How to Get UK Student Visa in 5 Steps?
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More than 26,000 Indian students apply for the UK Student Visa each year. The duration of your programme and the course you've already pursued in the UK will decide how long will you be able to stay in the country. Those aged 16 and above, with a degree-level course, can stay for a maximum of five years. The United Kingdom's Home Ministry has recently (March 2023) stated that last year a higher number of student visas were granted. The reason behind this increase is said to be the surge in student enrollment number in institutions of higher education, especially from China, India and Nigeria. As per the data shared, 25% of the visas issued were for students from India in the year 2022.
Also Read:
- Short Term Study Visa UK for Indian Students
- Requirements for Getting a Student Visa to Study Abroad
Want to start out your education journey in the UK? Here’s what you need to know about getting a student visa in the UK.
5 Easy Steps to Apply for a UK Student Visa 2025
Students above 16 years of age willing to study a higher education course in the UK which has a duration of more than 6 months need to apply for a UK student visa. The UK Student Visa has replaced the Tier 4 (General) Visa. The UK student visa applications are processed within 3 weeks of the completed application being lodged.
The UK student visa fee is £490 per applicant. Check out the 5 simple and easy steps below to apply for a UK student visa.
Step 1 - Submit an Application to Your Chosen University
The first step towards getting a UK visa for educational purposes is to apply to the university of your choice and obtain an unconditional offer letter. After accepting the unconditional offer letter you received from the university, the university will provide you with a confirmed place at the university by means of a ‘confirmation of acceptance for studies’ (CAS) letter. The CAS letter costs around £25.
Step 2 - Start the Visa Application Process
You can start your visa application process typically 6 months before your program start date. To initiate the process, make sure you have received your CAS letter from the university.
Below is the list of documents required at the time of UK student visa application. For every document you provide, you must include the original document and a photocopy.
- A signed copy of your completed visa application form.
- A valid passport.
- 1 passport-sized colour photograph which meets the photo guidelines.
- Evidence of your confirmed place at the University.
- Any previous passports to show your previous travel history.
- If you send a document that is not in English, it must be accompanied by a full translation that can be verified.
Step 3 - Apply Online and Pay Visa Application Fee
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
You will need to register and create an account on the official UK Visa website. At this stage, you need to be aware of the student visa fees which are £490 and the amount Health Surcharge. The amount of Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) varies as per the place you are travelling to and the university you are going to study at. You must keep an amount worth the UK student visa application fee and the IHS charges ready while submitting your application.
There are 4 ways to pay your UK visa application fee.
- Payment at Standard Chartered Bank - You can pay your fee at some branches of the Standard Chartered Bank. The bank will issue a demand draft in favour of the 'The British High Commission'.
- Demand draft from a nationalised or foreign bank - You can pay your fee by getting a demand draft issued by a nationalised or foreign bank. Bank charges for this service will vary. The demand draft must be in favour of the 'The British High Commission’.
- Payment at the visa application centre - You can pay the visa application fee at the visa application centre when you submit your visa application.
- Pay online - You can pay your visa application fee online using a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.
When you have completed your online application, you will receive an email message containing your application number.
Also Read: Post Study Work Visa UK (Graduate Route Visa)
Step 4 - Take the English Tests
Depending on your course, university and the type of your visa, take the standardised English test and submit its scores. In this view, students can take either the IELTS UKVI, PTE UKVI or the TOEFL test. Here's the minimum level of English proficiency required for the UK visa application:
| English Proficiency Level Required for the UK Student Visa | |
|---|---|
| Level of Study | Level of English Proficiency |
| All degree-level or above courses | Equivalent to CEFR level B2 |
| Below-degree-level courses | Equivalent to CEFR level B1 |
Step 5 – Visit the visa application centre on the appointed date
You must book and attend an appointment at our visa application centre to submit your application, facial photograph and fingerprints.
Make sure to arrange all the documents in a timely manner to avoid last-minute hassles. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
Q: Â How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: Â Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Â Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: Â What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Â Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: Â How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Â How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?
Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.
- Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
- Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
- A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
- Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024
Q: Â What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Also Read:
- Graduate Route Visa UK (Post Study Work Visa) for Indian Students
- What Do Students Do Post-taking Graduate Route? How Much Do They Earn?
How to Get UK Student Visa FAQs
Q. What is the process to apply for a UK student visa?
A. The following points will provide an overview of the process of applying for a UK student visa:
- Check the eligibility: In order to apply for a UK student visa, you need to have a CAS (confirmation of acceptance for studies) that is provided by the institution you have applied to. You need to show proof of financial stability. In addition, you need to show proof of English language proficiency.
- Prepare your documents: You need to file and complete your documents such as passport, CAS, financial proofs, medical tests, etc.
- Apply: Apply through the UK visa website and pay the application fee.
- Visit the visa application centre: Visit the visa application centre on the date of appointment.
Q. What is the eligibility for a UK student visa?
A. The following points provide the eligibility for a UK student visa:
- CAS: You must have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university or college.
- Financial proof: You must have sufficient money to support yourself during the course of study. You will need £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for your stay in London and £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for your stay outside London.
- English proficiency: You must pass a SELT (Secure English Language Test) such as IELTS.
- Parental consent: If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you will require consent from your parents.
Q. What documents are required for a UK student visa?
A. Following are the documents required for a UK student visa:
- A valid passport
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university or college
- Proof of finances: £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months) for stay in London and £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months) for stay outside London
- Parental consent if you are under 18 years of age
- Medical tests
Q. What am I allowed to do on a UK student visa?
A. Here is what are allowed to do on a UK student visa:
- Study
- Work as a student union sabbatical officer
Here is what you are not allowed to do on a UK student visa:
- Claim public funds
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Be self-employed
- Study at a maintained school
Q. What is the UK student visa cost?
A. When you apply for a UK student visa from outside the UK, you will have to pay £490. You will receive a decision on your application within 3 weeks. If you want a faster decision, you may choose the priority service wherein you will have to pay £500 in addition to the application fee. In this scenario, you will receive a decision within 5 working days.
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