UK Student visa requirements: what you actually need

What is a UK Student visa?

The UK Student visa (previously called Tier 4) lets you study a full-time course at a UKVI-licensed institution — a university, college, or language school that the Home Office has approved to sponsor international students. The visa is tied to a specific course at a specific institution. If you transfer to a different university, move to a significantly different course, or extend beyond your original end date, your visa situation changes and you may need a new one.

Not every institution is licensed to sponsor international students. Before accepting an offer, check the register of licensed sponsors↗ to confirm your institution appears. Most established UK universities are listed, but some smaller colleges and private providers are not.

The CAS: your course offer in numbers

Every Student visa application starts with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — a 14-character reference number your university assigns once you have an unconditional offer and have met any pre-departure conditions. Without a CAS, you cannot apply.

Your institution's international admissions team issues the CAS through the UKVI sponsor management system, then emails it to you. Once assigned, it is valid for six months. Your application must be submitted within that window. Universities often hold CAS numbers until two or three months before the course start date, so you may receive yours later than you expect.

The CAS contains:

• Your full name, date of birth, and passport number (must match your travel document exactly)
• Course name, level, start date, and expected end date
• Your institution's UKVI sponsor licence number
• The total tuition fee for the course and the amount already paid

The fee breakdown is important. If your tuition is fully paid, you only need to demonstrate living costs (maintenance funds). If any fees are outstanding, you need to cover those as well.

Check every detail on your CAS against your passport the day it arrives. A middle name missing, an extra initial, or a different transliteration of your name can flag the application. If anything is wrong, contact your admissions team immediately — they can reissue a corrected CAS, but there is a limit on how many times a sponsor can do this.

Financial requirement: how much money you need to show

The Home Office wants evidence that you can support yourself financially throughout your studies. The requirement has two components: maintenance (living costs) and any outstanding tuition fees.

Maintenance funds are set at £1,334 per month. This figure applies whether you study in London or elsewhere in the UK. The maximum amount you ever need to show is nine months' worth: £12,006. Courses shorter than nine months require proportionally less.

Examples (assuming tuition fully paid):

• One-year master's: £12,006
• Six-month language course: £1,334 × 6 = £8,004
• Three-week pre-sessional: £1,334 × 1 = £1,334
• Four-month foundation programme: £1,334 × 4 = £5,336

If your CAS shows outstanding tuition, add the full outstanding amount:

• Master's with £18,500 fees still to pay: £18,500 + £12,006 = £30,506
• Three-year undergraduate with £22,000 outstanding: £22,000 + £12,006 = £34,006

The 28-day rule

This is where most visa applications run into trouble. Your funds must sit in a bank account continuously for at least 28 consecutive days before you submit the application. The clock runs to the day you click submit — not the date UKVI makes a decision.

The balance must not fall below the required amount on any of those 28 days. A direct debit on day 19, a family transfer that temporarily cleared your account, even a bank processing delay — any dip resets the count from the day the balance recovered.

Practical steps:

1. Calculate your required total (maintenance + any unpaid tuition shown on your CAS).
2. Move the full amount into a single account at least 30 days before you plan to submit — two days buffer for bank processing and transfers.
3. Avoid any payments out of that account during the 28-day window.
4. Request an official bank statement showing daily balances across the full period. The statement must include your name, account number, the bank's official letterhead, and a date stamp.
5. Check every line before uploading. Online screenshots are rejected.

Many banks issue a printed statement for £5–£15 on request. Some offer a certified digital PDF — confirm with your bank that UKVI accepts their format before relying on it.

Using a parent's or guardian's funds: You can use money held in a parent's or legal guardian's account. You'll need:

• Their official bank statement (28-day rule applies to their account)
• A letter confirming they are your parent or legal guardian and are funding your studies
• Evidence of the relationship (birth certificate or guardianship order)
• A certified translation if any document is not in English or Welsh

Full financial rules: gov.uk/student-visa/money↗.

English language requirement

You need to demonstrate English proficiency at a level suitable for your course. For degree-level study, the minimum is B2 (upper intermediate) under the CEFR framework. Many universities require higher — C1 or above is common for postgraduate taught programmes.

UKVI requires a result from a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. The main approved tests are:

A standard IELTS Academic sitting (used for university admissions) is not the same as IELTS for UKVI. The test is identical, but it must be sat at a UKVI-approved centre under UKVI conditions. When booking, confirm with the test centre that your sitting will generate a UKVI-accepted result. Results are valid for two years.

What score do you need? Your university sets its own academic threshold. UKVI's minimum for degree-level courses is B2 — roughly IELTS 5.5 in each component. You need to satisfy both thresholds, and your university's requirement is often the higher bar.

Who is exempt

You do not need an approved SELT if you are:

• A national of a majority English-speaking country as defined by UKVI↗ — the list includes Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, USA, and others, but does not include India, Nigeria, or Pakistan
• Applying to study a course delivered entirely in English having already completed at least one full academic year of English-medium study at degree level

If you are unsure whether you qualify for an exemption, sit the test. An exemption claim that doesn't hold up results in refusal.

Documents you need to apply

The application is completed online via the UKVI portal. Depending on your nationality and country of application, you'll upload documents digitally and/or attend a visa application centre (VAC) to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).

Required for every applicant:

• Valid passport — must be valid for the full duration of your course plus additional months
• CAS reference number — entered directly into the application form, not uploaded as a file
• Bank statements showing maintenance funds and any outstanding fees (28-day rule)
• English language test result (unless exempt)

Required in specific situations:

• ATAS certificate — if your postgraduate course falls under the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (see below)
• TB test certificate — if you are from a listed country↗ and are required to be tested
• Parental or guardian consent — if you are under 18
• Evidence of relationship to financial sponsor — if using a parent's funds (birth certificate or guardianship order)
• Certified translation — for any document not in English or Welsh

You do not upload your university offer letter separately — that information is captured in the CAS. Keep it in your inbox in case a caseworker follows up with questions.

If you are switching to a Student visa from another visa while inside the UK, you will also need your current leave to remain documentation.

Full list: gov.uk/student-visa/documents-you-must-provide↗.

ATAS certificate: who needs it?

ATAS stands for Academic Technology Approval Scheme. It is clearance from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for postgraduate students whose research touches subjects that could contribute to the development of weapons of mass destruction — primarily advanced aerospace, nuclear, some areas of chemistry and physics, and specific computer science disciplines involving dual-use technology.

If your course requires ATAS, your CAS will say so. You apply through the ATAS portal (linked from the gov.uk guidance page) before submitting your Student visa application — UKVI will not approve a visa application without the ATAS certificate when it is required.

ATAS is free but takes around 20 working days to process. Factor this into your timeline well in advance of your application. Your university's international office or compliance team can confirm whether your specific subject area falls under the scheme.

FCDO guidance: gov.uk/guidance/atas-student-visa-guidance↗.

Tuberculosis (TB) test

Students from certain countries must provide a clear TB test result before UKVI will process their application. The gov.uk TB test page↗ lists the affected nationalities — it includes nationals of several South Asian, sub-Saharan African, and Southeast Asian countries.

The test must be done at a UKVI-approved clinic in your home country before you apply. You cannot get tested in the UK and submit the result retrospectively. The certificate is valid for six months from the date of the chest X-ray.

Approved clinics are listed on the gov.uk page above. The test typically costs £40–£120 depending on the country and clinic. Results come back within 48–72 hours in most cases.

If your certificate expires because your application is delayed, you will need a new test before submitting.

The credibility interview

After you submit your application, UKVI may invite you to a credibility interview. This is more common for:

• First-time applicants with no prior UK visa history
• Applicants whose proposed course is significantly different from previous studies
• Applications where the choice of course or institution is hard to explain from the documents alone

An interview invitation does not mean your application will be refused. It means a caseworker wants to verify the application is genuine before making a decision.

Typical questions:

• Why did you choose this specific course and this university?
• How does it connect to your previous academic qualifications?
• How did you research and identify this institution?
• Who is funding your studies and how?
• What are your plans after the course finishes?
• Do you intend to return to your home country?

Interviews are conducted over video call or at a visa application centre, depending on where you applied. The invitation arrives at the email address you registered with — check your spam folder. Missing the invitation or not responding in time can result in a refusal without a further opportunity to respond.

How to prepare: re-read your personal statement and course description. Know which modules you will study in your first year and why they interest you. Be honest and specific. Caseworkers carry out many of these interviews; a detailed, truthful answer about your genuine reasons is far more convincing than a smooth rehearsed reply.

How to apply: the process step by step

1. Receive your CAS number from your institution's international admissions team.
2. Prepare financial documents — time the 28-day window so it overlaps with your planned submission date.
3. Complete your English language test (unless exempt) and wait for the official result.
4. Get your TB test if you are from a listed country. Allow at least a week for appointment booking and results.
5. Apply for your ATAS certificate if required. Allow at least 20 working days.
6. Complete the online application at apply.ukvi.homeoffice.gov.uk↗. You will enter your CAS reference number, personal details, travel history for the previous five years, and upload your supporting documents.
7. Pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. The visa application fee is £558 (April 2026 rate, same whether you apply from inside or outside the UK). The IHS is £776 per year of visa length, paid in full upfront (a two-year visa costs £1,552 in IHS alone). The IHS for a period of six months or less is £388.
8. Book a biometrics appointment at your nearest visa application centre if your nationality requires it.
9. Attend the VAC to give fingerprints and a photograph.
10. Wait for a decision — standard processing is 15 working days (approximately three weeks).

Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until you have the visa in hand. UKVI does not guarantee the 15-working-day timeline and does not pay compensation for delays.

When to apply

From outside the UK: you can submit up to six months before your course start date. There is no advantage to applying at the earliest possible moment — apply when your documents are ready and the 28-day window aligns with your submission date.

From inside the UK (switching from another visa category): you can apply up to three months before your current leave expires. Do not let your leave expire before applying — overstaying has serious consequences for any future UK visa applications.

Peak season is May to August, when September-intake applications flood in. UKVI typically holds its 15-working-day average during this period, but do not assume a decision before then.

Faster services are available in most (not all) countries:

• Priority service: approximately five working days — around £500 extra
• Super priority: decision by the next working day — around £1,000 extra

Availability of faster services varies by country. Check during the application process before budgeting for one.

Common reasons applications are refused

Reading UKVI refusal letters surfaces a few patterns:

1. Maintenance funds that dipped on one day. A direct debit, a transfer between accounts, or a bank processing delay can bring the balance below threshold for 24 hours. That fails the 28-day rule. Check every day on the statement.

2. English test not from a UKVI-approved centre. Standard IELTS Academic sittings (not labelled UKVI) are rejected. Book specifically through a UKVI-approved centre and confirm the result will carry UKVI approval.

3. CAS details mismatched with passport. Even minor discrepancies — an extra middle name, a different romanisation — can pause an application. Check the CAS on the day it arrives.

4. Switching from a visitor visa inside the UK. Visitor visas cannot be switched to a Student visa inside the UK. Anyone who tries is refused and may receive a re-entry restriction. Apply for the Student visa from outside the UK.

5. TB certificate expired or clinic no longer approved. Certificates are valid for six months. If your application is delayed, you may need a new test. Also confirm your clinic's current approved status before booking, as clinics can lose approval.

After your visa: the first steps

Your visa is issued as an eVisa — a digital record linked to your passport, not a sticker. Before you travel to the UK:

1. Set up your UKVI online account at gov.uk/get-access-evisa↗ and check your visa conditions and end date.
2. Generate a share code — landlords, banks, and employers will ask for this to verify your immigration status instead of checking a physical document.
3. Check the visa end date. Your Student visa is granted for the length of your course plus additional time — four extra months for courses of 12 months or more, two extra months for shorter courses.

For the full process of setting up your eVisa and what to do if the details are wrong, see the eVisa and BRP guide.

For working-hours rules and what employment you're allowed during term time and holidays, see working on a student visa.

FAQ

Do I need to show £12,006 even if I have a scholarship?

A tuition fee scholarship that pays your university directly will show up as a reduced outstanding fee on your CAS — so you won't need to cover that tuition amount in the financial requirement. But a scholarship does not count toward the maintenance (living cost) component unless it is paid as a cash bursary directly into your bank account and has been there for 28 consecutive days. Check with your university's finance team exactly how the scholarship is recorded on your CAS.

Can I use a savings account for the 28-day requirement?

Yes, as long as the account is accessible — not locked in a fixed-term deposit until a future date — and the bank can produce a statement showing the daily balance for all 28 days. Fixed-term bonds or notice accounts where withdrawals are restricted do not work.

My passport expires before my course ends. What do I do?

Your eVisa is linked to your passport number. When your passport expires mid-course, you need a new passport and must update your UKVI account to link the new document. Your eVisa itself does not expire when the passport does, but you will need the new passport linked to travel internationally. Apply for the new passport well before the old one expires and update your UKVI account as soon as you have the new number.

Can I switch to a Student visa from a visitor visa inside the UK?

No. Visitor visas do not allow in-country switching to a Student visa. This catches people out every year — arriving on a standard visitor visa to 'sort things out' is not possible. You must apply for the Student visa from outside the UK before travelling.

What if my application is refused?

You'll receive a refusal letter explaining the specific reason. Many refusals are administrative: maintenance funds short on one day, wrong English test type, document in a non-accepted format. These are fixable on reapplication — you can submit again immediately with corrected documents.

If the refusal cited a credibility concern, seek advice from an OISC-registered immigration adviser. Find one at gov.uk/find-immigration-adviser↗.

How long will my visa last?

Your visa covers the full length of your course plus extra time — four months for courses of 12 months or longer, two months for shorter courses. A three-year undergraduate degree starting in September 2026 would typically give a visa expiring in January 2030. The exact end date is in your eVisa — always check it on arrival.