Student Visa to UK | Requirements, Cost, Application

The United Kingdom is blessed with a preponderance of great institutions for learning and research purposes. England is a popular destination for international students due to its prestigious universities, high-quality education, diverse cultural experiences, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The country offers various degrees across various disciplines, attracting students worldwide. These institutions include: the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, Cambridge University, Durham University, and the University of East London. Etc.

Requirements for Securing Admission to the UK University

Admission requirements in English and UK universities typically involve several steps. Firstly, international students must research and choose their desired university and program. Next, they must meet the academic qualifications and English language proficiency criteria. This might involve submitting standardized test scores like Pearson PTE or TOEFL. Afterwards, applicants must prepare and submit all necessary documents, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

Requirement for Visa

When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:

a current passport or other valid travel documentation
a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider

You may also need to provide:

proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – this will vary depending on your circumstances
a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
proof of parental or other legal 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 you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

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

You need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).

This must include their consent for:

your visa application
your living and care arrangements in the UK
your travel to the UK

You’ll also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government-issued document) that shows the names of your parents.

If you are 16 or over and want to study a course at a higher education level in the UK lasting longer than six months, you will most likely need to apply for a student visa through the Student Route

This costs £490 per applicant. If you want a priority or super-priority service, it will cost more.

Cost of Obtaining a UK Study Visa

As part of your application, if you stay in the UK and study for more than six months, you will need to pay a fee called an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

The surcharge for a student visa is £776 per year for each full year you are in the UK. Where your stay in the UK includes part of a year, you would be charged £388 for periods of 1-6 months and £776 for periods of 6-12 months.

The amount you have to pay depends on how much leave you’re granted. You can find out how much you will be expected to pay by using the fee calculator on the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.

European students: if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you may be able to apply for a refund for the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Check the GOV.UK website to find out if you are eligible to do so. Please also note that deciding to do paid part-time work in the UK during your studies could impact your eligibility for a refund, so consider this before requesting the refund.

What International Student in the UK Cannot Benefit?

As a student studying in the UK, you can Study and work as a student union sabbatical officer depending on what you are studying.

However, you cannot get the benefit below as UK citizens will do

claim public funds (benefits) and pensions
work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
be self-employed
study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

The UK government will specify on their Visa what successful foreign student can do and what they cannot do upon their arrival to the UK.