UK Student Visa Requirements

The United Kingdom is a popular destination for international students, with over 500,000 students from around the world studying in the country each year. University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London are some of the best universities in the UK, which also hold a global reputation. If you are planning to study in the UK, it is essential to understand UK student visa requirements and the process for obtaining a student visa. Getting a student visa for studying abroad can be challenging at times as list of documents is very comprehensive.
Don’t let your dream of studying abroad die due to unavailability of student visa. Unfortunately, many students are unaware of UK student visa requirements and repent later. For example, let us say you have an offer/acceptance letter from a university in the UK, but had to wait for long to apply for UK student visa. In such a case, you might not be able to join the university in UK in time due to unavailability of student visa. Recently, the UK government has increased the number of visa channels for international students. Following the guidelines will help international students quickly get their UK student visas. Read on to understand UK student visa requirements in detail.

Get FREE Expert Admission Guidance

    UK Student Visa Application Requirements

    The minimum age requirement is the most basic criterion for a UK student visa. Applicant should be older than sixteen years to acquire a UK student visa. Also, one needs to have a valid offer or acceptance letter from a recognised university in the UK to get the visa. In addition, students must fulfil English proficiency requirements to obtain a student visa. Besides fulfilling the student visa requirements, one has to submit the visa application and fees for approval. If you fulfil all the visa application requirements, the chances of approval are high. Even after the recent pandemic, the visa approval rates for international students in the UK have increased. Some critical student visa application requirements in the UK are listed below:-
    • A legal passport
    • Passport-size photo
    • CAS document to show the confirmation of acceptance for studies
    • Proof of English Proficiency
    • You must have 28 days old funds to pay first year’s tuition fee to get a student visa
    • To extend the visa, one has to show the funds for paying the fees for the next year
    • Funds to be shown for living in UK are 10,224 pounds (Outside London) and 13,347 pounds (Inside London) per year. i.e.
      approx. Rs. 11 lakhs per year (Outside London) and 15 lakhs per year (inside London)
    • English translations of all the official documents
    • Medical test
    • Insurance

    Need expert visa guidance?

    Book a FREE consultation today!

      Requirements for a Student Visa in the UK

      Now that you understand the generic studyin in UK visa requirements, let us discuss some other essential requirements. Student visa application will be accompanied by many other documents, like CAS, English translations, and more. Study in UK visa requirements in detail are as follows:

      Offer Letter from a College/University in the UK

      One cannot get a student visa without an offer from a recognised educational university in the UK. The university that accepts you will forward a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) document. One needs to obtain the CAS before submitting the student visa application. After getting a CAS from a recognised university, you only have six months to apply for a student visa.

      One can select from various courses in the UK to get a CAS. When you are selected for a course, you receive the CAS document.

      Proof of English Proficiency

      International students must have a command of English to study in the UK. Whether you are applying for a UK student visa from India or another location, you must show proof of language proficiency. International students are required to take an English language test to prove their proficiency. English proficiency test results are measured as per the CEFR method. For a course below the degree level in the UK, the skill level, according to CEFR, should be B1. For a course above the degree level in the UK, the skill level, according to CEFR, should be B2.

      Usually, international students are asked to take the SELT (Secure English Language Test) to prove their proficiency. One can also opt for a different English proficiency test. Some UK institutions have English proficiency tests for courses above the degree level. IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL are other English proficiency tests accepted by colleges/universities. Also, the minimum English proficiency test scores might vary for different universities in UK.

      Some consultants will tell you that a UK visa is not possible without the IELTS. Contrary to the claim, a UK study visa without IELTS is possible. Don’t forget to check for different proficiency tests accepted by your university in the UK.

      Not sure where to study?

      Get expert guidance for 21+ destinations!

        Fulfilling Visa Eligibility Criteria

        You must fulfil the eligibility criteria if you are applying for a UK student visa from India or any other country. The eligibility criteria to obtain a student visa usually revolves around the student’s age and the funds required to pay the fees. A university cannot accept international students who don’t have the means to support themselves while studying in the UK. International students must have ample amount to pay the tuition fee and manage living expenses. Your student visa application will be rejected if you fail to meet even a single eligibility condition. The eligibility requirements for a UK student visa are as explained earlier.

        Submitting the Required Visa Documents

        UK student visa India application form is accompanied by several documents. Every document will be thoroughly cross-checked before approving your visa application. Visa application will be rejected if any of the documents is illegal, incomplete, or outdated. The visa application will also be rejected in the absence of a required document. Use the below-mentioned checklist to ensure all the documents are submitted with the visa application. It will boost your UK student visa India approval chances. The documents required for a UK student visa are as follows:

        • Legal passport
        • Duly filled application form for UK visa
        • Passport-size photo of the student
        • Proof of student visa application fee submission

        Get FREE Expert Admission Guidance

          It is crucial to note that some documents are optional for a UK student visa. For example, not all international students have a financial sponsor. Such students do not have to produce an agreement from the sponsor.

          Students below 18 can also enter the UK on a student visa. However, the age of the student should be more than sixteen years. UK student visa requirements for Indian students below 18 years of age might change. If you are below 18 years of age, you need to produce the following documents to get a UK student visa:

          • Proof of consent to study in the UK from parents/legal guardian
          • Evidence of current relationship with the parents/legal guardian
          • A copy of the original birth certificate
          • If a birth certificate copy is not available, any legal document that shows the name of the parents must be submitted

          Tuberculosis (TB) Test Result of the Applicant

          Every country wants to protect its residents from diseases and viruses. The recent COVID pandemic made governments more suspicious of incoming visitors. The authorities in the UK also take precautionary measures to protect their residents from contagious diseases like tuberculosis. It is crucial to note that tuberculosis is communicable and can be transmitted to other individuals by coughing, sneezing, and other methods. Therefore, UK universities cannot allow tuberculosis students to pose a threat to other students. For the same rationale, international students must produce TB test results to get a UK student visa. The TB test result is required for international students who intend to stay more than six months. Most courses in the UK will last more than 9 months, thus indicating the requirement for a tuberculosis test.

          You will have to get a chest x-ray test done from a recognised diagnostic centre. Sometimes, the chest x-ray results are unclear and cannot determine the presence of tuberculosis. You might have to offer a sputum specimen to test for tuberculosis in such a case. When the TB test results are not positive, the recognised clinic will provide you with a certificate. The tuberculosis-negative certificate will be sustainable for six months. The certificate’s validity is counted from the date of the tuberculosis test. One can use the tuberculosis-negative certificate to obtain a UK student visa. However, it is crucial to note that visa officials don’t accept tuberculosis test reports from unrecognised clinics.

          Get FREE Expert Admission Guidance

            Proof of Funds for Tuition Fees and Living Costs

            Visa officials will check for the availability of funds before approving a student visa. If you don’t have the funds to pay the tuition fee, your visa application will be rejected. Besides the tuition fee, you also have to show funds to bear living costs to get a student visa. A study abroad consultant will help you understand UK student visa financial requirements in detail. The minimum living costs required to get a student visa in the UK are as follows:
            • 10,224 pounds per annum in living costs for a course/college outside London
            • 13,347 pounds per annum in living costs for a course/college in London

            IHS

            IHS is required to get a UK student visa. IHS is compulsory for people who want to stay in the United Kingdom for education for over six months. Without paying the IHS, you might not be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) facilities. However, students will have to pay for eye tests, prescriptions, and other appointments.

            Final words

            The United Kingdom has a robust international education system, and as a result, many students from around the world choose to study in the UK. Obtaining a student visa is necessary for international students who wish to study in the UK. To be eligible for a student visa, you must have an offer from a recognised university/college on a course, be able to meet UK student visa financial requirements, have a high level of English proficiency, and meet the character and conduct requirements. The process for obtaining a student visa involves completing an online application form, paying a fee, and providing supporting documents. It is essential to carefully follow the process and meet all the requirements to ensure that your application is successful. Apply for your UK student visa today!

            Enquire for Study Abroad

               

              MBA in UK 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Earlier

              Related Posts

              Why an MBA Program in the UK Might Be Your Best Bet

              In today's competitive global market, securing an edge in the business world is paramount. An MBA program from a leading institution provides this edge, equipping aspiring leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel. Among global destinations, the United...

              Explore the Best Master Programs in UK for Your Future Career

              Deciding to pursue a master’s degree is a significant step in achieving career advancement and personal development. The UK, with its esteemed universities and diverse range of programs, is a premier destination for students aspiring to elevate their professional...

              Masters in UK

              How to Pursue a MS in UK?Over a million students from all over the World pursue their master's degree in UK each year. UK's top-ranked universities and friendly culture are among the reasons why this country has become a popular choice for international students....

              Popular Courses In UK Universities

              The Popular Courses in UK are : Business and Law: Accounting and Finance, Economics, Global Management, Banking and Finance, Business Analytics, Actuarial, Risk Management, Law Computer and Engineering: Computer Science, Data Science, Cyber Security, Software,...

              MBA in UK Universities

              Why Should You Study MBA in UK?MBA in UK is a very sought-after program and offers various specializations like marketing, human resource, international business, business analytics, healthcare, finance, supply chain management, etc. UK universities offers MBA from...

              More Countries

              Interested to Study In Abroad?

              Get List Of Universities As Per Your Profile

              Quick   Contact