What is a UK Study Visa?
If you are excited about the idea of attending university in cities such as Scotland, Wales, and England, the United Kingdom is a fantastic destination known for its high-quality education and many benefits, including scholarships. However, before you begin your journey, it’s essential to obtain a UK study visa. The United Kingdom is renowned for its world-class education system, which is why it is no surprise that many international students aspire to study in the UK. However, obtaining a UK study visa can be a daunting task, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the immigration process. The Tier-4 Visa is one of the most popular study visas in the UK, and in this article, we will discuss what it is and how you can apply for one.
In the United Kingdom, the Department of Home Affairs is responsible for a wide range of matters related to the country’s safety and security. As a government agency, the department plays a crucial role in keeping citizens and visitors safe from various forms of threats, including crime, terrorism, and other potential dangers.
With Elite visa consultants’s assistance, the leading UK study visa consultant, you can familiarize yourself with the process and get all the necessary details to apply for your UK study visa and embark on your educational journey.
| S.no | Attributes | Points |
| 1 | CAS from licensed Tier 4 Sponsor | 50 points |
| 3 | Funds | 10 Points |
| 3 | English Language qualifications | 10 Points. |
Benefits of studying in UK:
- UK has 90+ top universities in the world
- 95% UK Student Visa Success Rate
- Post-Study Work Opportunity up to 2 years
- Affordable Education with fees ranging from £9,000 to £38,000 per year.
- Generous Scholarships for your studies with up to £6,000 per year.
- Fast Track Your Application by receiving your visa in just 3 to 6 weeks with our visa application process.
The UK Government serves 3 types of study visas:
This stream is designated specifically for prospects who aim to study in the UK for fewer than 11 months. Under a short-term study visa, you can stay inside the UK for 11 months with no further extension, and you are not eligible to work part-time jobs under a short-term study visa.
USA, Canada, Australia, and EEA (European Economic Area) can enter the UK as visitors on arrival and continue to pursue a course for less than 6 months. You can also pursue an accredited or recreational course with a 30-day course tenure or less while holding visitor status.
This generic stream is for students choosing the UK for their higher education (PG, Masters). This stream allows you to live and study in the UK for your course tenure, where you can work part-time during your course tenure. Adding to that, you can apply for a graduate visa for up to 2 years upon completing your course tenure. This stream provides a versatile option, and the decision of staying or leaving the country, of course, entirely relies on the UK government. Previously known as Tier 4 visas, this stream was renamed to the student visa stream in October 2020
A child student visa is designed for children between 4 and 17 years of age aspiring to study at an independent school in the UK. However, as an international student, you generally do not fall into this stream.
Eligibility for UK Tier 4 Visa for International Students
- A full-time academic offer letter, Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor at an average of 1481 universities in the UK is under a Licensed Student Sponsor.
- Must have financial support to study in the UK and also to support themselves.
- Must have good English proficiency.
- A student needs consent from their parents if their age is 16 or 17 (below 18 years).
- Must achieve 40 points in the UK points-based visa system.
- ATAS certificate: ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme).
- Must have original academic graduation or provisional certificates and mark sheets.
What requirements must I meet to renew or extend my UK student visa?
- Student visa application form.
- Consent from parents or guardians (if below 18 years of age) during the time of application submission.
- Academic Transcripts.
- Letter of Recommendation (if applicable).
- Statement of Purpose.
- A valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor.
- ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate if your nationality or course requires it. (Indians need an ATAS certificate.)
- Pay slips if required (last 3 to 6 months).
- English language proficiency test report.
- Original degree certificates, provisional certificates, and mark sheets.
- Tuberculosis medical test results.
- A recent passport-sized picture.
- Compensation for the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge.
- Must be of good character (police certificate).
- Medical Clearance Certificate (MCC).
- 10th and 12th grade marksheets if you apply for UG.
Step-by-step process to study in the UK for Indian students in 2024:
- Check your Eligibility: Make sure to meet 70 points in the grid.
- Proof of Funds: You must have sufficient funds to study in the UK before you apply for a the study visa. Funds must cover your living expenses, tuition fees, and accommodation.
- Your financial statement from a financial institution must prove the following:
- Funds must be at least 28 days old (parent’s or guardian’s bank statements can also be submitted).
- Tuition fees for the first year of your course.
- 1,023 pounds per month is your living expense for the initial nine months of your course tenure. On the other hand, if you have a CAS from a university in London, you are supposed to show 1,334 pounds per month as living costs.
- If you include dependents along with your application, it will cost 680 pounds per dependent per month.
- If you have a sponsorship or scholarship from your university, you are bound to submit a sponsorship letter too.
Gathering the Correct Documents:
The UK visa application can consume more time and is sometimes confusing, depending on the case. We would recommend processing through a consultant to avoid last-minute hassle and make sure you apply. At least 4 to 6 months prior.
- Filled-up Visa application form
- Valid ATAS certificate (depending on your course and nationality)
- CAS from a licensed sponsor
- Tuberculosis Results
- Parental or guardian consent if you are under 18
- Valid passport
- Passport-size photographs
- Language requirements and outcome
- Official translation documents if your documents aren’t furnished in English
- Biometrics (during application filing)
If you need any other additional documents apart from the ones listed above, your CAS will meet those requirements.
Course Acceptance & College Fee:
- You are bound to formally accept your university’s course offer beforehand, and we will approach the UK government to file your study visa.
- acceptance, the university will proceed to offer a CAS.
- Pay the first deposit or first-year tuition fee against your university tuition fee as per your university norms. However, this fee is separate from the visa application fee.
- Upon receiving CAS, it is essential to verify the details provided are correct, which include your course details and personal information.
- The CAS will also contain your course tuition fee details, deposits, and English proficiency requirements.
- The CAS will hold a unique reference number, and the validity of the CAS is 6 months.
- Sometimes your university may want you to answer a short questionnaire before they issue CAS.
Filing Your Application:
- Register and create an account on the official UK platform.
- Upon completion, print and sign the completed form.
- Schedule your interview by using the appointment calendar.
Payment Methods:
- Online payment using Master or Visa cards (debit and credit)
- Payment at VAC while submitting the visa application
- DD from a nationalized or foreign bank: Get a DD in favor of the “British High Commission”,
- Standard Chartered Bank: Pay the fee at the bank, and the bank will issue a DD in favor of “British High Commission.”
- Visa Fee: 363 Pounds per Person (Student Stream)
- Healthcare surcharge: 470 pounds per year
- For short courses: 97 pounds for 6 months
- Taking up the Visa Interview on the scheduled date
- Visit the visit center as scheduled and carry the necessary documents along.
- Photographs and fingerprints
- Passport copy
- You are bound to prove your identity as part of your application process.
- Submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at the VAC. Otherwise, you can also access the UK Immigration ID Check App to scan your identity document.
- In a few cases, to confirm that you are a genuine student, you may be selected for a credibility interview (a five-minute interview via video link with a UKVI official).
Obtain a Decision Letter:
- Generally, the application submitted will be processed within 3 weeks from the date of submission. Upon your application being reviewed and processed, you will receive
- Decision letter
- Your passport and
- An entry vignette
- The vignette allows you to enter the UK within a 30- or 90-day timeline. This tenure is based on the course start date mentioned in the application form.
Collect BRP Upon arrival:
- Be sure to collect your BRP (Biometric residence permit) upon arriving in the UK. Even if circumstances don’t favor you obtaining a BRP during your arrival, take the necessary steps to fetch it within 10 days of your arrival.
- Carry your passport and entry vignette while you collect your BRP.
- Your BRP is an essential immigration document.
What are the application processing fees and time for a UK study visa?
The visa processing fee and the processing time for the UK study visa are given in detail here.
| Visa type | Visa fee (in £) | Visa fee(in INR) | Visa processing duration |
| General/Student Route Visa | £490 (outside UK) | 50,107 approx. | 3 weeks. |
| Short-term study visa (6 to 11-month visa) | £200 | 20,450 approx | 3 weeks |
| Child student visa/ Tier 4 | £490 | 50,107 approx. | 3 weeks |
Cost to study in the UK from India:
- visa Application fee: 348 GBP (British pound sterling)
- Dependent Visa application fee: 348 GBP (British pound sterling)
- CAS application fee:0 to 200 GBP/ Licensed Sponsor (University)
UK University Fees:
| S.no | Program type | Average Tuition Fee GBP (British pound sterling)/yearly |
| 1 | Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | 6,000 to 16,000 |
| 2 | Post Graduate Master’s Degree | 10,000 to 20,000 |
| 3 | Doctoral Degree | 13,000 to 29,000 |
| Courses | Programs Offered | Average Tuition Fee (per year) |
| Architecture and Construction Management | Bachelors and Masters | £17,000 – £45,000 |
| Business Analytics | Bachelors and Masters | £18,000 – £35,500 |
| Computer Science | Bachelors and Masters | £20,000 – £50,000 |
| Data Science | Masters | £19,000 – £43,000 |
| Computer Science | Bachelors and Masters | £20,000 – £50,000 |
| Engineering | Masters | £14,000 – £55,000 |
| Fashion and Interior Designing | Bachelors and Masters | £10,000 – £35,000 |
| Finance, International Business and Accounting | Bachelors and Masters | £20,000 – £50,000 |
| Law | Bachelors and Masters | £19,500 to £49,000 |
| MBA and MIM | Bachelors and Masters | £40,000 to £1,20,000 |
| MBBS | Bachelors | £22,000 – £62,000 |
Top 10 Courses to Study in UK:
Top In-demand jobs in
- UK after your study
- IT business analysts and systems designers
- Web designers and developers
- Healthcare managers
- Biochemists and biological scientists
- Various engineering specializations
- Geophysicists, geologists and hydro-geologists
Living expenses in the UK
- Students must be able to support themselves financially while attending university and living in the UK.
- Funds required for one’s maintenance are mentioned here.
- The amount of money you’ll require is determined by the location where you’ll attend your university. You’ll require one of the following:
| Location | Duration | Cost per month |
| Courses outside London | 9 months | £1,023 |
| Courses inside London | 9 months | £1,334 |
One can expect the following monthly living expenses in the UK:
| Expenses | Monthly cost |
| Bills charges (water/electricity/gasoline) | £40 – £50 |
| Travel & Transportation (student pass) | £32 |
| Food Fare/Groceries & Home utilities | £160 – £200 |
| Mobile phone/Internet | £15 – £50 |
| Entertainment & Recreation | £120 |
UK Student Visa Requirements for International Students (Know the requirements to renew or extend UK Student visa):
- If you want to remain and pursue a different program of study, you might be allowed to extend or renew your student visa. This applies even if you already hold a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
- To extend or renew your UK student visa, you must qualify for the following:
- Have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), as represented by your University from a certified student sponsor.
- Must have a current student study visa and be residing in the UK.
- Provide the academic progression requirement.
- You have another option where you can switch your visa type to ‘graduate visa’, and stay for 2 years after the completion of your course.
- The fee for extending your study visa is £490 + healthcare surcharge (varies per person)
- The fee for switching to a graduate visa is £715 + healthcare surcharge of £624 (depending on how many years you intend to stay)
- The Graduate Visa costs:
| Period | Cost of Graduate Visa |
| 2 years | £ 1248 |
| 3 years | £ 1872 |
IELTS and TOEFL score requirements for study in the UK:
- IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Duolingo are the few accepted language tests in the UK.
| S.no | English proficiency Test | Maximum score/Out of | Minimum required Score |
| 1 | IELTS | 9 | 6 for UG & 6.5 for PG |
| 2 | TOEFL | 120 | 70 for UG & 91 for PG |
| 3 | PTE | 90 | 54 for UG & 61 for PG |
| 4 | Duolingo | 160 | 105 – 120 |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
- UG:A minimum of 6 overall with no bands less than 5.5
- PG:A minimum of 6.5 to 7, with no bands less than 6. However, a Ph.D. requires a higher score.
- The same standards as the IELTS.
Pearson Langauge Test (PTE):
- UG: A minimum of 54 points overall, with no component less than 51. Few PG and Ph.D. courses require higher scores as well.
- PG:A minimum of 61 points overall, with no component less than 54. Few PG and Ph.D. courses require higher scores as well.
TOEFL iBT:
| UG: A minimum of 79 scores with | PG: A minimum score of 91 with |
| Reading – 18 | Reading – 20 |
| Listening – 17 | Listening – 19 |
| Speaking – 20 | Speaking – 21 |
| Writing – 17 | Writing – 10 |
- Few PG and Ph.D. courses require higher scores as well.
Can I study in the UK without IELTS or other language tests?
- Yes, you can study in the UK without IELTS as an Indian. Few universities in the UK will consider your application without IELTS in the event you satisfy any of the following eligibility criteria:
- The English test score in high school is above 60% in 10th and 12th grades.
- The medium of instruction is English.
- A few universities conduct online interviews to check student potential and waive IELTS if the standards are considerably good.
Post-Study Work in the UK
International students in the UK on a Tier 4 visa can extend their stay after graduation if they secure a job offer with a minimum annual salary of £20,800. This allows them to transition to a Tier 2 General visa valid for five years. Gaining work experience in the UK can significantly boost your chances of applying for permanent residency
Top UK Universities as per World QS Rankings 2024
If you’re seeking the best institutions for undergraduate or graduate studies in the UK, we’ve got you covered. Our carefully curated list of the top 10 universities in the country is based on the QS Ranking. Whether you’re after an excellent education or a prestigious institution, there’s something here for everyone.
Top UK Public Universities with Affordable Tuition Fees:
The list of top public universities are listed below. Some of these universities also accept admissions without IELTS.
UK Scholarships for International Students:
- Each university has its own reward structure and funding allocation. Some academic and research programs not only reimburse a portion of your living expenses but also provide up to 100% of the tuition fees.
- To enroll in UK universities with less or no tuition fees, you can apply for any of the well-known official scholarship and grant programs:
- Brunel International Excellence Scholarship (up to £6,000)
- Glasgow International Leadership Scholarships (£10,000)
- Chevening Scholarship (up to £18,000)
- Gates Cambridge Scholarships for International Students (up to £45,000)
- Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship (up to £12,000)
- Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford University for International Students (up to £18,000)
What are the reasons for getting a UK study visa refusal?
- Here are a few of the frequent grounds for UK visa denials during the initial stages of the visa application.
- Insufficient documentation and paperwork
- Unsatisfactory Academic Grades
- Inadequate preparation for the interview
- Years of the gap between your education and employment
- Shortage of funds
- Presenting false information
Which is the best UK study consultant in Chennai?
- Are you planning to study in the UK and in need of assistance to obtain your study visa as quickly as possible? Look no further than Elite visa consultants, one of the top UK study visa consultants in India. Our team of experienced UK study visa agents is dedicated to providing timely and efficient support to ensure your success.
- Schedule an appointment today to experience the superior services provided by Elite visa consultants
Why choose Elite visa consultants for your UK study visa process?
This well-regarded, registered consultant is recognized for their exceptional services and commitment to providing clients with reliable, transparent guidance. As the foremost UK consultant, Elite visa consultantsexcels at helping individuals navigate the often-confusing UK study visa application process with ease. Their experienced team is ready and willing to support you in every aspect of your study visa application.