General Requirements for the Student Visa
1. You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study or for a period of research at an educational establishment recognized in the UK. You must be able to show that you are going to follow:
- a recognized full-time degree course, or
- a period of study and/or research in excess of 6 months where this forms part of an overseas degree course, or
- a course run during the week involving at least 15 hours of organized daytime study each week, or
- a full-time course at an independent fee-paying school
2. You must also:
- be able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without going into business or getting a job, or needing any help from public funds
- be able and intend to follow your chosen course, and
- intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies, if your course of study is below degree level.
Supporting documents you might need to provide:
As a guide, you should include:
- any relevant diplomas or educational certificates that you have
- a letter from the university, college or school confirming that you have been accepted on a course of study and/or a period of research in the UK, and a statement of charges for the course and/or period of research (if appropriate)
- if you are following a certain type of postgraduate study, an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) Certificate
- evidence of government sponsorship (if appropriate)
- bank statements, pay slips or other evidence to show that you can pay for your stay and your course of studies in the UK, and
If you are being privately sponsored (for example, by a college in the UK) a letter from your sponsor giving details of how they will support you during your studies, and evidence that they can do so |
