Student visa
This procedure is for persons aged 16 and over who wish to follow a higher education course in the United Kingdom. You must have an offer of a place, called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), from a licensed sponsor institution and prove you have sufficient funds.
Specification reviewed on
Required documents
The list below is exhaustive. Each document is described as it must be submitted, including the most common errors that lead to rejection.
Identity
Valid passport or other travel document
You must provide your current passport or another valid travel document. This document is required to prove your identity during the application.
Common errors
- Providing an expired document or one that will no longer be valid during the application process may lead to a refusal.
Parental or legal guardian's consent (for those under 18)
If you are under 18, you must provide written permission from both your parents or legal guardians. This letter must include their consent for your visa application, your living and care arrangements in the United Kingdom, and your travel to the United Kingdom.
Common errors
- Omitting the consent of one of the parents (except in cases of sole responsibility) or failing to mention one of the three required points of consent.
Proof of family relationship (for those under 18)
If you are under 18 years of age, you must also provide a copy of your birth certificate or another official government-issued document that shows your parents' names.
Common errors
- Providing an unofficial document or one on which the parents' names are not clearly indicated.
Resources
Proof of financial resources
You must prove that you have sufficient funds to pay your tuition fees for one academic year (up to 9 months) and to support yourself. The funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days, and the end date of this 28-day period must be within 31 days of the date of your application. This proof is not required if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or if you are a national of an exempt country, although it may be requested from you later.
Common errors
- Providing bank statements that do not show that the funds have been held for 28 days, or whose closing date is more than 31 days at the time of application.
Written consent from the financial sponsor
If your tuition fees and living costs have been covered by a sponsor in the last 12 months, you must provide written permission from that sponsor for your visa application.
Common errors
- Forgetting to enclose this permission if you have been sponsored in the last 12 months.
Education
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
This is a reference number that your educational institution will send you after offering you a place. You must enter this reference number on your visa application. The visa application must be made within 6 months of receiving this number.
Common errors
- An application made more than 6 months after receiving the CAS will be refused.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate
If your course and nationality require it, you must provide a valid ATAS certificate. This generally concerns studies or research in sensitive fields at RQF level 7 or higher.
Common errors
- Failure to provide this certificate when the applicant's course and nationality require it.
Proof of English language proficiency
You must prove your English language level, unless you are exempt. Accepted evidence includes a Secure English Language Test (SELT), a UK qualification (GCSE, A level), or a degree-level or higher qualification taught in English (with an Ecctis assessment if obtained outside the UK). The required level is B2 for degree-level courses or higher, and B1 for lower levels.
Common errors
- Providing a non-approved language test, or not having a foreign degree assessed by Ecctis when required.
Other documents
Tuberculosis test results
Depending on your country of residence, you may need to provide the results of a tuberculosis screening test.
Common errors
- Failing to provide this test if you come from a country where it is required.
Have your situation reviewed
Having the list does not indicate whether your situation will lead to a successful outcome. The questionnaire takes a few minutes and an adviser will send you a written opinion within one working day, whether your application is admissible or not.