A plain-English walkthrough of the Student visa (Student route) — from your offer letter to your eVisa. Includes calculators for the money you need and the fees you'll pay.
Answer three quick questions and we'll point you to the right route. This takes 20 seconds.
This is the real order things happen in — each step depends on the one before it. Work through them in sequence.
Apply directly to a UK education provider that's a licensed Student sponsor. Once they make you an unconditional offer and you accept it, they issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — an electronic reference number, not a paper document. You cannot start your visa application without it.
The Student route is assessed on points. You need 70 points in total, made up of three fixed elements — there's no flexibility to substitute one for another.
You must show you can cover any course fees not already paid, plus living costs for up to 9 months. The living-cost rate depends on whether you'll study in London. Funds must sit in your account for 28 consecutive days, and your evidence can't be more than 31 days old when you apply.
Unless you're exempt, you'll need to show you can read, write, speak and understand English to the required level for your course.
Click each item once you've got it ready. Exact requirements vary by nationality and circumstances — always check your own checklist during the online application.
Complete the application on GOV.UK. You'll pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the same process — the IHS covers your NHS access for the length of your visa.
Most applicants prove their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check smartphone app, which scans your passport and takes a photo. If your passport isn't supported, you'll instead book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to give fingerprints and a photo.
If you applied from outside the UK, decisions usually take up to 8 weeks; switching or extending from inside the UK usually takes up to 3 weeks (faster with a priority service). Approved applicants receive an eVisa — a digital immigration record, not a sticker or card.
A few conditions that shape what you can and can't do once you're here.
Up to 20 hours/week in term time for degree-level courses (10 hours for below-degree courses), full-time in vacations. Self-employment isn't allowed.
Only PhD/research students and government-sponsored students on courses over 6 months can usually bring a partner or children as dependants.
You can apply to extend your Student visa to continue studying, or switch from certain other visa types, from inside the UK.
Many graduates become eligible for the Graduate visa, letting you stay and work without needing employer sponsorship.
You can apply up to 6 months before your course starts, and travel to the UK up to 30 days before the start date on your visa.
Breaching your visa conditions can affect your ability to extend, switch, or return to the UK in future.
Up to 6 months before your course starts if you're applying from outside the UK, or as early as your circumstances allow if you're applying from inside the UK.
You likely don't need a Student visa at all — many short courses can be done on a Standard Visitor visa, or a Short-term study visa for English language courses of 6–11 months.
Yes, in most locations. Priority and super priority services are optional add-ons that can bring your decision down to a matter of days, for an extra fee.
No — successful applicants now receive a digital eVisa, accessed through a UKVI account, rather than a physical visa sticker.
You'll usually be given a short period to find a new licensed sponsor and course, or you may need to leave the UK — check current guidance for students affected by this.