How to Get a Student Visa for the UK?

Kudos! You were accepted to a university in the UK after putting in a lot of effort. However, you must first make sure you have the required documentation prepared before you can begin packing your bags.

The amount of information may seem overwhelming at first, but with a little organisation, you can complete the procedure quickly. The purpose of the following blog is to provide a comprehensive overview of the procedure for applying for a UK visa in order to make it as simple and stress-free as possible.

1. Apply to a university in the UK and then wait for your acceptance letter.

If you are still unsure about where you want to pursue your studies in the UK, You must make up your mind before submitting an application for a student visa.  You will receive an acceptance letter from a university following your acceptance, which you will need for the visa application.

Here are a few universities in the UK that we suggest:

• Imperial College London
• King’s College London
• Coventry University
• Durham University
• Hult International Business School

Explore the top universities in the UK.

2. Determine whether you require a visa to study in the UK.

Particularly among overseas students who aspire to study or are already enrolled in a degree programme in the UK, Brexit has caused a lot of confusion. But we’ll try to be as clear as possible about the modifications and who requires a visa to study in the UK:

EU/EEA and Swiss students

• If you arrive in the UK before deadline, you don’t need a visa.
• If you arrive in the UK on or after deadline, you might need a visa.
• If you start studying before deadline and want to continue studying after 1 January 2021, you will need to apply for a settlement scheme before 30 June.
• The same criteria may applicable to inhabitants of Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, although they should always confirm their specific eligibility for a visa.

Non-EU/EEA students

• Non-EU/EEA students need apply for either a Short-Term Study Visa or a General Student Visa, depending on how long their studies will last (also called Tier 4 Student Visa).
• Utilizing the online tool on the UK Government website is the simplest way to determine whether you require a student visa in the UK.

3. What kind of visa is required for study in the UK?

To study in the UK, you may need to apply for one of these two types of visas:

1. For students who want to enrol in a brief language course or conduct a brief period of research as part of a degree programme, a short-term study visa (valid for 6 or 11 months) is offered.
2. Students who enrol in an academic degree programme (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) are eligible for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. The extent of the Tier 4 Student Visa is determined by the period of your studies rather than a defined time of availability.

4. How can apply for a student visa in the UK and where should go?

Before you apply for VISA you have to pay university deposit fees and get your CAS(Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies).

You have two choices for obtaining a student visa in the UK. You have two options for applying: in person at the UK embassy there or online on the official website of the UK government.

Depending on your nationality, you might be required to submit your application along with having your fingerprints and photo taken at a visa application centre.

Application guidance for student visas in the UK

• Always visit the official UK government website to get the most recent information regarding the UK student visa.
• Do not wait until the last minute to apply for a visa. A Tier 4 Student Visa normally takes 3 weeks to obtain. But depending on your country of origin, you should start the visa application process three months in advance.
• Make sure you have the university’s admission letter and confirmation before applying for a student visa that is CAS.
• Before beginning the application process, ensure you have all the necessary information.
• Ensure the institution’s licencing before submitting an application.
• In most cases, universities have qualified visa advisors on staff who can answer your inquiries concerning the Tier 4 student visa and help you with the application.

5. You must fulfil requirements to be granted a Tier 4 Student Visa.

• At least 16 years old.
• English speaking, reading, and comprehension
• You should have adequate amount of cash to support yourself while you are in school (tuition, living costs, medical insurance, etc.).
• One must possess an unconditional offer of admission from a UK university.

Criteria for language proficiency to study in the UK

You must pass a secure English language test in order to demonstrate that your spoken and written English satisfies the requirements for a British visa (SELT). If you are pursuing a degree or higher, your language skills must be at least at level B2 of the CEFR.

With one notable exception: students from certain nations may not be required to provide proof of English competence if they have earned a degree that is comparable to one from the UK.

6. Compulsory documents for a UK student visa

• Filled-out visa application
• Passport or other suitable travel documents
• 1 passport-sized photograph
• Proof that you can support yourself while visiting the UK: If you reside in London, your monthly cost is 1,265 GBP, whereas the rest of the UK pays 1,015 GBP.
• Your parents’ permission if you are under 18 years old.
• Test results for TB (for citizens of certain countries)
• Proof of payment of the visa application fee: 348 GBP
• Migration Health Surcharge: 150 GBP per year of study
• The self-assessment form is in Appendix 8 and the supporting materials. (Not necessary if applying online.)
• Additional specifications may differ based on your country of origin.

Any non-English or non-Welsh documentation that must be provided with the Appendix 8 form must be accompanied by an authorised full translation that the UK Border Agency can independently verify.