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UK Student Visa Application

UK Student Visa

It important for foreign students to obtain a student visa before arriving in the UK. Therefore, this article will expose you to everything you must know about the UK student visa.

Meanwhile, to obtain a student visa, you must meet one of the following criteria below;

  • Take a full-time, accredited short course, or a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree
  • Carry out a study and/or research of more than 6 months, which is part of a study abroad program
  • Enrol in a course that is taught during the week, which includes at least 15 hours of daytime study each week
  • Take a full-time course at an independent fee-paying college

You must also;

  • Be able to pay for your studies and support yourself without the need to do business, get a job or need help from public funds
  • Being able and having the intention to follow your chosen course
  • Intend to leave the UK upon completion of your studies if your study program is below undergraduate level.

Cost of UK Student Visa

The cost of the visa varies from country to country. In the UK, the Visa itself is worth £144. However, if you don’t have all the required documents, such as your passport, you may have to pay extra for additional copies.

UK Student Visa Categories and Who Can Apply

  • Tier 4 (Child)

You can apply as a Level 4 (Tier 4) student of the points-based system if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are between 4 and 15 years old, you must come to the UK to be educated at an independent paying college.

  • Child Visitor
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You can apply as a child visitor if you are under 18 and want to come to study in the UK for a maximum of 6 months.

While you are in the UK as a child visitor, you cannot “switch” and request an extension of your stay to a Level 4 student.

If you want to study under the Level 4 (child) scheme, you will have to leave the UK and apply from the country where you live.

  • Tier 4 (General)

It can be applied as an adult student at Level 4 (Tier 4 General) based on the point system if you are coming to the UK for education beyond your 16 years.

  • Student Visitor

You can apply as a visiting student if you are over 18 years of age and want to go to study in the UK for a maximum of 6 months (or up to 11 months to take an English language course), and do not want to work while there.

While you are in the UK as a visiting student, you cannot “switch” and request an extension of your visa to a Level 4 student.

If you want to study under Level 4 (General), you will have to leave the UK and apply for the visa from the country where you live.

  • Prospective Student

You can apply as a prospective student if you want to go to the UK for management related course at Level 4. You will be able to switch to a Level 4 (General) or Level 4 (Child) visa during your stay in the UK.

Changes to the UK Student Visa System

The UK Home Secretary has announced some changes to the admission criteria for international students wishing to study in the UK.

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These changes will not affect the majority of legitimate applicants; the British Government has said that it recognizes the significant contribution that international students make to the nation each year.

Therefore, we have summarized these changes below, but for official updates and more information, you can visit the UK Border Agency website.

  • Candidates who are not citizens of a member country of the European Union will have to speak English at almost the GCSE standard level, that is, have a higher level of the language than the beginner, which was previously accepted. Also, most universities will not accept candidates who score below 6.0 on the IELTS test.
  • Those who are in courses lasting less than six months will not be allowed to bring dependents to the country and will not be allowed to work
  • Student visas with the right to internships will only be granted if the educational institutions that offer the academic program are accredited in The Highly Trusted Sponsors List registry.

Conclusion

The UK student visa is a must for any foreign student who wishes to study in the UK. So, in case you are interested in this visa, you should take note of all the information we discussed today.

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