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 £524, according to the Gov.uk. Also, you must pay the IHS fee £776 per year 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
Before applying for a student permit in UK, you should be assured about your student visa type. There are three types of UK study visas. Such as-
- Student visa
- Child visa
- Short-term study visa
Check Your Eligibility!
What are the Requirements for a UK Student Visa?
According to the Gov.uk, to be eligible for a UK Student Visa, you need to be at least 16, have a confirmed place on a course at a licensed student sponsor, a bank statement to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living expenses and tuition, and prove your English language proficiency.
Additional requirements include parental consent if you are under 18, a valid passport, and potentially an ATAS certificate or tuberculosis test report depending on your circumstances.
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
To obtain a UK student visa, you need to have proper English language proficiency, typically requiring an overall IELTS band score of 6 (or equivalent) and not less than 5.5 in each skill for degree-level studies. For courses below degree level, you’ll require a CEFR B1 level (equivalent to IELTS 4.0) may be sufficient. Let’s see the accepted IELTS score for international students:
| 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 UK student visa without IELTS if you can demonstrate your English proficiency through alternative tests or if the specific university you are applying to accepts alternative English language tests.
A student can study in UK with MOI, ELLT, Duolingo, PTE, TOEFL, CanTEST, Internal Test, etc. Those are the best alternatives to IELTS for a UK student visa. 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). However, the average tuition fee in the UK ranges between £12,000-£15,000 for international students.
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:
- £1,483 per month (up to 9 months) for courses in London
- £1,136 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 a 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. No matter which kind of accommodation you choose, you’ll have to show the living expenses in the UK for one year that are recommended by the UK government.
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 £524. And the UK student visa extension fee from inside the UK is also £524. 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).
The standard processing time for a UK student visa is 3 weeks. You’ll get a letter or an email telling you the Home Office has decided 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 the top 10 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 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.
FAQ
What are the requirements for a UK student visa?
Ans: The main requirements for a UK Student Visa, you need to be at least 16, have a confirmed place on a course at a licensed student sponsor, a bank statement to cover living expenses and tuition, and proof of your English language proficiency.
How much bank balance is required for a UK student visa?
Ans: The financial requirements for a UK student visa can be classified into two categories: course fees and living expenses. You have to calculate your one year tuition fee and living cost in the UK to calculate the bank statement for UK student visa.
Is a UK student visa easy to get?
Ans: The UK student visa success rate for international students is 95%. That means if all your documents are appropriate, your student visa in the UK will be approved.
Can I use 2 bank statements for a UK student visa?
Ans: Yes, you can use more than one bank account to show the right money. However, all statements need to show the funds in your account for at least 28 days, and you must maintain the required amount of money in total across the same 28-day period.
What is the 28-day rule for a UK visa?
Ans: According to the 28-day rule for a UK visa, you have to keep the exact amount of money in you bank account for 28 consecutive days.
How much can a student earn in the UK?
Ans: According to the National Career Service in the UK, an international student can earn a minimum of £11.44 per hour.
What is the UK student visa processing time?
Ans: You can apply for a visa up to 6 months before your course starts. You will usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Can I get a UK visa in 15 days?
Ans: UK visit visa applications usually take about 3 weeks (15 working days) to process. However, the time it takes can change based on the time of year and the country you are applying from.
How can I get my UK student visa faster?
Ans: If you qualify, you can use the ‘priority service’ when you apply. This costs an extra £500 on top of the regular application fee. With the ‘priority service,’ you’ll usually get a decision within 5 working days.
Can I stay in the UK after I graduate?
Ans: A Graduate visa lets you stay in the UK for at least 2 years after finishing your course. You need to be in the UK when you apply.
AIMS Education is a reliable study abroad consultancy firm guiding students in selecting courses, and universities and helping them apply and secure their student visas. Also, AIMS Education is a British Council-certified agent and is listed on the British Council’s global agent list. We provide student recruitment services in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Malta, Finland, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Sweden, Malaysia and UAE. Not only this but also AIMS Education is an ICEF Accredited Agent, UCAS Registered Centre, Expatrio Partner, PTE and Language Cert Partner. With an almost 98% student satisfaction rate and 10+ global awards, AIMS Education is now a name of trust among study abroad aspirants.
