How do I qualify to travel to the UK as a student?

You must be able to show that you have been accepted on a course of study at an educational establishment that is on the UK's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) Register of Education and Training Providers. Contact details are under 'More advice and information' at the end of this guidance, or you can search the register on the DfES website at: www.dfes.gov.uk/providersregister

You must be able to show that you are going to follow:

* a recognised full-time degree course, or
* a course run during the week involving at least 15 hours of organised daytime study each week, or
* a full-time course at an independent fee-paying school

You must also:
* be able to pay for your course and support yourself and any dependants, and live in the UK without working or needing any help from public funds, and
* intend to leave the UK when you complete your studies.

If you are a degree student and you successfully complete your studies, you may be able to take work permit employment if you meet the requirements. You can get more information about work permits in our Work permit holders (INF 13) guidance note.

If you graduate in an approved science or engineering subject you can apply to stay in the UK, to look for or to take work, for an additional year after your degree course finishes without getting a work permit. For more information, please see the Permit free employment (INF 14) guidance note.

Under the ‘Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland’ scheme, if you successfully complete a degree level course or above, and it was awarded by a Scottish institution, you may be able to apply to live and work in Scotland for up to two years after achieving your qualification.

What is a Visa?

A visa is a certificate that is put into your passport or travel document by an Entry Clearance Officer at a British mission overseas. The visa gives you permission to enter the UK.
If you have a valid UK visa, we will not normally refuse you entry to the UK unless your circumstances have changed, or you gave false information or did not tell us important facts when you applied for your visa.
When you arrive in the UK, an Immigration Officer may ask you questions, so take all relevant documents in your hand luggage.

How do I apply for a visa?

I You will need to fill in a visa application form (VAF 1 – Non-settlement). You can download the form from this website, or get one free of charge from your nearest British mission overseas where there is a visa section.
You must apply for your visa in the country of which you are a national or where you legally live.
You can apply in a number of ways, for example by post, by courier, in person and online. The visa section will tell you about the ways in which you can apply.
In some countries, if you are applying for a visa to stay in the UK for more than six months, you may need to be tested for active tuberculosis before we will accept your application. You can find out if you need to be tested by using the Do I need a UK visa? on this website, or by contacting your nearest British mission overseas where there is a visa section.

Planning Ahead for the Visa Process, Not Just Your Academic Admission

One of the most important things you can do to ensure that you will be able to arrive in time for the start of your educational program in the United States is to plan well in advance, not only for the academic portion of your U.S. program, but also for the visa process. This means you will need to request and receive the appropriate visa-qualifying document (either an I-20 or DS-2019) from the U.S. institution or program sponsor well in advance of your planned departure to the United States. You will also need to make an appointment for your visa interview. Please consult the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest you to find out how long it may take to get an appointment.

More advice and information
Department for Education and Skills (DfES)
You can get more information about the DfES and the register of approved education providers from:
elk Department for Education and Skills Caxton House Tothill Street
London SW1H 9FN
Phone: (+44) (0) 870 000 2288
Email: info@dfes.gov.uk
Website: www.dfes.gov.uk
You can get more advice about studying in the UK from:
UKCOSA The Council for International Education provides advice and information to international students studying or planning to study in the UK, their family, teachers and other advisors: UKCOSA: The Council for International Education The Council for International Education 9-17 St Albans Place London N1 0NX Website: www.ukcosa.org.uk British Council The British Council provides information to help international students prepare for study in the UK. This link will take you to the British Council's "First Steps" guidance on preparing for entry clearance:
elk First Steps Guidance - Preparing for entry clearance
More information about studying in the UK is available from: British Council
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester M1 6BB
Website: http://www.educationuk.org
UKvisas You can get more advice and information about visas from:
UKvisas
London SW1A 2AH

General enquiries: (+44) (0)20 7008 8438
Application forms: (+44) (0)20 7008 8308
E-mail: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/enquiries