Study visas for the UK

Find out which visa you need to study in the UK

Some nationalities can study in the UK visa-free. This includes citizens of EU countries.

These visa-exempt visitors will soon need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to study. The ETA is already a requirement for short-term students arriving from GCC countries.

All other nationalities need a visa to study in the UK. Find out which visa you need based on your type of course and how long it lasts.

Irish citizens, and foreign nationals who have been living in the United Kingdom for at least 3 years, are exempt from UK study visa requirements.

ETA and visit visas for short courses in the UK

Both the ETA and Standard Visitor visa are valid for study visits of less than 6 months.

Here are the specifics on what you’re able to do while in the UK with an ETA or Standard Visitor visa:

  1. Do a recreational course

    Standard Visitor visa-holders can study for up to 30 days. With an ETA, you can take part in courses for up to 6 months.

  2. Study an accredited course

    You’ll need to be accepted on a course at an accredited UK institution. Both ETAs and Visitor visas are valid for study up to 6 months.

  3. Conduct research

    Visit the UK to perform research as part of your degree studies overseas. You’ll need to be linked to a UK educational institution.

  4. Undertake an elective period

    Take up a position in dentistry, medicine, or veterinary science. You can fulfil any unpaid observership post.

  5. Sit an exam or retake a module

    Come for an entrance exam or a PhD oral test. It’s also possible to visit to retake an exam or study module that lasts up to 6 months.

  6. Take OSCE and PLAB tests

    Visit the UK to take your Objective Structured Clinical Examination test, or the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board exam.

If you’re doing a distance learning course that lasts more than 6 months, you can use an ETA or Standard Visitor visa to come to the UK for short visits related to your studies. This might include attending induction weeks, face-to-face intensive learning, or exams.

Short-term study visa for the UK: how to apply

To get your ETA or Standard Visitor Visa, submit your application online. You’ll be asked to provide an image of yourself, and your passport’s bio-data page.

  • ETA for studying in the UK


    Eligible for an ETA? Apply with UK Visa Kingdom to save time and get your travel authorisation quickly.

    We give expert guidance to improve your chances of approval. Receive your ETA in just 1 to 3 days.



    More information about the ETA

  • Standard Visitor visa for UK studies


    If the ETA is not available for your nationality, apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

    Visit the UK government site to submit your application. It takes around 3 weeks’ time for UK study visas to be processed.

Visa applicants need to give details of their travel plans and show evidence of financial means to cover their trip. Depending on what you’re studying, you might need to upload documentation from your course provider.

UK study visas for long-term courses

To study a course that lasts more than 6 months, you need to apply for the type of long-term study visa that best suits your needs.

  1. Student visa

    Apply to study with a licensed student sponsor, such as a UK university. Stay for to 2 or 5 years, depending on the length of your course.

  2. Child Student visa

    Children between the ages of 4 and 17 need this visa to study at a UK independent school. Parental consent and an unconditional offer are required.

  3. Short-term English Study visa

    To take up an English language course which lasts for 6 to 11 months, apply for this visa. You must be over the age of 16 and prove you can fund your stay.

If you’re studying or researching certain subjects to a post-graduate level or above, you might need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate when applying.

Check the requirements for your visa type when making your application on the UK government visa portal.

Other ways to visit and study in the UK

The UK government offers additional types of visa for visitors who want to study a course, or conduct research.

  1. Government Authorised Exchange visa

    Enrol in an authorised study or research programme to benefit from this visa. It allows you to live in the UK for up to 2 years.

  2. Charity Worker or Religious Worker visa

    Combine your work with a part-time course. You’ll be able to stay for up to 12 months, and can study at any type of institution.

  3. Visiting Academic Standard Visitor visa

    Travelling to the UK as a visiting lecturer? You can take part in research and study opportunities at British educational institutions during your 1-year stay.

If you’re planning to combine your studies with a part-time job, you may need a work visa rather than a study visa. It’s essential to comply with the conditions of the visa you’re granted.

Staying in the UK after you complete your studies

Once you’ve completed your course, you can apply for a different type of visa to extend your stay in the United Kingdom.

The Graduate visa allows you to stay for up to 2 years after you complete a university-level course at a British educational institution. You’ll be able to apply for another visa once this expires to continue working in the UK.

Graduating from outside the UK

You may be eligible for the High Potential Individual visa if you undertook your studies in a different country. Only alumni of some international universities are accepted, including:

  • University of Melbourne, Australia
  • McGill University, Canada
  • Zhejiang University, China
  • Technical University of Munich, Germany
  • University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
  • Kyoto University, Japan
  • Columbia University USA
  • University of Pennsylvania, USA

Check the UK government visa portal to find out if you’re able to apply.

PLAB test: what to do after taking your exam

Once you travel to the United Kingdom to take a Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test, you can apply to extend your visit beyond 6 months.

You can stay for another 6 months to retake the PLAB exam if you fail on your first try. If you pass, you can complete a clinical attachment in the UK in your extra 6-month visa validity period.

FAQs

Is getting a UK Student visa easy? Toggle faqs

Providing you have all the required documentation, completing your visa application is relatively straightforward.

To be successful, it’s vital that you meet the eligibility requirements specified for your visa type.

In some cases, visa officials contact applicants to clarify details or provide extra documentation that’s needed to process a request. If key information is missing, your application may be rejected.

What is a post-study work visa in the UK? Toggle faqs

There are several types of visas open to graduates.

If you’ve completed a university course in the UK, you’ll be eligible for a Graduate visa. This allows you to stay for up to 2 years.

Graduates from some international universities can apply for the High Potential Individual visa. It’s valid for 3 years, and accepts candidates who graduated in the last 5 years.

You’ll be able to extend your visa for graduates before it expires to continue working in the UK.

What are the new rules for international students in the UK in 2024? Toggle faqs

Citizens of any country can apply to study in the UK, as long as they meet the entry requirements for their visa type.

If you’re studying a long-term course at a university or other institution which is a recognised student sponsor, they will advise you on how to get your study visa for the UK.

Whatever type of student visa you have, you must comply with its conditions and restrictions.

Can international students stay in the UK permanently? Toggle faqs

It’s possible to stay in the United Kingdom indefinitely after your studies. You’ll need to apply for a different type of visa once your student visa is due to expire.

This could be a graduate visa, or a work visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, which requires sponsorship from an employer.

Once you’ve been living and working in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency, also known as indefinite leave to remain.

Foreign nationals with a Skilled Worker visa can apply for residency after just 2 years, while Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa-holders can apply after 3 years in the UK.

Can mature students get a study visa for the UK? Toggle faqs

There’s no upper age limit for UK student visa applicants. Anyone over 18 can apply, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for their visa type.

You can also apply from the age of 16, but you’ll need parental consent.

When choosing your course in the UK, check the education provider’s requirements for applicants to make sure you comply.

What’s the required bank balance is required for a UK Student visa? Toggle faqs

The funds you need to show for your application depend on your course and how long it lasts.

As well as the sum of your course fees, you’ll be asked to show you have at least £1,334 per month for courses in London, and £1,023 per month for other areas of the UK. This requirement is capped at a maximum of 9 months.

For applicants studying at residential independent schools, the sum of your education and boarding fees is required.

You’ll need to show that your funds have been in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days, within a month of you submitting your application.

Some applicants do not need to show proof of funds for student visas, including foreign nationals who have been living in the UK for 12 months, and citizens from some countries.

Check the official UK government application site for details on what information you’ll need to provide.

Can I settle in the UK after studying? Toggle faqs

It’s possible to stay in the UK after you complete your course, but this depends on the type of visa you hold.

It’s not possible to stay for longer if you have a Standard Visitor visa, or ETA. Student visas can be converted into Graduate visas once you finish your studies if you meet the requirements.

How can I get British citizenship as an international student? Toggle faqs

To apply for citizenship, you need to have lived in the United Kingdom for at least 5 years.

You also need to have been granted indefinite leave to remain, or settled status in the EU Settlement Scheme, at least 12 months before you make your citizenship application.

When you’ll be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, or settled status, depends on your individual circumstances.