The requirements needed by international students to study in the UK

If you’re thinking of coming to the United Kingdom to study at university, you may not be aware of the entry conditions which are required to study here. Having a student visa and the correct funds are the more obvious ones, but there's other conditions which you may not have thought about. We’ve put together a guide on the requirements and how to obtain them. Keep reading to find out more…

Student Visa 🌎

First and foremost, you’ll need to apply for a student visa. This works similar to a permit, which allows you access to the UK for a longer period of time compared to a typical tourist and will grant you permission to live and study here. Without this visa you will not be able to attend a university and you will not be allowed to live in the UK.

It’s worth noting that a student visa is only applicable if you are a student. Once you have graduated, your visa will no longer be valid and you will have to leave the UK - unless you enrol onto a masters course or apply for a full time work visa (both will be at an extra charge). A student visa only lasts as long as the course you are studying. For example, if your course is at degree level you can study and stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If your course is under degree level, then you can only stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

How do I apply? 💻

You can apply for a student visa six months before the start date of your course. This is the earliest you can apply, and any earlier applications will not be approved. Once you have applied you should expect to get a decision on your visa, such as confirmation of acceptance, within three weeks. All applications are done online on the UK Government website and you will need to be able to prove your identity via your fingerprints and a photograph through a Visa application centre. Once you have started your application process you can save and return to it later.

How much does a student visa cost? 💰

To apply for a student visa from outside the UK it currently costs £363 (September 2022). If you’ve finished your undergraduate course and decide to take on a postgraduate course, you’ll then need to extend your visa from inside of the UK. This is currently charged at £490. Alongside your student visa fees you will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge. This charge is so you can utilise the healthcare in the UK once you arrive. You can check how much you need to pay before starting your application as each charge is different depending on the reason for immigration.

Finances ✅

To get accepted for a student visa you should ensure you have enough funds to be able to pay for your chosen course and support yourself whilst living in the UK. Once you have submitted your application, you’ll be contacted by the UK visa and immigration for proof that you can afford the course and financially support yourself during your studies. 

Course fees 🎓

You’ll need to provide evidence that you have enough money to pay for one full academic year of studies for up to nine months. You can find the amount you will need to pay on your ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ (CAS) that you received from your chosen course and university. 

Living fees 🌆

You’ll also need to provide evidence that you will have enough funds to support yourself during your studies. This is referred to as “financial requirement”. The amount of funds you will need to prove you have will differ depending on where in the UK you’re choosing to study:

- In London and its boroughs, you will need to provide evidence of having £1334 per month

- Outside of London you will need to provide evidence of having £1023 per month

You will need to evidence that you will have this amount per month for up to nine months, which is the equivalent of an academic year. You can find all this information and more on the UK Government website.

Knowledge of English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

When you apply for a student visa you must prove your knowledge of the English language through certain proficiency tests. There are two ways to prove your English language skills:

1. Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish national qualification of level 4 or 5, Scottish higher, or advanced higher in English, which you gained through study at a UK school when you were 18

2. You have passed a secured English language test (SELT) from an approved provider

You must be able to prove that you can speak, read, and write, as well as understand the English language to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale (CEFR), depending if your studies are degree level or above.

For degree level or above you must be able to prove you have a B2 level on the CEFR. For below degree level studies, you will need to prove you have a B1 level on the CEFR.

There are however countries that are exempt from needing to prove their level of the English language. These can be found on the UK Government website.

The documents you will need 📑

You’ll need to provide a current passport or other valid travel document and your confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) from your course provider to apply for a student visa. As mentioned, without a student visa you will not be able to study in the UK, so making sure you have the right documents to apply is essential. As well as the above documents, to make sure you are a genuine student (and person) you may also be asked to provide:

- A valid ATAS certificate if your course requires it

- Your Tuberculosis test results if you are from a specific country

- Written consent from your financial sponsor if you have gained a sponsorship in the last 12 months for your course fees and living costs

Summary ✈️

There are a few items to consider if you are an international student looking to gain a degree in the UK. The application process to apply to study in the UK needs to be completed thoroughly and you will need to have all the requirements listed above, as well as evidence on hand to prove this. This applies for both university and college admissions. 

Once you have everything you need and been accepted for your student visa, the only thing left to do is find your perfect student accommodation! Make it simpler by choosing a property with all bills included and look at our amazing property list to find your dream home.