UK is known for accommodating numerous international students. The education system, course benefits, scholarship opportunities, job prospects are some reasons for which candidates choose to study in UK. A UK student visa works as the legal document for you to study at any universities in UK. How to apply for a student visa, and what are the requirements? Requirement for UK Study Visa consists of multiple documents like bank statement, age proof, course confirmation and many more. The UK student Visa application for international candidates needs to be done 6 months before the starting of course. Candidates staying and applying from UK needs to apply 3 months before the course starts. The time frame is 3-8 weeks for international UK student visa processing time.

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The UK student visa processing time for students applying from UK takes up to 8 weeks. The fee requirement for UK Study Visa is GBP 490 for international students. If you are applying from UK then you have to pay the UK student visa fee of GBP 490. Candidates also need to pay the healthcare surcharge as a part of the application. The three types of UK study visa are:

  • General student Visa - Students going for a course more than a year
  • Child student visa - Students between 4 and 17 years old and wants to study at an independent school in the UK
  • Short-term study visa - Candidates going to study for a course within 6-11 months

Now, let us focus on what do you need to study in UK. If you are selecting an undergraduate program, a 10+2 certificate is required. If your chosen course is a postgraduate one, you need a bachelor or undergraduate degree with 3.0 GPA. For research based masters programs, an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a related field will do the trick. If you want to study MBA in UK, get an undergraduate degree, relative work experience, good scores in GMAT, and you are good to go. Remember, in all cases, you need to have IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores to prove you are sufficient in English. 

Tips for UK Student Visa

University of Oxford, Imperial College London, King’s College London are some of the best universities in UK for international students. Degrees from any of these universities hold global recognition. Candidates should note few things before applying for UK Student Visa. There are few new rules for international students in UK:

  • Make sure that the university is licensed.
  • Confirmation of acceptance for Studies from university is mandatory.
  • Candidates can go for affordable universities in UK to save the cost of study. 
  • Do not delay or postpone the appointment since 3 weeks is the UK study visa processing time.
  • Candidates outside UK must start the process 6 months before the course date.
  • Review the UK Student visa interview questions before appearing for the interview.

Documents Required for UK Student Visa

To get into the cheapest universities in UK, you need to submit academic transcripts, LOR, SOP, English language proficiency scores and other documents. But the requirement for UK study visa involves other multiple documents. The details of the documents required to for UK student visa are:

  • A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies letter (CAS) from the college or university
  • A current valid passport
  • Candidates require a valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate
  • Proof of relationship with parent or guardian if the candidate is under the age of 18
  • The tuberculosis test results
  • Bank statement or other documents proving sufficient balance to support the cost of living in UK.
  • Consent from Visa sponsorship for the course fees and living costs in the last 12 months
  • Blank page in the passport for the biometric information at a visa application centre.
  • Recent passport sized photo
  • Healthcare surcharge certificate required during immigration
  • PCC or Police clearance Certificate
  • Candidates must obtain a biometric residence permit (BRP) from the UKVI.

Candidates under the age of 18 will require the written consent from the guardian and the parents. If the consent is missing, it might be one of the UK Student Visa rejection reasons. The consent should include:

  • The details about the living and care arrangements in UK
  • The travel details to the UK
  • The visa application details
  • Birth certificate showing the name of the parents

English Language Requirements for UK Study Visa

Candidates must prove their efficiency in English language as a requirement for UK Study Visa. Candidates can prove their knowledge of English by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT). The SELT approved exams to study in UK are:

  • PSI Services: Skills for English UKVI
  • Pearson test of English: PTE Academic or PTE Home
  • LanguageCert: LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
  • IELTS SELT Consortium: IELTS for UKVI
  • Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL

Level of English Required

The level of English required depends on the degree that the candidate is studying. If you are studying at the UK universities for MBA, you may have to provide higher scores. Candidates are selected based on UK points based immigration. The English language scores add to the points. The details are:

Course Level of English
Degree level (Master’s and PhD) or above Equivalent to CEFR level B2
Below degree level CEFR level B1

Approved English Test for UK Study Visa

The approved test providers vary for the candidates if they are in UK and outside UK. Check out the UK study visa fees and processing time before applying. Candidates in the UK can only take a SELT with one of these providers:

  • IELTS SELT Consortium
  • Trinity College London
  • PTE score
  • LanguageCert

Candidates who are outside the UK can only take SELT with one of these providers:

  • LanguageCert
  • PSI Services (UK) Ltd
  • IELTS SELT Consortium

Financial Requirements for UK Study Visa

Candidates need to have enough money to support their studies and student accommodation in UK for atleast a year. They also need to pay the UK Student Visa fees. If the student is going on a Dependent Visa UK, the amount is much lesser. The details of the costs for 9 months are:

Course Duration Amount Required

Money required by candidates
Courses in London (9 months) GBP 1,334 per month 
Courses outside London (9 months) GBP 1,023 per month 

Money required by dependents to support themselves
Courses in Universities in London (9 months) GBP 845 
Courses outside London (9 months) GBP 680 

Note: 1 GBP= 105.28 INR as of April 6, 2024

Candidates applying to Visa must have all the above documents required before applying for UK study Visa. Lacking any of the documents might impact the UK Student Visa process. If the process is delayed and you did not get the visa in time, you might face huge monetary loss. Not only this, you can also fail to start your program in your desired intake. 

FAQs

Ques: How much funds required for UK study visa?

Ans: Candidates will need either GBP 1,334 (INR 1,39,344) per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London. GBP 1,023 (INR 1,06,858) per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London.

Ques: Is IELTS mandatory for UK student visa?

Ans: Yes, IELTS is mandatory for students who want to study graduate or undergraduate courses in UK.

Ques: How many months bank statement is required for UK student visa?

Ans: Candidates must have the total amount for the last 28 days in their account. The most recent balance on the statement must be within one month of submitting your visa application

Ques: Can I study in UK without IELTS?

Ans: Yes, getting a UK student visa is possible without a qualifying IELTS test. But candidates have to provide the document from the college or university and submit them to immigration authorities.

Ques: Is UK student visa easy to get?

Ans: Usually, it takes about 3 weeks to receive the UK Student Study Visa. Candidates are suggested to apply at least 6 months prior to the course start date.

Ques: Can I show FD as proof of funds for UK visa?

Ans: Yes, Bank letter or balance statement (confirming the balance in the savings account). Fixed Deposits (FD) original + FD Balance certificate (letter) confirming that the FD can be liquidated at any point of time can be provided.

Ques: How many bands required for UK student visa?

Ans: Candidates will need a 6.0 overall and a 5.5 in every IELTS section to be eligible for UK Visa application.

Ques: Can UK student visa be rejected?

Ans: Yes, UK students visas can be rejected by the authorities. The most common reason for a student visa application being refused is due to insufficient funds or incorrect financial evidence.

Ques: Do UK visa verify bank statements?

Ans: Yes, the UKVI will check the financial evidence as a part of visa applications. If they cannot confirm the financial statements from the bank, the visa will get rejected.

Ques: What are the academic requirements for obtaining a UK study visa?

Ans: To apply for a UK study visa, you need an offer of acceptance (CAS) from a recognized educational institution in UK. The specific academic requirements vary depending on the course and level of study. Ensure you meet the entry requirements set by your chosen university or college.

Ques: Do I need to take an English language proficiency test for a UK study visa?

Ans: Most applicants are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English by taking an approved English language test such as IELTS or TOEFL. The required score may vary depending on the institution and the course you intend to study.

Ques: Are there any financial requirements for a UK study visa?

Ans: You need to demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying in the UK. The specific amount required may vary depending on your circumstances and the duration of your course.

Ques: Do I need health insurance for a UK study visa?

Ans: It is recommended to have comprehensive health insurance coverage while studying in the UK. However, if you're from a country with a healthcare agreement with the UK, you may be exempt from this requirement. It's essential to check the specific healthcare arrangements applicable to your country.

Ques: Is there an age limit for applying for a UK study visa?

Ans: There is no specific age limit for applying for a general UK study visa. However, you must meet all other eligibility criteria, including academic and financial requirements. If you are under-age for a general study visa, you can apply for a child student visa. 

Ques: Are there any restrictions on working while on a UK study visa?

Ans: Students on a UK study visa are permitted to work part-time during term time and full-time during holidays. However, there may be restrictions depending on the type of course you're studying and your sponsor institution. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the work conditions outlined in your visa.