UKStudy

UK student visa in the UK

The UK student visa is the main immigration route for full-time study at a British university or college on the invitation of a licensed student sponsor. The visa gives the right to study and to work a limited number of hours, and after graduation it can open the way to a separate work visa for graduates.

Source: GOV.UK — the official UK government portal

Who can get a student visa

The English level and some of the requirements depend on the level of the course.

Who can apply

Aged 16 or over
A place on a course from a licensed student sponsor — a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
English at level B2 for degree-level courses and above, B1 for courses below degree level
For applicants aged 16–17 — parental consent

Financial conditions

Living costs — £1,529 a month (a maximum of 9 months) for a course in London
£1,171 a month (a maximum of 9 months) for a course outside London
The money must sit in the account continuously for at least 28 days in a row, and the end of that period must be no more than 31 days before the application
The requirement does not apply if the applicant has already lived in the United Kingdom on a visa for at least 12 months, if they are a national of a country on the differentiation list for evidence requirements, or if they apply as a students’ union sabbatical officer

What it costs

Visa application — from abroad, or an extension/switch of status from inside the United Kingdom	558 GBP

Documents to gather

For a student visa application you must provide:

A valid passport or another travel document
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the education provider — a licensed sponsor
Proof of enough money to pay for the course and living costs
A valid ATAS certificate, if the course and the applicant’s nationality require one
Tuberculosis test results, if required
Written consent from a financial sponsor to the application, if they pay for the studies
For applicants under 18 — consent from a parent or legal guardian and proof of the relationship with them

How the process runs

Once you have a place on a course, the application process looks like this:

1
Obtain the CAS from the education provider
The licensed student sponsor issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — confirmation of enrolment, which is compulsory for the visa application.
2
Prove your English and collect the documents
You must prove English at level B2 (for degree-level courses and above) or B1 (below degree level), and gather your passport and evidence of funds, plus, where required, an ATAS certificate and tuberculosis test results.
3
Apply online and give biometrics
the decision usually arrives within 3 weeks when applying from abroad and within 8 weeks when applying from inside the United Kingdom
The application is made online; the fee is £558, and a priority service is available for an extra charge.
4
Receive the visa and enter the United Kingdom
Once approved, the visa is valid for up to 5 years for degree-level courses for applicants aged 18 and over, and up to 2 years for courses below degree level.

Timelines and rights

Work

Work may be permitted; how much depends on the course of study and on whether it is term time or a vacation period. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach and you cannot be self-employed.

Who you can bring with you

A partner and children can come as dependants only if the applicant’s course meets certain conditions.

Partner

They can come if the applicant is a government-sponsored scholarship holder on a course longer than 6 months, or a full-time student on a postgraduate course at RQF level 7 or above lasting 9 months or more; for courses starting from 1 January 2024 — only on a PhD, another doctoral degree or a research-based higher degree. You must show £845 a month (a maximum of 9 months) for a course in London or £680 a month outside London — the money must sit in the account continuously for at least 28 days. The visa fee is £558 per person plus the healthcare surcharge.

Children

The conditions on the applicant’s course and on finances are the same as for a partner: £845 or £680 a month for each child depending on where the course is, and a fee of £558 per person.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

A partner and children may come as dependants under certain conditions.

The student visa itself cannot be extended once the course ends — you can either apply for a new student visa for another course or switch to the Graduate visa. The Graduate visa lasts 2 years if the application is made before 31 December 2026, 18 months if it is made from 1 January 2027, and 3 years for holders of a PhD or another doctoral degree. The Graduate visa itself cannot be extended: when it expires you must switch to another visa, for example the Skilled Worker Visa.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to citizenship

After graduation the Graduate visa is available for 2 years — from January 2027 the term is reduced to 18 months; for PhD holders it is 3 years.

Frequently asked questions about UK student visa

Who can get a UK student visa?

Applicants aged 16 and over with a place on a course from a licensed student sponsor (a CAS), proven funds for the course and living costs, and knowledge of English. Applicants aged 16–17 also need parental consent.

How much money must be shown to get the visa?

£1,529 a month (a maximum of 9 months) for a course in London or £1,171 a month outside London. The money must sit in the account continuously for at least 28 days, and the end of that period must be no more than 31 days before the application. The requirement does not apply to those who have already lived in the United Kingdom on a visa for at least 12 months, or to nationals of a number of countries on the differentiation list for evidence requirements.

How much does a student visa application cost?

£558 — the same amount when applying from abroad and when extending or switching status from inside the United Kingdom.

Do you have to pay separately for healthcare in the United Kingdom?

Yes, most applicants have to pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS). For students, their dependants and Youth Mobility Scheme visa holders the rate is £776 a year.

How much can you work while studying?

On degree-level courses (RQF 6 and above) — up to 20 hours a week in term time; on courses below degree level — up to 10 hours a week in term time; outside term time (during vacations) full-time work is allowed. You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or fill a post equivalent to a permanent full-time vacancy, apart from certain exceptions.

Can family come with the student?

Only if the course meets certain conditions: a partner and children can come as dependants if the applicant is a government-sponsored scholarship holder on a course longer than 6 months, or a full-time student on a postgraduate course at RQF level 7 or above lasting 9 months or more (for courses from 1 January 2024 — only on a PhD, another doctoral degree or a research-based higher degree). A separate amount for living costs must be shown for each dependant and a separate fee paid.

For how long is a student visa granted?

Usually up to 5 years for degree-level courses for applicants aged 18 and over, and up to 2 years for courses below degree level.

What can you do after finishing your studies?

You can apply for the Graduate visa — it gives 2 years if the application is made before 31 December 2026, 18 months if it is made from 1 January 2027, and 3 years for holders of a PhD or another doctoral degree. The Graduate visa itself cannot be extended; when it expires you must switch to another visa.

Other ways to move to UK

Every route in one list — migration programmes: UK.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.