Do I need a Student visa to study in the UK?
If you are coming to the UK for a degree and do not already have immigration permission that lets you study, you will usually need a Student visa. Use GOV.UK’s visa checker to confirm, because the answer depends on your nationality and circumstances.
GOV.UK says you can apply if you are 16 or over and you meet each point below (checked 25 September 2026). Before relying on an offer, check that the university is on the Home Office register of licensed student sponsors, which lists each institution and its sponsorship rating.
- You have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor
- You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course
- You can speak, read, write and understand English
- You have consent from your parents if you are 16 or 17
What is a CAS for a UK Student visa?
A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) is a reference number your university sends once it has offered you a place. You need it to apply, and you must apply within 6 months of receiving it (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
Universities run their own checks before issuing a CAS. They may ask for proof that you have met your offer conditions, a deposit, financial documents or an interview. Ask for the university’s CAS timeline so you can plan your visa application and travel.
When your CAS arrives, check your name, passport details, course, dates and fees. Ask the university to correct any error before you apply.
What documents do I need for a UK Student visa?
You always need a current passport or other valid travel document and your CAS. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need proof of money, an ATAS certificate, tuberculosis test results and parental consent (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
GOV.UK notes that you may need other documents depending on your circumstances. Your university may also publish its own checklist; follow both.
- A current passport or other valid travel document
- Your CAS from your course provider
- Proof you have enough money for your course and living costs, unless you are exempt
- A valid ATAS certificate, if your course and nationality require it
- Your tuberculosis test results, if you need them
- Parental or legal guardian consent, and proof of your relationship, if you are under 18
- Written consent from your financial sponsor, if they paid your fees and living costs in the last 12 months
How much money do I need for a UK Student visa?
You need your course fees for one academic year (up to 9 months), plus £1,529 a month for courses in London or £1,171 a month outside London, for up to 9 months (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026). You must hold the money for at least 28 days in a row.
The 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you apply. If you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date you apply, you do not need to prove you have this money. Loans and official sponsorship need evidence from the lender or sponsor, and dependants need extra funds.
Treat these amounts as the visa minimum, not your budget. Our fees guide explains how to build a realistic plan.
When should I apply for a UK Student visa, and how long does it take?
From outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course starts; from inside the UK, it is 3 months. You usually get a decision within 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside the UK (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
Apply as early as your CAS allows. Decision times are not guaranteed, so avoid non-refundable travel bookings until you have a decision.
| Step | What GOV.UK says |
|---|---|
| Earliest application, outside the UK | 6 months before your course starts |
| Earliest application, inside the UK | 3 months before your course starts |
| Usual decision time | 3 weeks outside the UK; 8 weeks inside the UK |
| Application fee | £558 |
| Immigration health surcharge | £776 per year for students |
| Arriving for a course of more than 6 months | Up to 1 month before the course starts |
| If your application succeeds | You get an eVisa, an online record of your immigration status |
How many hours can I work on a UK Student visa?
UKCISA’s guidance describes a limit of up to 20 hours a week in term time at degree level or above, and up to 10 hours below degree level (UKCISA, checked 25 September 2026). Your own conditions are in your immigration permission, so check them before you accept any job.
GOV.UK says Student visa holders cannot be self-employed or work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. UKCISA’s guidance also lists work as an entertainer and permanent full-time jobs as not allowed. Your university defines term time, so use its official term dates.
UKCISA warns that if your permission says you cannot work, you must not work, and that any mistake must be corrected before you take a job. Breaking work conditions can have serious consequences for your immigration status.
- Check the work conditions on your eVisa and the course level on your CAS
- Confirm your university’s term and vacation dates
- Keep a record of the hours you work each week
- Ask the international office before agreeing to a placement or internship
Can I bring my family on a UK Student visa?
Only in limited cases. You must be a government-sponsored student on a course of more than 6 months, or a full-time postgraduate student on a course of 9 months or longer; if that postgraduate course starts on or after 1 January 2024, it must be a PhD, other doctorate or research-based higher degree (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
This means undergraduate and taught master’s students cannot bring a partner or children on the Student route unless they are government-sponsored. If this matters to you, check the GOV.UK page before you accept an offer.
Can I stay in the UK after I graduate?
You may be able to apply for a Graduate visa, which lets you stay for at least 18 months after successfully completing an eligible course. GOV.UK says it lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and 3 years with a PhD or other doctoral qualification (checked 25 September 2026).
You must be in the UK on a Student visa, have studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period, and your university must have told the Home Office that you completed it. Apply before your Student visa expires; you do not have to wait for your graduation ceremony or certificate.
The fee is £937 and the health surcharge is usually £1,035 for each year (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026). You can work in most jobs, look for work and be self-employed. You cannot extend a Graduate visa, but you may be able to switch to another visa.
If you start a three-year degree in 2026, you will apply after 1 January 2027, so today’s rules would give you 18 months. Rules can change again, so check the current page in your final year.
Will a UK degree get me a work visa or employer sponsorship?
No. A degree does not give you a right to stay and work once your permission ends. A Skilled Worker visa, for example, needs a job offer from an approved UK employer, an eligible occupation and a salary that meets the rules (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
Your employer gives you a certificate of sponsorship once the requirements are met, and you can check whether an employer is licensed on the Home Office register of licensed sponsors for workers. Salary rules depend on the job and your circumstances, so read the current GOV.UK guidance rather than relying on subject salary averages.
CourseToJob’s earnings figures describe UK-domiciled graduates. They are not an immigration assessment.
Frequently asked questions
How early can I apply for a UK Student visa?
From outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 6 months before your course starts. From inside the UK, it is 3 months before. You must also apply within 6 months of receiving your CAS (GOV.UK, checked 25 September 2026).
Can I be self-employed or freelance on a Student visa?
No. GOV.UK says you cannot be self-employed on a Student visa. A Graduate visa does allow self-employment.
Do I need a job offer to get a Graduate visa?
A job offer is not among GOV.UK’s Graduate visa eligibility requirements. The visa lets you work in most jobs, look for work or be self-employed. You must be in the UK on a Student visa, and your university must have told the Home Office that you completed your course.
How much is the immigration health surcharge for students?
GOV.UK lists £776 per year for students and their dependants, paid as part of the online application (checked 25 September 2026). Graduate visa applicants usually pay £1,035 for each year.
Can I switch from a Student visa to a Graduate visa in the UK?
Yes, if you are eligible. You apply from inside the UK while your Student visa is still valid, after your university has told the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.
Can CourseToJob tell me if I qualify for a visa?
No. CourseToJob provides general signposting to official guidance. It is not an immigration adviser and does not assess eligibility. Use GOV.UK and your university’s international student team for advice on your case.