UK student visa checklist - Student UK visa requirements

UK Study Visas

Once you’ve applied for your course, you'll need to start thinking about applying for your visa, if you require one to study in the UK. Our experienced staff are here to help you understand about visa requirements.

This information is based on the latest information available. But please note, the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration (UKVI) update their guidance and their website frequently and without notice. You should always check with UK Visas and Immigration for the latest information.

The visa you need will depend on your age and the type of study you wish to pursue in the UK. Here’s an overview of the types of study visas and their application requirements:

Type of student visa	Who it’s for	When to apply	Arrival in the UK
Tier 4 (General) student visa	Students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months
Tier 4 (Child) student visa	Students aged between four and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months
Short-term study visa	Students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course	Three months before your date of travel to the UK	Depends on your nominated travel dates
Tier 4 (General) student visa	Students who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor	Three months before the start of your course	Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months

Type of student visa

Tier 4 (General) student visa - For students aged 16 or over who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution.

When to apply: Three months before the start of your course
Arrival in the UK: Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months.
Tier 4 (Child) student visa - For students aged between four and 17 who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor, such as an independent fee-paying school.

When to apply: Three months before the start of your course
Arrival in the UK: Up to one week before if your course lasts six months or fewer. Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months.
Short-term study visa - For students who have offered a place in a short-term course in the UK, such as an English language course or training course.

When to apply: Three months before your date of travel to the UK
Arrival in the UK: Depends on your nominated travel dates.
Tier 4 (General) student visa - For students who have been offered a place in a course at a UK educational institution with a valid Tier 4 sponsor.

When to apply: Three months before the start of your course
Arrival in the UK: Up to one month before if your course lasts more than six months.

How can we help with visa applications?

If you’re our student with an offer letter from any of our partner institutions in the UK, we can advise you on how to go about the entire process. We’ll make sure you are fully informed on the latest visa requirements and conditions; also help you prepare the right documents for your submission.

Our Team will direct you to the official websites and to authorized immigration representatives to ensure you have the latest application forms and guidance. To reduce the hassle, we can also help to certify, translate and courier your documents.