United Kingdom Student Visa

Degrees from UK higher education providers are respected around the world, and the choice of subjects you can study is extensive. A degree from any British university will look great on a CV, and when looking for work in the future, no matter the industry and the location, having qualifications from the UK will be a great selling point. 

British higher education providers are recognized internationally for their creative and challenging environments, that help push students to be their best. Their standards are highly regarded, with experts on many academic topics, and they're generally high in international university rankings.

The British higher education system has been the basis for higher education standards around the world for a long time, with revolutionary teaching styles and modern facilities.  

Things you need to know about studying in the UK

1. There are more than 395 universities and colleges, offering over 50,000 undergraduate-level higher education courses across the UK.

2. There are different deadlines for applying for different courses, and to different universities – take a look at the key dates and deadlines relevant to courses you’re interested in.

3. You will need to pay tuition fees – these vary depending on the uni or college and course you choose. You may be able to get financial help with your tuition fees, or a scholarship. However, EU students are not subject to tuition fees in Scotland.

4. The amount of money you will need to cover living costs will vary based on where you study. London and other large cities tend to be more expensive

5. Many international students need to apply for a visa to study in the UK, and there are work permit restrictions and some English language qualifications you may need.

6. Universities advise all applicants what standard of English is required for their courses. Most course providers will ask you to demonstrate proficiency in English or to take an approved English language test if English is not your first language.

7. First-year students tend to live in university halls of residence (university accommodation) – but there are lots of other accommodation options.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A UNITED KINGDOMS STUDENT VISA 

1. Apply to a UK university and get your acceptance letter

If you’re still not sure where you want to study in the UK, you will have to decide before you can start your student visa application process. After being accepted at a university, you’ll get an acceptance letter required for the visa application.

1. Find out if you need a visa to study in the UK

Brexit has created a lot of confusion, especially among international students who want to study or are already studying for a degree in the UK. 

1. Find out what type of visa you need to study in the UK

These are the 2 types of visas for which you might need to apply to become a UK student:

• Short-Term Study Visa (available for 6 or 11 months) – for students who plan to study a short language course or take up a short period of research as part of a degree program.
• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa – for students who enroll in an academic degree (Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D.). The Tier 4 Student Visa doesn't have a fixed period of availability; the length of your studies determines the length of the visa.

1. When and where to apply for a student visa in the UK?

There are two options for getting your student visa in the UK. You can apply at the UK embassy in your country or you can do it online, on the official UK Government website.

Depending on your nationality, you might need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application center (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.