UK Short Term Student Visa – Eligibility, Documents Needed & Application Process

The Short-term Student (English language) route is for a person aged 16 or over who wants to come to the UK to take an English language course with an accredited institution, where the course will last between 6 and 11 months. This is an unsponsored route, which means the applicant does not need a sponsorship from an accredited institution in the UK. 

This route falls under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules.

• study at an accredited institution (this includes English language courses)
• do a short piece of research that’s relevant to your course overseas
• do an ‘elective’ - an optional additional placement, if you’re studying medicine, veterinary medicine and science, nursing, midwifery or dentistry
• sit an entrance exam, retake an exam or course module, or do a PhD oral exam (a viva)
• do an unpaid clinical attachment if you’re a graduate from a medical, dental or nursing school
• take the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) test or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test

A student is able to extend their course up to a maximum of 11 months, provided they are studying at the same institution. However, a student cannot switch to a different course provider or switch to a different course with their current provider.

Only a person outside the UK can apply for a UK short-term student visa.

Alternative routes for students

A person should apply for a student route or Child Student route if they want to come to the UK to study: 

• An English Language course that lasts longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months, and they are aged below 16 

• An English Language course that lasts for more than 11 months 

• Any other course that lasts for more than 6 months (unless studying for a period of distance learning as a visitor in the UK on a course otherwise taught overseas)

If the applicant’s course lasts 6 months or shorter, they will need to apply for a UK visitor visa.

What is an eligible English language course for the short-term student route?

For the purpose of the short-term student route, an English language course is a course that teaches English as a foreign language only and does not include other subjects. The applicant cannot study any other course or mixed courses under this route. The applicant must have been accepted for a course of study at an accredited institution.

Validity requirements for a Short-term Student

A person seeking entry clearance to the UK as a Short-term Student must apply online on the gov.uk website using the specified application form “Short-term Student visa”.

The applicant must meet all the following requirements:

1. Any application fee and IHS (Immigration Health Charge) must have been paid;

2. The applicant must have provided biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph) when required;

3. The applicant must have submitted a passport or other travel document that satisfactorily establishes their nationality and identity.

4. The applicant must, on the date of application, be outside the UK.

   1. The applicant must be 16 or over when they apply. 

   2. An application for a UK short-term student visa that does not meet all the validity requirements may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a Short-term Student

The “suitability requirements” for a UK Short-term Student visa are checks that are used to decide whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to enter the UK. Even if they meet all the other requirements, their visa can still be refused if they fall for refusal under the Immigration Rules - Part Suitability.

Eligibility requirements for a Short-term Student

The applicant seeking permission to come to the UK as a Short-term Student must obtain entry clearance before they arrive in the UK.

The applicant must, if Appendix TB (Tuberculosis) applies, submit a valid Tuberculosis (TB) certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary TB and that this TB is not present in them.

The applicant must also prove that:

• They have been accepted onto an English language course that lasts between 6 months and 11 months, and the course does not include any other subjects

• Their course is with an accredited UK institution or an eligible overseas provider, if they are studying in the UK as part of an overseas course

• They will not study at an academy or state-funded school

• They will leave the UK within 30 days of the end of their English language course, or at the end of 11 months, whichever is sooner

• They will not make the UK their main home

• They will not work in the UK

• They will not engage in any professional activities or business in the UK

• On the date of application, they have paid their course fees or have sufficient funds to pay their course fees. 

• They have enough money to support themselves in the UK without working or receiving public funds, or their relatives and friends can support and house them

• They can pay for their return or onward journey

If the applicant is aged under 18, they must also have made arrangements for their travel and stay in the UK, and have the consent of their parent/ legal guardian to study in the UK.

What are the documents required for a UK short-term student visa?

The applicant must provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel document

• evidence that they can support themselves during their stay in the UK, for example, bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months

• details of their travel plans and where they intend to stay in the UK - they should not pay for travel or accommodation until they get their visa

• evidence that they have paid their course fees or have sufficient money to do so

They also need to provide:

• Their TB test results, if the Appendix Tuberculosis applies 

• Contact details for at least one parent/guardian in their home country, if they are aged under 18

• A certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh

 Documents about the course

The applicant must provide written proof of the course of study. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution that mentions the name of the course, its duration, and cost (including accommodation).

They may have to give additional documents depending on their circumstances, such as evidence of their:

• permission to be in the country they are applying from (if they are not a national)

• occupation, income, savings, or funds of the financial sponsor that will support their studies

If the applicant is under 18

Individuals under 18 must provide additional documentation if they are travelling alone or with someone who is not their parent/guardian.

1. If the applicant is travelling on their own

The applicant must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or their legal guardian. The consent letter must be signed by both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or their legal guardian, and it must confirm they consent to the applicant’s:

• Visa application

• Travel to the UK

• Living arrangements and care in the UK

• The plan for when they arrive in the UK

2. If the applicant is travelling with an adult

If the applicant plans to travel to the UK with an adult (a person aged 18 or over), they will need to name them (up to 2 adults) in their short-term student visa application.

If the person (s) the applicant is travelling with need a visa to travel to the UK, they will also need to make their own separate visa application.

The applicant needs written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or their legal guardian if they will:

• Travel to the UK with an adult who is not their parent/legal guardian

• Travel without at least one of the adults identified in their visa application - for example, if a change in circumstances means the applicant has to travel alone or with different adults

When to apply for a UK short-term student visa?

The applicant must apply before they come to the UK. The earliest one can apply is 3 months before they travel to the UK.

How to apply for a UK short-term student visa?

The application process for a short-term student visa includes several stages, including applying online using the correct application form, submitting the supporting documents, paying the application fee, booking an appointment at a VAC (Visa Application Centre), submitting biometrics on the date of appointment, waiting for a decision, and finally receiving a decision.

1. Apply online

The applicant must apply online on the gov.uk website using the specified application form “Short-term Student visa”. 

2. Submit the documents

The applicant must submit the supporting documents online. Alternatively, they can also have their documents scanned at a VAC on the date of their appointment. 

3. Book a biometric appointment

As part of the short-term student visa application, the applicant will need to enrol their biometrics to prove their identity. For this, they need to book an appointment at a VAC by choosing a VAC, an appointment date, and an appointment time. The applicant should choose the nearest VAC if possible.  

4. Pay the application fee and Healthcare Surcharge

Short-term student visa costs £214. The applicant will also have the healthcare surcharge so they can use the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK as part of their online application. The healthcare surcharge usually costs £776. 

5. Attend biometric appointment

On the date of the biometric appointment, the applicant will need to submit their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph). They will need to take their passport with them to the VAC, which they will be able to collect on the same day.

6. Wait for a decision

After having applied for a short-term student visa online, proving identity and submitting documents, the applicant will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may pay extra to get a faster decision.

7. Receive a decision 

If the applicant meets all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a Short-term Student visa, their application will be approved; otherwise, their application will be refused.??

If the application is refused, the applicant can request an Administrative Review. 

Period of grant for a short-term student

The successful applicants will be granted permission in the UK for the length of their course plus an extra 30 days, as long as their stay does not exceed 11 months. 

After applying

The applicant will receive an email when the Home Office has decided on their application. The email will explain what they need to do next.

The applicant can also ask to cancel their application after they have applied. In such a situation, they will only get their fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing their application.  

How can Visa and Migration help?

We specialize in UK Visa and Immigration matters. We follow standard professional practice, which starts with offering you an initial consultation if you are looking to apply for a UK short-term student visa. This helps us assess the strength of your UK visa case and determine whether we can support your application. For example, if you have been accepted into an eligible English language course with an accredited institution, and you meet the relevant eligibility requirements. After the consultation, if we are confident in proceeding, we will move ahead with preparing your UK short-term student visa application, subject to your consent.

We help you choose the correct application form, gather the necessary documents showing your eligibility, and ensure that your application is not refused for suitability reasons. We help you apply online and further liaise with the Home Office for further communication until your application is decided.

We ensure your application is approved, but if this does not happen, we also help you apply for an administrative review.

For expert advice and queries on a UK short-term student visa application, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write to info@visaandmigration.com