Before you begin your UK education, you may need to apply for a visa. There are different types of visa, depending on your age, and on the length and level of the course that you want to study, like Child student, Child visitor, Adult student, Student visitor, and Prospective student.
The main type is "Adult & Child Students". For adult and child student visas, the UK has a points-based visa system which is designed to be objective and transparent. To apply, you need to gain 40 points. This includes 30 points for a “confirmation of acceptance for studies” from the university, college or school where you want to study. The remaining 10 points comes from demonstrating that you can afford to cover all or part of your fees and living costs to study in the UK.
Two main types of student visa;
There are two types of UK student visa: Student Visitor Visa and Tier 4 Student Visa. A Student Visitor Visa (SVV) is sufficient for short academic courses and for most English courses. For longer academic courses, you will need a Tier 4 Visa. These are divided into two categories:
Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child). Tier 4 visas are issued under the provisions of the UK Points Based System (PBS).
UK Student Visa
What type of student visa you need
For academic courses up to 6 months, or English courses up to 11 months (if you are above-18 years), a Student Visitor Visa (also known as "short-term study visa" will be sufficient. (Note: the 6 - 11 month visa is also known as an Extended Student Visitor Visa, or ESVV). This visa is also applied for if you intend to do a short-term research courses or you want to do a short-term part of an over sea course. For longer courses, or if you plan to extend your study time in the UK, you will need a Tier 4 Student Visa.
If you are under 18 and want to study a course at GCSE level (NQF Level 2), you must apply for a Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa. If you want to study at a higher level (e.g. A Levels or University Foundation), you can choose whether to apply for a Tier 4 (Child) or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. The requirements and conditions differ, so the best choice will depend on your own circumstances. If you are over 18, you must apply for a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. Note that you cannot study at GCSE level or below if you are over 18.
The requirements for obtaining a Tier 4 Student Visa are:
1.You must obtain a document called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the institution where you intend to study. Normally, an institution will issue a CAS only when you have confirmed your place by paying a substantial deposit. READ MORE
2.The institution must be recognized (i.e. have a sponsor's licence) by the UK Border Agency.
3.If you are over 18 and you want to study an academic course, the courses must be at NQF Level 3 or above (e.g. A Level or University
Foundation) or a full-time course leading to a qualification that’s at least level 6 on the Ofqual register. There is no restriction on study
level for under 18s. READ MORE
4.You must prove you have the funds to pay for your studies. As a minimum, you will need sufficient funds to pay your first year tuition fees in full, plus at least £10,015 (£12,065 in London) for accommodation and living expenses. Usually, you will be asked to produce bank statements showing the funds have been in your account (or your parents' / legal guardian's account) for 28 days before you apply for your visa. Documentary evidence of a bank loan or sponsorship from a Government body is also acceptable. Visa applications are automatically rejected if you cannot prove you have these funds, or if they have not been in your account for 28 days before you apply for your visa. READ MORE
5.If you are over 18, you will need to pass an approved English language test before you apply for your visa. English proficiency is
required equivalent to CEFR (Common European Framework for languages) level B2 for courses at degree level or above. For courses
below degree level, B1 level is required.
6. You will also be required to submit your tuberculosis (TB) test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test.
When assessing your visa application, the British Embassy or High Commission will also take into consideration other factors, in particular whether you have been refused a visa or refused entry in the past.
How to apply
You need to apply online first and the submit the visa application by hand at the visa application centre near you along with all supporting documents and the latest version of another form known as VAF9/Appendix 8. You then may be called for an interview. The whole process can take one month on average.
Biometrics
Once you have completed your application form, the form will instruct you to make an appointment. At this appointment you will be required to provide your biometrics (your facial photograph and fingerprints).
Interviews
The Home Office intends to interview most Tier 4 student applicants before granting them immigration permission to come to the UK. Therefore you might be sent an email asking you to attend an interview as part of the application process. You should check your email (including the 'junk' folder) regularly as your application is likely to be refused if you are asked to attend an interview and you do not do so without providing a reasonable explanation.
During your interview a Home Office member of staff will ask you about your course, where you want to study and your reasons for studying in the UK. The report of the interview will be sent to the entry clearance officer who makes the decision on your Tier 4 application. The entry clearance officer must be satisfied that you are a genuine student, and that your English language ability is at the correct level, otherwise you might be called for a further interview and/or your entry clearance application may be refused.
The Tier 4 (General) Student Visa Fee
The visa application fee for Tier 4 (General) Student Visa is £328 and it is non-refundable
The Visa Refusal
In case if your student visa is refused under Tier 4 (General) Student Visa category, you may be given a right of an administrative review. In extreme cases like refusal on the basis of misleading information or forged documents (320 7b, resulting a 10 year ban on applying again for a visa to the UK) you may be given a right of appeal.
The requirements for obtaining a Student Visitor
The requirements for obtaining a Student Visitor Visa are:
You must provide documentary evidence to show you have been accepted onto a course of study by an education institution recognized by the UK Border Agency.
Your course must be no longer than 11 months (for English language courses) or 6 months (for academic courses).
As with a Tier 4 Student Visa, you must prove you can pay for your course and support yourself during your studies. You will need sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees in full, plus £800 per month (£1,000 in London) for accommodation and living expenses. Visa fees for this category are £89 for a 6 month visa and £170 for an 11 month visa.
Restrictions on Student Visitor Visas
Restrictions apply if you enter as a student visitor. The main restrictions are follows: i) you will not be able to apply for more time in the UK, even to extend your studies; ii) you will not be able to undertake any employment, even unpaid placements or internships as part of your study; iii) you will not be able to study at a government funded school.
Working as a student
If you have a Tier 4 Student Visa, you may be allowed to work full time during vacations and part time during term time, but it depends on the level of course you are studying and the type of institution that sponsored your student visa. You can work full time during vacations and up to 20 hours per week during term time if your student visa was sponsored by a UK university and you are studying at degree level above (i.e. NQF Level 6+). If your student visa was sponsored by a private institution or even by a FE college, you will not be allowed to work at all.
Bringing family to the UK while I studying
You can bring dependents with you only if you are studying a postgraduate course at a university. The course must be more than 12 months' duration. You will have to demonstrate your family members (or you) have sufficient funds to cover monthly living costs. The visa fee for dependent is the same as for the main applicant.
Visa Statistics
Despite the tighter visa rules than before, the number of international students has a steady growth rate on average over the last 10 years. This following statistics (by UKBA) show the latest trend:
International (non-UK) students in UK HE in 2010-11 :
The total number of international students in the UK (only in higher education sector) were 428,225 in 2010-11 as compared with 405,810 in 2009-10 (an increase of 6%), with full-time undergraduate study up 9%, full-time taught postgraduate courses up 8% and full-time research postgraduates up 4%, while full-time "other" undergraduates and postgraduates, and all part-time non-UK student numbers decreased.In the year to June 2012 there were 282,833 visas issued for the purpose of study (including student visitors), a fall of 21% compared with the previous 12 months.
The more recent statistics are shown by the map below which illustrates the top 10 nationalities granted visas, excluding visitor and transit visas, in the year ending March 2016, which account for 61% of the total 531,375. These are top 10 nationalities granted visas
(Total 531,375; excluding visitor and transit visas):
