UK Student Visa: A Complete Application Guide

Indian students from everywhere in the world travel to the UK to attend superior higher education and achieve a brighter future. If you also want to study in the UK, then it is easily possible because the UK government offers a chance to every Indian student in their country.

Apart from gaining admission to a UK university the only prerequisite is that you will have to seek a student visa first. Depending upon your age and the course you want to study, the visa you need varies.

The procedure for seeking a UK Student Visa is really not difficult at all, we will be explaining the whole process in detail for your better understanding.

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Application Criteria for UK Student Visa

To qualify for the UK student visa you will need to meet the following requirements.

• You must have an unconditional offer from a recognised institution.
• You don’t always need to pay the full first-year academic fees. For Master’s programs, usually a deposit is required. For Undergraduate courses, some universities issue the CAS once you’ve selected them as your Firm choice.
• Valid score of English language proficiency.
• Proof of finance i.e., you should be in a position to prove that you can afford your stay and education.
• You have to be 16 years and older.

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English Language Requirements

You should be able to demonstrate that you can read, write, speak and listen in English to some extent on the Common European Frameworks of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. To do this, you should take the IELTS test primarily.

Documents required for a UK student visa

First and foremost, you must have the necessary documents ready and ensure you carry them with you prior to embarking on the visa process.

• Valid passport for identification purposes.
• Evidence of funds in favour of your study and living costs throughout your course.
• Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) reference number
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results
• Academic documentation
• Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) (Only required for specific programs)

Please remember that all the documents should be in English language, otherwise you may need to have them translated.

UK Student Visa Processing Time

You are able to apply for your UK student visa 6 months prior to your course commencement. Therefore, it is advisable that you should start as early as possible with your online visa application process. Generally, student visa processing time is 15 working days. But if your visa officer requests some further information or if there is any hold-up in the assessment of the visa, they tend to inform the student via email. The delay in visa approval is also resolved within these 15 working days.

Besides the normal student visa application procedure, even the UK offers priority visa services. Under Priority Visa Services, you can obtain your student visa within 5 working days and with Super Priority Visa Services you will receive your visa within 2 working days. But for these you will have to pay the extra related costs.

To apply for a student visa, go to the British government’s official gov.uk website. Remember, that the date of application is the date when you’ve paid the fee of application.

UK Student Visa Fees and Payment

The fee for applying for a visa from abroad is 524 British Pounds according to the recent update.

The fee for visas will be paid by the applicants online. Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or Skrill e-wallet can be used. The payment online will be in INR.

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Biometric Residence Permit

You must apply for a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which will be required to verify your identity, right to study, and right to access any public services or benefits to which you are entitled in the UK.

You must apply for BRP as part of your visa application process from UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI). The BRP procedure involves providing all the details required along with biometrics and digital photographs.

Now that you understand all the basics of the UK student visa process, there are a couple of things that you need to be careful about. Keep reading to learn more, so that you are properly informed and ready to seek your education in UK.

Types of UK Student Visas

The UK offers various categories of student visas to meet different study needs, ages, and lengths of courses. These are generally covered under Tier 4 visas (with three categories), the Standard Visitor Visa, and the Short-term Study Visa. Below is an in-depth description of the key ones:

1. Tier 4 (General) Student Visa: This visa is for students over the age of 16 who have been admitted to an approved course in the UK. It’s best for long study programmes such as undergraduate or postgraduate courses.
2. Tier 4 (Dependent) Visa: Relatives of Tier 4 students are eligible for this visa in order to accompany or visit them in the UK. There are specific eligibility conditions, particularly with regard to financial evidence.

If your postgraduate-level course begins on or later than 1st January 2024, it needs to be either:

• a PhD or other doctorate (RQF level 8)
• a research-led higher degree

3. Tier 4 (Child) Student Visa: This is for students from the age of 4 to 17 who intend to study at an independent school in the UK. All students will be enrolled in fee-paying independent schools, irrespective of age. The visa is applied consistently to all students in this age bracket.
4. Standard Visitor Visa: This visa enables young people aged 17 or below to study short courses lasting a maximum of 6 months in the UK. A changeover to a Tier 4 child visa is not, however, allowed.
5. Short-term Study Visa: For those 18 years and above, this visa is exclusively for English language courses up to 11 months long. It also includes short research as part of a degree in your home country.

All visa options have distinct requirements, so select accordingly based on study length and situation. Always refer to the UK government’s official website for the most recent information.

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Step-by-step Process for UK Student Visa Application

Carefully following a straightforward procedure for UK student Visa will make you one step nearer to achieving your goal of studying abroad. Simply follow the steps properly and you’re good to go!

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Prior to applying for the UK Student Visa, make sure that you qualify. You must have an unconditional offer from a UK university, demonstrate your capability to finance yourself, and fulfill the English language requirements.

Step 2: Prepare Documents

Collect important documents like your passport, CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter issued by your university, evidence of financial resources, and valid tuberculosis test report (if required).

Step 3: Apply Online through UK Government website

Go to the UK government website and fill in the online student visa application form. You will need to register, fill in your information, and upload your supporting documents. 

Step 4: Pay Visa Fees Application Fees and IHS charges

Complete the payment of £ 524 for UK visa application charges. You’ll also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £ 1164 per year of visa duration to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during your stay.

Make sure to keep the receipts as proof of payment.

Step 5: Schedule a Biometric Appointment

After submitting your application, schedule an appointment for getting your photograph and fingerprints captured at a Visa Application Centre. This is included in the visa processing process.

Step 6: Wait for a Decision

After attending the biometric appointment, wait for the decision on your visa application. Processing times can vary, but you’ll usually hear back within 3 weeks. Once approved, collect your UK student Visa and get ready to excel in your career.

UK Student Visa Interview Tips

Passing a UK student visa interview can be intimidating, but if you have the right mindset, you will approach it confidently. Following are a few tips which can make you pass your visa interview.

• Know Your Documents: Understand the documents you have submitted, particularly your offer letter, financial documents, and study plans. The interviewer will ask you questions related to them.
• Be Specific About Your Course and University: Be ready to discuss why you selected your course and university, and how it will help you achieve your future career aspirations.
• Stay Calm and Confident: Be truthful in your answers, and attempt to remain calm, even though the questions might appear difficult. The interviewer is merely evaluating your interest in studying in the UK.
• Demonstrate Financial Stability: Be prepared to prove how you intend to fund yourself throughout your studies, demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to pay for your fees and living expenses.

These will make you appear as an authentic student and increase your prospects for a successful interview.

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