The UK Government provides an opportunity to all international students to study in the country but as a prerequisite, you’ll have to obtain a student visa first if you are from a country that usually requires visa to study in the UK.
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The UK Home Office has introduced a new Student route and Child Student route and both opened on 5 October 2020 replacing the previous Tier 4 Student visa route. For EEA nationals, the new Student route will take effect for applications made in the UK on or after 1 January 2021. EEA nationals outside the UK can apply under this new route from 5 October 2020
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The new Student route improves on the previous Tier 4 route by making it more streamlined for sponsoring institutions and their students, creating clearer pathways for students, and ensuring the UK remains competitive in a changing global education market.
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Students will require a total of 70 points to be granted leave. They will achieve the required points if they can demonstrate that they have an offer from an approved educational institution, speak English and are able to support themselves during their studies in the UK.
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The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the UK.
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Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:
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Student Route visa
Student Route visa for students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution.
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The Student Route Visa application can be made six months before the start of your course.
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You can arrive in the UK up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer or up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months.
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Child Student Route visa
Child Student Route visa is for students aged between 4 and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Student sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school.
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In addition to the above you must demonstrate:
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proof of parental or other legal guardian(s) consent and their relationship to you
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suitable care arrangements are in place for you in the UK
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you are at least 4 years old and under 18 years old and studying at an independent school
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you genuinely intend to study in the UK, if you are 16 years or older
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you meet academic ability and maintenance requirements
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you have an unconditional offer from an approved sponsoring institution
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When you apply for a Child Student visa, you will need to provide your reference number from the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which is provided by your education provider once they’ve offered you an unconditional place on a course.
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The Child Student Route visa application can be made six months before the start of your course.
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You can arrive up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer or up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months.
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Short-term study visa
This is a visa category for the students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course.
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The Short-term study visa application can be made three months before your date of travel to the UK.
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Student Route Visa Eligibility
To be eligible for a Student Route visa, you must:
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Have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed Student sponsor
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Be able to speak, read, write, and understand English
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Financial proofs i.e., exhibiting enough money to support yourself and pay for your course
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For short term study visa, you must show the intention to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your study (i.e., before the end of date of your immigration permission)
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All International students must achieve the required 70 points to be granted a student visa to study at a UK university. Points are non-tradeable, which means you will need to meet all the requirements.
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An International student will be awarded points for meeting the requirements of the route as set out in the table below:
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Study - Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) requirement Course requirement Approved Qualification requirement Level of Study requirement Place of Study requirement - Total of 50 points
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Financial - Financial requirement - Total of 10 points
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English language - English language requirement - Total of 10 points
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The listed requirements set out above mean that to successfully apply for a Student visa, you must demonstrate that:
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you have an unconditional offer from an approved sponsoring institution. When you apply for a Student visa, you will need to provide your reference number from the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) which is provided by your education provider once they’ve offered you an unconditional place on a course
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you are taking a course that leads to an approved qualification at an appropriate level of study • you have any relevant academic qualifications needed to undertake the course • you genuinely intend to study in the UK
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you can financially support yourself during your studies in the UK • you can speak, read, write and understand English to the required standard for the level of course you intend to study.
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In addition to this, you will need to demonstrate the following if you are under 18:
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proof of parental or other legal guardian(s) consent and their relationship to you
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suitable care arrangements are in place for you in the UK.
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The Students will be able to complete their application, including identity verification, using a smartphone app. Some applicants may need to attend a Visa Application Centre
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Visa Fees
A student application costs £348. You must pay the same amount for any dependents.
You will need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge as part of your application. Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). As a student, you will receive a 25% discount on the Immigration Health Surcharge.
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Dependants
If you are studying at master’s level or above on a course lasting 9 months or more, or you are a UK Government sponsored student on a course lasting 6 months or more, you are entitled to bring dependants when you apply to study in the UK.
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A dependant may include:
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your spouse
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your unmarried partner with whom you have a subsisting relationship
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your child under 18 years old
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A separate application must be made for dependants. The same fees and Immigration Health surcharge will apply.
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Documents required when making Student Route visa application
When applying for your Student Route visa, you will generally need:
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A current passport or other valid travel documentation
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Evidence of funds to provide your living expenses for the duration of your course
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Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number and documents used to obtain CAS
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Passport-sized colour photographs
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Tuberculosis screening (if required)
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Assessment documentation
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Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate (if required)
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Additional documents may also be needed if you are:
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Not a citizen of the country you are applying from
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Under 18 years of age
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Have family (dependents)
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If any of your supporting documents is not in English, you will need to have it translated. Each translated document must be dated and include the translator's name and signature and confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document.
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Applying for your visa
You will need to apply for your student visa by online application to the UKVI (Home Office).
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If you require services of a UK based solicitors to assist in submitting your application, our counsellors will be able to provide you with further details.
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A UK Law firm solicitor will make sure you are fully informed on the latest visa requirements and conditions; also help you prepare the right documents for your submission.
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You can apply up to six months before your intended date of travel to the UK with your application date is the date when your application fee is paid.
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English Language Requirements
To gain your UK student visa, you’ll have to provide with an evidence of proficiency in the English language. This usually means passing a secure English language test to be able to prove your communication and correspondence skills.
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IELTS for UKVI is an IELTS test approved for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) purposes. This applies to everyone coming from a non-English speaking country. While there is no change in the content, format or level of difficulty and scoring, IELTS for UKVI simply follows certain extra security protocols to ensure the authenticity of the test taker.
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You may also have to appear for a personal interview at the UK embassy or consulate.
It depends upon the type of visa that you will apply, as it will include the minimum requirement of IELTS exam.
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Biometric residence permit
As part of your application, you must also obtain a biometric residence permit (BRP) from the UKVI. You will need to make an appointment with the UKVI to have your fingers and thumbs scanned and a digital photo taken of your face.
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If you require any additional information or guidance, you can always contact us for a free counselling session, and we can guide you on how to go about the entire visa application process.