Applying for a student visa

Source:Applying for a student visa

Before you begin your UK education, you may need to apply for a visa. There are different types of
visa, depending on your age, and on the length and level of the course that you want to study.

UK visas:

You can apply as a child student if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are
Child
between 4 and 15 years old, you must be coming to the UK to be educated at an
student
independent fee-paying school.
You can apply as a child visitor if you are 17 years old or under and you want to come to
Child the UK to do a course of study for up to six months. You will not be able to switch and
visitor apply for a child student visa while you are in the UK as a child visitor. If you want to
apply for a child student visa, you must apply from the country you live in.
Adult You can apply as an adult student if you are coming to the UK for your post-16
student education.
You can apply as a student visitor if you are 18 years old or over, you want to come to
the UK to do a course for up to six months, and you do not want to work while you are
Student
here. You will not be able to switch and apply for an adult student visa while you are in
visitor
the UK as a student visitor. If you want to apply for an adult student visa, you must
apply from the country you live in.
You can apply as a prospective student if you want to come to the UK to help you
Prospective decide which course to study or if you plan to start a course of study within six months.
student
To find out You will
about be able to
applying forswitch and apply
a student forchild
visitor, an adult or child
visitor student visastudent
or prospective while you are please
visa, in visit the UK Border Agency (UKBA)
the UK.
website. 
 
For adult and child student visas, the UK has a points-based visa system which is designed to be objective and transparent. To apply,
you need to gain 40 points. This includes 30 points for a “confirmation of acceptance for studies” from the university, college or school
where you want to study.
 
Your chosen place of study must be on the “register of sponsors” kept by the UKBA. This register is designed to give you peace of mind
that you are applying to join a bona fide institution. Find out more at the UKBA website.
 
 The remaining 10 points comes from demonstrating that you can afford to cover all or part of your fees and living costs to study in the
UK. This has been put in place to help you avoid any financial difficulties that might affect your ability to complete your studies.
 
To find out if you need a visa and how to apply for one, please visit the UKBA website.
 
Recent changes to the UK student visa system: for adult students applying to study in the UK for over 6 months.
 
The UK Government has announced some changes to Tier 4 which come into effect on 3 March 2010. Most of these changes do not
affect you if you make your Tier 4 immigration application in order to study a course at degree level or above, or a foundation degree.
However, the changes do apply to you if you make a Tier 4 immigration application on or after 3 March in order to study a course which
is below degree level and which is not a foundation degree course.
 
The changes do not apply to Child or Student Visitor Visas.
 
You can find further information at the UK Border Agency website.
 
The British Council will endeavour to provide support and advice for students at the earliest opportunity through our offices throughout
the world.