Following the Brexit and the end of EU free movement, the UK government introduced a new Points-Based Immigration System on 1 January 2021. International students including EEA, EU and Swiss nationals will need a UK Student Visa to come and study in the UK. Students can check if they need a visa on the government visa and immigration website.
There are a number of different visas a student can apply for entry into the UK and they need to ensure they apply for the correct one. The following may be appropriate for a student, depending on the course length, type and place of study:
- Standard Visitor visa
It’s suitable for taking a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months. - Short-term study visa
It’s suitable for studying an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months. - Student visa
It’s suitable for taking a longer course at a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. - Child Student visa
It’s suitable for 4 to 17 year olds to study at an independent school.
Student Visa
The Student Visa, known as Student Route, is part of the UK visas and immigration’s points based system for students who want to study full-time in the UK for a degree. To make a successful application international students must meet the full requirements of the immigration rules and achieve 70 points.
The Student visa replaced Tier 4 (General) student visa after October 2020, for students who want to study post 16 education full time, leading to an approved qualification at a licensed UK education provider.
The Child Student visa also replaced Tier 4 (Child) student visa for students aged between 4 and 17 who want to study at an independent school in the UK.
Click the link for UK Visas and Immigration Guidance on Student route, which provides detailed information for applications to stay or come to the UK under Student and Child Student.
Students can switch from a Student Visa to a Skilled Worker Visa (formerly the Tier 2 Visa) from within the UK if they have a job offer from an employer with a sponsor licence and meet all the eligibility requirements. Successful Skilled Visa applicants are able to settle permanently in the UK after 5 years on this visa.
Short-term Study Visa
Short-term study visa is for international students who want to study English language in the UK for more than 6 months and up to 11 months.
Students can stay in the UK for the length of their course plus an extra 30 days as long as their stay is no longer than 11 months. Students don’t have the permission to bring family members or do jobs on short-term visas.
It is not possible to extend their stay in the UK after they have arrived. Therefore, students should only come as a ‘short-term study’ students if they are absolutely certain they will not want to work in the UK and will not want to stay for longer than 11 months. ‘Short-term students’ do not have to study full-time. There is no requirement for the course to lead to an approved qualification.
English Requirements
In order to be eligible for a student visa, international students will need to demonstrate an approved level of English Language proficiency through a secure English language test (SELT).
- For education courses below degree levels, an IELTS score of 4.0-5.0 or equivalent to CEFR (Common European Framework for languages) level B1 is usually required.
- For degree courses or above, an IELTS score of 6.0-6.5, or equivalent to CEFR level B2 is required. Independent schools accepting children on Child Student visas usually determine the level of English required.
- Students who are issued a joint CAS for a pre-sessional course followed by a degree level course can have an English language level of B1 (not B2). These students must have a SELT to demonstrate that they meet the English language requirement of CEFR B1.
- Students wishing to attend exclusively English language courses in the UK can apply for a short-term study visa allowing them to stay for up to 11 months. To be eligible for this visa, they must study a course at an education provider that has been accredited by government-approved organisations.
Students must be able to demonstrate they can speak English to the required standard (B1 or B2), when interviewed by UK Visas and Immigration officers. If the student cannot hold a simple conversation without an interpreter the student may be refused. These interviews can take place at the Visa office in the students` home country by Skype, but they may also be interviewed on arrival to the UK by immigration officers.
Click here for the list of tests and test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration to show that applicants have the required level of English for their visa.
There are a number of visa routes available to international students if they wish to stay in the UK to work after their studies. Click the link to read more about UK Visas and Immigration Routes.
We can provide integrated visa application and immigration services for international students coming to study in the UK. Check it out below for UK education programmes and other education services that we provide.
