UK Student Visa 2026: The Complete Guide

What is the UK Student Visa?

The UK Student visa — formally known as the Student Route — is the main immigration pathway for international students aged 16 or over who want to study at a licensed UK institution. It replaced the Tier 4 (General) student visa in October 2020 and is now fully digital: successful applicants receive an eVisa linked to a UKVI online account rather than a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP).

The Student visa is not simply a study permission — it also determines how long you can remain in the UK, what work you can do, and whether you can bring family members. Understanding exactly what the visa covers before you apply is essential.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a UK Student visa you must:

• Be aged 16 or over
• Hold an unconditional offer from a UK institution that holds a valid Student Sponsor licence — confirmed through a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
• Have enough money to cover your tuition fees and living costs (see the finances section below)
• Meet the English language requirement for your course
• Have your parents' or guardians' written consent if you are 16 or 17

If you are under 18 and want to study at an independent (fee-paying) school in the UK, you may be eligible for the Child Student visa instead.

What is a CAS?

A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies is a unique reference number issued by your UK university or college once you have accepted an unconditional offer. It is not a physical document — it is a digital record shared directly with UKVI. You cannot apply for a Student visa without a valid CAS. Treat it carefully: a CAS can only be used once, so if your application is refused you will need to request a new one from your institution.

Financial requirements

You must demonstrate that you can fund your first year of tuition and your living costs for the duration of your course (up to a maximum of 9 months). The funds must have been held in your bank account for a consecutive 28-day period ending no earlier than 31 days before you submit your application.

These figures cover living costs only. You must also show that you have funds to cover your first year's tuition fees (or the full course fee if the course is less than a year). If you have been awarded a scholarship, bursary, or government-sponsored funding, you can usually use this as evidence — but it must cover both fees and maintenance.

English language requirements

You must prove your knowledge of English as part of your application. The most common accepted test is IELTS (International English Language Testing System), but UKVI also accepts TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE Academic, and several other approved providers listed on the Home Office website.

The score you need depends on your institution and the level of your course — your university or college will confirm the minimum requirement at the point of application. In some cases you may be exempt from a language test, for example if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or if you have previously completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree.

English language evidence is assessed before your CAS is issued. If you do not meet your institution's English requirement, you will not receive a CAS and cannot proceed with the visa application.

Visa fees and costs

The Student visa has a base application fee of £524 regardless of whether you are applying from outside the UK or extending / switching from inside the UK. You will also be required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application.

The IHS gives you access to the NHS during your stay. For a three-year master's programme, the IHS alone would total over £2,300 — make sure you factor this into your overall budget well before applying.

How long can you stay?

The length of your Student visa depends on how long your course lasts and what level it is at:

• If you are 18 or over and your course is at degree level or above, you can usually stay for up to 5 years
• For courses below degree level, you can usually stay for up to 2 years
• If your course lasts 6 months or less, you can arrive up to 1 week before the start date
• If your course lasts more than 6 months, you can arrive up to 1 month before the start date

You must not travel to the UK before the start date shown on your visa, regardless of when your course begins.

Work rights

Most students on a UK Student visa can work alongside their studies, subject to restrictions:

• Up to 20 hours per week during term time for most degree-level students
• Up to 10 hours per week during term time for students at certain further education institutions
• Full-time during official vacation periods and before your course starts
• You can work as a student union sabbatical officer

There are restrictions on the type of work you can do. You cannot be self-employed, work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach, or study at a maintained (local-authority-funded) school. If you are in any doubt about what your visa permits, check the conditions set out in your approval notification.

Bringing family members

Since January 2024, the rules on bringing dependants to the UK as a student have been significantly tightened. You can bring your partner and children with you only if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You are a postgraduate research student (PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification) on a course lasting at least 9 months at an institution with a track record of compliance
• You hold a government-sponsored scholarship covering a course lasting at least 6 months

Undergraduate students and taught postgraduate (master's) students can no longer bring dependants under the Student Route. This is one of the most significant recent changes affecting international students with families and should be considered carefully before choosing a course or institution.

How to apply

1. Receive an unconditional offer and your CAS

   Apply to your chosen UK university or college and wait for an unconditional offer. Once you accept it, your institution will issue a CAS reference number. You cannot apply for a Student visa without it.

2. Gather your documents

   Collect your passport, bank statements covering the 28-day financial window, English language test certificate, and any additional documents required for your circumstances (such as ATAS certificate, parental consent if under 18, or TB test results).

3. Complete the online application

   Apply on the official GOV.UK website. The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course start date (if applying from outside the UK) or 3 months before (if already in the UK). Pay the application fee and IHS during this stage.

4. Attend a biometric appointment

   Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre to submit your fingerprints and photograph. Processing typically takes around 3 weeks from outside the UK, or up to 8 weeks from inside the UK.

5. Set up your UKVI account and access your eVisa

   If your application is approved, you will receive an eVisa — a digital immigration record. Create a UKVI account and link your travel document. You will use this eVisa to prove your right to study and live in the UK.

Decision timelines

Standard processing times for a UK Student visa are:

• Approximately 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK
• Up to 8 weeks if applying or extending from inside the UK

Processing times can be longer during peak intake months, particularly June to September. Applying as early as possible — up to the maximum of 6 months before your course start — is strongly recommended to avoid delays that could affect your enrolment.

After your studies: the Graduate visa

Once you have successfully completed your course, you can apply for the Graduate visa, which allows you to stay in the UK to work or look for work without needing a job offer or employer sponsorship.

How long you can stay on the Graduate visa depends on when you apply:

• 2 years — if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 (bachelor's or master's graduates)
• 18 months — if you apply on or after 1 January 2027 (bachelor's or master's graduates)
• 3 years — if you completed a PhD or other doctoral qualification (unchanged)

The Graduate visa cannot be extended and does not require sponsorship. Many graduates use it to secure employment and transition onto a Skilled Worker visa. The 2027 reduction makes early planning for post-study career pathways increasingly important.

The Graduate visa application fee is £880, plus the IHS if applicable.

Academic progression rule

If you are already in the UK on a Student visa and wish to apply for a new one to study a different course, UKVI applies an academic progression check. Your new course must generally be at a higher level than your current one — for example, moving from a bachelor's degree (RQF Level 6) to a master's degree (RQF Level 7) meets this requirement. If your new course is at the same level, your institution must provide a written justification explaining how it represents a genuine academic or career progression.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

If you are applying for a master's degree or above in certain sensitive subjects — particularly in engineering, science, and technology — you may need to obtain an ATAS certificate before you can receive your CAS. ATAS is a security clearance scheme run by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Your university will confirm whether your course and nationality require it. Allow several weeks for ATAS processing in addition to your visa processing time.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does a UK Student visa cost in 2026?

  The UK Student visa fee is £524 whether you are applying from outside the UK or extending/switching from inside the UK. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), currently £776 per year of your visa. For a three-year master's course, the IHS alone amounts to over £2,300.

• How much money do I need to show for a UK Student visa?

  You must show your first year's tuition fees plus living costs for up to 9 months: £1,334 per month (£12,006 total) in London, or £1,023 per month (£9,207 total) outside London. The funds must be held continuously in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply.

• Can I work on a UK Student visa?

  Most degree-level students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full time during official vacations. Some further education students are limited to 10 hours per week. You cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson.

• Can I bring my family on a UK Student visa?

  Since January 2024, only PhD or research-based postgraduate students and those with government-sponsored scholarships can bring dependants (partner and children) to the UK. Undergraduate and taught master's students can no longer bring dependants under the Student Route.

• What happens after my UK Student visa ends?

  After completing your course you can apply for the Graduate visa. If you apply on or before 31 December 2026, you can stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates). From 1 January 2027, the Graduate visa is reduced to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. Many use the Graduate visa to secure employment and transition onto a Skilled Worker visa.