Most international students need a student visa to study in the UK. Anyone applying overseas, and those who are not exempt will need evidence of funding for tuition fees and your living expenses, including accommodation.
There are strict requirements for the amounts and forms of evidence accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Getting it right is essential, or your application will be rejected.
Your financial evidence must show that you have funding for:
If your visa is for less than nine months, then you will only need living expenses for the length of the course. For any longer courses, you must show that you have living expenses for the first nine months (£9,207).
If you have a spouse, partner or family members who are applying as visa dependents, you will need additional living expenses or them, at a rate of £680 per person per month, for the first nine months of your course (£6,120 per person).
The Student route fees are set out as below:
Applications for visas that are more than six months long include an immigration health surcharge. The cost of this is based on the visa length you are applying for. You can check how long your visa will be.
The immigration health surcharge is charged at £470 per year of your visa. If your visa includes part of a year that is six months or less, you will be charged an additional 50% of the annual charge for this period. If your visa includes part of a year that is more than six months, you will have to pay the full annual change or this period. As a guide, a 12-month Master’s course would lead to a charge of £710 for the immigration health surcharge (12 months plus 4 months wrap-up period).
You can also use the Immigration Health Surcharge tool on the Home Office website to check how much you will have to pay. The Student application form will calculate the amount you need to pay and ask you to pay it before completing your application. After you have done this you will receive an email containing your IHS reference number. This number will automatically be included on your application form cover sheet.
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.
Follow this step-by-step guide to applying for your student visa:
Your university will advise you about your visa application, so don’t be afraid to reach out for support. Some universities have dedicated immigration advisors that are on hand to support international students with their visa applications.
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