Common UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons (Tier 2 & Tier 4 Visa)
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Common UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons (Tier 2 & Tier 4 Visa)

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Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Sep 24, 2024 18:24 IST
A lot of times, students who wish to study abroad are unable to make their dream come true as their UK Student Visa gets rejected in the early stages due to many reasons. This article covers the common UK student visa rejection reasons among international students.
UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons

UK Visa Rejection Reasons (Student Visa): The United Kingdom is the second most visited study-abroad destination after the US due to its top universities, living costs, state-of-the-art infrastructure and above all world-class faculty. After the completion of the time of UK Student Visa (Tier 4 Visa), students apply for a PSW UK (UK Graduate Visa). Once the time of the UK Graduate Visa ends, candidates apply for a relevant visa such as a Tier 2 Visa. This has caused a lot of concerns among students who have to sacrifice a lot to reach the UK for higher education. However, the United Kingdom (UK) remains the top choice for students who want to travel overseas for higher education. After securing admission, international students have to apply for a valid UK study visa in order to move there.

Also Read: UK Plummets as a Preferred Study Destination, Guess who is Gaining from it?

Major Reasons for UK Student Visa Rejections

The major UK student visa refusal reasons are given below. The students may face a rejection due to one or more of the following reasons.

Top 15 Reasons for UK Student Visa Rejection 
Unclear Visa Category English Language Proficiency Inaccurate Information
Incomplete UK Visa Application Form Insufficient Funds Failing the English Language Requirement Test
Lack of Interview Skills Poor Academic Records Missing Documents
Hidden/Unmentioned Travel History Application Form Error Changes/Updates in Immigration Rules 
Choosing to Study Irrelevant Courses Discrepancies within the Provided Information Lack of Interview Skills
Incomplete, Incorrect or Expired CAS letter      

Details on UK Student Visa Rejection Reasons

Some of the major reasons of UK student visa denial are mentioned below. So, make sure you are not making these mistakes while submitting your UK study visa application.

1. Providing Inaccurate information

The most important document for the students applying for the UK Student Visa is their UK Student Visa Application Form. A lot of times, candidates provide inaccurate information which becomes the reason for UK Visa rejection. The Visa Application Form could be a complex document for first-timers and candidates could tend to misinterpret questions. Hence, the probability of making an error is huge and this should be avoided under all circumstances.

2. Falling Short on Academic Achievements

Candidates looking to apply to the top universities in the UK are required to show academic achievements to be able to meet the exceptional academic standards maintained by the country.  Students are unable to match such standards leading to the cancellation of their UK student visa. The student visa might also be rejected if the issuing administration feels the student would not be able to cope with the prevalent education system or if the student could experience a language barrier once in the country.

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3. Insufficient Funds

Candidates going to the United Kingdom must be able to pay their tuition fees, their living costs and every other necessary expenditure while living in the country. By law, candidates would be required to show funds that cover their tuition and living expenses for a year or for the entire duration of the course (whichever is longer) and funds must be 28 days old in the account. A lot of times, these intricate details are left out by the candidate or taken lightly thus, leading to their Visa rejection.

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4. Inadequate Documents

A lot of times, candidates underplay the importance of supporting documents. Along with their Visa Application form, candidates are expected to submit supporting documents to make their application stronger. Candidates should be extra careful to note that all the documents required by the agency must be submitted in order and attested if necessary. The documents should be in English and according to international standards.

5. Lack of Interview Skills







The interview round for UK Student Visa is extremely crucial and is a deciding factor for your student visa. Candidates should be able to exude confidence and charisma at the time of their interview. Candidates who go half-prepared or provide hesitant answers often miss out on the opportunity of getting their student visa. Candidates should be prepared with all the information as the interviewer expects the candidates to be aware of the country, state, city, university and study programmes. Candidates who are facing problems with their UK Student Visa can contact our expert counselling team for getting their doubts cleared.

6. Gap Years

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Is this recommendation relevant?

Your gap year/years when you have not done anything productive or you do not have anything to show that you have done something concrete may increase the chances of visa rejection. Even if you have not done any work or studies you should go for something that is related to your work, such as an internship or any activity that can be counted as relevant and can be useful in your career ahead.

Also Read: 

7. English Language Proficiency

Candidates who are applying for a Tier 4 Student Visa to pursue higher studies are required to meet the English language criteria set by the institution where they are seeking admission.

What to do if Your UK Student Visa gets Rejected?

As such, there is no limit to applying for a UK student visa if your visa gets rejected in accordance with immigration rules. So, candidates can apply as many times as they want. However, it is not a good idea to apply numerous times for a UK student visa. Just check the reason for visa rejection and make sure you are meeting the criteria while reapplying. There is no such thing as blacklisting the applicant until he/she has a criminal background.

You can do the following in case of visa rejection:

  • One can reapply once your application gets rejected
  • You can lodge an appeal if there is a right to it
  • You can opt for reconsideration which is possible only for certain types of applications
  • You can apply for an administrative review if you fulfill the following conditions:
    • You are in the UK
    • You applied in the UK
    • You received a refusal
    • You are not satisfied with the amount or conditions of your leave

Also Read:

Reasons for rejection of US Student Visa

Reasons for rejection of Canada Student Visa

Reasons for rejection of Australian Student Visa

Reasons for rejection of Germany Student Visa

What to do if your student Visa gets rejected?

Interview tips for student visa

UK Visa Rejection Reasons (Student Visa) FAQs

Q. Can I apply for an administrative review if I am not in the UK?

A. No. You can apply for an administrative review of your visa decision if the same was rejected only if you are in the UK. The deadline for the same is within 14 days of getting a decision. But if the applicant has been detained on the day they obtained a decision, they will have to apply within 7 days. You will have to pay a fee of £80. At present, it may take upto six months or maybe more to obtain your administrative review result. If the same is not declared within six months, you will be reached out by the Home Office regarding the same.

Q. Is there any limit on the number of student visa applications?

A. No. You can apply for a UK student visa as many times as you want. However, you must note that multiple applications will not be beneficial for you. You might want to reconsider your decision to study in the UK if your visa gets rejected multiple times. While sending a new application addressing the rejection reason, you will have to deposit the fee again. Make sure that your new application is written well such that the Immigration Executive finds a reason to accept your Visa application this time.  

Q. What all countries should I consider if my UK student visa is rejected?

A. If your UK student visa is rejected, you may want to consider Canada, Australia, Ireland, Finland, etc. as your study abroad destinations.

Q. Can I hide or change some information in my UK student visa application?

A. It is advised that you should not hide or change any information in your UK student visa application. A lot of times, candidates provide inaccurate information which becomes the reason for UK Visa rejection. There is a high chance that your application might get rejected if the immigration department comes across any wrong information. The probability of making an error is huge and this should be avoided under all circumstances.

Q. What is the approximate UK student visa rejection rate?

A. UK student visa rejection rate is lies somewhere between 3% to 5%. However, the UK student visa rejection rate for 2022 has been on the lower side and most of the applications have been accepted.

Q. What all documents are required to apply for UK student visa?

A. In order to apply for UK student visa, you need to the following documents:
  • A valid travel document (passport)
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
  • Proof of funds
  • Consent from parents/ guardian if you are under 18
  • Tuberculosis test results

Q. How can I speed up the process of UK student visa?

A. In order to receive a faster decision on your visa, you can opt for a Priority Visa Service or Super Priority Visa Service. For both, you need to pay an extra amount. Priority Visa Service allows you to receive a decision within 5 working days. Indian students need to pay INR 25,557 for availing this service. Super Priority Visa allows you to receive a decision within 24 hours. Indian students need to pay INR 97,730 for availing this service.

Q. How can I reduce the probability of rejection of UK student visa?

A. In order to make sure that your UK student visa does not get rejected, make sure to file your documents correctly, check you education provider credentials, mention all the details correctly, arrange for funds well in advance, and prepare for interview thoroughly. In addition, make sure that you have a backup plan for yourself.

Q. My UK student visa application decision is getting delayed. What could be the reason?

A. If your UK student visa application decision is getting delayed, then it could be because of the following reasons:
  • The documents that you have provided need verification
  • There is a requirement for you to attend an interview
  • There are other circumstances that have led to a delay in the visa processing

Q. Can I cancel my UK student visa application?

A. You can cancel or withdraw your UK student visa application. However, you must note that you are eligible for a refund of your application fee only if UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) has not started processing your application yet. In addition, if you cancel before receiving a decision, you are eligible for immigration health surcharge refund.

Q:   Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

A:

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:   What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?

A:

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:   Does the University of Essex require IELTS?

A:

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:   How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?

A:

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:   Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?

A:

With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.

Q:   How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?

A:

International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:

English language test

Minimum Score required UG

Minimum Score required PG

IELTS

6 or above

6 or above

PTE

59 or above

58 or above

Duolingo

105 or above

120 or above

Q:   What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?

A:

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:
  1. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
  2. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
  3. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
  4. #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
  5. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
  6. #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
  7. #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.

Q:   What is the ranking of NTU UK in terms of employability?

A:

According to Uni Compare rankings 2024, NTU has been placed at #1 in the UK for employability. In addition to this, as per the details available on the web, some of the top companies where NTU UK alumni work are Deloitte, Microsoft, Tesco, Turner & Townsend, The Access Group, etc. Some of the industries where the alumni work are Operations, Business Development, Arts and Design, Sales, Marketing, IT, Engineering, Finance, Media & Communication, etc.

About the Author
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio

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Comments

(47)

a

ashish shirke

a year ago

Hi Rahul, I got 2 visa rejections from Irish embassy due to my poor academics (backlogs) and gaps though I had unconditional offer letter from irish universities, Now I was planning to apply for UK universities, I've received the conditional offer letter from universities, I have working experience

...Read more

Reply to ashish shirke

s

selina akter

2 years ago

thank you so much sir you get me rid of anxiouty .many many thank you.how can i procced my file will u help me to

Reply to selina akter

R

Rahul Singha

a year ago

Hello Selina. Always happy to help. Can you please elaborate on your query so I can assist you better? Please note that visa filing is an independent process and can be undertaken by the student by following the instructions mentioned here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/uk-student-visa-guide-app

...Read more

s

selina akter

2 years ago

Thank you sir .now i am facing a problem that when university know about my past refusal on that time my application process become slow ,sometime most university denied my application.sir i am a genuine studnet i have everything i dont know what should i do .sir please advice me to fulfill my dream

...Read more

Reply to selina akter

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Selina. As mentioned to you earlier, you can reapply after refusal. However, you are required to mention about the previous refusal.

s

selina akter

2 years ago

I had uk refusal 2016 .when i was completed higher secondary .i applied for the foundation programm. During the ukvi interview, On that time i became so nervous bcz it was the first ever interview.when i was asked why uk .i gave iirelevent answer and i suddenly said honours course 3 years insted of

...Read more

Reply to selina akter

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Selina. As mentioned to you earlier, you can reapply after refusal. However, you are required to mention the previous refusal.

s

selina akter

2 years ago

Thank you sir ..now i am facing a problem that when university know about my past refusal on that time my application process become slow ,sometime most university denied my application.sir i am a genuine studnet i have everything i dont know what should i do .sir please advice me to fulfill my drea

...Read more

View More Replies (1)

s

selina akter

2 years ago

I had uk refusal 2016 .when i was completed higher secondary .i applied for the foundation programm. During the ukvi interview, On that time i became so nervous bcz it was the first ever interview.when i was asked why uk .i gave iirelevent answer and i suddenly said honours course 3 years insted of

...Read more

Reply to selina akter

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Selina. As mentioned to you earlier, you can reapply after refusal. However, you are required to mention the previous refusal.

s

selina akter

2 years ago

Thank you sir .now i am facing a problem that when university know about my past refusal on that time my application process become slow ,sometime most university denied my application.sir i am a genuine studnet i have everything i dont know what should i do .sir please advice me to fulfill my dream

...Read more

View More Replies (1)