UK Student & Graduate Visas: Types, Eligibility & How To Apply

The United Kingdom is one of the world's most popular destinations for international students, regularly placed within the top three countries for hosting international students alongside the United States and Australia. From the world-renowned universities to the innovative teaching approach and the brightest minds who deliver it, the UK has it all you need to reach your potential. 

The high quality and world-class standard of excellence have been set by some of the older and top-ranked universities for decades, such as Oxford and Cambridge. It’s not at all surprising that every year more than 500,000 international students choose to study in the UK.

To attract global talent, the UK over the years has introduced several visa routes in place. The government aims to bring international students to the UK who could study at the highest level and contribute to the UK’s economy and society immensely. 

The UK currently offers primarily three visa categories for international students. These categories include:

• The UK Student visa (for higher education), 

• The UK Tier 4 (General) Student Visa (Closed for new applicants from 2020) 

• The UK Child Student visa (for younger students aged between 4 and 17), and 

• The UK Short-term Study visa (for shorter English language courses).  

• Study on a Visitor Visa

Finding post-study Work Opportunities in the UK

There is a visa that allows you to stay in the UK after your studies. The UK Graduate route is for international students in the UK looking to apply for permission to stay here to work or search for work upon graduation.  

Below are the visa routes available for international students looking to study in the UK.

The UK Student Visa

The student visa is part of UK immigration rules and has replaced the previous Tier 4 visa route on 5 October 2020. The student visa is for a person aged 16 or over who wants to study in the UK with a licensed student sponsor on an eligible course or to take up a salaried, full-time, elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer. 

This is a visa under the point-based system where applicants must be awarded a total of 70 points. 

One can apply for a UK student visa from outside the UK by applying for entry clearance. Those who are already in the UK on another visa can apply to switch to this visa. Student visa holders in the UK may also be able to extend their visa, but they cannot apply for ‘settlement’ on this route.

The successful applicants will be granted a period of permission depending on the type and length of their course. 

A person aged 18 or over and their course being at degree level can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If their course is below degree level, they can stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

Eligibility Requirements

The main eligibility requirements for a UK student visa (as set out in Immigration Rules: Appendix Student) include, but are not limited, to the following:

• The applicant must be a genuine student. 

• The applicant must have an unconditional offer of a place on an eligible course with a licensed student sponsor 

• Unless exempt, Applicant must show that they meet the financial requirement

• Unless exempt, the applicant must demonstrate that they meet the English language requirement as specified in the Appendix English Language

• Applicants need their parents’ consent if they are aged under 18 

• Applicant must not fall for refusal under Immigration Rules Part 9: General grounds for refusals.

Bringing Dependants on a Student Visa

Not all student visa applicants or holders can bring their dependants (partner and children) to the UK now. However, certain people, for example, government-sponsored students who are starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months, can still bring their dependants (if eligible) to the UK.

Switching to Another Visa

Someone already in the UK can apply to switch to another visa before their current visa expires. Some of the visas they can apply for to switch to include the Graduate Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, Family Visa, etc.

Tier 4 Student Visa

The Tier 4 Student visa, which was replaced by the Appendix Student Visa in 2020, has been closed to new applicants since then.

When this visa was live, it catered to students from outside the UK or EEA (European Economic Area) who wanted to study a full-time degree-level course at a college, university, or other eligible educational institution in the UK.

Current Tier 4 Student Visa Holders in the UK

People currently in the UK on a Tier 4 student visa can still continue their studies under the conditions of their existing visa. Their Tier 4 (general) student visa remains valid until the expiry date stated, and students with this visa can complete their courses without interruption.

Current holders of the Tier 4 Student visa should be aware of the immigration rules and regulations that are still in place. For example, restrictions on work hours, requirements to maintain enrolment in a recognised educational institution, requirements to cover course and living costs, and obligations to tell the Home Office of any significant changes in their circumstances.

Student Visa Extension

While the Tier 4 visa is closed to new applicants, existing visa holders can still apply to extend under the Appendix Student Visa, provided they meet the requirements, such as advancing to a higher level of study.

Child Student Visa

The Appendix Child Student visa, which replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa in 2020, is for a person who is aged between 4 and 17 and wants to study at an independent school in the UK. The school must be a student sponsor. This is also a visa under the point-based system, and applicants are required to be awarded a total of 70 points for meeting relevant study and financial requirements.

This visa category aims to provide young international students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world-class British educational system. The visa allows them to access both high-quality schooling and to experience life in the UK.

In addition to providing immediate educational benefits, the Child Student visa also lays the foundation for young learners to pursue a successful and international career. It offers a distinct combination of advanced learning environments, great cultural exposure, and personal growth opportunities that are hard to match.

Students aged 16 or 17

A person aged 16 or 17 wanting to study a course at or above level 3 of the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) or level 6 of the SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework) has two choices. 

• They can apply as a Child Student at an independent school; or 

• They can apply as a Student under the Appendix Student.

Applying for a UK Child Student Visa

One can apply for entry clearance for this visa from outside the UK or for permission to stay from within the UK.

Short-term Student Visa

The Short-term Student route is for foreign nationals aged 16 or over who want to come to the UK to take an English language course with an accredited provider, where the course will last longer than six months. A person granted entry clearance under the Short-term Student route can take an English Language course (not covering any other subject areas) for up to 11 months. The course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months.

For the purpose of the short-term student route, ‘English language study’ is a course that teaches English as a foreign language only and does not include any other subjects. An applicant is not allowed to study mixed courses under this route.

Studying on a Visitor Visa

People with entry clearance or permission to enter the UK as a Visitor (for example, for tourism) can study on a recreational course (but this excludes English Language courses) for up to 30 days with any bona fide institution in the UK. The institute should not be a state-funded school or academy.

If a person wants to study a course (including an English language course) with an accredited provider in the UK, they need to apply as a visitor under Appendix V: Visitor.

UK Graduate Visa  

The UK Graduate route?was opened for applications on 1 July 2021, allowing international students to apply for permission to remain to work or look for work in the UK after having completed their course of study on a student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.

International students, in order to apply for the Graduate route, must have completed an eligible course (a degree at undergraduate level or above) at a UK higher education provider with a track record of compliance with the UK's immigration requirements.

Students on the Graduate route are granted permission to stay for a maximum period of 2 years, or 3 years (for PHD students or other Doctoral students).

The UK Graduate visa falls under the points-based immigration system of the UK's Immigration Rules. An applicant must be awarded a total of 70 points to qualify for this visa. 

The Graduate route is an unsponsored route, which means applicants do not need a prior job offer for the visa. There is also, unlike sponsored work routes, no minimum salary requirements nor caps on numbers. Graduates on this route are normally able to work flexibly, switch jobs, and build their careers as they wish.

Not allowed to apply for Extension ?

UK Graduate visa holders cannot apply to extend their visa. However, they can switch to other visas, such as the UK Skilled Worker visa, if they meet the eligibility criteria. 

Implications of the Graduate Visa on Employers

As the Graduate visa is an unsponsored route, to recruit under this route, an employer does not need to be a sponsor licence holder, or offer a job meeting certain skill or salary thresholds.

Dependant partner and children

The main applicant's partner and children who joined them in the UK as ‘dependants’ on their current student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa can apply to stay as dependant partners and children on their Graduate visa.

A child who was born in the UK during the main applicant’s current Student or Tier 4 (General) student visa can also apply.

If their application as 'dependants' is successful, their UK visa will expire on the same date as that of the main applicant.

Proposed Changes to UK Immigration Policy for International Students and Student Sponsors

• The UK government has proposed to reduce the permission to stay on a Graduate visa, regardless of the qualification of applicant, to 18 months. However, when this change will come into effect is yet unclear.

• From 2025, the UK has rolled out a fully digital e-visa system for international students, replacing physical visa stickers and BRSs (Biometric Residence Permits).

• The UK government is exploring a levy on universities’ earnings from international student fees. 

• UK universities will be required to meet tougher compliance metrics to retain their sponsorship licence for international students.

• The UK government has also proposed to introduce a RAG (Red-Amber-Green) rating system to evaluate university performance.

• To strengthen ethical recruitment practices, the UK government will make the AQF (Agent Quality Framework) compulsory for all educational institutions working with international education agents.