Visa Information for International Students

Overview

You can apply for a Student Visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

• have been offered a place on a course.
• have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances.
• can speak, read, write, and understand English.
• have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 - you’ll need evidence of this when you apply.

Once we have offered you a place on the course and we receive the payment of the tuition fees in full, we will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Course

You can do one of the following courses:

• A full-time course leading to a qualification that is below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study. These include A-Levels, Foundation degrees, HNCs, HNDs
• A full-time course leading to a qualification that is degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8) These include our Ba (Hons) and Top-up year.

Knowledge of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak, and understand English to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can prove your knowledge of English by:

• passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
• having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18.

You will need CEFR level B2 or above for degree-level courses.
For courses below degree level, you will need CEFR level B1 or above

Each course has a different English-level requirement.
See the course information page for more information.
Visit the UK Government website for the full list of approved providers.

Documents you will need to apply.

When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel documentation
• a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and all documents listed in your CAS.

You may also need to provide:

• proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your accommodation.  This will vary depending on your circumstances.
• tuberculosis test results if your nationality requires it.

If you are under 18:

• proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18. The consent must include their approval for your visa application, living and care arrangements in the UK, and travel to the UK. Additionally, a copy of your birth certificate (or another government-issued document) that shows your parents' names.

Fees

The cost of applying for a Student Visa is £ 524. (£558 from 8 April 2026)
You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. 
The annual cost of the healthcare surcharge is £776.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) fee is £55

Overview

All students must apply for entry clearance if they want to enter the UK under this category.
Students who plan to apply via this route must have written confirmation from us that they have been accepted into an English language course.
It is not possible to combine an English language course with any other studies.
The English language course can be at any level and there is no minimum level of English language ability that students must have attained before applying for the short-term student visa.

Who can Apply?

You must be 16 or older to apply.
You must prove that:

• you’ve been accepted onto an English language course that lasts longer than 6 months and up to 11 months and includes no other subjects.
• your course is with an accredited institution.
• you have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives and friends can support and house you.
• you can pay for your return or onward journey.

If you’re under 18 you must also:

• have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK.
• have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK.

While in the UK, you must only study on the course for which you were granted permission.
You must intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your study (if before the date your immigration period ends).
You cannot do any kind of work or work experience in the UK or engage in business activities.
You cannot switch to any other immigration category while still in the UK.

Documents

When you apply you must provide:

• A letter of acceptance to an English Language course.
• a current passport (with a blank page for your visa) or other valid travel document
• evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example, bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months.
• details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans (you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa).
• evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them.

You may also need to provide:

• your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test.
• a certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh.

If you are under 18:

• contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country, if you’re under 18 years old.
• you need to provide additional documents if you’re travelling on your own, or you’re travelling with someone who is not your parent or guardian

Fees

It costs £214 (£228 from 8 April 2026) for a Short-term study visa.
You will also have to pay an immigration healthcare surcharge as part of your application. It usually costs £776.  This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

EU, EEA, Swiss and non-Visa Nationals

If your nationality is not listed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as a visa-national nationality, you are generally considered a non-visa national.

Non-visa nationals do not normally need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK for a permitted visit of up to six months. However, from 25 February 2026, most non-visa nationals must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. This includes nationals of EU countries. Airlines and other carriers may refuse boarding if the required ETA or other valid immigration permission has not been obtained.

An ETA:

must be obtained before travelling to the UK;
allows eligible visitors to travel to the UK for up to six months for permitted purposes, including short-term study;
does not guarantee entry to the UK, as the final decision is made by Border Force at the UK border; and
is linked digitally to the passport used in the application.

If you are unsure whether you are a visa national or whether you need an ETA or visa, please contact us before making your travel arrangements.

Documents to carry when travelling

Please keep your passport and relevant immigration documents in your hand luggage, not in your checked baggage.

You may be asked to provide evidence of:

• your passport or travel document;
• your ETA
• your course or institution details;
• evidence of your accommodation and/or onward travel;
• other documents supporting the purpose of your visit. 
• Those under 18 must have a Parental Consent Form

Border Force may ask questions about your visit and your intended activities in the UK. You should be prepared to explain clearly why you are travelling to the UK.

Using the UK eGates

Eligible travellers can use the UK eGates (ePassport gates) for faster entry.

You can normally use an eGate if you:

• hold a passport with a biometric chip;
• have the required valid digital immigration permission, such as an ETA or eVisa;
• are 8 years old or over;
• are a national of an eligible country. Eligible nationalities include EU countries, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA.

Children aged 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult when using an eGate.

Please note that using an eGate does not mean that you will not be subject to immigration checks. Border Force may refer you to an immigration officer if further checks are required.

You should check the current UK Government requirements before travelling, as immigration requirements can change.

Visa Nationals

If you are a national of one of the countries on the visa national list published on the UK government website, you will need to apply for a visa and receive a successful decision before you can travel to the UK (entry clearance).

The Standard Visitor visa allows students to come and study in the UK for a course of up to six months.
Please note that you cannot apply for a Standard Visitor Visa from inside the UK.
You can apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to study if you are aged 16 and over and you are:

• Studying a short course, including English Language courses (six months or less), with no work or internship
• Returning to the UK to re-sit an exam, retake a module

What are the main conditions for a Standard Visitor visa?
You must:

• have been accepted onto a course provided by an accredited UK institution
• the course is no more than 6 months long
• have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds, and be able to pay for
• your return or onward journey out of the UK.
• Show that you are a genuine visitor
• intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit
• have arranged accommodation for your stay

If aged 16 or 17, there are additional requirements; contact us to seek further advice before applying or visit the UK government website.

Standard Visitor Visa fee from 8 April 2026: £135 for a 6-month visa