Aged 16 or over

You can apply for a Student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you:

• have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
• have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
• can speak, read, write and understand English
• have consent from your parents if you’re 16 or 17 – you’ll need evidence of this when you apply

If you are applying from outside the UK, the earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

If you are applying from inside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If it’s below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years.

If you’re 16 or 17 and you want to study at an independent school in the UK, you may be eligible for a Child Student visa instead.

Aged under 17

You can apply for a Child Student visa if you’re between 4 and 17 years old and you want to study at an independent school in the UK.

You must:

• have an unconditional offer of a place on a course at an independent school
• be able to show you’ll have access to enough money to support you in the UK and pay for your course
• have the consent of your parent or guardian to study in the UK – you’ll need to prove this when you apply

If applying from outside the UK, the earliest you can apply for a visa is 6 months before you start your course.

You’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

If applying from inside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before your course starts.

You must apply before your current visa expires. Your new course must begin within 28 days of your current visa expiring.

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How long you can stay depends on your age on the date you apply and the length of your course.

If you are aged under 16, you can stay for your course length (up to 6 years) plus 4 months afterwards.

If you are aged 16 or 17, you can stay for your Course length (up to 3 years) plus 4 months afterwards.