Student visa

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Apply online

You must apply online for a Student visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Apply outside the UK

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

  • give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a visa application centre
  • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Apply inside the UK

You may be able to apply to:

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision .

After you apply

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to withdraw your application by contacting UKVI. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

After you get a decision

If your application is successful, you’ll get either:

Find out what happens after you get your decision.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Study in the UK on a Student visa

  1. Step 1 Check if this visa is right for you

    You can apply for a Student visa if you’re 16 or over and want to study on a further or higher education course in the UK.

    1. Check what you can and cannot do on this visa
    2. Check what courses you can study on this visa
    3. Check if you can bring your partner or children ('dependants') with you

    If you're under 18 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

    1. Check which visas you're eligible for

  2. Step 2 Prepare the evidence you need

    1. Check what documents you can use as evidence
    2. Prove your knowledge of the English language
    3. Check if you need a tuberculosis (TB) test

    If you're doing a masters degree or above, you may need to apply for the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

    1. Check if you need to apply for ATAS

  3. Step 3 Apply from outside the UK

    1. Apply from outside the UK £490

    You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

    You'll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

    1. Find out if you can pay more to get a faster decision

  4. or Apply from inside the UK

    1. Apply to extend if you're already in the UK on Student visa (or a Tier 4 (General) visa) £490
    2. Apply to switch to this visa if you're already in the UK £490

    You'll need to prove your identity as part of your application.

    You'll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

    1. You may be able to pay more to get a faster decision you’ll be told if you can when you apply

  5. Step 4 Check what you can bring into the UK with you

    1. Check what you can bring in your hand luggage
    2. Check what to do if you're bringing cash with you
    3. Check what goods you can bring with you
    4. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  6. Step 5 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border

  7. Step 6 After you arrive in the UK

    1. Find out how to get your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) if you were told you’d get one when you applied

    You might be able to extend your visa to stay longer in the UK.

    1. Check if you can extend your visa

    If you break the conditions of your visa you may not be able to come to the UK again.