FAQs
Visa requirement for international students
All international students will need a UK student visa to study a course. If your course lasts for 6 months or less, you need a short-term study visa. You will need to apply for a Biometric residence permit if you are staying in the UK for longer than 6 months. If you move to the UK on a UK family visa to join relatives, you are entitled to study.
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
Before you can apply for your Tier 4 student visa, you need to have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from the institution. This is proof that you have been accepted onto a specific course at a specific institution in the UK. The institution will only be able to issue this to you once the following things have happened.
- Institution has offered you an unconditional place on a course
- You have firmly accepted the offer
- You have paid your required money as a tuition-fee deposit
- You have provided institution with the supporting documents as they need.
Do I need to fulfil English requirement to study in the UK
Do I need to fulfil English requirement to study in the UK
Do I need to fulfil English requirement to study in the UK
Yes, you will need to meet the requirements of UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) and the standard of English required by UK universities. The standard of English required by UK universities is higher than that required by the UKVI.
If, English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent is normally required by the UKVI.
Most universities offer comprehensive English language classes and exams to prepare students for UK university study. Some of them also offer short courses; such as English for Academic Purposes (pre-sessional courses).
UK institutions, who wishes to recruit international student, they must have to get Tier 4 sponsorship license from UKVI. Tier 4 sponsors are required to assess your ability to read, write, speak and understand English. The method of assessment will vary.
For example, there are special arrangements if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, have a qualification taught in an English-speaking country, are spending no more than six months in the UK as part of a USA degree-level course, have previously studied in the UK as a Tier 4 (Child) student, or plan to study at degree level at a UK higher education provider with a track record of compliance.
Your Tier 4 sponsor will tell you how it will assess your English and the level of English you must have, which is subject to minimum levels set by the Home Office.
UKVI's approved English language test providers
Do I need to fulfil English requirement to study in the UK
Do I need to fulfil English requirement to study in the UK
If you are required to take one of the Home Office's approved secure English language tests (SELTs) as evidence of your English language ability, your SELT must show that you achieved the required score in each of the components during a single sitting of that examination (unless you are exempt from a component due to a disability).
Only IELTS and Trinity College London tests are considered to be secure English language tests for UK visa purposes. IELTS tests can be taken around the world, but Trinity College London tests must be taken in the UK. A list of approved test centres can be found on the Home Office website.
Trinity College London tests can be booked online. If your Tier 4 application requires a CEFR level of B1 then you should select an 'ISE I (B1)' test. If you need CEFR level B2 for your Tier 4 application then you should select an 'ISE level II (B2)' test. You may find it easier to book a test by selecting the type of test and the location from the drop down menus at the top of the page.
IELTS offer a number of different tests but a test will only be considered to be a SELT if it was taken at an approved test centre and is an 'IELTS test for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) purposes'. These tests will have a 'UKVI number' on the results certificate. If you have any questions about whether the test you are taking is a SELT then you should check this when you make your booking.
You cannot use an IELTS Life Skills test as a SELT for a Tier 4 application; instead you should check with your institution whether they require you to take an Academic or General IELTS test.
Note: IELTS results certificates state a CEFR level, however this is the CEFR level of the overall band score and is not necessarily confirmation that you have obtained this level in each of the four components. If in doubt, check with your Tier 4 sponsor. You can book an IELTS test online by selecting the relevant country.
How much money do I need?
You will need enough money to pay for your course fees and your living costs. The Home Office calls this the maintenance requirements.
Course fees
Living costs
Living costs
You must have enough money to pay for the course fees for the first year of your course, or the entire course if it is less than one year long.
If your CAS has been issued for further study on a course that you are already partway through, the 'first year of study' means the first year of this new period of study.
The Home Office will use the details in your CAS to confirm how much money you need for your course fees.
If you have already paid all your course fees, or for study abroad or other course with no fees, your CAS will confirm this.
Living costs
Living costs
Living costs
The Home Office uses fixed amounts, which may or may not reflect your actual living costs.
For study in London you need £1,334 for each month of your course, up to a maximum of nine months. This means that if you will be studying in London for a course that lasts one month only, the amount that you will need is £1,334. If you will be studying in London for a course lasting nine months or more, the amount that you will need is £12,006.
For study elsewhere in the UK, the monthly amounts are lower: you need £1,023 for each month of your course, up to £9,207 for a course lasting nine months or more.
Use the course start and end dates on your CAS to calculate the length of your course and therefore how many months' maintenance you will need. If the length of your course includes a part of a month, round it up to a full month. For example if your course dates are 30 May until 1 October, this is four months and two days so you would need to show five months' of funds.
If you apply in the UK under the Tier 4 (Doctorate Extension Scheme), as a postgraduate doctor or dentist, or as a student union sabbatical officer, you have to show living costs for only two months.
Deductions
The 28-day rule and Evidences
The 28-day rule and Evidences
You can deduct the following from the total amount of money that you need as part of your immigration application:
(i) money that you have already paid to your Tier 4 sponsor towards your course fees, and (ii) up to £1,334 (in London) or 1023 (out of London) that you have already paid to your Tier 4 sponsor for your accommodation fees, if you will be living in university or college accommodation.
You cannot deduct any advance payment for any other type of housing, nor can you adjust the amounts if you will have no housing costs (for example if you will be living with a relative free of charge).
Your CAS may include details of any money paid to your institution. If not, you will need to provide a paper receipt confirming how much you have paid towards your course fees and/or your accommodation fees. Low-risk applicants who have a receipt do not need to include it with the application.
The 28-day rule and Evidences
The 28-day rule and Evidences
The 28-day rule and Evidences
Any money you use for maintenance (course fees and living costs) must be in your account or your parent(s)' account for a consecutive period of 28 days (finishing on the date of the closing balance).
During the 28-day period this money cannot drop below the required amount for even 1 day or you will not meet the Home Office requirements and your application will be refused.
Your bank statement must be no more than 31 days old on the date you submit your visa application, this is the date that you pay the online visa fee.
Can I extend my visa for a new course or further study, while I am in the UK
Can I extend my visa for a new course or further study, while I am in the UK
Can I extend my visa for a new course or further study, while I am in the UK
Yes, you will be able to stay longer to continue your course or study a new course (i.e. after completion of bachelor degree moving to towards in a similar fields of masters degree or masters to DBA, MPhil/Phd) but you must:
• Meet the eligibility requirements of this visa
• Be in the UK
• Have a sponsor.
What type of sponsor can provide me sponsorship for a new course of study?
Can I extend my visa for a new course or further study, while I am in the UK
Can I extend my visa for a new course or further study, while I am in the UK
You can only apply to extend your leave to study if your current or new sponsor is:
• a higher education institute (HEI)
• an overseas HEI
• an embedded college offering pathway courses
• an independent school
You must include your dependants in your application if they’re on your current visa, including children who have turned 18 during your stay.
Can I bring my partner and children in the UK with me?
Can I extend my visa for a new course or further study, while I am in the UK
Can I bring my partner and children in the UK with me?
Only new students sponsored by an HEI on a course at NQF level 7 or above lasting 12 months or more, new government sponsored students following a course that is longer than six months and Doctorate Extension Scheme students will be able to bring their partners and/or children (also known as dependants) to the UK with them.
Can I be permitted to work while I am in the UK?
Can my dependants be permitted to work while they are in the UK?
Can my dependants be permitted to work while they are in the UK?
Yes, you can work. However, the main purpose of the Tier 4 visa route is for you to come to the UK to study. Where you are permitted to work, the intention is that this should be to supplement your income whilst studying.
There are limits on your working hours that depend on the type of course you study and what type of sponsor you are studying with.
A course at degree level (QCF or NQF level 6 (and equivalents)) or above sponsored by a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a higher education institution are allowed to work 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations.
A course below degree level (QCF or NQF level 6 (and equivalents)) sponsored by a UK recognised body or a body in receipt of public funding as a higher education institution are allowed to 10 hours per week during term-time and full-time during vacations.
Courses at any level at a publicly funded further education college or private provider are not allowed to work.
Can my dependants be permitted to work while they are in the UK?
Can my dependants be permitted to work while they are in the UK?
Can my dependants be permitted to work while they are in the UK?
Yes, your dependants will be able to work if you are either: a government-sponsored student taking a course that is longer than six months or taking a postgraduate course of 12 months or longer at a publicly funded Higher Education Institution or a 'UK recognised body'.
If you do not fall into one of the categories described above, your dependants will be able to work only if you are applying for leave for 12 months or more and your course is at degree level or above. Dependants who are allowed to work can take any type of employment or self-employment, except: They must not work as a professional sportsperson, which includes being a sports coach (this only applies to a partner if the application for their current immigration permission was made on or after 6 April 2014, and it only applies to a child if their application for their current immigration permission was made on or after 19 November 2015) •
A partner must not work as a doctor or dentist in training (although there are some special exemptions to this, described in paragraph 319D(b)(iii) of the Immigration Rules).
Can I get my visa fee refund in case of visa refusal?
Can I get tuition fees refund in case of visa refusal?
Can I get tuition fees refund in case of visa refusal?
No, the reason for this is the fact that the fee is a processing fee. This means, once your application has been processed, the fee is not refundable, irrespective of the outcome of your application.
Can I get tuition fees refund in case of visa refusal?
Can I get tuition fees refund in case of visa refusal?
Can I get tuition fees refund in case of visa refusal?
Yes, your tuition fees will be refunded, if your visa is refused. However, some institutes may charges an administrative fees. Some institutes penalised students, if students' visa are refused due to false documents or deception.
Do I have to pay the Immigration Heath Surcharge?
Do I have to pay the Immigration Heath Surcharge?
Do I have to pay the Immigration Heath Surcharge?
All students applying for entry clearance for a period of 6 months or more will need to pay the IHS. You must pay this fee as part of your visa application.
If your course is less than 6 months, you must take out private health insurance as you will not be eligible for NHS treatment.
If you are applying for an extension of your visa from inside the UK, you will be required to pay the IHS for any length of visa even if your course length is less than 6 months.
The amount you pay depends on the length of your stay in the UK. The fee is £470 for every stay that lasts 6–12 months and £235 for any additional period that is less than 6 months.
For example: you are coming to do a course that lasts 12 months. Your visa should start 1 month before your course start date and should cover the length of your course plus an extra 4 months. Your visa should last for 17 months in total so you will be required to pay an IHS fee of £705 (£470 + £235).
If you are studying a 3-year Undergraduate degree course you will have to pay £470 IHS for each year of your course plus £235 for the additional amount of time you are given on your visa before the start of your course and at the end of your course. Therefore you will have to pay a total of £1,645 (£470 x 3) + £235 IHS fees.
You can use the Immigration Health Surcharge Calculator to check how much IHS you need to pay.
Can Immigration Heath Surcharge be refunded?
Do I have to pay the Immigration Heath Surcharge?
Do I have to pay the Immigration Heath Surcharge?
Yes, in certain circumstances Immigration Health Surcharge can be refunded; such as, if you apply for a Tier 4 Visa and overpay you will automatically be refunded once your visa is granted.
If you apply for a Tier 4 Visa in the UK and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge twice for the same period of time, then you should receive a refund.
If your Tier 4 Visa is refused you will receive a refund.
Overlapping payments made outside the UK are not normally refunded.
Payments are not refunded if the visa is not used
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