Select your country

Extending your UK visa

Bookmark page

'If you don’t want your UK study experience to end, you may need to extend your visa. You’ll need to pass the points-based assessment to do this, gaining points for proving you have a place on a UK course and enough money to pay fees and living costs.'

EdUK_visa_extend_article_lead_image_420x220
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.

-Download PDF

Rate this article

'Getting to the UK is easier than you think. There are many direct international flights to airports throughout the UK regions. If you are coming to the UK from Europe, you could also sail into one of the major ports, or even arrive by train through the Channel Tunnel.'

A student waits for a bus, with a piece of street art in the background Image: Britain on View Arriving by plane for UK study

You can take international flights to airports in many UK regions. A lot of international students travel to Heathrow or Gatwick in London, but your journey will be much easier if you fly to the nearest airport to your place of study when travelling to the UK. So if you’re studying in north-west England, look for flights to Manchester Airport; or if Scotland is your final destination, try the airports in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

If you can’t find a direct flight to an airport near your place of study, you could fly to Europe and make a connection to one of the other UK regional airports. If you do, check with your airline whether you need a transit visa. This normally gives you a fixed amount of time after arrival to complete your onward journey.
 
If there are any connecting flights when you travel to the UK, we’d suggest that you check yourself and your luggage in for the entire journey, if this is possible. This makes airport transit much easier.

Arriving by boat for UK study

If you are getting to the UK by sea, you will probably arrive in one of these major ports:
  • Dover
  • Folkestone
  • Harwich
  • Hull
  • Portsmouth
  • Southampton
     
You will also find many onward coach and rail connections to get you to your final destination.

Arriving by train for UK study

Train travel to the UK is also possible using the Channel Tunnel. Rail services throughout Europe connect through Paris or Brussels with the Eurostar service to London. From there, you can make connections to stations throughout the UK regions to your place of study.

Onward travel to your UK study destination

Your place of study may have arranged onward travel in the UK, and they may even meet you at the airport or station. If not, it’s easy to sort it out for yourself – the general information desk will advise you on the best way to get to your destination. You will also find commercial information desks with offers and deals on onward UK travel.

-Download PDF

Rate this article

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.
 

-Download PDF

Rate this article

'If you don’t want your UK study experience to end, you may need to extend your visa. You’ll need to pass the points-based assessment to do this, gaining points for proving you have a place on a UK course and enough money to pay fees and living costs.'

EdUK_visa_extend_article_lead_image_420x220
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.

-Download PDF

Rate this article

Search

Clear filters Filter by

Location

Type of attendance

Age range

Course length

Accommodation

Course Delivery

Vacation Courses

Clear filters Filter by

Location

School Type

Residential Type

Age Range

Special Needs

Dietary

Religious Tradition

Clear filters Filter by

Country of residence

Type of course

Awarding body

Welcome Image

Caption:

Source: src