Applying for a student visa

There are two types of visa for international students outside of the European Economic Area (EEA):• Adult student (also known as general student)• Child student (for children aged four to 17 years old coming to study at independent fee paying schools or studying at further education colleges). For more information on child student visas visit the UK Border Agency (UKBA) website. (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/child-students/)Applying for a general student visaIf you are coming to study in the UK for more than six months you must pass a points-based assessment. You need to score 40 points before you can travel to the UK – these points include:• 30 points for a visa letter from a licensed sponsor (your UK education provider). The visa letter will include information about you, your education provider, your course and your finances.• Ten points for showing you have enough money to cover course fees and monthly living costs for up to nine months. Any bank statements you provide must confirm you have held the money for at least 28 days.The visa letter is an official offer letter from the UK education provider you intend to study at. They will complete the letter and give it to you, but you can find out what information should be included on the UKBA website. (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/quickguideforstudent/adultstudents/visaletterforadultstudents/) To gain ten points, you will need to prove you have the following funds available:Length of course | Where you will study | Maintenance (funds) neededNine months or less | London-based | Full course fees + £800 for each month of the course, up to a maximum of nine monthsMore than nine months | London-based | First year of fees + £7,200 to cover a typical academic year in the UK (i.e. nine months)Nine months or less | Outside London | Full course fees + £600 for each month of the course, up to a maximum of nine monthsMore than nine months | Outside London | First year of fees + £5,400 to cover a typical academic year in the UK (i.e. nine months)You can download the general student visa application form and find help with completing it on the UKBA website. (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/)Points-based calculatorThe UKBA have produced a tool that helps you to calculate how many points you may get under the points-based system. The points-based calculator will indicate whether you may be eligible to study in the UK. Please note that the results produced by using this tool will not guarantee a successful application.Try the points-based calculator (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/pointscalculator)International students with financial sponsorshipIf you have a scholarship or other form of financial sponsorship, you should provide a letter of confirmation when you apply for your visa. The letter must be on official letter-headed paper or stationery and have the official stamp of the organisation of your financial sponsor. It should include:• Your name• Name and contact details of your official financial sponsor• Date of the letter• Length of the sponsorship• The amount of money you have or a statement that your official financial sponsor will cover all of your fees and living costsYou can search for scholarships for UK study in the scholarship finder. (internal link)How long can you study in the UK?If you choose to study at degree level or above, you can stay for the full duration of your course, plus up to an extra four months. If your course is below degree level, you will be allowed to stay for up to three years.It is important you choose the right course and institution before you come to the UK to study. If you change your mind once you arrive, you will need written permission to change course. You will also have to pay a fee of £357 if the new course goes over your existing permission to stay.You can find the perfect course for you in the course finder. (internal link)If you are coming to the for more than six monthsyou must pass a points-based assessment