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Applying for a student visa

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Source:Applying for a student visa

'Before you begin your UK education, you may need to apply for a visa. There are different types of visa, depending on your age, and on the length and level of the course that you want to study.'

Students at the airport. © John Cooper / Ikon UK visas:

Child student 

You can apply as a child student if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are between 4 and 15 years old, you must be coming to the UK to be educated at an independent fee-paying school.

Child visitor

You can apply as a child visitor if you are 17 years old or under and you want to come to the UK to do a course of study for up to six months. You will not be able to switch and apply for a child student visa while you are in the UK as a child visitor. If you want to apply for a child student visa, you must apply from the country you live in.

Adult student

You can apply as an adult student if you are coming to the UK for your post-16 education.

Student visitor

You can apply as a student visitor if you are 18 years old or over, you want to come to the UK to do a course for up to six months, and you do not want to work while you are here. You will not be able to switch and apply for an adult student visa while you are in the UK as a student visitor. If you want to apply for an adult student visa, you must apply from the country you live in.

Prospective student

You can apply as a prospective student if you want to come to the UK to help you decide which course to study or if you plan to start a course of study within six months. You will be able to switch and apply for an adult or child student visa while you are in the UK.
To find out about applying for a student visitor, child visitor or prospective student visa, please visit the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website. 
 
For adult and child student visas, the UK has a points-based visa system which is designed to be objective and transparent. To apply, you need to gain 40 points. This includes 30 points for a “confirmation of acceptance for studies” from the university, college or school where you want to study.
 
Your chosen place of study must be on the “register of sponsors” kept by the UKBA. This register is designed to give you peace of mind that you are applying to join a bona fide institution. Find out more at the UKBA website.
 
 The remaining 10 points comes from demonstrating that you can afford to cover all or part of your fees and living costs to study in the UK. This has been put in place to help you avoid any financial difficulties that might affect your ability to complete your studies.
 
To find out if you need a visa and how to apply for one, please visit the UKBA website.
 
Recent changes to the UK student visa system: for adult students applying to study in the UK for over 6 months.
 
The UK Government has announced some changes to Tier 4 which come into effect on 3 March 2010. Most of these changes do not affect you if you make your Tier 4 immigration application in order to study a course at degree level or above, or a foundation degree. However, the changes do apply to you if you make a Tier 4 immigration application on or after 3 March in order to study a course which is below degree level and which is not a foundation degree course.
 
The changes do not apply to Child or Student Visitor Visas.
 
You can find further information at the UK Border Agency website.
 
The British Council will endeavour to provide support and advice for students at the earliest opportunity through our offices throughout the world.
 

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'Before you begin your UK education, check to see if you need a visa. If you do, there are several types of study visa, depending on your age, the length of your course and the level at which you plan to study.'

UK immigration and visas are managed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). UKBA is part of the UK government’s Home Office. For the latest definitive information about immigration and visas, check the UKBA website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

 

Another great resource is the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website www.ukcisa.org.uk. UKCISA do not manage visas, however they do have lots of tips on travelling to the UK, visas, finding accommodation and much more.

 

Do you need a visa?

You can find out if you need a visa on the UK Border Agency website.

 

When should you apply for a visa?

If you do need a visa, it is important to apply well in advance of when you intend to travel. You can find out about visa processing times in your country on UKBA's visa service pages.

 

What kind of visa do you need?

If you do need a visa to study in the UK, there are a number of different types available:

  • Tier 4 (Child) student visa: You can apply as a child student under Tier 4 of the points-based system if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are between 4 and 15 years old, you must be coming to the UK to be educated at an independent fee-paying school.
  • Child visitor visa: You can apply as a child visitor if you are 17 years old or under and you want to come and study in the UK for up to 6 months (or 12 months if you will be accompanying an academic visitor).
  • Tier 4 (General) student visa: You can apply as an adult student under Tier 4 (General) of the points-based system if you are coming to the UK for your post-16 education. With a Tier 4 visa, you can stay for longer than you can with a Student visitor visa, for example you could do a course at a university. You can find out more here
  • Student visitor visa, and extended student visitor visa  If you are 18 or over, and you want to study in the UK for up to 6 months, and you do not want to work while you are here, then you can apply for a student visitor visa. If you want to study purely English language courses, you can apply for an extended student visitor visa that allows you to stay for up to 11 months.
  • Prospective student visa: You can apply as a prospective student if you intend to study in the UK under Tier 4 of the points-based system but you have not completed all the arrangements for your course of study. For example, you can come here as a prospective student if you have been provisionally accepted on a course, with final acceptance dependent on an interview. You must be able to show that you will start your course within 6 months of arrival in the UK. In some cases, you may be able to provide this evidence in a letter of acceptance or prospectus giving details of the course.

You can find out more in UKBA's Studying in the UK pages.

 

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'You can make your UK study experience work even harder for your future by gaining some valuable work experience. Getting a job while you study in the UK can improve your language skills and enhance your CV. Your future employer will be looking for smart, creative, team-orientated people – working and studying in the UK could make you the perfect candidate.'

Before taking on a job, you need to check whether are entitled to work and how many hours you can work each week. For more information, visit the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website.
 
Your UK place of study will have a careers service to help connect you to the world of work. They will provide a wide range of help and support, including:
  • access to job adverts
  • help with writing CVs and job applications
  • tips on preparing for job interviews
  • information about what it’s like to work in the UK.

They will also help you get first-hand experience of the workplace, consider career choices and make professional contacts. Many UK institutions also have partnerships with local employers who want students to work for them – so they understand that you’ll need flexibility to work around your studies.
 

 
National Insurance numbers for international students
 
If you want to work while you study in the UK you will need to apply for a National Insurance number. National Insurance is the UK’s social insurance programme that provides payment to people who are unemployed, incapacitated or retired. Your National Insurance number is your own personal account number that ensures your contributions are properly recorded.
 
To make an appointment for a National Insurance number interview while you’re in the UK, phone 0845 600 0643 between 8am and 6pm weekdays. If you are hard of hearing or have speech difficulties call 0845 600 0644.
 
At your interview you will need to provide proof of identity (passport, birth certificate or bank statement), your right to work in the UK (passport sticker or identity stamp) and details of your job offer. Your new employer can allow you to start work before your number is issued and should deduct contributions from your pay.
 
For further information on National Insurance numbers visit the Job Centre Plus website.
 
Recent changes to the UK student visa system: for adult students applying to study in the UK for over 6 months.
 
The UK Government has announced some changes to Tier 4 which come into effect on 3 March 2010. Most of these changes do not affect you if you make your Tier 4 immigration application in order to study a course at degree level or above, or a foundation degree. However, the changes do apply to you if you make a Tier 4 immigration application on or after 3 March in order to study a course which is below degree level and which is not a foundation degree course.
 
The changes do not apply to Child or Student Visitor Visas.
 
You can find further information at the UK Border Agency website.
 
The British Council will endeavour to provide support and advice for students at the earliest opportunity through our offices throughout the world.
 

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'Until recently, international students mainly applied to work in the UK through the ‘Post Study Work’ Tier 1 visa route. From 6 April 2012, this scheme closed to new applicants. However there are lots of new options you can explore'

A medical student looks at an X-ray

UK immigration and visas are managed by the UK Border Agency (UKBA). UKBA is part of the UK government’s Home Office. For the latest definitive information about immigration and applying for a visa, you will need to check the UKBA website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

 

Another great resource is the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website www.ukcisa.org.uk. UKCISA do not manage visas, however they do have lots of tips on travelling to the UK, visas, finding accommodation and much more.

 

Do you need a visa?

You can find out if you need a visa to work in the UK at www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk.

 

Visas for working in the UK after you graduate

Until recently, international students wishing to work in the UK on graduation mainly applied for a visa through the ‘Post Study Work’ Tier 1 visa route. From 6 April 2012, this scheme closed to new applicants. However there are lots of new options you can explore:

  • Tier 2: If you want to work in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland after you complete your studies, you may be eligible to apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa. Tier 2 is open to recent graduates with a Bachelor or Master’s degree, PhD, PGCE or PGDE from a UK recognised or listed body. You can apply if you have an offer of a skilled job from an employer who is a licensed sponsor with UKBA. The job must also meet certain salary criteria.
  • Are you a budding entrepreneur? The government is also launching a new scheme called Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur). UK universities who sign up to the scheme will be able to act as your immigration 'sponsor' if you are a student who has completed a degree course in the UK,  you want to develop ideas or entrepreneurial skills by setting up a business in the UK and you are sponsored by the institution where you studied. In the first year there will be a limit of 1,000 places under this scheme.
  • Tier 5 temporary worker visa. Graduates can also consider applying for a Tier 5 ‘temporary worker’ visa. To be able to apply for a visa under most Tier 5 categories: you must have a job offer from a licensed sponsor and pass a points-based assessment.There are different requirements under the Youth mobility scheme.

You can find out more at the UK Border Agency website.

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