Student Visa (formerly Tier 4 General Student Visa)

Student Visas

We are specialist student visa solicitors in London & Croydon, UK. If you’d like more guidance with the UK student visa applications, formerly known as Tier 4 General Student Visas, than we give below, contact our immigration lawyers.

UK Student Visa Applications

Following the end of free movement between the EU and the UK from 1 January 2021, all non-UK nationals – including EU nationals (excluding citizens of Ireland) – require a visa for UK entry. This applies to Student and Child Student Visa applicants. If you, or your family member(s) are a citizen(s) of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, and started living in the UK prior to 1 January 2021, you could have been eligible for the free EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) up until the 30 June 2021, by which time the scheme ended.

If you do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme you will need a visa to study in the UK.

Student Visa UK

This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa. The student visa provides the holder with the temporary right to live and study in the UK.

Student Visa Eligibility

• You must be over the age of 16. (If you are 16 or 17 years of age, evidence of consent from parents will be required).
• You must have been offered an unconditional place on a course by an educational institution that is licenced to sponsor students.
• You must have sufficient money to support yourself and pay for the course without relying on public funds. You will need £1334 per month if studying in London or £1023 per month if studying outside London.
• You will need to satisfy the English language requirements.
• Your course will need to meet the course requirements.

Educational Institution

• You must have been offered an unconditional place on a course by an educational institution that is licenced to sponsor students. Your educational institution must issue you with a reference number known as a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) when they offer you a course. You will need a CAS before you apply for a visa and must enter the reference number on your student visa application.

Maintenance

• You need to show that you will be able to support yourself without recourse to public funds and show you have enough funds to cover the following:
• Your course fees due for the first year (or the entire course if less than one year) where the exact amount will be stated on your CAS. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months you will not be required to prove you have these funds for you visa application.
• Your living costs where you will need £1334 per month if studying in London or £1023 per month if studying outside London.
• For Doctorate Extension Schemes, you will need to show you have £2530 for courses in London or a total of £2030 for courses outside London.
• For boarding at residential independent schools you will need to pay boarding fees instead where the amount needed to be paid will be on your CAS.
• You must have the said monies for at least 28 consecutive days. The end of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply for the visa.

Knowledge of English

• You must show your competence in the English language equivalent to at least CEFR level B2 for degree level or above or CEFR level B1 for below degree level.
• You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are from or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree from any of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK and USA.
• You do not need to prove knowledge of English if you are a Canadian national, or if you are applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA, or if you have proved your level of English in a previous application.

Course Requirements

• You can study and obtain a student visa for the following courses:
• A full time course leading to a qualification below degree level (RQF level 3, 4, or 5). Examples of such courses would include A levels and apprenticeships, with at least 15 hours a week of study.
• A full time course leading to a qualification that is degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8). Examples would include Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate or Doctorate.
• A full time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8) that is equivalent to a UK higher educational course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas.
• A part time course leading to a qualification that is above degree level (RQF level 7 or above) examples would include Masters, Postgraduate or Doctorate.
• A recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists.
• An English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Dependents

Students whose course starts on or after 1 January 2024 are no longer permitted to bring dependents to the UK.

An exception is made for international students whose course is a PhD, other doctoral qualification, or a research-based higher degree.

Student dependents already in the UK may continue to extend their stay.

Students whose course starts before 1 January 2024 may apply to bring their dependents to the UK whilst they study if:

• the student will be on a full time postgraduate level course (RQF level 7 or above) that lasts 9 months or longer;
• the student is a new government-sponsored student on a course that lasts longer than 6 months;
• the student is a Doctorate Extension Scheme student.

Dependents include your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and any dependent children under the age of 18. You will need to show evidence of your relationship when you are applying. You must show you have enough money to sustain your stay including dependant family members in the UK. In addition to your financial requirements you will need an additional £845 for courses in London or £680 for courses outside London per month for each dependent. This would be for each month of your course, up to a maximum of nine months. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months you will not be required to prove you have these funds for you visa application.

Length of stay under the UK Student Visa

The length of your student visa will depend on the length of your course and what study you have already completed. For those over 18 where your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to five years. For those below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to two years. You can usually extend your Student Visa if you are accepted onto a different course at a higher level than the one you completed.

If you have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level you may be able to apply for the Graduate Visa which would allow you to stay in the UK for up to two years after graduating as you work or seek work. If you find a suitable job during that time you may be able to switch into a different immigration category such as a work visa.

Travelling to the UK

You will be able to travel to the UK before your course starts. If your course lasts six months or less you can arrive up to one week before. If your course lasts more than six months you can arrive up to one month before.

Student Visa Fees

The fees to apply for a student visa from outside the UK are currently £363 and to extend or switch to a student visa from inside the UK are currently £490. These fee change from time to time so please check before making an application. You are required to pay the visa fee for each person that joins you in the UK. In addition, there is a requirement to pay the healthcare surcharge.

Our immigration team will be able to assist with all types of student visas for you or your child and advising on the documents you will need to provide so that we can make the application. We have extensive experience in preparing and submitting applications for student visas and we can help make sure the start to your course is as smooth as possible.

Child Student Visa

• This visa has replaced the Tier 4 (Child) student visa. If your child is between 4 and 17 years old and you want them to study at an independent school in the UK you can apply for a Child Student visa.
  You will be required:
• To have an unconditional offer at an independent school.
• To be able to show access to enough money to support your child any pay for the course.
• To provide consent as a parent or guardian to study in the UK.

For detailed advice please contact our specialist team at BHD Solicitors.

Short Term Study Student visa (English Language)

You can apply for a short term student visa in the UK if you wish to undertake an English language training course for between 6 and 11 months.

You must show:

• You have secured a place on an English Language course in the UK at an accepted place of study that will last no longer than 11 months.
• You have paid your course fees or demonstrate sufficient funds to pay them
• You have sufficient funds to support yourself without working or help from public funds, or that relatives or friends can support and accommodate you.
• You must be able to pay for your return journey.
• You are aged 16 or over (and have consent of parents if aged 16 or 17)
• You are outside the UK
• You intend to leave the UK within 30 days of the end of your English language course, or at the end of 11 months, whichever is sooner

Judicial Review and Administrative Review

If your student visa application is refused with no right to appeal, we can assist by way of administrative review or judicial review. Our team of UK immigration solicitors are highly experienced with making such claims against the UK Home Office.

Student Visa Solicitors

For assistance and guidance with the above or if you would like to instruct one of our expert student visa lawyers contact us today.