United Kingdom student visa guide

The Student visa is for people aged 16 or over who have an offer from a licensed UK sponsor and a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). You apply online, pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, then give biometrics at a visa application centre. Most courses over six months also need a tuberculosis test for applicants from Nigeria.

Use the guide below as a planning reference, then check the official source before you pay anything or submit an application.

Tips from experience

• Use the GOV.UK funds rules, not a third party summary, to check the account type and statement format.
• Book the TB test and the biometrics appointment as early as possible, since slots can run out.
• Check that every name and date matches across your passport, CAS and bank records.
• Be ready to explain your course choice, your plans and why you picked that university.
• Keep your IHS reference and payment receipts together in one folder.
• Treat fee and funds figures as indicative and confirm them on GOV.UK before you apply.

Documents most applicants need are marked required. Others depend on your case or on what the office asks for. Build a printable checklist.

• Valid passport Required

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) Required

  Issued by your sponsor. You need the CAS number to apply.

• Proof of funds Required

  Bank statements in the format GOV.UK asks for, held for the required period.

• Tuberculosis test certificate Required

  Required for applicants from Nigeria. Use a UKVI approved clinic.

• English language evidence Required

  A SELT or the evidence your sponsor accepts for your course.

• Academic qualifications used for the CAS Required

  The originals you showed the sponsor.

• Immigration Health Surcharge payment reference Required

• Visa fee payment confirmation Required

• Appointment confirmation Required

  From the visa application centre.

• ATAS certificate If asked

  Needed only for certain subjects. Your sponsor will tell you.

• Parental or guardian consent If asked

  Needed if you are under 18.

• Sponsor letter for third-party funds If asked

  Needed if parents or others provide funds. Follow the GOV.UK rules on relationships and consent.

• Translations of non-English documents If asked

  Provide certified translations when a document is not in English or Welsh.

• Proof of accommodation If asked

  Not formally required for the visa, but useful for your own planning.

Indicative government fees only. School fees, translations, tests, courier and service charges are extra.

Living funds

£1,171 a month for 9 months (£10,539)

Basis

UKVI sets a monthly maintenance rate and counts up to nine months, plus your first year of tuition fees shown on the CAS minus anything already paid.

Tuition included

No, add your first year tuition

Indicative. The figure shown is the rate for study outside London. The London rate is GBP 1,529 per month. Funds must normally be held for 28 consecutive days, and the rates change periodically, so check GOV.UK.

Typical decision time

GOV.UK says a decision is usually made within three weeks when you apply from outside the UK, counted from the date you give biometrics.

How early you can apply

You can apply up to six months before your course starts when applying from outside the UK, once you hold your CAS.

Latest sensible time to apply

Apply at least six to eight weeks before your course start date to allow for the TB test, appointment waits and possible delays.

1. 1

   Get your offer and CAS

   Accept your unconditional offer from a licensed sponsor and ask for your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Check that the name, course and dates match your passport and plans.

2. 2

   Check your funds

   Make sure the required maintenance funds and first year tuition balance are held in your account for the period GOV.UK requires. Use the account types and statement formats listed on GOV.UK.

3. 3

   Book your TB test

   Applicants from Nigeria need a TB test at a UKVI approved clinic before applying. Book it early and keep the certificate with your documents.

4. 4

   Prepare your English proof

   Take a SELT if your sponsor or course requires it, or confirm what your sponsor will accept. Keep the certificate or confirmation handy.

5. 5

   Apply online and pay

   Complete the Student visa application on GOV.UK and pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Download your appointment and payment references.

6. 6

   Give biometrics

   Book and attend a visa application centre appointment. In Nigeria, visa application centres operate in Lagos and Abuja, but check the current locations on the UKVI page.

7. 7

   Submit documents and wait

   Upload your documents or hand them in as instructed, then wait for the decision. Do not make non-refundable travel plans until you have a decision.

8. 8

   Collect your visa and travel

   Check the decision letter and entry clearance dates. Keep your CAS, funds evidence and TB certificate in hand luggage for the border.

Work and post study rules change often. Confirm them on the official source before you plan around them.

• Funds were not held for the required period or the bank statements are in the wrong format.
• The applicant could not show a genuine intention to study, for example through weak answers about course choice and plans.
• The English language evidence did not meet the required standard or format.
• Documents were missing, unclear or inconsistent with the CAS.
• The TB certificate was missing, expired or from a clinic that is not approved.
• A previous immigration issue was not disclosed or did not match the records.

Refused before? Read what to do after a visa refusal.