Apply for a UK Student Visa

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Apply for a UK Student Visa

The UK Student visa allows you to come to the UK to take up an unconditional offer to study a higher education course. It is available to those aged 16 and over and lasts for up to five years.

The course you wish to do must be provided by a licensed student sponsor, and you will need to have enough money to pay for the course and support yourself during your time in the UK. You must also show that you have sufficient knowledge of the English language to undertake your course and satisfy the eligibility requirements.

IBB Law’s immigration experts understand how important it is to secure the visa you need to allow you to take up your university or college place. We have a strong record of success in applying for Student visas for our clients and a good understanding of the complexities of the application process.

We will provide tailored advice and personal support to you throughout, ensuring that you can speak to us as needed to ask any questions you may have. We know that time is often important in making a visa application, and we always work to ensure there are no avoidable delays.

Our immigration solicitors work with students from around the world to obtain study visas so that they can benefit from higher and further education courses in the UK. If you would like to discuss your requirements with a genuine visa expert, please contact us.

The UK Student visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student vishttps://www.ibblaw.co.uk/contact-usa. If you are not sure whether a UK Student visa is the right option for your circumstances, we can discuss any other available options with you. We deal with the full range of UK visas and UK work visas.

Complete support for UK Student visa applications

Our team offers a full UK Student visa service, including in the following areas:

  • Checking your eligibility for a UK Student visa and advising you of any alternative options
  • Preparing your UK Student visa application on your behalf
  • Compiling the right documents to accompany your UK Student visa application
  • Dealing with rejections and refusals in the event that your UK Student visa application has been turned down
  • Renewing a UK Student visa

For further information in respect of our UK visa services, see Immigration Services for Individuals.

Why choose IBB Law for help with applying for a Student visa?

Our UK immigration experts at IBB Law offers:

  • In-depth knowledge of UK Immigration laws, policies and procedures.
  • Hands on support from experts who keep up-to-date with developments in the law so that you always receive practical and accurate advice.
  • A cost-effective and timely service with great attention to detail.
  • Independently accredited immigration expertise with our team being ranked by leading client guide, the Legal 500 for Immigration Law.

Looking for immediate help with a UK Student visa application?

If you require a UK Student visa, our experienced immigration team will be happy to offer their help and advice in putting together a robust application. If you are currently in the UK on a different visa, we can advise you as to whether you can apply to switch to a UK Student visa.

To discuss your requirements with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

How to apply for a Student visa in the UK

The following guide includes information in respect of the following key areas:

Making a UK Student visa application

If you wish to apply for a UK Student visa, you will need to have been offered a place on a full-time course that complies with the UK Visas and Immigration requirements.

If you are applying from outside of the UK, you can apply up to six months before your course starts. If you will be applying from inside of the UK, you can apply up to three months in advance and before your current visa expires.

UK Student visa refusals and rejections

Your visa application is likely to be refused or rejected if it is incomplete or if enough evidence is not included. If you have received a notice of refusal or rejection, we can go through your application with you and advise you of the steps you can take.

You may be able to submit a fresh application. In limited circumstances, it may be possible to ask for a review or appeal the decision that has been made. It is highly recommended that you seek legal advice before taking action to ensure that you are following the best possible route to secure a visa.

Renewing a Student visa for UK

You can renew a UK Student visa if you have an unconditional offer of a place on a course that is provided by a licensed student sponsor, and this course will be at a higher academic level than your previous course.

This includes a course that will result in a higher degree than the one you are currently studying or where it is at the same level but is related to your current course or the career you wish to follow. In some circumstances, it is not necessary to show that your course will be at a higher level, for example, if you will be resitting exams or you have undertaken study abroad, and you wish to resume your UK course.

If you have been in the UK under a visa that is valid for less than a year, you will also need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to pay for your course and support yourself when applying to renew your Student visa.

Alternatives to a UK Student visa

If the student route visa is not right for your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a different visa. Alternatives include:

UK Child Student visa – for students aged 4-17

UK Standard Visitor visa – for those who will be in the UK for less than six months

Family visa – if you will be joining an eligible family member in the UK, such as a British or Irish citizen or someone who holds settled status

UK Student visa fees

If you will be applying for a visa from outside of the UK, it will cost £348. If you will be applying from within the UK or you wish to extend an existing Student visa, the fee is £475.

You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge. This is £470 for a student for each year of their stay in the UK.

What rights does a UK Student visa give you?

The UK Student visa gives you the right to study or to work as a student union sabbatical officer. If you are 18 or older and your course is at degree level, you can generally stay in the UK for up to five years. Where your course is below degree level, you can stay for up to two years.

If you are studying a degree level course or above and this is full-time, you can work for up to 20 hours per week during the term and full-time during the holidays.

If your course of study is below degree level, you can work for up to 10 hours per week during term time and full-time outside of term time.

If you are studying a postgraduate level course or you are a government sponsored or doctorate extension student, you may also be able to bring your partner and/or children to the UK with you. They will need to show that there are sufficient funds available to support them, as well as satisfy other eligibility criteria.

You will not be able to claim benefits or work as a self-employed person or professional sportsperson or coach while on a student route visa UK.

A UK Student visa is not a route to settlement or indefinite leave to remain in the UK, but in some instances, you may be able to transfer to another immigration route which could ultimately allow you to apply for this.

UK Student visa requirements

You need to have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor who will be able to provide an official Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

The course should be one of the following:

  • A full-time course below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5) with a minimum of 15 hours per week of organised study
  • A full-time course leading to a degree or a degree level qualification (RQF 6, 7 or 8)
  • A part-time course leading to a qualification that is above degree level (RQF 7 or above)
  • A recognised foundation course for doctors or dentists
  • An English language course at level B2 or above

You also need to have sufficient funds to pay for the course and to support yourself while you will be in the UK unless you have already been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

Your course provider will advise you of the amount your course will cost, and this will also be noted on the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS that they issue to you.

The amount you will need to support yourself is £1,023 per month, or £1,334 per month if your course is based in London, including the London boroughs. You can use money you will be receiving by way of sponsorship or a student loan, but you will need to provide adequate evidence of this.

If you will be at a boarding school, you will need to show that you can pay your boarding fees instead.

If you will be bringing dependent family members with you, you will also need to have sufficient money to support them.

You are likely to be asked to attend an interview once you have submitted your application. Our team can prepare you for this to ensure that you know what to expect and that you are ready with all of the information you are likely to be asked about.

Supporting documents for a UK Student visa application

You will usually have to submit a substantial number of documents along with your application by way of supporting evidence. These will include the following:

  • Your current passport or other valid travel identity document
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the course provider
  • Evidence that you have sufficient funds to pay for your course and support yourself if this is a requirement. This will generally be bank statements, and you should show that you have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days, with the last of these days being within 31 days of the date of your visa application
  • Evidence of your sponsorship or student loan, where applicable
  • An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) consent if your course will be at postgraduate level and in a sensitive field such as military technology
  • Written consent from your parent or guardian if you are under 18, together with evidence of your legal relationship to your parent or guardian. Their consent should be to your visa application, your living arrangements in the UK and your travel to the UK
  • Results of a tuberculosis test if you are from an affected country.

Your passport or other travel documents should have a blank page available for your visa to be added.

You will need to supply certified translations of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

How long does it take to get a UK Student visa?

Once you have submitted your application and any other necessary information, including biometric identity information, you should receive a decision within three weeks.

In some circumstances, you may be able to pay to receive a faster decision.

Get immediate expert advice on applying for a UK Student visa

If you need expert advice and support with a UK Student visa application, our highly experienced immigration team will be happy to assist.

To discuss your situation with our industry-leading immigration solicitors, you can call us on 03456 381381 or email immigrationteam@ibblaw.co.uk.

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