To apply for a UK Student visa, you usually need an unconditional offer from a licensed Student sponsor, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, enough money to meet the financial requirement, evidence of English language ability where required, and any additional documents such as an ATAS certificate or TB test certificate. You then complete the online application, pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, prove your identity, provide biometrics if instructed, and wait for a decision.
The process is not difficult once you break it down, but it is very detail-driven. A small mistake with a CAS number, bank statement date or missing certificate can delay the application or lead to refusal. The key is to prepare before you press submit.
This guide explains the Student visa application process in a practical order, covering applications from outside the UK and applications made inside the UK to extend or switch. Figures and rules mentioned below should always be checked against current official guidance before applying, particularly where financial requirements or fees may change.
If your circumstances are straightforward, you may be able to manage the application yourself. Where there are complications, such as a previous refusal, dependant family members, unclear funds or an in-country switch, Immigration UK can help you understand the requirements and prepare your application carefully.
Step 1: Check That the UK Student Visa Is the Right Route
The UK Student visa is generally for applicants aged 16 or over who want to study an eligible course with a licensed Student sponsor. This route is commonly used for university degrees, some further education courses and other eligible programmes where the education provider can sponsor international students.
It is not the correct route for every type of study. For example, younger pupils attending an independent school may need the Child Student route. Some short English language courses may fall under the Short-term Student visa. Limited short study may also be possible as a visitor in specific circumstances, but that route has important restrictions and is not a substitute for full-time sponsored study.
If you are unsure which route applies, start by looking at the nature and length of your course, your age, and whether your education provider is able to sponsor you. Immigration UK also has a dedicated UK study visa guidance page for students who want professional support with eligibility and application preparation.
Step 2: Choose a Licensed Student Sponsor and Eligible Course
You cannot apply for a Student visa simply because a university or college has offered you a place. The provider must be a licensed Student sponsor, and the course itself must meet the Student route requirements. Your offer must usually become unconditional before the provider can issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.
When choosing a course, check more than the course title. You should confirm the level of study, course duration, where the teaching will take place, whether the course is full-time, and whether any special requirements apply. Some postgraduate courses in sensitive subjects require Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance, usually called ATAS.
You should also think ahead if you hope to bring dependants. Since restrictions introduced for courses beginning from 1 January 2024, most taught postgraduate students cannot bring dependants unless an exception applies. Students on certain doctoral or research-based higher degree courses, or some government-sponsored students, may still be eligible.
Step 3: Get and Check Your CAS
Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, usually called a CAS, is a unique electronic reference issued by your education provider. It is not a paper visa and it does not guarantee that your visa will be granted. It is the sponsor's confirmation that they are willing to sponsor you for the course stated on the CAS.
You must enter the CAS reference in your visa application. Before applying, check the CAS carefully. Make sure your name, date of birth, passport details, course title, course level, start and end dates, tuition fees, payments already made, sponsor details and any ATAS note are correct. If something looks wrong, ask the education provider to amend it before you apply.
A CAS must normally be used within six months of issue, and it can only be used once. If an application is refused or withdrawn, you may need a new CAS before submitting a fresh application.
Step 4: Know When You Can Apply
The application timing depends on whether you apply from outside the UK or from inside the UK. If you are applying from outside the UK, you can usually apply up to six months before your course starts. This is useful because you may need time for bank evidence, TB testing, ATAS clearance, document uploads and a biometric appointment.
If you are applying from inside the UK, you can usually apply up to three months before the course starts. You must apply before your current visa expires, and the new course must normally start within 28 days of your current permission ending. Not every immigration route allows switching into the Student route, so check this before making plans.
While an in-country application is pending, you should not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, as doing so can cause the application to be treated as withdrawn. For a wider explanation of UK visa decision times, see Immigration UK's guide to UK visa processing times.
Step 5: Check the English Language Requirement
Many Student visa applicants must show they meet the required level of English, but this does not always mean taking a new English test. The way you prove English can depend on your nationality, previous qualifications, course level and what your sponsor has assessed.
Some applicants use an approved Secure English Language Test. Others may rely on a qualification taught or researched in English, or an exemption available under the rules. Your education provider may also have its own admissions English requirement, which is separate from the visa requirement. Make sure both are satisfied before you apply.
Step 6: Work Out the Financial Requirement
The financial requirement is one of the most common areas where Student visa applications go wrong. You may need to show money for course fees and living costs, unless an exemption applies. The amount for course fees is usually based on one academic year, up to nine months, as shown on your CAS. If you have already paid some fees and this is recorded on the CAS, that can reduce the amount you need to show.
As of October 2026, GOV.UK guidance shows maintenance funds of £1,529 per month for study in London and £1,171 per month for study outside London, for up to nine months. This means maintenance only could be £13,761 for London or £10,539 outside London. Course fees, the visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, travel and other costs are separate. London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs, so check the actual place of study rather than only the university's head office.
Funds normally need to be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the final day of that 28-day period must usually be within 31 days of the application date. For example, if you apply on 30 June, your bank evidence should usually show the required funds held for 28 days, with the closing balance date no earlier than 30 May. Always check the current official GOV.UK Student visa guidance before applying, as financial figures may change.
Step 7: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
Your exact document list depends on your nationality, course, sponsor, age, funding and application location. However, most applicants should prepare early rather than waiting until the online form asks for evidence.
- Current passport or valid travel document.
- CAS reference from your licensed Student sponsor.
- Financial evidence, if required.
- English language evidence, if required.
- TB test certificate, if required for your country and residence history.
- ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require it.
- Parental or guardian consent if you are under 18.
- Evidence of official financial sponsorship, where relevant.
- Dependants' documents, if eligible family members are applying.
Documents should be clear, complete and consistent. Names, dates of birth and passport numbers should match across the form, CAS and evidence. If a document is not in English or Welsh, you may need a translation that meets UKVI requirements.
Step 8: Complete the Online Application
The Student visa application is completed online. You will answer questions about your identity, passport, immigration history, course, sponsor, finances, family members, English language evidence and any previous refusals. Accuracy matters. Do not guess dates or leave out relevant immigration history because you think it is unimportant.
Before submitting, check the visa category, the CAS number, your application location, course dates, fee information and declared funds. The application is not fully finished simply because the form is submitted. You must also complete the identity steps, upload or provide documents as instructed, and attend any required appointment.
Step 9: Pay the Fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
As of October 2026, GOV.UK lists the Student visa application fee as £558 for applications made from outside or inside the UK. The Immigration Health Surcharge is separate and depends on the length of permission and the applicant's circumstances. Each dependant normally needs a separate application and must pay the relevant fee and surcharge.
Other possible costs include a TB test, English language test, document translation, optional visa application centre services, travel to appointments and accommodation planning. Avoid relying on rough totals found online, as your actual cost will depend on your course dates and personal circumstances.
Step 10: Prove Your Identity and Provide Biometrics
After submitting the form, you will be told how to prove your identity. Some applicants can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app. Others must attend a visa application centre overseas or a UKVCAS appointment inside the UK to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
You may need to upload documents before the appointment or take documents with you, depending on the process in your country or application route. UKVI may also invite some applicants to a credibility interview. If this happens, be ready to explain your course choice, academic background, finances and future plans clearly and consistently.
Step 11: Wait for the Decision and Check Your eVisa
Standard decisions usually take around three weeks for applications made outside the UK and around eight weeks for applications made inside the UK, although some cases take longer. Additional checks, missing evidence or busy periods can affect timings. Priority services may be available in some locations, but they are not guaranteed.
If approved, your immigration status will usually be shown as an eVisa. You should create or access your UKVI account, link your travel document and check that your personal details, visa dates, sponsor conditions and work conditions are correct. If something appears wrong, use the appropriate official process to report it promptly.
Student visa work conditions vary depending on the course, sponsor and level of study. Do not assume that another student's work rights are the same as yours, and check your own visa conditions before starting any work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many refusals and delays are avoidable. The most common problems are not dramatic. They are usually small details that were missed at the preparation stage.
- Applying before receiving a valid CAS.
- Entering the CAS number incorrectly.
- Using bank evidence that does not cover the required 28-day period.
- Forgetting that course fees and living costs are separate calculations.
- Missing a required TB or ATAS certificate.
- Applying inside the UK from a route that does not allow switching.
- Travelling while an in-country application is pending.
- Failing to disclose a previous visa refusal or immigration issue.
- Missing a biometric appointment or not completing identity checks.
If your application is refused, read the refusal notice carefully. Some Student route refusals may be eligible for administrative review, but this is not the same as a full appeal and it is not simply a chance to submit a completely new application. In some situations, a fresh application with corrected evidence may be more appropriate, and Immigration UK can help you understand your options through its visa refusal guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I apply for a UK Student visa?
You can usually apply up to six months before your course starts if applying from outside the UK, or up to three months before the course starts if applying inside the UK. In-country applicants must also apply before their current visa expires.
Do I need a CAS before applying?
Yes. You need a valid CAS reference from a licensed Student sponsor, and you must enter it in the online application. A university offer alone is not enough.
How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?
You may need to show unpaid course fees plus maintenance funds for living costs. As of October 2026, the monthly maintenance figures are £1,529 in London and £1,171 outside London, for up to nine months, but you should check the latest rules before applying.
Can my partner or children come with me?
Only some Student visa applicants can bring dependants. Eligibility depends on the course type, level and other conditions, and most taught postgraduate students starting courses from 1 January 2024 cannot bring dependants unless an exception applies.
What happens if my Student visa is refused?
You should read the refusal notice to understand the reason and whether administrative review is available. Depending on the issue, you may need specialist advice, an administrative review or a fresh application with corrected evidence.
