ukvisa.guide

UK Student Visa — Requirements, Fees & How to Apply in 2026

Complete guide to the UK Student visa (formerly Tier 4). Learn about CAS requirements, fees (£490), financial evidence, work rights, dependants, and the application process.

Overview

The UK Student visa (formerly the Tier 4 General Student visa) allows international students to study at a licensed educational institution in the United Kingdom. The UK is one of the world’s most popular study destinations, welcoming over 600,000 international students each year across its universities and colleges.

The Student visa route is part of the UK’s points-based immigration system, and your application is assessed based on your course offer, finances, and English language ability.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

The CAS is the foundation of your Student visa application. It is an electronic document issued by your sponsoring institution that confirms:

  • Your course details (title, level, duration, start date)
  • Tuition fees and any amount already paid
  • Your qualifications used to secure the offer
  • Your sponsor’s licence number

Each CAS has a unique reference number that you enter on your visa application. You can only use one CAS per application, and it must be used within 6 months of being issued. Your education provider will not issue the CAS until you have accepted an unconditional offer and typically paid a deposit.

Financial requirements

You must demonstrate you can cover both tuition and living costs for your first year of study.

Tuition fees

Show you can pay your first year’s fees, minus any amounts already paid to your institution or covered by an official scholarship or loan. Your CAS will state the total fees and how much has been paid.

Maintenance (living costs)

You need to show funds for 9 months of living expenses:

LocationMonthly requirement9-month total
London (inner and outer)£1,334£12,006
Outside London£1,023£9,207

These funds must be held in your bank account (or a parent’s account with their consent) for a minimum of 28 consecutive days, with the closing balance dated within 31 days of your application.

Official financial sponsorship

If you are sponsored by a government or international scholarship body, you may not need to provide bank statements — your sponsor can confirm maintenance through an official letter.

English language requirements

Your English proficiency must be demonstrated at the level required for your course:

  • Degree level and above — CEFR B2 (upper intermediate) in reading, writing, speaking, and listening
  • Below degree level — CEFR B1 (intermediate)

You can prove your English through:

  • A Secure English Language Test (SELT) approved by the Home Office — most commonly IELTS for UKVI
  • A degree taught in English in a majority English-speaking country
  • Your sponsor’s own assessment (only available if your sponsor is a higher education provider with a track record of compliance)

Work rights

Student visa holders can work in the UK, but the hours are restricted:

During term time

  • 20 hours per week — if studying at degree level or above at an HE provider
  • 10 hours per week — if studying below degree level at an HE provider
  • No work permitted — if studying at a further education college

During vacations

  • Full-time work is allowed during official vacation periods as confirmed by your institution

Prohibited work

You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or entertainer, or fill a permanent full-time vacancy.

Bringing dependants

The rules on dependants were tightened in 2024. You can now only bring dependants (partner and children under 18) if you are:

  • Studying a postgraduate research course (PhD, MRes, or similar) of 9 months or more
  • Funded by a government or international scholarship for a course of 9 months or more

Most taught Master’s students and all undergraduate students cannot bring dependants on the Student visa route.

After your studies

Upon completing your course, you have several options:

  • Graduate visa — stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD) to work or seek employment without sponsorship
  • Skilled Worker visa — switch directly if you have a job offer from a licensed sponsor meeting the salary threshold
  • Start-up visa — if you have an innovative business idea endorsed by an approved body
  • Return home — your visa will include a short wrap-up period after your course end date to make arrangements

How to Apply

  1. 1

    Receive your offer and CAS

    Accept your unconditional offer from a UK university or college. Your education provider will then issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which contains a unique reference number for your visa application.

  2. 2

    Check your English language requirement

    Confirm you meet the English language level required for your course. Most degree-level courses require CEFR B2. You may need to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI.

  3. 3

    Prepare your financial evidence

    Ensure you have the required funds in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days. You need enough to cover one year of tuition fees (minus any paid) plus 9 months of living costs (£1,334/month in London, £1,023/month outside London).

  4. 4

    Apply online and pay fees

    Complete the Student visa application on gov.uk. Pay the application fee (£490) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 per year of your course). Priority processing is available for £500.

  5. 5

    Attend your biometrics appointment

    Book and attend a visa application centre appointment to provide your fingerprints and photograph. Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, and any original documents.

  6. 6

    Submit supporting documents

    Upload your supporting documents through the online portal. Include your financial evidence, CAS details, English language proof, and any other required documents.

  7. 7

    Wait for a decision

    Standard processing takes around 6 weeks. Priority processing (£500) delivers a decision in 5 working days. Do not book non-refundable travel until you have your visa.

  8. 8

    Collect your visa and travel to the UK

    If approved, you'll receive a vignette in your passport allowing entry to the UK. You can arrive up to 1 month before your course starts (or 1 week for courses under 6 months). Collect your BRP from a specified Post Office within 10 days of arrival.

Fees

Fee type Amount
Application fee £490
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £776
Priority processing £500
Total £1,766

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor
  • Your course provider must have issued you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
  • You must have enough money to pay your course fees and support yourself — at least £1,334 per month in London or £1,023 per month outside London
  • You must prove your knowledge of English to at least CEFR level B2 for degree-level courses, or B1 for below-degree level
  • You must be at least 16 years old (or 18 for an adult student visa at a higher education provider)
  • You must genuinely intend to study in the UK and leave when your visa expires
  • You must have consent from your parent or guardian if you are under 18

Required Documents

  • Valid passport or travel document
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number
  • Evidence of financial support — bank statements showing required funds held for 28 consecutive days
  • Proof of English language ability (SELT test certificate, UK degree, or confirmation from sponsor)
  • Academic qualifications referenced in your CAS (certificates, transcripts)
  • ATAS certificate (if your course involves sensitive research subjects at postgraduate level)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applying from a listed country)
  • Parental or legal guardian consent letter (if under 18)
  • Previous passport pages showing immigration history

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2026?
The Student visa application fee is £490. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge at a reduced student rate of £776 per year of your course. For a typical 3-year undergraduate degree, the IHS alone costs £2,328. The total visa cost for 3 years would be approximately £2,818, plus any priority processing fees.
How much money do I need in my bank account for a Student visa?
You need to show enough funds to cover your first year's tuition fees (minus any amount already paid or covered by a loan/scholarship) plus 9 months of living costs. Living cost requirements are £1,334 per month for London (£12,006 total) or £1,023 per month outside London (£9,207 total). These funds must be held for at least 28 consecutive days.
Can I work on a UK Student visa?
Yes, with restrictions. If studying at degree level or above at a higher education provider, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during official vacation periods. Below-degree level students at HE providers can work up to 10 hours per week. You cannot be self-employed or fill a permanent full-time vacancy.
Can my family come with me on a Student visa?
Dependants (spouse/partner and children under 18) can join you only if you are on a postgraduate course of 9 months or longer that is funded by a government scholarship or at PhD/research level. Undergraduate students and most taught Master's students cannot bring dependants on this visa route.
What is a CAS and how do I get one?
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is an electronic record issued by your UK education provider. It contains a unique reference number, your course details, tuition fees, and information about your qualifications. Your university or college issues the CAS after you accept an unconditional offer. Each CAS is valid for 6 months.
Can I stay in the UK after my studies?
Yes, if you successfully complete a degree at a recognised UK university, you can apply for a Graduate visa, which allows you to stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) to work or look for work without needing a sponsor. You can also switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you find eligible employment.