Hi! My name is Diogo and I am going to help you get ready to study in the UK! The first step is applying for universities. The second most important thing to do is apply for a student visa.
You can only apply if you’re over 16 and once you received an acceptance confirmation letter from your university. In addition, there are two types of visas depending on the length of your stay, the Short-Term Student Visa and the General Student Visa, also known as Tier 4 Student Visa. You can apply to the visas up to 6 months before your course starts, and you need to have completed the application and have it accepted before arriving in the UK. Don’t leave this to the last minute, as normally it takes 3 weeks for you to receive the Visa!
Below you can find more detailed information on everything related to the Visa application process for students in 2021:
Contents
- What student visa should I apply to?
- How many years does the visa give to students?
- How much is the UK student visa fee?
- What are the documents required for the UK Student Visa?
- How much bank balance is required for the UK Student Visa?
- Who can sponsor me to study in the UK?
- Can I work with a student visa?
- Does the UK Student Visa get rejected?
- Is there an interview for the UK Student Visa?
What student visa should I apply to?
As previously said, there are two different types of Student Visa:
- Short-Term Study Visa – This visa is for students who are planning to study a course that is up to 6 months long and an english language course with the duration of up to 11 months.
- Tier 4 (General) Student Visa – For students that want to study a degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Phd). The length of this visa is determined by the length of the programme you are studying.
To be sure of what visa you need, the UK government’s website has a tool that helps you understand this. Go here to check!
How many years does the visa give to students?
The General Student Visa allows you to stay for the length of your degree plus 2 years after your course finishes to work or look for a job. After this time, if you don’t find a job that is willing to sponsor you with a working visa, you have to leave the country.
To be sure of what visa you need, the UK government’s website has a tool that helps you understand this. Go here to check!
How much is the UK Student Visa Fee?
Applying for a visa from outside the UK has an administration fee of £348. If you are already in the country and want to ask for an extension, you will have to pay £475 to extend it or switch from another Visa to a Student Visa.
Additionally, you have to pay with your visa an added fee for the healthcare surcharge that costs £470 per year of study (A degree of 3 years would cost you £470 x 3). This fee will ensure that you have free access to the healthcare system here in the UK.
What are the documents required for the UK Student Visa?
The documents you will need to provide in your application are the following:
- Valid Passport;
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
The university will send you the CAS, a reference number, after they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need to provide this number;
- Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent and proof of such relationship
This is in the case where you are under 18.
- 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;
- Tuberculosis negative test;
Only If you’re from one of these countries you have to provide this;
- Proof that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your tuition fees;
Unless your country is not on this list.
- Proof of your english knowledge;
If you’re studying at a degree level or above, your university will assess your level of English themselves. This means they may ask you to do a different test, but still equivalent to a CEFR level B2. Normally universities already ask for IELTS as they’re minimum requirements to apply.
- Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS);
If you are going to study programmes to later develop Advanced Conventional Military Technology (ACMT) or weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and are not from the following list of countries: EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America, you have to provide an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS);
How much bank balance is required for the UK Student Visa?
If you are not on this list of countries, you will need to show you have £1,334 per month for doing a course in London or £1,023 for courses outside of London. In the case where you are applying for the doctorate extension scheme and you’ve been in the UK for less than 12 months you have to show a total of £2,668 for courses in London and a total of £2,046 for courses outside of London.
Exception when I don’t need to show: If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application. If you’re applying as a student union sabbatical officer and if you’re applying as a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognized foundation programme.
The money you show can be in your bank account, your parent’s, or a joint account that has your name on it. In the case where it is your parent’s accounts you are showing, you must provide certain documents:
- A letter from your parents stating that you are their child and that they are responsible for paying your expenses;
- Your original birth certificate;
- Your parent’s financial documents;
The funds you use for maintenance must be in your account for a consecutive period of 28 days when you apply. Your application will be refused if this money drops below the required amount even if it is just for a single day. In addition, your bank should not be more than 30 days old on the date of your application.
Who can sponsor me to study in the UK?
The UK Visas and Immigration office recognizes the following as official sponsors:
- Your country’s government or the UK government
- British Council
- Any International Organisation
- Any International company
- Any University
It can’t be an individual person.
Can I work with a Student Visa?
With the General Student Visa most students are allowed to study, however, you should always check what the letter you received giving you entry clearance says. You should have been warned about if you are allowed to work or not before entering the country. Normally, there is a weekly limit of hours that students are allowed to work.
Does the UK Student Visa get rejected?
With the General Student Visa most students are allowed to study, however, you should always check what the letter you received giving you entry clearance says. You should have been warned about if you are allowed to work or not before entering the country. Normally, there is a weekly limit of hours that students are allowed to work.
Is there an interview for the UK Student Visa?
Yes, there is an interview with the Home Office where they are going to ask you questions about your course, why you want to come study in the UK and how you are going to finance yourself. These questions are to assess if you are a genuine student. They usually take place through a video call and they assess your English language skills to see they are at the correct level. Otherwise, you might be called for another interview and your application may be denied. Types of questions they might ask you, include:
- Why did you choose X University to study?
- Why did you choose your course?
- How do your studies fit into your career plans?
- If the costs of pursuing your course of study are higher in the UK than in your home country, why have you decided to incur the extra costs involved with studying in the UK?
- Do you plan to work in the UK?
Hope this has helped you understand a bit better the process of applying for a VISA and what steps you need to take!
