UKuni

UK Student Visa Guide

2025 Requirements

Everything you need to know about applying for a UK Student visa. From CAS to BRP, we guide you through the entire process.

£490
Visa application fee
£776/yr
Healthcare surcharge
3 weeks
Standard processing
6 months
Apply up to 6 months early

UK Study Visa Types

Choose the right visa based on your course length and study plans.

⭐ Most Common for Degree Study
🎓

Student Visa(formerly Tier 4)

Main visa for degree-level study at a UK university for courses longer than 6 months.

Duration
Course length + 4 months (or 2 months for courses under 12 months)
Work Rights
Up to 20 hrs/week during term, full-time during holidays
Visa Fee
£490
IHS
£776/year
Suitable for:
Undergraduate degreesPostgraduate degreesFoundation coursesPre-sessional English (if leading to degree)
📚

Short-term Study Visa

For short courses like English language courses that are 6 months or less.

Duration
6 or 11 months
Work Rights
No work permitted
Visa Fee
£200 (6 months) / £400 (11 months)
IHS
Not required
Suitable for:
English language coursesShort courses up to 6 monthsStudy visits
💼

Graduate Route

Post-study work visa allowing graduates to work in the UK after completing their degree.

Duration
2 years (3 years for PhD)
Work Rights
Full-time work, any job
Visa Fee
£822
IHS
£776/year
Suitable for:
Completed UK degree holdersThose seeking UK work experienceCareer builders

📋 Document Checklist

Gather all required documents before starting your application.

📄Essential Documents

Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
Issued by your university
Proof of English proficiency
IELTS/TOEFL certificate (unless exempt)
Passport-sized photographs
Recent, meeting UK visa photo requirements
Tuberculosis (TB) test results
Required if from listed country

💳Financial Documents

Bank statements
28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of application
Proof of tuition fee payment
Or confirmation of scholarship/sponsorship
Sponsor letter (if applicable)
Official letter from sponsor confirming funds
Loan sanction letter (if applicable)
From recognized financial institution

🎓Academic Documents

Academic transcripts
From all previous education
Degree certificates
Original or certified copies
Reference letters
If required by university
ATAS certificate
For certain postgraduate STEM subjects

💰 Financial Requirements

You must prove you have enough money to cover tuition and living costs.

🏙️

Studying in London

For courses in Inner London boroughs

Monthly requirement£1,334
For 9 months£12,006
🏘️

Outside London

For courses outside Inner London

Monthly requirement£1,023
For 9 months£9,207

💡 Total Amount Needed

Living costs (shown above) + Tuition fees First year tuition fees (or remaining amount if partially paid)

Important: Funds must be held in your account (or your parent's account with your name listed) for 28 consecutive days. The closing balance date must be within 31 days of your visa application date.

📅 Application Timeline

Plan your visa application with this step-by-step timeline.

1

Before Applying

3-6 months before travel
Accept your university offer
Pay required deposit (usually 10-25% of tuition)
Request your CAS from the university
Gather all required documents
Ensure funds are in account for 28 days
2

Application Submission

6 months to 6 weeks before
Complete online visa application form
Pay visa fee and IHS online
Book biometrics appointment
Attend visa application centre
Submit supporting documents
3

After Submission

3-8 weeks
Track application status online
Respond to any additional document requests
Wait for decision (3 weeks standard, 5 days priority)
Collect passport with visa vignette
Travel to UK within 30-day vignette validity
4

Arrival in UK

First week
Collect BRP from specified location
Register with police (if required)
Complete university enrollment
Open UK bank account
Register with GP (doctor)

⚠️ Avoid These Common Mistakes

Learn from others' mistakes. Here are the most common reasons for visa refusal and how to prevent them.

Insufficient funds

Ensure money is held for full 28 consecutive days before applying. Don't move funds around.

Missing documents

Use the official checklist and double-check everything before submitting.

CAS errors

Verify all details on your CAS match your passport and other documents exactly.

Invalid English test

Check your test is on the approved SELT list and within 2-year validity.

Credibility concerns

Be prepared to explain your study plan and why you chose this course/university.

Previous immigration history

Declare any previous visa refusals or overstays honestly.

🎓

After Your Degree: Graduate Route

After successfully completing your degree, you can apply for the Graduate Route visa, allowing you to work in the UK for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) in any job.

2-3 years
Post-study work rights
No sponsor
Work for any employer
£822
Application fee