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 you're required to meet to study here.

Having a Student visa and the correct funds are the more obvious ones, but there are other conditions which you may not have thought about. We’ve put together a guide on these requirements and how to obtain them – keep reading to find out more.

What are the requirements to study in the UK as an international student?

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 UK university and you will not be allowed to live in the UK.

It’s worth noting that Student visas are only valid whilst you're a student, and that 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.

Once you have graduated, your visa will no longer be valid and you will have to leave the UK – unless you enrol onto a master's course or apply for a Graduate visa (both will be at an extra charge).

How do I apply for a Student visa? 💻

If you're applying from outside the UK, 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 £558 (October 2026). Alongside your Student visa fees you will also need to pay a healthcare surcharge of £776 per year (October 2026); this charge is so you can utilise healthcare in the UK once you arrive. 

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 also currently charged at £558. 

Finances ✅

To get accepted for a Student visa, you should ensure you have enough funds to be able to both 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 £1,529 per month.

• Outside of London, you will need to provide evidence of having £1,1171 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 one academic year. You can find all this information and more on the UK Government website.

Knowledge of English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Depending on what country you're from, you must prove your knowledge of the English language through certain proficiency tests when you apply for a Student visa. 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.

What documents will you 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. 

Need help finding student accommodation or private halls?

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 extensive list of student properties property list to find your dream home, whether that's a shared student house or private halls.