How to Get a Student Visa for the UK in 2025

To apply for a UK student visa,you must meet some key requirements, including financial proof, English proficiency, and university sponsorship.
Additionally, you must follow strict visa rules while studying, particularly regarding work restrictions and visa renewals.
Read this guide to understand the key UK visa types and the application process.

Congratulations! After much hard work, you were accepted into a university in the United Kingdom. However, before packing your bags, you must ensure you have the proper paperwork ready.

At first, all the information may seem overwhelming, but if you prepare in advance and follow some simple steps, you'll get through it quickly. This guide will help make your UK visa application process easy and less stressful.

Find Masters in the UK

What types of student visas are there in the UK?

Several visa options depend on your course length andplans after graduation. The most relevant for you, as an international student in the UK, are:

Student visa (previously Tier 4) – This is the main visa for international students studying in the UK for more than eleven months.
Short-term study visa: This visa is for students taking a course lasting less than eleven months, such as English language courses.
Graduate visa – This allows students to stay and work in the UK for up to two years after graduation (or three years for PhD graduates).

Conditions you need to meet to receive a UK Student Visa

You can apply for a UK Student visa if you’re 16 or over and you:

Have an offer from a university, college, or school in the UK with permission from the UK government to sponsor international students.
Have enough money to cover your course fees and living costs (the amount depends on your situation)
Can speak, read, write, and understand English
Have parental consent if you’re 16 or 17 (you’ll need proof when applying).
- If you’re 16 or 17 and want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

How to apply for a UK student visa

Applying for a UK student visa is done online. Here are the main steps:

Receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) – As mentioned above, you need a CAS from a UK university before applying for a visa. This confirms that you have been accepted into a legitimate school.
Meet the financial requirements – You must prove you have enough money to pay for tuition fees and living costs. How much money you need for a UK student visa depends on where the university is.
You will need to prove you can cover tuition fees and approximately £1,000 per month in living costs (this amount will increase by a few hundred pounds if you study in London).
Prove your English proficiency – Most students must take an approved English test (such as IELTS or TOEFL) to show they meet the required language level.
Exception: Students from certain countries may not need proof of English proficiency if they’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree.
Complete the online visa application – You must apply on the official UK government website and pay the visa fee (around £500 for a Student visa).
Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – This fee gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your studies.
Attend a biometric appointment – You must visit a visa application centre to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken.
Wait for a decision – Visa processing times vary, but it typically takes three to four weeks.
Once approved, your visa will be issued, allowing you to travel to the UK before your course starts.

What are the costs when applying for a UK student visa:

	What it Involves	Estimated Cost
1. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)	Issued by your UK university	Usually FREE. Some unies charge a small admin fee (£10–£50)
2. Proof of living costs funds	Meet financial requirements	Approx. £1,000/month (outside London), usually calculated for 9 months
3. Proof of English proficiency	Approved English test (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL)	Approx. £200
4. Apply online for the Student visa	Complete application on the UK government website	Approx. £500
5. Pay Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	Grants access to the NHS during your stay	Approx. 800 per year (charged upfront for total course duration)
6. Attend biometric appointment	Submit fingerprints and photo at a visa centre	Usually FREE (may have a small service fee)
7. Wait for visa decision	Application processing time (usually 3–4 weeks)	FREE (using Priority Visa adds approx. £500, extra)

Total estimated budget when applying for a student visa is approximately £10,000. This is for a typical first-year student visa. Costs may vary slightly based on location, exchange rates, and individual circumstances.

UK student visa documents cheatsheet:

Mandatory:

A valid passport or other travel document
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university

Most likely:

Proof of funds to cover your tuition and living costs
An ATAS certificate (if required for your course and nationality)
Parental consent if you’re under 18
Proof of relationship to your parent or guardian (if under 18)
Tuberculosis test results (if required for your country)

Written consent from your financial sponsor if you received funding for course fees and living costs in the past 12 months.

Check out our partner universities in the UK.

We recommend you also explore degrees offered by some of our partners in the UK:

These institutions offer excellent programmes and are known for their international student support and vibrant academic environments.

Check out the top-ranked universities in the United Kingdom.

When to apply for a UK student visa

Here’s the table with rows and columns switched for better comparison:

	Outside the UK	Inside the UK
When you can apply	Up to 6 months before course start	Up to 3 months before course start
Visa decision time	Usually within 3 weeks	Usually within 8 weeks
Important conditions	–	Must apply before current visa expires. New course must start within 28 days of visa expiry.

Extending or switching your visa

If you want to continue studying or stay in the UK after graduation, you may need to extend or switch your visa.

Extending your Student visa – If your course is longer than expected or you’re starting a new course at a higher level, you can apply for an extension.
Switching to a Graduate visa – This lets you stay in the UK for two years after completing your degree (three years for PhD students). You don’t need a job offer to apply.
Other work visa options – If you have a job offer from a UK employer, you may be able to switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which allows long-term employment in the UK.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring. You can stay in the UK until you get your decision.

Follow the rules: how to avoid visa problems

To keep your UK student visa safe, you need to follow the rules:

Tell your university about any changes – If you move, change your phone number, or switch courses, let your university know immediately.
Stick to your work hours – Don’t work more than allowed. Even small mistakes can cause your visa to be cancelled.
Don’t stay after your visa expires—If your visa is expiring, apply for a new one or leave the UK before the deadline.
Check the latest visa rules – Visa rules can change, so always look at official UK government updates.
If you break the rules, you could lose your visa, be asked to leave the UK, or even be banned from returning.

Final thoughts

Studying in the UK is exciting, but understanding visa regulations is crucial to avoid problems. Ensure you apply for the right visa, follow work restrictions, and stay current with any rule changes.

For more information on UK study opportunities and visa-compliant programmes, explore options on the Master’s Portal.

FAQs

Can I bring my family to the UK on a student visa?

Only students on postgraduate courses (Master’s or PhD) lasting at least nine months can bring dependents (spouse/children).

What happens if my visa application is rejected?

If your visa is refused, you can request an Administrative Review or reapply with better-supporting documents.

Can I switch from a student visa to a work visa before graduation?

No, you must complete your course before switching to a Graduate visa or Skilled Worker visa.

How long can I stay in the UK after my studies?

With a Graduate visa, you can stay for two years after finishing your degree (three years for PhD graduates).

Was this article helpful?