You must be 16 or older to apply. You must prove that: you’ve been accepted onto an English language course that lasts longer than 6 months and up to 11 months and includes no other subjects your course is with an accredited institution you have enough money to support yourself without working or help from public funds , or that relatives and friends can support and house you you can pay for your return or onward journey If you’re under 18 you must also: have made arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK

Your English language course must be with an ‘accredited institution’. This can be either: an accredited UK institution an eligible overseas provider, if you’re studying in the UK as part of an overseas course Your course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months. Accredited UK institutions An accredited institution must either have a student sponsor licence or have a valid accreditation and be listed by one of the following: Accreditation Service for International Colleges Accreditation UK British Accreditation Council Education and Training Inspectorate (in Northern Ireland) Estyn (in Wales) Education Scotland Independent Schools Inspectorate Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) Office for Students Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Eligible overseas providers You can also apply for a Short-term study visa if you’re studying at an overseas higher education institution and part of your English language course is in the UK. Your institution must: hold its own national accreditation offer no more than half of its educational programme in the UK offer programmes that are equivalent to a UK degree

Documents you'll need

When you apply you must provide: a current passport or other valid travel document evidence that you can support yourself during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months details of where you intend to stay and your travel plans - you should not pay for accommodation or travel until you get your visa evidence that you’ve paid your course fees or have enough money to pay them You also need to provide: your tuberculosis ( TB ) test results, if you’re from a country where you have to take the TB test contact details for at least one parent or guardian in your home country, if you’re under 18 years old a certified translation if any documents are not in English or Welsh Documents about your course You must provide written proof of the course you’re studying. For example, a letter of acceptance from the educational institution stating the course’s name, duration and cost (including accommodation). You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances, such as evidence of your: permission to be in the country you’re applying from (if you’re not a national) financial sponsor’s occupation, income, savings or funds that will support your studies If you’re under 18 If you’re under 18 you need to provide additional documents if: you’re travelling on your own you’re travelling with someone who is not your parent or guardian Travelling on your own You can travel to the UK without an adult (someone 18 or older). You must have written consent from both parents (or one parent if they have sole responsibility) or your legal guardian. This must confirm they consent to: your visa application your living arrangements and care in the UK your travel to the UK They also need to provide proof that you have somewhere suitable to live during your stay in the UK, including: the name and date of birth of the person that you will be staying with an address where you will be living details of your relationship to the person who’ll be looking after you consent in writing so they can look after you during your stay in the UK Your parent, guardian or school must tell the relevant local authority about your visit if either of the following are true: you’re under 18 and have a disability you’re going to be looked after for more than 28 days by someone who is not a close relative (called ‘private foster care’) You should provide a reply from the local authority if you have one. Travelling with an adult If you travel to the UK with an adult (someone 18 or older), you need to identify them in your visa application. Their name will appear on your visa, and you’ll be refused entry to the UK if you arrive in the UK without them. You can identify up to 2 adults in your visa application, and your visa will only be valid if you travel with at least one of them. The adult can apply for a visa at the same time, but you must each complete separate applications.

You must apply online before you come to the UK. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel to the UK. As part of your online application, you’ll need to book an appointment at a visa application centre to provide your documents and prove your identity . Allow time to attend your appointment. You’ll need to take your passport with you to the visa application centre (you’ll be able to collect it on the day). How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Apply online You must apply online. Before you start, check what documents you’ll need to apply . Once you’ve started your application you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . After you apply You’ll get an email when the Home Office has made a decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next. You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

Overview

You may be eligible for a Short-term study visa if you’re taking an English language course in the UK.

To apply, your course must last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months.

If your course length is different

If your course lasts:

6 months or shorter - you’ll need to apply for a Visitor visa
longer than 11 months - you’ll need to apply for a Student visa

Check which visa you need to study in the UK if you’re still unsure.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK for the length of your course plus an extra 30 days as long as your stay is no longer than 11 months.

Fees and costs

It costs £214 for a Short-term study visa.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online application. It usually costs £776.

This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

What you cannot do

You cannot:

study on any other course or change your course while in the UK
study at a state-funded school
work or carry out any business (this includes paid or unpaid work, work experience or work placements)
extend this visa
bring family members (‘dependants’) with you on this visa
apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension

View a printable version of the whole guide

Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

Overview

If your course length is different

How long you can stay

Fees and costs

Healthcare surcharge

What you cannot do

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Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)

Overview

If your course length is different

How long you can stay

Fees and costs

Healthcare surcharge

What you cannot do

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Help us improve GOV.UK

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