Applying for a UK Student visa: A comprehensive guide

Ready to start your studies in the UK? Before you pack your bags, you'll need a Student visa. This guide walks you through the process step by step, from your offer letter to your visa decision, so you know exactly what to prepare and when.

What is the UK Student visa?

The Student visa is the main route for international students coming to study in the UK. It replaced the old Tier 4 (General) student visa, so you might still see both names used online.

You can apply for a Student visa if you're 16 or over, you've been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor, and you can show you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course.

A snapshot of the UK Student visa

• It lets you study a full-time course at a licensed UK university or college.

• For most postgraduate courses, it can cover the length of your degree plus a short period after it ends.

• You can usually work part-time during term and full-time during holidays, depending on your course level and sponsor.

• It opens the door to the Graduate route, which can let eligible students stay to work or look for work after they finish.

Ready to find a course that fits? Our Where can I study tool helps you explore master's programmes at supported UK universities.

The UK Student visa: Application process

Here's how the journey usually flows:

1. Apply to a licensed student sponsor and receive an unconditional offer.

2. Get your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from your university.

3. Gather your supporting documents, including proof of funds.

4. Complete your online visa application on the GOV.UK website.

5. Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.

6. Book and attend a biometric appointment.

7. Wait for your decision, then collect your visa or activate your digital status.

We'll break down the key stages below.

Step one: Get your CAS

Your CAS is a digital reference number your university sends once you've accepted an unconditional offer. It confirms your course, your fees, your start date, and the money you've already paid.

You'll need your CAS to apply, and your visa application has to be submitted within six months of receiving it.

Your university's international student team can guide you through this stage. They can also flag whether your course needs extra clearance, such as an ATAS certificate for certain science and technology subjects.

Step two: Meet the financial requirement

You'll need to show you can cover your tuition and your living costs.

For living costs in 2026, the amounts are, per GOV.UK's Student visa: money you need page:

• £1,529 per month if you're studying in London.

• £1,171 per month if you're studying outside London.

You can be asked to show these funds for up to nine months, on top of your first year of tuition fees.

There's an important timing rule here. Your funds need to sit in your account for at least 28 days in a row, and the final balance date can be no more than 31 days before you submit your application. Plan ahead so your money is in place well before you apply.

If you're funding part of your studies through a loan, you can use an approved loan letter as evidence. If you've applied through us, we can help you with that.

Step three: Know your documents

These are the documents you'll usually need for a UK Student visa:

• A valid passport or travel document.

• Your CAS reference number.

• Proof of your finances (bank statements or an approved loan letter).

• Proof of your English language ability, such as an approved SELT.

• A tuberculosis test result, if you're from a country where this is required.

• An ATAS certificate, if your course needs one.

• Parental consent and extra documents if you're under 18.

Your university may ask for more, so check their guidance early.

Step four: Apply and pay your fees

You complete the Student visa application online. When you apply, there are two main costs to budget for.

The first is the visa application fee, which is £558 for applications from outside the UK, from 8 April 2026, confirmed on the official GOV.UK Student visa page.

The second is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Students pay around £776 per year, and it's paid upfront for the full length of your visa. It gives you access to the National Health Service during your studies.

Keep your payment receipts, because you may need them later in the process.

Step five: Biometrics and your decision

After you apply and pay, you'll book a biometric appointment to give your fingerprints and a photo. Your identity check is a key part of the process, and your processing time usually starts from this appointment rather than from the day you apply.

Once your biometrics are done, standard applications from outside the UK are usually decided within three weeks. If you're short on time, you can pay for faster services: the priority service aims for a decision within five working days, and the super priority service aims for the end of the next working day.

When to apply

Timing matters, so give yourself room to breathe.

If you're applying from outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is six months before your course starts. If you're applying from inside the UK, the earliest is three months before.

A good rule of thumb is to apply at least eight to ten weeks before your course begins. That leaves space for your biometric appointment and any delays.

A quick scenario

Say your master's in Manchester starts in late September. Your CAS arrives in June, and you want to keep your options open.

You'd make sure your funds have been sitting in your account for 28 days by early July, apply online with your outside-London living-cost figure, pay your fee and IHS, then book your biometrics for mid-July. That gives your application weeks of buffer before term, so you can focus on your move rather than your paperwork.

Useful things to know

How long is the Student visa valid for?

For most postgraduate courses, your visa can cover the full length of your course plus a short extra period, often up to four months after your course ends. Your exact dates depend on your course length.

Can I work on a Student visa?

Many students can work part-time during term and full-time during holidays. Your allowed hours depend on your course level and your sponsor, so check the conditions printed on your visa.

Can I bring family with me?

Dependant rules for students have tightened in recent years, and most taught master's students can no longer bring dependants. Check the current GOV.UK Student visa: your partner and children page for your course type before you plan.

What if my application is refused?

You'll be told the reason for a refusal. You can look at what went wrong, strengthen your evidence, and apply again with a clearer case.

After you get your visa

Congratulations, you're one step closer to your UK degree.

Now's a good time to sort the practical things: your accommodation, your travel, and your budget for the year ahead. Our education loan calculator can help you plan your repayments before you go.

If you're still working out how to fund your studies, explore what studying in the UK with Prodigy Finance can look like. We support ambitious international students heading to top universities, and our application is fully online.

FAQs

*The purpose of this guide is to provide prospective students with a general overview of the international student visa process and should not be regarded as legal or immigration advice, or as a substitute for official guidance from government authorities, embassies, or consular offices. While we’ve taken care to compile accurate and up-to-date information, Prodigy Finance Limited does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or outdated details. We strongly encourage all prospective students and readers to consult the official government websites and immigration authorities relevant to their study destination for the most accurate and current information. Prodigy Finance Limited is not authorised to provide immigration services and cannot offer personalised visa advice or assistance.

*Loan and promotion offers are subject to our eligibility, funding, and credit assessment criteria.

*Loan amounts are subject to the cost of attendance limits set by schools.