Studying in the UK is an opportunity to get not only a quality European education, but also a unique international experience. Here are some of the key benefits of getting an education in the UK:
The UK is home to the world’s leading universities: Oxford, Cambridge, the London School of Economics and Imperial College London. According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, 4 UK universities are in the top 10 and 17 are in the top 100.
British institutions are renowned for cutting-edge research and innovation. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, UK universities are at the forefront of research quality in various areas, from medicine and engineering to the social sciences and humanities.
The academic programmes of British universities focus on combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills. It prepares students for further professional activity. Internships and participation in research projects are an important part of education.
According to Higher Education Statistics Agency data for the academic year 2022/23, there are more than 600,000 international students on first degree (undergraduate) programmes in the UK, and more than 500,000 on postgraduate (masters and PhD) programmes. Schools have over 26,000 international students. The multicultural environment provides the opportunity to study and socialise with students from all over the world.
According to Graduate Outcomes Statistics, 92 per cent of UK graduates find a job within 15 months of graduation. Employers value British university degrees, so the chances of finding a job immediately after graduation are very high.
British universities offer a wide range of academic programmes, from half-year school courses to masters and PhD courses. There are also fast-track courses for those who want to complete a degree in a short period of time.
The focus on practice, quality of education and international co-operation makes studying in the UK particularly attractive to those seeking academic achievements and career prospects.
British immigration law has three visa categories for foreign nationals coming to the UK to study:
None of the student visas lead to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain, or the status of the permanent resident). However, the time spent in the UK on such visas can be included into the period required to obtain permanent residency based on 10 years of legal residence in the country.
High-quality education in British top independent schools and universities is a great contribution to your children’s future success in life. Imperial & Legal advisors will help you to find an appropriate educational institution and obtain a visa.
The student visa is designed for applicants aged 16 and over who are planning to study at a UK educational institution that has sponsor licence. The licence allows univercities to admit international students. This visa is required for those applying to study at colleges and universities; doctors and dentists undertaking residency training as part of approved research programmes; and students of English courses above B2 level.
Not everyone going to study in the UK needs a Student visa. Depending on the length and type of academic programme, students should apply for one of the following visa categories:
Term of study
Features
Less than 6 months
You must provide confirmation from your university that the research or course you are going to undertake in the UK is relevant to your previous education.
6 to 11 months
The training course must be approved by the government.
More than 6 months
The institution must be a licensed sponsor. The student must receive confirmation of enrolment (CAS).
*£490 is the application fee. Applicants for a Student visa also must pay the IHS, which is an obligatory fee for the right to use the British health care system.
The list of documents for a UK student visa may vary depending on the chosen educational institution and personal circumstances. Our immigration lawyers will prepare an accurate list at your request. The basic package of documents is the following:
To apply for a UK Student visa, you need to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses.
Tuition fees vary by programme and university. However, the minimum necessary amount is included in your CAS. You must demonstrate that you have the funds to pay for the first year of study (9 months) or the entire programme if it lasts less than a year.
On top of this, you must show that you have enough money to live in the UK. If you are studying in London, £1,334 per month for 9 months will be required. If the institution is outside London, £1,023 per month for 9 months will be required. Funds must have been in a bank account for at least 28 days before applying for a visa.
If you have a student loan or financial sponsor, supporting documentation must be provided.
Students on PhD programmes (postgraduate) are eligible to bring family members (spouse or child) with them to the UK. For this you will need to show the availability of £845 per month (to live in London) or £680 per month (to live outside London) for each dependent family member going with you.
In the UK, the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is used to categorise educational qualifications, indicating the complexity and depth of knowledge required. The RQF levels are numbered from 1 to 8, where 1 represents initial qualifications and 8 corresponds to doctoral degrees.
To apply for a student visa, you should normally apply for programmes with an RQF of at least 3. This means that the course must include at least 15 hours of full-time study per week. Programmes with RQF 6 lead to a Bachelor’s degree, with RQF 7 to a Master’s degree and with RQF 8 to a PhD.
English language courses, which may be sponsored by institutions but do not always require an RQF qualification, and medical and dental programmes stand apart as they have different learning conditions and classifications.
Below is a list of programmes and their corresponding RQF levels that are fit for the UK Student visa:
A score of 70 points is required to qualify for a UK Student visa. Points are awarded for the fulfillment of the following requirements:
The time it takes to process a UK Student visa depends on where you apply.
Place of application
Submission guidelines
Outside the UK
3-6 months before the start of training
Inside the UK
3 months before the start of the course. The new course must start not later than 28 days from the date of expiry of the existing visa.
Relevant for those who are already in the country and are applying for a visa extension or change of visa category (e.g. from a short stay visa to a student visa).
It is also possible to use the priority service which reduces processing time to 5 working days (cost £500) or the super priority service (cost £1,000) which allows you to get a decision within 24 hours. This service is available for all applications made in the UK. However, it can only be used at some visa centres if you are applying overseas.
We recommend that you take into account possible delays and apply early.
The validity of the visa is directly related to the duration of the course but gives time to apply for a new visa category. The basic rules are as follows:
There is also a separate visa category, the Graduate Visa, designed for students who have successfully completed an undergraduate, master’s or PhD programme in the UK. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for 2 years (undergraduate and master’s) or 3 years (PhD) to find a job.
To find out exactly how many years your UK student visa will be valid for and what you need to renew it, book a consultation with Imperial & Legal immigrational advisors.
A British student visa allows you to study at your chosen institution, work as a student union officer or take up part-time employment. However, the level of employment will depend on your qualifications and study schedule. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays. Students may also undertake internship as long as they are part of the academic programme and do not exceed 50% of the total duration of the course.
Only PhD students are eligible to bring their spouse and minor children with them to the UK.
The student visa also imposes restrictions, among which prohibits:
How do I get into a British university?
The Child Student visa is for children aged 4 to 17 who are enrolled at a private school in the UK that has a sponsor licence to admit international pupils.
To apply for a Child Student visa to the UK, you need to attach the following documents to your application:
If your child requires a certain level of education to enroll in a new school, you will need to show proof of your child’s education in your home country.
In order to obtain a UK Child Student visa, you must prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition fees and living expenses.
Tuition fees vary depending on the duration and conditions of stay. Applicants must demonstrate that they have the means to pay for the first year of study (9 months) or for the entire programme if it is less than a year in length.
If the child will be living with a parent or carer, you will need to demonstrate £1,560 per month, calculated over 9 months: this amount is based on the applicant and parent.
If the child will be staying in a boarding school, you must provide the availability of funds to pay for the first year’s tuition and living expenses (9 months).
If the child will be living with a close relative or foster carer, they will need to provide an account balance of £570 per month based on 9 months per child.
If you are 16 or 17 years old and living on your own, you must be able to afford the first year’s tuition fees and living costs (9 months). If you will be studying in London, this will be £1,334 per month for 9 months. If the institution is outside London, £1,023 per month for 9 months will be required. Funds must have been in a bank account for at least 28 days before applying for a visa.
3 months before the start of the programme
To apply for a visa, your child will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) at a UK visa application centre. To ensure you have time to complete all the necessary documents, please contact Imperial & Legal for deadlines and assistance.
It is also possible to use the priority service which reduces processing time to 5 working days (£500) or the super priority service (£1,000) which allows you to get a decision within 24 hours. This service is available for all applications made in the UK. However, it can only be used at some visa centres if you are applying overseas.
A period a child student can stay in the UK depends on the length of their education as well as the age of the applicant:
A Child Student visa allows to come to the UK to study at an English private school.
Children from the age of 16 are allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours per week during school hours and full-time during holidays. It is also allowed to work as part of their studies as long as it does not take up more than 50 per cent of the curriculum.
The holder of a Child Student visa is not allowed:
When a child reaches the age of 18, they can apply for a Student Visa to continue their studies at universities or other educational programmes in the UK.
How do I go to school in the UK?
You can only apply for a UK Parent of a Child Student visa if your child already has a Child Student visa in the UK or is applying for one. Your child must be between 4 and 11 years old at the time of application.
Only one parent can accompany a child to the UK; the other parent is not eligible to apply for this visa category.
The cost of a visa for a Parent of a Child Student is £637.
If you plan to come to the UK with your child, you will need to demonstrate that you have £1,560 per month in your account for 9 months. This amount covers both you and your child.
If you want to take another child with you, you will need to show an additional £625 per month for 9 months in your bank account.
The following documents must be attached to the application form for a Parent of a Child Student visa:
The vast majority of applications for this immigration category are from overseas. Imperial & Legal advise their clients to apply for a Parent of a Child Student visa 6 months before they intend to enter the UK.
You will need to visit the British visa centre in your country to have your photographs and fingerprinted taken.
Whilst on a Parent of a Child Student visa in the UK, you have the right to look after your child, and to bring other children with you if they also hold a UK Child Student visa.
You are forbidden:
If you are planning to study in the UK for yourself or your child and want to accompany them during their studies, you will need professional legal assistance. Imperial & Legal can help you prepare all the necessary documents and advise you on the visa application process. Contacting an immigration lawyer will allow you to avoid mistakes in the application and unnecessary expenses for repeated payment of state fees. With our support you will significantly speed up the process of obtaining a visa and minimise the risks.
Timeframe: 1 day
Imperial & Legal specialists are licensed immigration advisors. A consultation can be carried out offline in an office or remotely via an audio or a video call via Zoom/Skype. During the consultation, your advisor will ask questions about your case, listen to your comments and answer all your questions. After signing a contract with our company, our experts will develop a plan of actions and start implementing it. If you haven’t chosen an educational institution yet, we will help you find the best option for you and obtain a CAS.
Timeframe: 1 – 2 weeks
Imperial & Legal immigration advisors act as your official representatives till you get a final decision from immigration authorities. Our experts will make a list of documents that will be required from you to get a student visa, have them translated into English, prepare cover letters and your application, fill in all online forms, pay application fees and submit an application. Then, we will book your appointment in one of British visa centres to submit biometrics and upload all the necessary documents into the system.
Timeframe: up to 2 months
An application is processed within 3 – 8 weeks depending on where you submit an application. After your application is approved and you get a British student visa, you can come to the UK within a week before the course begins if the course lasts for six months or less, and within a month before the course begins if the course lasts longer than six months.
We will not only help you with a visa application but also provide complex assistance in terms of moving to the UK, including searching for accommodation, etc.
The costs will depend on where you apply for a visa. If you apply for a visa remotely through one of British visa centres, an application fee will be lower:
If your application is rejected due to mistakes in the application form or missing documents, an application fee won’t be refunded. That’s why it is so important to get assistance from a qualified immigration advisor.
Apart from an application fee, you will have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). For children below 18 years old and students, it amounts to £776 for each year of stay in the UK and £1035 for all other applicant categories. If your application is rejected, IHS will be refunded.
All fees are paid upon submitting your application.
To get a Child Student visa without any problems, the curriculum of a British independent school must comply with:
When you start your course in the UK, you can take a special preparatory course. It allows to improve the level of English and avoid problems with further studies.
Student visa is granted not only to those who have just finished school, but also for young scientists and doctors. You can add your spouse, partner or minor to your application, if:
Yes, there are. Some higher educational institutions and colleges offer allowances for citizens of former British colonies.
Caribbean jurisdictions such as Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Dominica, Grenada and St Kitts & Nevis, are included into this category. These countries offer citizenship by investment programs that allow all foreigners to get a second passport for a small contribution into the local economy. British educational institutions welcome both citizens who were born on the islands and those who have just obtained citizenship. What`s more, you can travel visa-free across the EU with a Caribbean passport and stay in the UK for up to six months.
Imperial & Legal offers support for Caribbean citizenship by investment programs and for a long time has been helping wealthy foreigners to get second citizenship for minimum investment. Contact our advisors to learn which universities and colleges offer allowances for applicants with a Caribbean passport.
We are OISC regulated immigration lawyers making applications on behalf of our clients for many years. Get in touch today to start your application.
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