How to Secure a Student Visa for the UK

Step 1: Get an Offer from a Licensed Student Sponsor

The first step towards getting a student visa for the UK is to secure an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor. The education provider will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once they’ve offered you a place on the course. You need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

Step 2: Check for Additional Requirements

If you’re studying or researching sensitive topics at RQF level 7 or above, you may also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. Postgraduate doctors and dentists can apply for this visa if they’re sponsored to do a recognized foundation program and meet specific requirements, including having finished a recognized UK degree in medicine or dentistry, receiving that degree from a registered student sponsor, and spending their final year and at least one other year of studies leading to that degree in the UK.

As an international student seeking to study in the UK, it is essential to prove your proficiency in English. Whether you want to study at a degree level or below, you must demonstrate that you can read, write, speak, and understand the language to a certain level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. There are several ways to prove your proficiency in English, including:

Secure English Language Test (SELT)

One of the ways to prove your knowledge of English is by passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. SELT is an internationally recognized language test that measures your English language skills in four areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The UK government approves the test, and it is mandatory for international students who want to study in the UK.

Assessment by Higher Education Provider (HEP)

If you are studying at a degree level or above, your Higher Education Provider (HEP) can assess your level of English themselves. This means they may ask you to do a different test, which must still be equivalent to a CEFR level B2.

Step 3: Receive your CAS

Once you have your CAS and meet all the necessary requirements, it’s time to apply for your visa. You must enter your reference number on your visa application and apply within six months of receiving your CAS. The UK government has made the process of applying for a student visa easier and more convenient by allowing students to apply online. The process usually takes about three weeks, but it’s essential to apply as early as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Step 4: Meeting Financial Requirements

As part of the application process, you'll need to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the UK. This is known as the financial requirement, and it's an essential component of your visa application.

The financial requirement is the minimum amount of money that you must have to cover your living expenses while studying in the UK. The amount of money you need to show depends on where you will be studying and the length of your course.

For courses in London, you'll need to show that you have £1,334 per month for up to nine months, while for courses outside London, the amount is £1,023 per month for up to nine months. If you're attending a residential independent school, you'll need to pay for boarding fees, and the amount will be specified in your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Funds should be in the savings account or Fixed deposits from past 28 days.

Step 5: Obtain Tuberculosis (TB) Certificate

If you’re planning to come to the UK for more than six months and you have lived in or are currently living in certain countries, you’ll be required to have a tuberculosis (TB) test. if you are tested negative for TB a medical certificate will be issued which will be valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

Additional Documents

• Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you're under 18
• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you're under 18
• Your tuberculosis test results
• Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you've received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months