If you’ve been offered a place on a course and you don’t already live in the UK, you may need permission to come to the UK to study.
There are several routes that students use, and the right one depends mainly on:
How long your course is
What kind of course it is (for example, an English course vs a degree)
Your nationality (some nationalities must always apply for a visa in advance)
ETA, entry clearance, and eVisas
You may see different terms when researching UK visas:
Entry clearance usually means permission granted before you travel, based on your visa route.
ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is a digital travel permission that applies to some travellers who don’t normally need a visa for short visits (up to 6 months). It is becoming mandatory for more travellers and has its own validity period.
eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status. Instead of a sticker in your passport, some students will use a UKVI account to view their status and share it when needed (for example, to prove their visa permissions).
UK student visa application process
If your course requires a Student visa, the usual process looks like this:
1. Accept your offer: You may need to pay a deposit for your course and/or accommodation (this depends on the university).
2. Get your CAS from the university: Once you’ve met the university’s conditions, they will issue a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).
3. Prepare your documents: This normally includes your passport and financial evidence. Some students also need extra documents depending on their situation.
4. Apply online: You’ll complete an online application and, if needed, book an appointment to provide biometrics and supporting documents.
5. Attend an appointment (if required): Depending on your location and how you apply, you may need to attend an appointment at a visa centre.
6. Get your decision and travel: Processing times vary, so students should apply as early as they are allowed to.
7. Access your status: UK status is increasingly moving to digital records (eVisas), which you access through a UKVI account and can share using a code when needed.
UK study visa routes
Students don’t all use the same visa route. In most cases, you’ll use one of these three:
1. Standard Visitor route (for short study)
This is usually used when a student is coming for a short course (up to 6 months).
In general, it can be flexible for short study, but it does not allow paid work. Limited volunteering may be allowed.
2. Short-term Study route (for English courses only)
This route is designed for English language courses that are longer than a short visit but still under a year (typically 6–11 months).
It is more restrictive than a visitor route (for example, students usually can’t switch course/provider after applying). It also does not allow paid work.
3. Student visa (main route for longer study)
This is the main route for longer courses and degree-level study.
You normally need:
A CAS from a licensed sponsor (your institution must be approved by the UK government to sponsor international students)
Evidence that you meet the English language requirement (this is often done through an approved English test)
Work permissions (if any) depend on the type of sponsor and the level of course.
UK student visa requirements
Exact requirements depend on the visa route, but students commonly need:
A valid passport
Financial evidence showing they can pay for the course and support themselves
TB test results if required
Proof of English language ability (for Student visa routes this may need to be shown through an approved test)
Confirmation documents from the provider (for Student visas, the institution must be a licensed sponsor)
UK student visa cost
Visa costs change over time, but students should expect to pay:
An application fee for the visa route they use: 524 GBP
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): 776 GBP per year, plus 388 GBP for each additional 6 months
From April 2026, the UK is also planning changes to some travel/visa fees (including a fee for ETA, and increases to other visa fees).
ATAS for UK visa
Some postgraduate students in certain science and technology subject areas may need an an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before they can apply for a Student visa.
If ATAS applies, your university will tell you.
UK student visa processing time
Processing times can change depending on where a student applies from, how busy UKVI is, and whether the application needs extra checks.
As a general guide, Student visa decisions are usually made within:
3 weeks for applications made outside the UK
8 weeks for applications made inside the UK
It’s also worth noting that timelines are often counted from the point a student completes identity checks (for example, after a biometrics appointment or online ID confirmation), not from the day they start the form.
UK student dependent visa
Rules about bringing family members are strict and depend on the student’s situation and the specific Student visa conditions.
Some students may be eligible to bring dependants (for example, certain sponsored students). If dependants are allowed, students usually need to show extra financial evidence to cover them.
Being refused for a UK visa
Refusals often happen because the application does not clearly show:
Why the student is coming to the UK
How the course fits their background
That the finances are genuine and well documented
If a visa is refused, the student should tell the school/provider as soon as possible.
In some cases, students can ask for a review of the decision. Whether a review is possible depends on the visa route. For some routes there is no full right of appeal, while others may allow an administrative review within a set timeframe and fee.
Common reasons refusals happen include:
The purpose of study is not explained well or is not supported by documents
No clear evidence the student is currently studying or working (where relevant)
Weak evidence of previous English study (for English course routes)
Income figures that don’t match financial documents
Unclear source of funds or unexplained account deposits
UK student visa working hours
Work permissions depend on the visa route and the course level.
Short study routes (visitor/short-term English study) do not normally allow paid work.
Student visa work permissions depend on the sponsor type and course level, and are typically clearer for degree-level study with an established sponsor.
Other useful UK visa information
A few practical points that often surprise students:
Some travellers can use UK e-gates at the border and may not receive a passport stamp. It’s a good idea to keep proof of arrival (for example, a boarding pass).
Not every UK visa allows study, so students should always check their visa conditions.
For short-term English study routes, course intensity can matter, and students may be expected to show they are genuinely studying.
UK applications are processed through different hubs inside the UK, not only in the country where a student applies.
Travel between the UK and Ireland operates under the Common Travel Area, which can affect how “time in the UK” is counted for some travellers.
Repeated back-to-back short stays, or trying to extend short-study plans, can lead to extra questioning at the border.
Ready to study abroad? Find your perfect university and programs today.