The UK Student Visa allows eligible international students to study with a licensed education provider in the United Kingdom. To apply, you generally need an offer from an approved provider, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), sufficient funds and the required level of English.
- UK Student Visa Details
- UK Student Visa Benefits and Eligibility
- UK Student Visa Financial Requirements
- Required Documents
- Step-by-Step UK Student Visa Application Process
- Step 1: Choose an Eligible Course
- Step 2: Apply to the Education Provider
- Step 3: Receive Your CAS
- Step 4: Prepare Your Financial Evidence and Documents
- Step 5: Complete the Online Visa Application
- Step 6: Pay the Required Charges
- Step 7: Prove Your Identity
- Step 8: Wait for the Decision
- Step 9: Check Your eVisa and Travel Dates
- UK Student Visa Application Timing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How much money do I need for a UK Student Visa?
- Can I apply without a CAS?
- Is IELTS compulsory?
- Can I work while studying in the UK?
- Can I bring my family?
- How long does a decision take?
- Final Thoughts
- Apply Now and Official Website
This guide explains the UK Student Visa requirements, documents, costs and application process. Visa rules and fees can change, so check the official government pages linked at the end before submitting your application.
UK Student Visa Details
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa name | Student visa |
| Study destination | United Kingdom |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| Main requirement | Offer from a licensed student sponsor and a CAS |
| Financial requirement | Course fees plus living costs, unless an exception applies |
| Application method | Online |
| Application fee | £558, as listed by GOV.UK in September 2026 |
| Healthcare surcharge | Usually payable; amount depends on visa length |
| Earliest application from outside the UK | Six months before the course starts |
| Usual decision time from outside the UK | Three weeks |
| Official application website | GOV.UK |
UK Student Visa Benefits and Eligibility
What Does the Student Visa Allow?
A successful UK Student Visa application gives you permission to study an eligible course with your sponsoring provider. Depending on your course and visa conditions, you may also be allowed to work. The permitted hours and type of work depend on your circumstances, so check the conditions attached to your visa.
Some students can bring a partner or children, but the rules are restricted. In general, this may be possible for a government-sponsored student on a course lasting longer than six months, or for a student on an eligible postgraduate research course. A taught master’s degree does not automatically qualify someone to bring dependants.
A Student visa does not guarantee permission to work without limits, bring family members or remain in the UK after the course ends. Check each condition before making plans.
Who Is Eligible?
To apply for a UK Student Visa, you must generally:
- Be 16 or older
- Have an offer for an eligible course from a licensed student sponsor
- Receive a CAS from that provider
- Have enough money for the required course fees and living costs, unless an exception applies
- Meet the applicable English-language requirement
- Provide parental or legal guardian consent if you are 16 or 17
If you are under 18 and plan to study at an independent school, check whether the Child Student visa is the appropriate route instead.
UK Student Visa Financial Requirements
Most applicants must show enough money to cover the course fees stated on their CAS for one academic year, up to nine months, plus the required amount for living costs.
The living-cost requirement listed by GOV.UK in September 2026 is:
| Study location | Monthly amount | Maximum for nine months |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,529 | £13,761 |
| Outside London | £1,171 | £10,539 |
These living-cost amounts are in addition to any course fees you need to show. If you must provide bank evidence, the money generally needs to be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end of that period falling within 31 days of your visa application.
Exceptions and different evidence rules can apply. For example, an applicant who has lived in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months may not need to prove the funds in the usual way. A student loan or official financial sponsorship may also be used if it meets the rules. Always check the requirements for your own circumstances.
If you are comparing study destinations and their funding rules, our Germany Student Visa guide explains Germany’s separate application process.
Required Documents
The two documents every UK Student Visa applicant normally needs are a current passport or other valid travel document and a CAS from their course provider.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need:
- Evidence that you meet the financial requirement
- Evidence of your English-language ability
- A tuberculosis test certificate, if required for your country and circumstances
- An ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require one
- Parental consent and proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you are under 18
- Written consent from a financial sponsor in certain cases
The exact evidence depends on the applicant and course. Check the document instructions in your online application and on GOV.UK before uploading files.
For a comparison with another European destination, read our Italy Student Visa Guide. Italy has its own admission, pre-enrolment and visa steps.
Step-by-Step UK Student Visa Application Process
Step 1: Choose an Eligible Course
Find a course offered by a licensed student sponsor. Check the entry requirements, tuition fees, start date and whether the course fits your study plans.
Step 2: Apply to the Education Provider
Submit your course application directly to the university or other approved provider. Meet any academic and English-language conditions in your offer.
Step 3: Receive Your CAS
Once the provider is ready to sponsor your visa application, it issues a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Check the details carefully, including your name, course and fees.
Step 4: Prepare Your Financial Evidence and Documents
Calculate the amount you need for course fees and living costs. If you are using bank funds, pay particular attention to the 28-day holding period. Collect any English-language, TB test or ATAS evidence that applies to you.
Step 5: Complete the Online Visa Application
Apply through the official GOV.UK Student visa service. Enter your information accurately using your passport and CAS details.
Step 6: Pay the Required Charges
Pay the visa application fee and, where applicable, the immigration health surcharge. GOV.UK listed the Student visa application fee as £558 in September 2026. The surcharge for students was listed at £776 per year, but the total payable depends on the length of the visa granted. Check the amounts shown in your application before paying.
Step 7: Prove Your Identity
Depending on your passport and circumstances, you may use the UK Immigration: ID Check app or attend a visa application centre to provide your photograph and fingerprints. The application will tell you which method to use.
Step 8: Wait for the Decision
GOV.UK says applications made outside the UK usually receive a decision within three weeks. Applications made inside the UK usually take eight weeks. Some applications take longer if further checks or documents are needed.
Step 9: Check Your eVisa and Travel Dates
Successful applicants receive an eVisa, which is a digital record of their immigration status. Follow the decision instructions to access your UKVI account and link the passport you will use to travel. Do not travel before the start date of your visa.
If you are also considering North America, our Canada Student Visa guide explains the separate Canadian study permit process.
UK Student Visa Application Timing
There is no single annual UK Student Visa deadline. Your course has its own start date, and your provider may set an admissions or CAS deadline.
You can apply from outside the UK up to six months before your course starts. If you are eligible to apply from inside the UK, the earliest you can apply is three months before the course starts, and you must apply before your current permission expires.
Plan backward from your course date. Leave enough time for admission, the CAS, financial evidence, any required test or certificate, and the visa decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do I need for a UK Student Visa?
You may need to show course fees for one academic year, up to nine months, plus living costs. The living-cost amount depends on whether your course is in London or elsewhere. Exceptions and different evidence rules may apply.
Can I apply without a CAS?
No. A CAS from a licensed student sponsor is a core requirement for the Student visa application.
Is IELTS compulsory?
You usually need to prove your English ability, but IELTS is not the only possible route. Depending on your circumstances, other approved tests, qualifications or an assessment by an eligible higher education provider may be accepted.
Can I work while studying in the UK?
You may be able to work, but your permitted hours and work types depend on your course and visa conditions. Check your immigration status before accepting work.
Can I bring my family?
Only some Student visa holders qualify to bring a partner or children. The rules depend on factors including the type of course and whether the student is government-sponsored.
How long does a decision take?
GOV.UK says a decision usually takes three weeks for applications made outside the UK and eight weeks for applications made inside the UK. Individual cases can take longer.
Final Thoughts
The UK Student Visa process begins with admission to an eligible course and a CAS from a licensed sponsor. Prepare your financial and supporting evidence carefully, apply through GOV.UK and check your eVisa details before travelling.
Because visa fees and requirements can change, use the official government guidance for the final decision about what you must submit and pay.
Apply Now and Official Website
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