Applying for a UK Student Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide

Table Of Contents:

1. What is a UK student visa
2. Check Your Eligibility for UK Student Visa Application
3. Receive and Accept Your Offer
4. Prepare Your Documents
5. Make Your Online Application
6. Wait for a Decision
7. Track Your Application
8. Receive a Decision
9. Final Thoughts

The UK’s education system is world-class. Many international students dream of studying various courses in the UK. A UK student visa application allows them to fulfill their dream. It allows them to study in the UK. With a UK student visa, they can study in some of the globally recognized colleges and universities.

In this article we will discuss a step-by-step guide for applying for a UK student visa.

What is a UK student visa?

A UK student visa is an official permission that lets you travel to the UK to study at a recognized institution. To qualify for the visa, you need an unconditional offer from a university or college licensed by UK Visas & Immigration. The visa covers the duration of your course plus a short period afterward, and it allows you to work part-time during term and full-time during university breaks.

You must also prove you have enough money to pay tuition fees and support yourself during your stay in the UK. A UK student visa helps you focus on your studies and experience life in a world-class education system.

Check Your Eligibility for UK Student Visa Application

Before you begin, make sure you meet the basic requirements:

Confirmed Offer –

You need an unconditional offer of admission from a UK student sponsor licensed by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI).

Course Level –

Your course must be one of the following:

• A full-time course below degree level,
• A full-time course at degree level or above
• A full-time course equivalent to a UK higher education course that is part of a longer overseas course
• A part-time course above degree level
• An English language course at level CEFR B2 or above

English Language –

You must prove you can write, read, speak, and understand English to at least CEFR level B2 if you are studying a course at degree level or above and CEFR level B1 if your course is below degree level unless your course or nationality exempts you.

Financial Means –

Unless exempt, you must show that you have enough money to cover your course fees and living costs for up to 9 months (1 academic year). The amount depends on where in the UK you will study.

• £1,483 a month (for up to 9 months) if you study in London
• £1,136 a month (for up to 9 months) if you study outside London

You can meet the financial requirements in the following ways.

Personal/Parent/Partner’s Savings – Held for at least 28 days in a row within 31 days before application.
Sponsorship – A letter of confirmation from your financial sponsor stating the amount and duration. If your education provider is going to sponsor it, it must be shown on your CAS.
Part-School Funding – You can combine personal and third-party funds if documented correctly.

You don’t need to show the funds required as mentioned above if you have been in the UK on another visa for at least 12 months on the date of making a UK student visa application or you’re applying as a student union sabbatical officer.

Receive and Accept Your Offer

Apply to Universities – Research courses and entry requirements. You need to apply through UCAS for undergraduate courses or directly for postgraduate courses.

Get Your CAS – Once you accept the university’s offer, they will issue you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number. This number confirms your place, course details, start date, and tuition fees. You need a CAS before making a UK student visa application. You need to enter the CAS number on your application for a UK student visa.

Prepare Your Documents

• Passport – Your current passport or other travel document valid for the duration of your stay.
• CAS Statement – The letter or email containing your CAS number from your course provider.
• ATAS Certificate –You need to submit a valid ATAS certificate provided your course and nationality require it.
• Proof of Funds –You may have to prove that you can meet the financial requirements. For this, you can submit documents such as bank statements or a written consent letter from a financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs.
• Consent from Your Parent/Guardian – If you are below the age of 18, you need to submit proof of parental consent (one parent if they have sole responsibility) or other legal guardian’s consent.
• Proof of Your Relationship between You and Parent/Guardian – If you are below the age of 18, you need to submit proof of your relationship to your parent/guardian, such as your birth certificate or other government-issued documents.
• English Test Certificate – From an approved provider, if required.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Certificate – You may have to submit your TB test certificate if you come from a country on the UK’s TB test list.
• Academic Documents – Documents such as degree certificates, transcripts, or diplomas.

Keep originals and clear scans or copies. If a document is not in English, include a certified translation.

Make Your Online Application

Apply Online –

You must apply online. You can apply at the earliest up to 6 months before your course starts (if applying from outside the UK). Similarly, if you are applying to switch to the UK student visa from inside the UK, you can apply at the earliest up to 3 months before your course starts.  

Whether you apply from outside or inside the UK for a UK student visa application, you need to first go to the UK government’s visa application site, gov.uk, and register your details and create a secure password.

Complete the UK Student Visa Application Form –

Select the “Student visa” category. Enter your personal details, passport information, and CAS number. Answer questions about your travel history and any past visa refusals.

Upload Documents –

You need to scan and upload each supporting document required. Ensure each file is clear and legible.

Pay Fees –

You need to pay the UK student visa application fee of £524. You need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776 per year. This gives you access to the NHS.

Submit the UK Student Visa Application Form –

Review everything carefully before submission. Once submitted, you cannot change the details.

Prove Your Identity –

Depending on which country you are from and what type of passport you have, you can prove your identity in one of two ways:

• Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document, or
• Enroll your biometric information (your fingerprints and photograph) at a VAC (if applying from outside the UK) or UKVCAS center (if applying from inside the UK). If you have not uploaded your documents online, you can get your documents scanned at VAC or UKVCAS.

Wait for a Decision

If you apply from outside the UK it should usually take up to 3 weeks. If applied from inside the UK it should take up to 8 weeks for the UKVI to deliver a decision on your UK student visa application.

You can apply for priority service to get the decision within 5 working days or super-priority service to get the decision at the end of the next working day.

Track Your Application

Most VACs offer online tracking. Keep an eye on your email for updates or additional document requests.

Receive a Decision

If your UK student visa application is successful, you will get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status). Your decision email or letter sent by the UK will tell you how to get access to your eVisa.

Final Thoughts

A UK student visa application opens the door to some of the best colleges and universities in the UK. It allows you to study and work while studying as well. You get the best education, living experience, access to the global culture, and opportunity to work post your studies.

You must make a thoughtful decision while choosing the best college or university that aligns with your future goals. You can contact the alumni of the colleges or universities you have shortlisted to gather a clear picture of the course, faculties, placement records, etc.

You need to have enough money yourself, from your parent or partner, to cover the course fee and your living costs initially. You can explore the option of a student loan also. To make a successful UK student visa application, you should take help from an expert UK immigration agency.

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