Student visa for uk cost

The United Kingdom is a popular destination for student visa holders. A UK student visa allows you to study at a recognised institution in the UK, as well as travel and work within the European Union under your partner’s visa. But applying for a student visa for the UK isn’t an easy process. This article provides detailed information about student visa for UK and how to apply for it in different circumstances.

Planning to study abroad can be a costly venture. It is important to understand the financial implications of studying abroad in order to make an informed decision, particularly when it comes to student visa for Uk cost.

Moving to the United Kingdom to study is a dream for many students. However, young graduates should be aware that the cost of living in London is among the highest in the world. It can even cost more than New York City. This means that before applying for a student visa and moving to the UK, you should know exactly how much money is needed to cover your expenses: from housing to daily costs. Here are some tips for you.

Introduction

You’ll need to apply for a visa if you’re not from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, and want to study in the UK. You can apply for a Tier 4 student visa if you’ve been offered a place on one of our courses. The visa applies to full-time students starting their studies in September 2019

In addition to the minimum eligibility criteria, you must be prepared to pay a fee to apply for your Tier 4 student visa.

The fee for your Tier 4 student visa is £935. This non-refundable fee must be paid in full at the time of your application. It can be paid in pounds sterling and cash only, not credit or debit cards.

The cost of a student visa for the United Kingdom will depend on a number of factors, including what type of visa you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a Tier 4 Student Visa, the cost is £244 plus any additional fees associated with getting your application approved.

The UK government also allows students from certain countries to apply for an English language test exemption—meaning that they do not have to take an English proficiency test in order to get their visas—but this exemption is only available to applicants from certain countries and only if they meet certain requirements.

UK has always been a go-to study destination for Indian students who want to pursue higher education at some of the world’s leading universities. Annually, more than 30,000 Indian students go to study in UK after going through a three-four week UK student visa process. Your acceptance of visa application is totally dependent upon your choice of program, maintenance of funding, adherence to UKVI rules and regulations and personal interview session.

UK Student Visa: Types

UK Student Visa: Types

Prospective non-EU applicants are primarily eligible for three types of UK student visa, depending upon their choice of the program:

Type of VisaVisa DurationWho can ApplyApplication Fees
Short-term study visa6 months
11 months
Applicants over 16 years of age;
Enrolling in 6-month Short Course  in UK institution;
Enrolling in 11-month English Language Course
97 GBP for 6 months;
186 GBP for 11 months
Tier 4 student visa (General)Duration of the program + 1 monthApplicants over 16 years of age;
Enrolling in course longer than 6 months
348 GBP
Tier 4 student visa (child)Under 16: 6yrs + 4 months;
16-17yrs: 3 yrs + 4 months
Applicants aged between 4 and 17 years348 GBP

Of all the students applying for higher education in UK universities, 95% of international students tend to pursue full-time courses, and therefore, require a Tier 4 student visa.

UK Student Visa: Eligibility

UK Student Visa: Eligibility Requirements

Tier 4 Student visa is issued to students who are at least 16 years old and want to pursue higher education in the UK. While the eligibility is calculated on the point-based system, you must fulfill the following requirements:

Course Selection & CAS 

Before applying for a UK student visa, it is mandatory for candidates to apply for an eligible course. As a Tier 4 (General) visa applicant, you can pursue one of the following courses:

  • A full-time program leading to a qualification equal to or higher than NQF level 6 (graduate diploma or graduate certificate, Bachelors degree or equivalent)
  • A part-time program leading to a qualification equal to or higher than NQF level 7 (postgraduate certificate or PG diploma, Masters degree or equivalent)
  • A full-time, minimum 15 hrs per week day-time study program leading to a qualification equal to or higher than NQF level 3 (higher education diploma, IB diploma or equivalent)
  • A recognized Foundation program, for postgraduate doctor or dentist.
  • An English language program at the Level B2, that is, Independent user leveling up to a proficient user.

Once you have been admitted to a university approved by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI), you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). 

Note: You must apply for the UK student visa within 6 months of receiving the CAS.

Knowledge of English

As a part of their academic assessment, your chosen Tier 4 Sponsor, i.e, UK university will assess your level of English language competence as an integral part of their academic evaluation for the applied course. However, for the Tier 4 student visa, you must prove your knowledge of the English language by passing a SELT (Secure English Language Test) with CEFR Level B1  and B2.

IELTS and PTE are the common SELTs taken by the prospective applicants, the equivalents of CEFR levels for these exams are tabulated below:

SELTIELTS PTE Academic
Level B14.043
Level B25.559
Level C17.076
Level C28.585

Applicants must obtain the above-mentioned scores in each section that is, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

UK Student: Minimum Funds

Availability of Funds

As a Tier 4 UK Student visa applicant, you are required to provide evidence of funding to pay for your tuition fees course and monthly accommodation expenses, up to at least a year. At the time of visa application, you must show that you have

  • at least 12006 GBP (11,97,617 INR) to cover your Year-1 course fees.
    • calculated with an approximation of 1,334 GBP(1,33,068 INR) per month.
  • received official financial sponsorship, and
  • enough funding to cover the remaining course fees and living costs.

The overall amount of funding you are required to demonstrate depends upon the category you are applying under, the duration of your course, university, and your living arrangements in UK. As evidence of available funds, you must use one of the following:

  • Cash funds in saving or current bank.
  • A loan letter
  • Official financial sponsorship letter 

Other accounts such as bonds, shares, overdrafts, etc cannot be used as evidence of funding.

Immigration Health Service Charge

All UK student visa applicants have to pay a health surcharge of 300 GBP per year to gain access to the UK’s National Health Service. The students have to pay it at the time of submitting their visa application online.

UK Student Visa: Application Process

UK Student Visa: Application Process

International students seeking Tier 4 student visa are required to apply at least three months before the commencement of the program. The overall UK student visa process is mentioned below.

Documents Required

  1. Details of passport
  2. Tuberculosis test results
  3. Criminal record certificate
  4. Proof of financial sufficiency that you have enough funds for your entire period of stay in the UK.
  5. Parents’ or legal guardian letters if you are under 18.
  6. Recent passport size photograph

How to Apply?

  • Step I: Enroll for Biometrics at a visa application center to obtain a Biometric Residence Permit.
  • Step II: Complete an Online Application Form
  • Step III: Submit Tuberculosis Certificate with “negative” result.
  • Step IV: Pay the visa processing fee of 348 GBP.
  • Step IV: Undertake an interview

Generally, the UK student visa outcomes are notified within the 3 weeks of application. 

UK Student Visa: Processing Time

UK Student Visa: Processing Time & Priority Service

Your application starts processing once you submit the biometrics and ends after the collection of your passport. As mentioned, the entire process takes about 3 weeks, wherein, 1 week is 5 working days. However, if you want to get the Tier 4 student visa decision on priority, you can contact the visa application center for the same. There are two priority visa collection services available:

  • Collection within 24 hours: 800 GBP + 348 GBP
  • Collection within 5 days: 500 GBP + 348 GBP

Note: Currently, these priority services for UK visa are available in limited countries. Fortunately, India is one of them.

UK Student Visa: Validity & Extension

UK Student Visa: Validity & Extention

Your Tier 4 student visa is generally valid for the duration of the program with an additional four months to wind up your studies. The UKVI also offers students a provision to extend their Tier 4 visa, in case you need extra time to complete your course or start a new one. To be eligible for extention of UK student visa, students must

  • Be present in UK at the time of application
  • Fulfill the eligibility requirements of Tier 4 visa
  • Have a sponsor to fund full or partial studies. It can be
    • a Tier 4 Sponsor UK University
    • an overseas provider
    • an independent school

To apply for an extension, students need to complete an online application before their current visa expires, but a minimum before 3 months of course commencement on CAS. Furthermore, you need to pay additional charges for UK study visa extension, which will include

  • 475 GBP for extension
  • Immigration health surcharge of 300 GBP per year
  • 19.20 GBP for Biometric verification

UK Student Visa: Rejection reasons

UK Student Visa: Rejection Reasons & How to Avoid Them

A successful visa application for UK is not luck, but a result of good preparation. You must be well prepared in advance and do your best so that the application does not get rejected. Some of the major reasons why your Tier 4 student visa may get rejected are:

Missing documents:

  • The students must go through the visa policy guidance and must be prepared with all the documents in advance.
  • Every document provided has to be original.
  • In case you are unable to provide any original document, then you must provide an explanation letter along.

Failure to meet financial requirements:

  • Every student has to show up to 1,334 GBP per month to stay in UK to cover the study and living expenses.
  • The students have to show this amount for their entire course duration.  

Incorrect document format:

  • The students must provide the documents in the given format.
  • Every translated document shall contain the date, name, signature, and contact details of the translator.

Genuine student interview:

  • In the interview, the applicants are asked a number of questions about their choice of course and future plans.
  • The students are required to be very clear about their thoughts and must be able to convince the interviewers about their choice of studying in the UK.

When you arrive in the UK with a Tier 4 student visa, somebody from the UK Border Agency (UKBA) will meet you. Your passport details will be cross-checked by them. If everything goes smoothly, then the UKBA officer will let you enter the UK, to begin with, your study abroad adventure!  

International students accepted in a British educational institution have to apply for a UK Student Visa before their courses start.

Following Brexit, the previous Tier 4 (General) Student Visa has undergone a “rebranding”, which is mostly related to the fact that students from the EU and EEA will now also be required to apply for a visa if they want to study in the UK.

Changes to UK Tier 4 Student Visa

As of October 4, 2020, the previous Tier 4 (General) Student Visa has been replaced with the so-called “Student Route”. The Student Route is the UK’s new Student Visa, which will be available to EEA nationals as well, who, before Brexit, did not need a visa to study in the UK.

According to the British Government, under the new Student Visa program, the number of students who can receive a visa is unlimited.

Some of the main changes to the UK Student Visa that came into effect after 5 October 2020 are:

  • It is divided into the Student Route (for adult students aged 18+) and Child Student Route (for students aged 4-17, which has replaced the Tier 4 Child Student Visa).
  • EU/EEA nationals are also to apply for a visa if they will enter the country after January 1, 2021.
  • You can now apply for a Student Visa up to six months before courses start, as opposed to three.
  • Whether you are eligible for a visa depends on a Point-Based System. You need to collect 70 points.
  • Those graduating from a British educational institution by and after Summer 2021 will be able to apply for the post-graduate visa, allowing them to work/look for work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Other requirements, such as English proficiency and Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) remain the same as under the Tier 4 Student Visa.

Do EU/EEA Students Need a UK Student Visa?

If you will enter the UK after January 1, 2021, then you have to apply for a Student Visa. If you are already in the UK before January 1, 2021, then you have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Who Can Apply for a UK Student Visa?

EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA nationals can apply for the new UK Student Visa if they reach 70 points on the Point Based System. The system measures whether you meet the requirements to study in the UK, such as:

  • Have you been accepted into an approved institution? The institution issues the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) as proof.
  • Do you have the financial resources to fund your stay? In addition to the money required to pay for the course, you also need £1,265 per month if studying in London or £1,015 per month if studying outside London. If you have dependents, you need approximately £800 per month for each of them.
  • Are you proficient in English? When applying for the visa, you need to pass an English Proficiency Test from an approved provider.
    • B2 for Degree-level courses or above.
    • B1 for below Degree-level courses.
  • Does your course meet the set-out course requirements? See below.

UK Student Visa Course Requirements

You can get a Student Visa for the UK if you have been accepted into one of the following courses:

  • A full-time, below degree-level course (more than 15 hours per week of study). Referred to as the RQF level 3, 4, or 5, this includes A levels (basically the last two years of high school), apprenticeships, or the first two years of a Bachelor degree.
  • A full-time course leading to a degree level or above degree-level qualification. Includes RQF level 6, 7, and 8 (Bachelor, Postgraduate, Masters, or Doctorate degree).
  • A part-time course at a degree level above RQF 7 (Postgraduate, Masters, or Doctorate degree).
  • An approved program for postgraduate doctors or dentists.
  • An English language course (level B2 or above) in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

FAQ:

How to Apply for a UK Student Visa?

You can apply for a UK Student Visa as early as six months before your courses start, if you are outside the UK. You must start the online application on the UK Government website before appearing at a Visa Application Center in your country to submit your biometrics.

Once they’ve offered you a place on the course, your education provider will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. You must enter this number during your registration online. After you apply online, you will receive instructions on how to proceed, depending on your country of residence.

Child Student Visa applicants will need the consent of a parent or a guardian.

Can I Switch to a UK Student Visa?

If you are already in the UK, you can switch to a Student Visa as long as your current visa is not one of the following:

  • Visit visa
  • Short-term student visa
  • Parent of a Child Student visa
  • Seasonal worker visa
  • Domestic worker in a private household visa
  • Leave outside the immigration rules

You can apply to switch to the UK Student Route up to three months before your classes are scheduled to begin. You must be accepted into one of the approved institutions and your current visa must still be valid.

UK Student Visa Processing Time

If you apply from outside the UK, it will take approximately 3 weeks to receive a decision on your Student Visa application. If you apply from inside the UK (switch to Student Visa), it will take approximately 8 weeks to reach a decision on your application.

UK Student Visa Fees and Costs

The fees for a UK Student Visa are:

  • £348 if applying from outside the UK.
  • £475 if you apply to extend or switch to a Student Visa from inside the UK.

You must pay a separate fee for yourself and each family member that joins you.

In addition to the visa fee, you also have to prove that you have enough money to finance your stay:

  • At least £1,265 per month if studying in London (for up to nine months).
  • At least £1,015 per month if studying outside London (for up to nine months).

Documents Required for a UK Student Visa Application

When applying for a UK Student Visa, you need the following documents:

  • Your valid passport.
  • The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your school.
  • Proof you have enough financial resources to support yourself and ant family members.
  • An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if applicable.
  • Criminal record certificate.
  • Proof of English Language proficiency.
  • Tuberculosis test results.
  • For students under 18:
    • Proof of parental consent
    • Proof of your relationship to your parent or legal guardian
  • Any additional documents required during the application process.

How Long Is the UK Student Visa Valid?

The UK Student Visa is granted for e period of time corresponding to the course you have started. If you are an adult, enrolled in a degree-level course, the visa can be granted for up to five years. If you are pursuing a below degree-level course, the visa will be granted for two years.

Can I Extend a UK Student Visa?

Yes, you can extend a UK Student Visa provided that you are accepted into a different course in the UK. The course must be at a higher level than the one you have completed. You can also extend your student visa if you have a Tier 4 (General) Student Visa. You can apply no earlier than three months before your new classes start.

Can I Stay in the UK After My Studies?

Yes, starting from Summer 2021, international students in the UK who have successfully completed a degree at an undergraduate level will be able to apply for the Graduate Visa. The Graduate Visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduating as you work or look for work. PhD graduates can stay for up to three years.

If you find a suitable job during that time, you will be able to switch into a different immigration category, such as a UK Work Visa.

Can I Work With a UK Student Visa?

Yes, international students in the UK can work under certain conditions. For example, you can work as a student union sabbatical officer, but you will not be able to claim public benefits and pensions. What type of work you can do in the UK while on a Student Visa will depend on what you are studying and if you will be working during the term-time or during breaks.

Some jobs are also off-limits, such as working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach or being self-employed.

Can I Have Dependents With a UK Student Visa?

Yes, you can bring your dependent family members to the UK with you as you pursue your studies. This includes:

  • Your spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
  • Your dependent children under the age of 18.

You and your family must prove each of you has enough money to sustain your stay in the UK. In addition to the financial requirements of yourself (the student), each family member must also have the following funds:

  • £845 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
  • £680 per month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

Conclusion

I hope the information in this article about how much a Tier 4 student visa costs has been helpful. If you would like more help with your Tier 4 visa application or have any further questions, please contact our expert immigration team today.

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