GOV.UK
1. Overview
You can apply for the Tier 4 (Child) student visa if you’re aged between 4 and 17 and you want to study in the UK.
You should also:
- have a place on a course
- have the consent of your parent or guardian
- have enough money to cover your course fees and living costs
- be from a country that’s not in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
- meet the eligibility requirements
How long it will take
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
Check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country.
Fees
How much you pay depends on how you’re applying.
| Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch by post in the UK | Extend or switch in person in the UK (premium service) |
|---|---|---|
| £310 | £422 | £822 |
How long you can stay
Your age and the length of your course of study will affect how long you can stay.
| Age when you apply | How long you can stay |
|---|---|
| Under 16 | Course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards |
| 16 or 17 | Course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards |
You can arrive in the UK:
- up to 1 week before your course starts if your course lasts 6 months or less
- up to 1 month before your course starts if your course lasts more than 6 months
What you can and can’t do
You can:
- study at an independent fee-paying school (if you’re aged between 4 and 15)
- study at a publicly-funded further education college (if you’re 16 or 17 and you’re a fee-paying student)
- apply from inside or outside the UK
- apply to extend your stay
You can also work, if you’re 16 or over:
- part-time during term for up to 10 hours per week
- full-time during vacations
- on a work placement as part of your course, (but not for more than 50% of your course time)
- as a student union sabbatical officer for up to 2 years
You can’t:
- study at a publicly-funded school
- get public funds
- take a full-time permanent job or be self-employed
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson (eg a sports coach) or entertainer
- settle in the UK on this visa
- bring in family members (‘dependants’) - if your parents want to accompany you, they’ll need to apply for a Parent of a Child At School visa
Read the full guidance on the Tier 4 (Child) student visa.