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

STUDY VISA

arrow-layer

Get a call within 55 seconds

Our Media Mentions

media-business-mint
LiveMint-Standard-News-icon
deccan-chronicle-news-icon
media-Forbes-India-logo
MId-Day-News-icon
Business-Standard-News-icon
zee-news-icon
Hindustan-Times_logo
Business-Line-News-icon
Outlook-News-icon
Website-Pop-UpExpress Entry Latest Draw
Check Your Eligibility! chatbot icon
chatbot icon Check Your Eligibility In 60 Seconds!