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Are you considering studying in the United Kingdom, or have you gained admission into a UK university? Would you like to know how to secure a student visa? This blog post has been written primarily for you.
Obtaining a visa for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate in the UK can be daunting for international students. Sometimes, getting admission is not a golden ticket to being granted a visa. However, knowing the requirements and essential steps will draw you closer to your desired outcome.
To help you understand and follow the application process for a UK visa sequentially, Booklab24 has outlined five essential tips in this guide to make it as easy and less stressful as possible.
1. Applying to a UK university
The first step is to apply for a course at a university in the United Kingdom. You can research available programs and the institutions that offer them. Try applying to up to five universities. Once you are accepted, you will receive an unconditional offer, and you can begin preparing for your visa application.
2. Type of visa you need
These are two major types of visas an international candidate must know about before applying to become a student in the UK.
✓ Tier 4 (General) Student Visa: This visa is for applicants who enroll in an academic program (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD). There is no fixed availability period, so the length of your studies determines the visa length.
✓ Short-Term Study Visa (available for 6 or 11 months). This is meant for students who plan to study a short language course or take up a short period of research as part of a degree program.
✓ The third type is the Child student visa (Tier 4). It is specifically meant for individuals aged four to 17 seeking education in the United Kingdom.
3. How To apply for a student visa
Applying for a student visa in the UK can be done in two ways. You can start the application by visiting the UK embassy in your country or going online – the official UK Government website- and applying.
Depending on your country of origin or residence, the application process might require you to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa center (to get a biometric residence permit).
4. Criteria you must meet to receive a Tier 4 Student Visa
✓ A candidate must be over 16 years old
✓ An applicant should be able to speak, read, and understand English
✓ An applicant is expected to have sufficient money to support themselves during their studies (tuition, accommodation costs, medical insurance, etc.)
✓ You must have an unconditional offer of study from a licensed university in the UK
✓ Language requirements for studying in the UK:
A student must prove that their knowledge and proficiency in spoken and written English meet British visa requirements. This can be done by sitting for and passing a form of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in the UK, the Secure English Language test (SELT). Also, an applicant must meet the CEFR level B2 of language proficiency if they’re studying at a degree level or higher.
Exception: There are exceptions for students from certain countries; proof of English proficiency may not be required if they’ve completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree.
5. Documents required for a UK student visa
The following procedures and documents must be completed and made available by an applicant:
✓ Completed visa application form
✓ Passport or valid travel documentation
✓ Parental consent, if an applicant is under 18 years old
✓ Passport-sized photograph
✓ Proof that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK: Over 1300 GBP/month if you live in London and over 1000 GBP/month for the rest of the UK.
✓ Tuberculosis test results (not mandatory but might be demanded from citizens of certain countries)
✓ Proof of paying the visa application fee, which varies with each year
✓ Immigration Health Surcharge—This is paid per year of study and is subject to change at the country’s discretion.
✓ Self-assessment form Appendix 8 with attached documents. (not required if you apply online).
Any documents that must be submitted in support of the Appendix 8 form that are not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by an official full translation, which can be independently verified by the UK Border Agency.
Other documents may also be requested of you, but they vary depending on your nationality.
Tips to avoid mistakes during visa application
- Ensure the university or institution you are applying to is approved/licensed.
- Ensure you get all the necessary information before you start the application process.
- It is helpful to frequently visit the official UK government website to view the latest information about the UK student visa.
- Find out when applications open and do not delay until the last minute. You can start the visa application process three months in advance as the place from which you apply can determine how quickly it is processed and approved. For most countries, receiving the Tier 4 Student Visa takes about three weeks, but not in all cases.
- Before applying for the student visa, ensure you have the certificate of acceptance for studies (CAS) from the UK university that granted you admission.
Conclusively, higher institutions usually have trained visa advisors available to provide answers and guidance through the application process for candidates who wish to get the Tier 4 student visa.
