The student visa replaced the previous Tier 4 visa route on 5 October 2020. The visa is for an individual aged 16 or over who wants to study in the UK with an approved education provider/licensed student sponsor on an eligible course of study or to take up a salaried, full-time, elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. You can apply as a student from outside the UK by applying for entry clearance. If
you are already in the UK on another visa route, you can apply to switch to this visa. You can also apply to extend your student visa. However, you cannot apply for ILR or settlement on this route.

If you are 18 or over and your course is below degree level, you will usually be able to stay in the UK for up to 2 years, but if your course is at degree level, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years. In this article, we are going to explain the UK Student Visa requirements.

Who can apply for a UK student visa?

You can apply for a student visa (leave to enter or stay) if you wish to study in the UK. The following conditions must be true: 

• You are aged 16 or over

• A licenced student sponsor has offered you a place on an eligible course 

• You have enough money to pay for the tuition as well as living costs - the amount will vary depending on your circumstances

• You can speak, understand, read, and write English 

• You have written consent from your parents and evidence of it if you are aged 16 or 17

Requirements for UK Student Visa

When you apply for the UK Student route, you will have to fulfil certain requirements as part of your application.

1. Course requirement 

You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course of study with a licensed student sponsor. To prove this, you will be sent a reference number (called a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)) by your education provider once they have offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS to be eligible to apply for the visa.

A licenced student sponsor is an education provider, such as a college or university, approved by the Home Office, which allows them to sponsor international students to study in the UK.

Eligible courses

On the UK Student route, you can study a range of full-time or part-time courses, but those courses have to meet certain requirements, including minimum levels of qualifications. 

As a student, you can do one of the following courses:

• a full-time course leading to a qualification at RQF level 3-5 (below degree level) with at least 15 hours per week of organised daytime study

• a full-time course that would lead to an academic qualification at RQF level 6 (degree level), 7, or 8  

• a full-time course at RQF level 6 (degree level), 7, or 8 equivalent to a UK higher education course and being delivered as part of a longer course overseas

• a part-time course leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 (above degree level) or above 

• an English language course at the level of B2 or above under the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

Those taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer can also apply for this visa.

You may also need an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate if you are studying or researching certain sensitive subjects/topics at RQF level 7 or above.

An ATAS certificate is an Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance issued by the UK government. You will usually require this security clearance to study or research certain sensitive subjects, primarily in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, etc., in the UK.

2. Fund requirements

You must have sufficient money to pay your course/tuition fee and support yourself in the UK. The amount of money you need depends on your personal circumstances and what you are applying for.

Course fee

You need to have a sufficient amount of money to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). How much you need to pay will be stated on your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).

If you have been residing in the UK with a valid permission for 12 months or more, you are not required to show that you have this money for your application.

Money required to support yourself (‘financial requirement’)

Unless, on the date of your application, you have been residing in the UK with a valid permission for 12 months or more, you are making your application as a student union sabbatical officer, or you are from a country/territory under the ‘differential evidence requirement’, you will have to show you have sufficient money to support yourself.

You will need:

• £1,529 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London (the City of London and the 32 London boroughs)

• £1,171 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you have an on-campus accommodation at a residential independent school, you will be required to pay boarding fees.  The amount you need to pay will be listed on your CAS.

Those with a student loan or financial sponsorship will need to provide evidence of this from their loan or sponsorship company.

3. Knowledge of English requirements

For a student visa, you generally have to show the decision maker that your English language ability in reading, writing, speaking, and listening meets the required CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) level, unless you

a. are from one of the following countries/territories;

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Australia

• the Bahamas

• Barbados

• Belize

• the British overseas territories

• Dominica

• Grenada

• Guyana

• Ireland

• Jamaica

• Malta

• New Zealand

• St Kitts and Nevis

• St Lucia

• St Vincent and the Grenadines

• Trinidad and Tobago

• UK

• USA; or

b. Have completed an academic qualification that is equivalent to a UK degree in one of the countries or territories listed above; or 

c. Are a national of Canada; or

d. Are applying to obtain permission to come to the UK to participate in a study abroad programme (a period of study in the UK) that forms part of a degree programme at a US university; or

e. Have already demonstrated English language ability at the required CEFR level in an earlier UK visa application

You can show, when required, your proficiency in the English language through:

• having a qualification from a UK school; or

• having a degree-level qualification from a UK institution; or

• having a degree from a non-UK institution that was taught in English; or

• passing a SELT (Secure English Language Test) from an approved test provider

Passing an English test

In the absence of any qualifications that prove your knowledge of English, you will have to pass an SELT from an approved provider. If you are studying at degree level or above with a HEP (Higher Education Provider), your HEP can assess your level of English itself through a different test. 

If you are studying below degree level, you must prove you can read, write, understand, and speak English to CEFR level B1.

If you are studying at degree level or above, you must prove you can read, write, understand, and speak English equivalent to CEFR level B2.

How can Visa and Migration help?

Requirements for UK student visa have undergone significant changes in recent period and it is expected to continue to happen. That is why you should get an expert’s service before you apply for this visa.

We help you understand the visa requirements, including course, money, and English language requirements, and assess whether you meet them at the required level. We ensure you meet these requirements as per the immigration rules and Home Office guidance.

We help you prepare a strong application and submit it along with the necessary documents. We also address any concerns or information asked by the Home Office. We ensure you get a positive outcome and also help you address any refusal decision.

For expert advice and queries, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write at info@visaandmigration.com