Students

UK/EU

INTERNATIONAL

Guide for Students

More than hundreds thousands of international students study in the UK each year.UK is the most popular destinations in the world to study abroad. Some guide lines are given for international students.

Plan your funding and research scholarship
Organise your student visa :

From 1st January 2021, things will be changing for EU students, students from the EEA and Swiss students coming to the UK. If you’re a national of a country in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), or you’re Swiss, then your rights to live in the UK will not change until 31st December 2020. Up until that date, you will not need a visa to live in the UK.

If you are already living in the UK, or will be moving to the UK before 31st December, you should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, which will allow you to work, study and access benefits and services broadly on the same basis as you can now. If you want to stay in the UK, you’ll have until 30th June 2021 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).

Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland can still travel to the UK for holidays or short-term trips without needing a visa. The documentation you’ll need to enter the UK isn’t set to change until 2021: if and when it does, we’ll let you know.

Outside from EU

If you’re from a country outside the EU and the EEA (excluding Switzerland), you’ll need to apply for a visa to study in the UK.

If you’ll be studying in the UK for less than six months, you’ll need a short-term student visa (but note that with this visa you won’t be able to work in the UK, including work placements as part of your course and part-time jobs – if you need to work, apply for a Tier 4 visa instead).

You can also apply for a short-term student visa if your course is more than six months but no more than 11 months if you’re 16 or over and studying an English language course.

Six-month visas cost £97 and 11-month visas cost £186 and you can apply for a visa up to three months before your date of travel to the UK. If your course lasts for longer than six months or less than six months but you need to work, you’ll need a Tier 4 (general) student visa.

These are the documents you’ll need for your Tier 4 student visa application:

Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) – This is a 14-digit reference number you’ll receive from your university once you accept your offer
Proof of finances – You’ll need to prove that you have enough money to pay for your first year of tuition fees, or your whole course if it’s less than a year. On top of this, you need to prove you have £1,015 (£1,265 for those studying in London) per month to cover your living expenses. This can either be through self-funding, an official sponsorship or an education loan
English language skills – You’ll have to prove you meet the minimum level of English language proficiency, usually by taking a secure English language test (SELT).

The Tier 4 visa costs £348 if you’re applying from outside the UK, and you’ll need to be in your home country to apply.

You may also have to pay a healthcare surcharge as part of your visa application. This costs £150 for six months or £300 for the whole year, and will allow you to use the NHS.

You can only apply for your visa three months before you start your course, but it’s best to apply as soon as possible as it can take a few weeks to hear back. Here’s a list of visa processing times for each country.

Short your student accommodation
Make sure you have got health insurance
Set up a student bank account:

A valid passport
A valid visa – Non-EU students only
Proof of address in the UK – A tenancy agreement or utility bill should suffice
Proof of address in your home country
Proof of student status – You’ll normally receive this once you enrol at university

Proof of income – This may mean a credit check and interview to establish you will be able to maintain the account

Figure out public transport