UK Student Visa: Requirements, Rules & Checklists

Do you want to apply for a UK student visa? The minimum age requirement for a student visa in the UK is 16, and the visa application cost in the UK is £490, according to the Gov.UK. Also, you must pay the IHS fee and submit some mandatory documents to apply for a UK student visa.

In this blog, we will discuss the UK student visa requirements, overall costs, application process, processing time, and the reasons for UK student visa rejection. 

Types of Student Visa in the UK

There are three types of UK study visas. Such as-

• Student visa
• Child visa
• Short-term study visa

What are the Requirements for a UK Student Visa?

According to the Gov.UK, there are 5 requirements to be eligible for a student visa application in the UK. Such as-

• Be accepted into a course by a licensed school or college.
• Have enough money to pay for your course and living expenses. The amount you need depends on your situation.
• Be able to speak, read, write, and understand English.
• If you’re 16 or 17, you need permission from your parents. You must show proof of this when you apply.
• If you’re 16 or 17 and want to study at a private school in the UK, you might qualify for a Child Student visa instead.

Documents Required for a Student Visa in the UK

When you apply for your student visa, you must provide some documents to prove your authenticity. Here is the document checklist for a UK student visa.

• A current passport or other valid travel document
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider
• Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course (this depends on your situation).
• A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
• Proof of parental or guardian consent if you’re under 18
• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
• Your tuberculosis test results
• Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if they’ve paid for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

You may need to provide additional documents depending on your situation.

English Language Requirements for a UK Student Visa

As an international student, your native language is not English, so you must have to prove your English language proficiency to get a student visa in the UK. The accepted IELTS score for international students is given below:

Types of Visa	IELTS score
General student visa below degree level	UKVI IELTS 4.0 in each component
General student visa for degree level or above	UKVI IELTS 5.5 in each component

Is it Possible to Get a UK Student Visa Without IELTS?

Yes, it is possible to get a student visa in the UK without IELTS. A student can study abroad with MOI (medium of instruction), ELLT, Duolingo, PTE, TOEFL, CanTEST, Internal Test, etc. Besides, if you are applying from India and your high school score is 70% in English, you can apply to some foreign universities without any English language proficiency test.

Financial Requirements for a UK Student Visa

The financial requirements for a UK student visa can be classified into two categories: course fees and living expenses.

Course Fee for UK Student Visa

You need to have enough money to cover your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months). The exact amount will be shown on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you don’t need to show proof of this money for your visa application.

Living Expenses for UK Student Visa

You need to show you have enough money to support yourself unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months when you apply.

Here’s how much you need:

• £1,334 per month (up to 9 months) for courses in London
• £1,023 per month (up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you’re boarding at a residential independent school, you’ll pay boarding fees instead. The amount will be on your CAS.

Accommodation Requirements for UK Student Visa

When applying for a UK student visa, you don’t need to meet specific accommodation requirements. You just need to mention where you plan to live, but you can choose any place that suits you. This could be a university dorm, private housing, or even sharing a flat with friends or relatives. You also have the option to find accommodation through our partners, AmberStudent or Uhomes.

How Much Does a Student Visa Cost in the UK?

Paying the visa fee is a mandatory step for the UK student visa application process. The student visa application fee from outside the UK is £490. And the UK student visa extension fee from inside the UK is also £490. You must convert the amount into your country’s currency.

Health Surcharge Fee in the UK

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge fee as part of your application. How much you need to pay depends on how long your visa lasts. The health insurance fee in the UK is

• £776 per year for students, their dependents, and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa. For example, it’s £1,552 for a 2-year visa.
• £776 per year for visa and immigration applicants who are under 18 at the time of application.
• £1,035 per year for all other visa and immigration applications. For example, it’s £3,105 for a 3-year visa.

However, if you are applying from outside the UK for 6 months or less, you do not need to pay the surcharge. However, if your course is more than 6 months but less than 1 year you will need to pay the IHS fee for 1 year. 

What is the Tuberculosis Fee to Study in the UK?

For candidates aged 11 and above, the TB test fee is 70 USD and for candidates below 11 30 USD. The TB test fee must be paid directly at the clinic.

How to Pay the Visa Fee?

You must pay the UK student visa application fee online at the time of your application. Paying the application fee is a mandatory part of your UK visa application.

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa

You must maintain a process to apply for a UK student visa, and you must apply online. Here is the application process for the student visa form outside the UK.

When you apply, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on your country and the type of passport you have.

You will either:

• Give your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) at a visa application centre, or
• Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your ID document and log into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
• You’ll be told what to do when you apply.

UK Student Visa Interview

After you submit your visa application, you’ll be asked to attend an interview with an Entry Clearance Officer (ECO). In this interview, they’ll ask you questions about your plans to study in the UK. The purpose is to make sure you’re genuinely interested in studying and that everything you’ve stated in your application is true. You can always contact AIMS Education to get tips on UK student visa interview. 

UK Student Visa Processing Time

Are you wondering about how much time it will take to get a UK student visa? Alright, according to the UK Home Office, you can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your course starts. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) starts processing your application once you verify your identity and submit your documents and application online using the UK Immigration: ID Check app and attend your appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) to provide your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information).

You will usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. You’ll get a letter or an email telling you the Home Office has made a decision on your visa application. However, you can get a decision within 15 days but you have to pay some extra money for that. 

What to Do If You Need to Change Something After Sending Your Application?

If you need to change anything in your UK visa application after sending it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). If you want to cancel your application, contact UKVI. You will get a refund only if they have not started processing your visa application.

How Long Can a Student Stay with a Student Visa in UK?

How long you can stay depends on your course length and what you’ve already studied in the UK. If you’re 18 or older and your course is at the degree level, you can stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If your course is below the degree level, you can usually stay in UK for up to 2 years.

To stay longer in the UK, you can:

• Extend your visa if you’re eligible.
• Switch to a Graduate Visa in the UK for staying at least 2 years after completing your course.

UK Student Visa Success Rate for International Students

UK student visa success rate is very high for international students. However, if you apply through AIMS Education, we can provide you with a 100% guarantee for the student visa in the UK. 

Application Deadline for UK Student Visa

You can apply at least 3 months before your course starts. If you are applying from inside the UK, you must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring in the UK. 

Why is Your UK Student Visa Rejected in the UK?

The United Kingdom has the highest acceptance rate for international students. However, due to some uneven issues, your student visa can be rejected in the UK. Here are 10 top UK student visa rejection reasons for international students.

• Incomplete application form
• Poor academic records
• Incomplete documents
• Incompetent interview skills
• Poor English language proficiency
• Failing the credibility interview
• Criminal records
• Insufficient funds
• Huge study gap
• Late response

UK Student Visa New Rules for International Students

On July 17, 2023, the UK government announced new rules for international students. Starting in January 2024, international students in the UK won’t be able to bring spouses or dependants with them on their student visas. The only exception is for students who have a postgraduate research program visa—they can still bring their dependents to the UK.

Final words

A student must have to apply for a student visa to study in the UK. AIMS Education has a direct partnership with 100+ universities in the UK. So, if you want to apply for a student visa in the UK, you can always contact AIMS Education.

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