UK Student Visa Application: Complete Guide

What the UK Student visa covers

The UK Student visa (formerly Tier 4 General) allows international students to study at UK educational institutions. It covers study at universities, foundation programs, English language courses, and certain other accredited institutions. The visa is granted for the duration of your course plus a few months either side.

Approval rates for the Student visa from most African countries are 75-90% — significantly higher than tourist visas. The reason: the visa requires a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK educational institution, which itself involves vetting.

Eligibility prerequisites

Before applying, you need:

• Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a UK educational institution that holds a Student sponsor licence
• Sufficient funds to cover course fees and living costs (specific amounts detailed below)
• English language proficiency at the required level for your course (typically IELTS Band 6.0-7.0 depending on institution)
• Tuberculosis test if you are from a country requiring TB clearance (most African countries are on this list)
• Genuine intent to study — supported through previous academic record and clear study purpose

The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

The CAS is the most important document in your Student visa application. It is issued by your university after you have:

• Received an unconditional offer (or met conditions of a conditional offer)
• Paid required deposit if applicable
• Submitted academic transcripts and English proficiency proof

The CAS contains a unique reference number tied to you specifically. It is valid for 6 months from issue date. Apply for your visa within this window.

The CAS includes information that must match your visa application exactly: course title, course duration, fee structure, accommodation arrangements if provided. Discrepancies between CAS and visa application data trigger refusal.

Financial requirements (2026)

You must show funds covering:

1. Full tuition fees for one year — or remaining fees if your course is shorter than 12 months
2. Living costs — calculated as £1,334 per month for London or £1,023 per month for outside London, for up to 9 months (£12,006 total in London or £9,207 outside London for full 9 months)

If your course is shorter than 9 months, scale living costs proportionally.

If your course is in London and lasts 12 months, total funds required would be: tuition fees + £12,006 living. For a £18,000 tuition course in London, you need to demonstrate £30,006 in funds.

How to demonstrate funds

Funds must be:

• In your name, or your parent/guardian\'s name (with letter of consent)
• Held for 28 consecutive days, with closing balance dated within 31 days of application
• In a recognized financial institution
• Accessible — fixed deposits, term deposits, and certain investment accounts may not qualify

Acceptable forms:

• Bank statements showing 28-day history
• Letter from bank confirming balance and that funds have been held 28+ days
• Education loans from regulated financial institutions (with confirmation letter)
• Government/sponsor financial guarantees (for sponsored students)

The 28-day rule

This is the most-violated requirement. Funds must have been in the account for 28 consecutive days before the closing balance date. Sudden large deposits 1-2 weeks before applying do not qualify. Plan funds at least 6 weeks before submission to allow comfortable margin.

English language proficiency

Most courses require IELTS Academic with specific minimum band scores set by the institution. Common patterns:

• Foundation courses: IELTS 5.5 with no band below 5.0
• Bachelor\'s degrees: IELTS 6.0-6.5 with no band below 5.5
• Master\'s degrees: IELTS 6.5-7.0 with no band below 6.0
• PhD programs: IELTS 6.5-7.0 with strong individual band scores
• Top universities (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial): IELTS 7.0-7.5 with no band below 6.5-7.0

Some universities accept other English tests (TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo English Test). Some waive the requirement for students from majority-English-speaking countries or graduates of English-medium institutions. Check your specific university\'s requirements.

Use the IELTS Band 7 roadmap on ExamReady for preparation strategy if you need IELTS for UK Student visa.

Application process

Step 1: Apply online

The Student visa application is filed online through gov.uk. The form takes 60-90 minutes if you have all your information ready. Critical sections:

• Personal details and passport information
• CAS reference number and university details
• Course information matching CAS exactly
• Financial information
• Travel and previous immigration history

Step 2: Pay the fees

The Student visa fee for 2026 is £490. You also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — £776 per year of leave granted. For a 1-year master\'s, IHS is £776. For a 3-year bachelor\'s, IHS is £2,328.

Step 3: Book biometrics appointment

After paying fees, book your biometrics appointment at the local VFS Global or TLScontact center. Biometrics involve fingerprints and a photograph.

Step 4: Submit documents

At the biometrics appointment (or via courier depending on country), submit:

• Passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended return
• Printed visa application form
• CAS confirmation
• Financial documents
• English proficiency proof
• Tuberculosis test certificate (if required from your country)
• Academic qualifications
• Translation of any non-English documents

Step 5: Wait for decision

Standard processing is 3 weeks (15 working days) from biometrics. Priority service ($250 extra) targets 5 working days. Super-priority ($1,000 extra) targets 1 working day. Processing can be longer during peak periods (June-September for autumn intakes).

Common reasons for refusal

Insufficient funds

The most common refusal reason. Address by showing funds well above minimum, held for full 28 days, with consistent history.

Discrepancy between CAS and application

Course details, fees, or accommodation information differing between CAS and your visa application form. Always copy directly from CAS to ensure exact match.

Genuine student doubts

If officers believe you intend to use the visa for purposes other than study, refusal follows. Patterns triggering doubt: vague answers about course choice, weak academic preparation for the course, no clear post-graduation plan, applying for short courses inconsistent with your background.

English proficiency below requirement

Submitting an IELTS score below the threshold your university requires. Check your institution\'s specific requirement before applying.

Inadequate previous education evidence

Missing transcripts, ungraded transcripts, or transcripts that do not match what your CAS describes. Provide complete academic records.

After approval

If approved, your visa is granted as a sticker (vignette) in your passport for 90 days, allowing initial entry to the UK. Within 10 days of arriving, you collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) from a designated post office, which serves as your residence document for the rest of your study period.

The Student visa allows:

• Study at the institution that issued your CAS
• Part-time work up to 20 hours per week during term and full-time during holidays
• Course-related work placements as part of your degree
• Application for Graduate Route visa (2 years post-study work) after completing your degree

It does not allow:

• Self-employment or business ownership
• Working as a professional sportsperson
• Permanent settlement directly (though pathways exist via Skilled Worker after graduation)

Use the VisaPathway checker to confirm current processing times for your specific country and verify current requirements at gov.uk before applying.