Study English in the UK Student Visa

When you apply for a Student visa, you’ll be asked to confirm your knowledge of the English language, and there are two ways you can do this.

• Option 1 - You can take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. If you pass this test, this can be used to prove your knowledge of English.
• Option 2 - If you have a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18, you can choose to use this.

What level of English do I need?

To be able to apply for a Student visa, you will need to be able to read, write, speak and understand English to a certain level on this scale, linked here. 

• If you’re studying at degree level or above, you’ll need an equivalent to CEFR level B2.
• If you’re studying below degree level, you’ll need an equivalent to CEFR level B1.

Are the requirements different if I’m studying a higher education course?

If you’re studying at degree level or above, your Higher Education Provider (HEP) can assess your level of English themselves. This means they may ask you to do a different test. Please note, that this will still need to be equivalent to a CEFR level B2.

Does everyone who is applying for a Student visa need to confirm their knowledge of English?

Not everyone needs to provide proof of their knowledge of English. If you’re from one of the countries or territories below (or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them), you won’t need to do this.

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA

You also don’t need to prove your knowledge of English if:

• you’re a Canadian citizen
• you’re applying to come to the UK for a study abroad programme as part of a university degree course in the USA
• you’ve already proved your level of English in a previous visa application

When looking to study in the UK, you’ll be asked to prove you have enough money to pay for your course, as well as support yourself in the UK. However, the amount of money you’ll need will depend on your current circumstances and also, the course you’re applying for.

What do I need to pay for?

• Your course fee

You’ll need to pay for your course for 1 academic year (up to 9 months). The exact amount that you’ll need to pay depends on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). This is a reference number that is sent to you by your education provider once they’ve offered you a place on the course. 

If you’ve already been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, you won’t need to worry about proving that you have this money for your visa application.

• Expenses whilst you’re in the UK

Another thing you’re expected to confirm is that you’re able to support yourself during your time in the UK. However, similarly to the above, if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months on the date of your application, you don’t need to worry about proving this.

How much do I need to pay?

The amount of money you’ll need to pay depends on whether your course is in or outside of London. 

• If you’re studying a course in London, you’ll need to pay £1,334 per month (for up to 9 months). This is the case whether you’re studying in the City of London or any of the 32 London boroughs.
  
  
• If you’re studying a course outside of London, you’ll need to pay £1,023 per month (for up to 9 months).

Don’t forget, that if you’re planning to stay at a residential independent school, you’ll need to pay boarding fees instead. The amount you need to pay will be on your CAS.

If you’re planning to bring your family over to the UK with you, you’ll also need to confirm you have the additional money for each family member who is planning to join you.

One thing to remember, when proving you have the correct amount of money, is that you’ll need to have it for at least 28 consecutive days. As well as this, the end date of the 28-day period should be within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa.

For example, if you submit your application on 1 January 2021, you’d have to show that the funds were in your bank account for at least the 28-day period ending on 1 December 2020.

If you are being supported financially elsewhere, for example, by a student loan or financial sponsorship, you’ll need to provide proof of this from your loan or sponsorship company. 

Don’t worry, we understand you might have a few questions about how much money you’ll need and how you can go about proving it. To read more Student visa guidance on finances for student applications, click here. 

Does everyone who is applying for a Student visa need to prove they have the money to support themselves?

It’s a good question, because no, not everyone will need to provide proof of funds. You won’t need to provide proof if your circumstance is one of the following:

• you’re currently in the UK and had a UK visa for 12 months prior to the date of your Student visa application
• you’re applying as a student union sabbatical officer
• you’re applying as a postgraduate doctor or dentist on a recognised foundation programme
• you’re from a country listed under the ‘differential evidence requirement’

You also don’t need to prove you have enough money to support yourself if you’re a British national overseas or from one of the following countries or territories:

• Australia
• Austria
• Bahrain
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Croatia
• Republic of Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• The Dominican Republic
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Oman
• Peru
• Poland
• Portugal
• Qatar
• Romania
• Serbia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Tunisia
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America

You might be asked to provide confirmation of this before you get a decision on your application. If you are asked to provide it, you’ll be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after you’ve submitted your application.

To be able to apply for a Student visa, you need to have an unconditional offer of a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor, listed here.

To prove this, your education provider will send you a reference number (called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)) once they’ve offered you a place on the course. Don’t forget, you need a CAS before you can apply for your visa.

What courses can I study?

There are many courses available for you to study in the UK, including:

• a full-time course leading to a qualification that’s below degree level (RQF level 3, 4 or 5), including at least 15 hours a week of organised daytime study
• a full-time course leading to a qualification that’s degree level or above (RQF level 6, 7 or 8)
• a full-time course at degree level or above (RQF level 6,7 or 8) that’s equivalent to a UK higher education course and is being delivered as part of a longer course overseas
• a part-time course leading to a qualification that’s above degree level (RQF level 7 or above)
• a recognised foundation programme for postgraduate doctors or dentists
• an English language course at level B2 or above in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

You can also apply for this visa if you’re taking up a full-time elected position as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer.

If you’d like to read more information about the level of qualifications for courses and what they mean, you can click here.

Please note, that if you’re planning to study or research a sensitive topic at RQF level 7 or above, you might also need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Can I apply for this visa if I’m a Postgraduate doctor or dentist?

Yes, you can apply for this visa if you’re sponsored to do a recognised foundation programme and you’ve done all three of the following:

• finished a recognised UK degree in medicine or dentistry
• received that degree from a registered student sponsor
• spent your final year and at least 1 other year of studies leading to that degree in the UK

Your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Once you’ve been offered a place on your chosen course, your education provider will send you a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. You will need to enter this reference number on your visa application.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS.