If you live outside the UK, you will need to apply for a Student visa or Short Term Student visitor visa to study in the UK unless you are an EEA or Swiss national.
The short term student visa scheme may not be appropriate for students who want to stay longer or work after completion of their initial course due to the fact that if you are on a short term student visa you cannot switch to another type of visa, extend your visa or work during your stay.
For students undertaking longer courses, the Student visa is the main UK immigration route. The former Tier 4 (General) student visa has been replaced by the Student visa route. You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you are 16 or over. You must apply up to six months in advance of your course start date if applying from outside the UK. The time to consider the application can vary therefore you are encouraged to make an early application.
Mandatory Documents
- Course confirmation: receipt of a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a University or college approved by the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI). There are 1,215 licensed sponsors* under Tier 4 (General) Student Visa (the list can be obtained from here) *work is permitted if studying at any of the institutes in this list.
The CAS confirms your acceptance onto an eligible course and is an essential part of your Student visa application.
- Prove your English language skills: if you are not from one of the ‘majority English-speaking’ Countries; once the course has been selected, your chosen course provider can advise you whether you need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) including ILTS, an alternative test or Skype interview.
You may need to meet an English language requirement depending on your course and circumstances. Your education provider can advise you on the evidence required for your UK Student visa application.
- Funds: you will need to show that you have enough money to pay for your course and living costs. Living costs will depend on the length of your course and where you study the course.
You may need to provide financial evidence showing that you can support yourself during your studies, in addition to demonstrating that you can pay the required course fees.
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate: you will need an ATAS certificate if you intend to undertake studies in designated science and technical subjects.
This requirement applies only to certain courses and students, so you should check whether an ATAS certificate is required before submitting your application.
- Tuberculosis (TB) certificate — If you have been resident in UAE for over 6 months and not travelled to a listed Country, you will not have to provide this certificate. The list of countries which require you to have a TB test can be found here.
- Health Surcharge reference number — you will normally need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application, where applicable.
Fees
- ·£348 to apply from outside the UK.
- The current Student visa application fee is £558 for applications made from outside the UK.
- In addition to the visa application fee, you may also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.
Benefits
Following approval of your application and your arrival into the UK, you can start using the National Health Service (NHS) however, you will still need to pay for certain types of services, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and assisted conception.
Your access to NHS services will generally depend on your immigration status and payment of the applicable Immigration Health Surcharge.
It is important that you carry your biometric residence permit with you when you access healthcare in the UK.
Most successful applicants now receive a digital immigration status (eVisa) rather than a physical biometric residence permit. You should ensure that your UKVI account and personal details remain up to date.
Working While Studying in the UK
Depending on the type and level of your course and the conditions attached to your Student visa, you may be permitted to work in the UK while studying. However, there are restrictions on the type and amount of work you can undertake. Short-term Student visa holders are not permitted to work.
Documents you must provide
- A current passport and in the event that this is not available then any other valid travel identification
- Evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months.
- Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and any other documents required to demonstrate that you meet the Student visa requirements.
- Evidence of your English language ability, ATAS certificate or TB certificate where applicable.
- Details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans – you should not pay for accommodation or travel until your visa has been granted.
The exact documents required will depend on your circumstances, the course you intend to study and the country from which you are applying.
Planning Your UK Student Visa Application
Applying for a UK Student visa requires careful preparation. International students should check that their chosen university or college is a licensed Student sponsor, obtain their CAS and make sure they meet the financial and English language requirements before submitting their application.
It is also important to consider whether the Student visa provides the appropriate route for your longer-term plans, particularly if you intend to work in the UK after completing your studies or apply for another immigration route.
The above is a general commentary on the subject matter and should not be construed as specific legal advice. To seek specific advice on UK visa and immigration, please do contact Dee Popat or visit this link.
