When you apply for your Student visa you must provide:

• a current passport or other valid travel documentation

• a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider

You may also need to provide:

• proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course - this will vary depending on your circumstances

• a valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it

• proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18

• proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18

• your tuberculosis test results

• written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months

If you’re under 18

If you’re under 18 you’ll need written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).

This must include their consent for:

• your visa application

• your living and care arrangements in the UK

• your travel to the UK

You’ll also need to provide a copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of your parents.

Once you’ve applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

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

You can:

• study

• work as a student union sabbatical officer

You may be able to work - how much depends on what you’re studying and whether you’re working in or out of term-time.

You cannot:

• claim public funds (benefits) and pensions

• work in certain jobs, for example as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

• be self-employed

• study at an academy or a local authority-funded school (also known as a maintained school)

Your partner and children (‘dependants’) may be able to apply to come to the UK or stay longer in the UK.

You must be one of the following:

• a government-sponsored student starting a course that lasts longer than 6 months

• a full-time student on a postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer

If your postgraduate level course starts on or after 1 January 2024, it must be either:

• a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)

• a research-based higher degree

Your dependants

A dependant partner or child is one of the following:

• your husband, wife or civil partner

• your unmarried partner

• your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply, for example:

• a marriage or civil partnership certificate for your partner

• a birth certificate for your child

Your child

You’ll need to prove that your child is both:

• not married or in a civil partnership

• living with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university

You’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:

• a bank statement

• credit card bills

• driving licence

• NHS registration document

• an official letter from their university or college

If your child pays you rent or upkeep, you’ll need to give details.

You should have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds. How much money you need depends on your circumstances and what you’re applying for.

You may fall within a special category group, depending on your circumstances.

Course fees

You need enough money to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). The amount you need to pay will be on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Living costs

How much money you need depends on where you will be studying. You’ll need either:

• £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London

• £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

If you’re boarding at a residential independent school, you’ll need to pay boarding fees instead. The amount you need to pay will be on your CAS.

If you will be on the Doctorate Extension Scheme, you will need to prove that you have a total of £2,530 for a course in London, or a total of £2,030 for a course outside London.

You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your Student Visa application. 

London means the City of London and the 32 London boroughs.

Special categories

The following categories of applicants will automatically be treated as having satisfied the Student Visa financial requirement:

• applicants who have been in the UK with valid leave for at least 12 months prior to the date of their Student Visa application;

• applicants who are applying as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer;

• applicants who are applying as a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognised foundation programme;

• applicants who are British Nationals (Overseas) or who are from one of a list of specified countries or territories that are subject to the ‘differential evidence requirement’ (such applicants should still hold the required level of funds as UKVI reserve the right to request evidence of funds from these applicants).