UK Student Visa Guide 2025 for International Students

According to the Gov.UK, if your age is 16 or over and you want to study in the UK you have to apply for a UK student visa. However, if your age is below 16 and still want to get an education from the UK, you can apply for a child visa instead. 

The UK government is very flexible with international students and if you consider other countries the success rate for UK student visa is higher. However, to get a student permit in the UK, you must understand the required documents and the application process. So, here we are going to share the UK student visa guide for 2025 for international students. 

Eligibility Criteria for a UK Student Visa

To apply for a UK student visa, you must meet some eligibility criteria. According to the home office UK, the eligibility criteria for a UK student route are given below:

• You have been accepted onto a course by a licensed student sponsor.
• You have enough money to cover your living expenses and course fees (the required amount depends on your situation).
• You can speak, read, write, and understand English.
• If you are 16 or 17, you have permission from your parents, and you can provide proof when you apply.

English Language Requirements for a Student Visa in the UK

Having good Academic English skills is not only important for studying in the UK but also for succeeding in your studies and daily life in the UK. To show your English skills, you can take a Secure English Language Test (SELT), like the IELTS test.

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has minimum English requirements for reading, writing, listening, and speaking, depending on your level of study. Your school or university might have its requirements. 

IELTS for UKVI is an approved test you can take through the British Council to prove your ability to use English in an academic environment. As part of your visa process, a UKVI officer might interview you. If you can’t have a basic conversation without help from an interpreter, your visa could be denied, even if you have good English test results. 

Alternatives to English Test for UK Student Visa

However, in some countries like Bangladesh, if a student has previous education in English, he/she can apply with their MOI. And for the Indian students, if they have completed their 12th standard with 70% in English they don’t need to take any English language test. For the students from the African region, if they have WAEC or NECO certificates with C6, they will be exempt from the English proficiency test. 

When to Apply for a UK Student Visa? 

Appropriate timing is very important in the UK student visa policy. When you can apply for a visa depends on whether you are inside or outside the UK.

If you’re applying from outside the UK:

• You can apply as early as 6 months before your course starts.
• You will usually get a visa decision within 3 weeks.

If you’re applying from inside the UK:

• You can apply as early as 3 months before your course starts.
• You must apply before your current visa ends. Your new course must start within 28 days of your current visa expiring.
• You will usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

How Long Can You Stay with a UK Student Visa?

How long you can stay in the UK depends on your course length and any previous studies you’ve done in the UK.

• If you’re 18 or older and studying at the degree level, you can usually stay for up to 5 years.
• If your course is below the degree level, you can usually stay for up to 2 years.
• Check the official guidance to see exactly how long you can stay.

Staying longer in the UK:

• Extend your visa if you qualify, for example, to continue studying.
• Switch to a Student visa from another type of visa if you’re already in the UK.
• Apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after finishing your course.

How Much is the UK Student Visa Fee for International Students in 2025?

The cost of a Student visa is £490, whether you apply from outside or inside the UK. If you are extending or switching to a Student visa while already in the UK, the fee remains £490. Additionally, you will need to pay the visa fee for each person who joins you as a dependent.

You must pay a UK healthcare surcharge as part of your application. This insurance is mandatory and allows you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay. The surcharge amount depends on the length of your visa. The IHS fee for the UK student visa is £776 per year for students, their dependants, and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa and who are under the age of 18 at time of application, and £1,035 per year for all other visa and immigration applications.

How to Apply for the UK Student Visa?

All UK student visa applications must be completed online. You will need to confirm your identity as part of the process. How you do this depends on where you are and the type of passport you have.

In some cases, you may need to go to a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and have your photo taken. This is called providing biometric information.

In other cases, you might be asked to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your ID and log into or create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. Don’t worry—your application will tell you exactly what to do.

You’ll also need a biometric residence permit (BRP) from UKVI. For this, you’ll make an appointment to have your fingerprints scanned and a digital photo of your face taken.

What is the Financial Requirements for a UK Student Visa?

You need enough money to pay for your course and support yourself while in the UK. How much you need depends on your situation and application type.

Course fees:

There are many affordable universities in the UK. However: 

• You must have enough money to pay for one academic year of your course (up to 9 months). The exact amount will be listed on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
• If you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you don’t need to show proof of this money for your visa application.

Living expenses (financial requirement):

You need to show you have enough money to support yourself unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months when you apply. The amount depends on where you study:

• £1,483 per month (up to 9 months) if your course is in London.
• £1,136 per month (up to 9 months) if your course is outside London.

If you’re staying at a residential independent school, you’ll pay boarding fees instead. This amount will be listed on your CAS.

Note: London includes the City of London and its 32 boroughs.

Which Documents Do You Need for a UK Student Visa Application? 

There are many requirements for a UK student visa. When applying for your Student visa, you need to provide:

• Your current passport or other valid travel document.
• A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider.

• Proof that you have enough money to pay for your course and support yourself (this depends on your situation).
• A valid ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require one.
• Proof of consent from your parent or legal guardian if you’re under 18.
• Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18.
• Your tuberculosis (TB) test results, if needed.
• A letter of consent from your financial sponsor if they paid for your course and living costs in the past 12 months.

How Long Does it Take to Process a Student Visa in the UK?

The UK student visa processing time for international student is 3 weeks. . If you’re in a hurry, you can use the ‘priority service’ to get a faster decision. This service costs an extra £500 on top of the regular visa fee. It’s a good option if you have tight deadlines or need to make travel plans quickly.

UK Student Visa New Rules for International Students

Starting 1 January 2024, there are important updates to the UK student visa rules. International students can no longer bring dependents with them unless they are enrolled in postgraduate research courses.

Switching to a work visa:

According to the UK student visa new rules 2025, students cannot switch from a student visa to a work visa before finishing their degree-level studies. These changes are meant to ensure the student visa is used only for studying.

Financial requirements (effective 2 January 2025):

The UK government has implied a new requirements for the financial statement too. Students in London must show they have £1,483 per month (up from £1,334). Students outside London need £1,136 per month (up from £1,023). The maximum amount for accommodation costs has also been increased to £1,483. Students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand still don’t need to provide proof of funds for living expenses.

Final Words

Getting ready for your UK student visa application involves more than just filling out forms; you’ll also need to make some important decisions, like choosing the right course for your future. If you’re ready to take the next step towards studying in the UK, book a free counselling session with AIMS Education. They are a global leader in international education services and can give you personalized advice on the visa application process to help you reach your goals.

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