How to Get UK Student Visa: UK Student Visa Requirements

How to Get UK Student Visa | UK Student Visa Requirements: Thank you for always writing to us we love, love, love to always hear from you. We recently received a mail from Pearl Patrick (real name withheld) who lives in Ghana, which inspired this post today, she told us in the mail, how it has been her dream to study Medicine in an institution in London, she wanted to know if she will need a visa if/when given the admission. Let’s read the end of the last paragraph of her letter to you guys.

“…I have always wanted to study at a university in the UK and maybe live and work there, do I need a visa to fulfil this dream”?

You certainly do need a UK Student Visa as an international student, to study in the UK and like we promised Pearl when we wrote back, we will also show you how to get one without going through stress, or worse, being defrauded.

International students from outside the EU need a visa to study in London. Take a look at this handy solution, which can help you know all there is about getting a visa.

Types of UK student visa

If you’re studying a short course and are over 18 years old, you may be eligible for the short-term study visa. This is valid for up to six months for most short courses and can be extended for a stay of up to 11 months for English language courses.

If you’re studying a longer course, you’ll need to make sure your chosen institution holds a Tier 4 Sponsor License. You can either apply for a Tier 4 (Child) student visa (if you’re aged 4-17 and want to study at an independent school in the UK) or a Tier 4 (General) student visa for those aged 16 and over.

UK VISA REQUIREMENTS

General immigration criteria are managed by UK visas and immigration while Swiss nationals and those from the EU/EEA states do not currently need a visa to study in the United Kingdom; all other international students (non-EU/EEA) are likely to need one. You need to know the UK Student Visa Requirements 2022

Here are some major requirements you need, to get a visa whether you are on a scholarship or a self-sponsored international student.

1. Details of your passport.
2. A recent photograph.
3. An unconditional offer of a place on a course offered by a licensed tier 4 sponsor, evidenced by a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) form from your course provider (worth 30 points).
4. Proof of adequate English language skills demonstrated by bypassing one of the secure English language tests (SELT). You will not need to provide this if you’re from an English-speaking country such as the United States or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in an English-speaking country.
5. Proof you have financial support throughout your stay in the UK (worth 10 points) proof of financial support can take the form of bank statements or a letter from your financial sponsor, showing you can cover your tuition fees, accommodation, and living costs (scholarship or sponsorship of any kind). You must prove that you have £1,015 (~us$1,300) per month for living costs if studying in the UK outside of London, and £1,265 (~us$1,600) a month for living costs if studying in London.
6. You may also be required to produce documents showing your academic qualifications.
7. And to attend an interview or biometric test, which includes a digital scan of your fingerprints.
8. Depending on your country of origin, you may also be required to have certain medical vaccinations or undertake a tuberculosis test.
9. If you’re 16 or 17 years old and applying for the tier 4 (general) UK student visa, you must have written consent from your parents/guardians that you can live and travel independently.
10. You must apply online for the tier 4 (general) student visa, ensuring you’ve read the full guidance here. You can apply up to three months before the start of your course.
11. You’ll also need to pay a healthcare surcharge of £150 per year (~us$190) in order to access the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay (this may rise).

The above UK Visa Requirements may not be exhaustive but certainly the major requirements you must have to meet.

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4. US Diversity Visa Lottery Program (DV-2023)
5. Applying for Germany Student Visa to Study in Germany

UK student visa fees

The current fee for the Tier 4 (General) student visa is £348 (~US$440), with an additional £348 fee per person for any dependents. You’ll also need to pay a healthcare surcharge of £150 per year (~US$190) in order to access the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay (this will rise to £300 (~US$380) from late 2018).

The Short Term Study Visa costs £97 (~US$120) for the six-month option and £186 (~US$240) for the 11-month visa.

SHORT-TERM STUDY VISA

You can apply for a short-term study visa if you’re planning to take a short course (no more than six months) in the UK. You must also come from outside the European economic area (EEA) and Switzerland.

The short-term study visa costs £97 (~us$120) for the six-month option and £186 (~us$240) for the 11-month visa.

OVERVIEW

To qualify for the short-term UK Student Visa, you must meet the government’s requirements, which are as follow;

Eligibility:

1. You must prove that you have been offered a place on a course in the UK at an accepted place of study
2. Also, you must have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds or have relatives and friends who can support and house you.
3. You must be able to pay for your return or onward journey
4. If you’re under 18 you must also:

• Have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the United Kingdom.
• Have permission from your parent or guardian to study in the United Kingdom

SHORT-TERM STUDY VISA: THE LIMITATION

You cannot:

1. Extend a short-term study visa
2. Switch (change) to a tier 4 student visa in the UK
3. Apply for the doctorate extension scheme, as you need a tier 4 visa for this
4. Get free non-emergency medical treatment through the NHS
5. Work (including voluntary work, work experience, or a placement – even if it is unpaid).

Hence, if you need to study and work in the UK, you certainly will need to apply for a tier 4 student visa rather than the short-term study visa. Note that in applying for the short-term study visa, the above UK Student Visa Requirements 2021 are also applicable.

Back in 2016 UK voted to leave the European Union which means that some of the information in this guide regarding funding and visa status for students from within the EU could change. We’ll update you as soon as we get to know more.

The result of the United Kingdom’s referendum on membership in the European Union (‘Brexit’) has led to some uncertainty over visa regulations, but the UK government has stated that there will be no change to the rights and status of EU citizens until 2021

Also note that the current fee for the tier 4 (general) student visa is £348 (~US$440), with an additional £348 fee per person for any dependent (fees could change anytime).

Am sure it doesn’t seem so hard anymore to get a visa. So why don’t you get to it now and fulfill that dream of yours to study abroad?

Using your UK student visa

When you enter the UK, a UK Border Agency officer will put a stamp on your passport that states the duration of your stay in the UK. For example, if your course is 12 months or more, you can stay for the full duration of the course plus an additional four months. You cannot extend your stay beyond this period.

Before you arrive, you must make sure you are fully immunized, remembering to pack your immunization record in your hand luggage in case you are asked to show the Border Agency officer at your UK port of entry. You should also carry the documents relating to your studies (including your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS number), your proof of finances, and your proof of accommodation.

Depending on where you’re from, you may also be required to register with the police within seven days of arrival in the UK.

Remember when there is a will there is always a way.