UK Student Visa - How to apply, Requirements and Cost

Why study in the UK?

• Affordable and globally recognized universities
• High-quality education
• Avail scholarships for top universities for ￡1,000 up to ￡6,000
• Rich history and diverse culture
• Can easily apply for a work permit
• Access over 1 million job vacancies

UK Student Visa

The United Kingdom has a diverse population with a variety of cultures, beautiful urban life, and more that attracts young adults to move to the country. They try to pursue education and access work opportunities. International students choose to study in the UK as there are many renowned universities that offer a wide range of programs across fields. UK universities are known for their high-quality education, research, and excellence in the fields of Medicine, Education, Science, and more. One can easily get a UK Student Visa after receiving an acceptance letter from an educational institution in the country.

Top QS ranking universities in the UK

The QS ranking takes into consideration the university’s reputation, employer research, and more. The UK has around 90 renowned universities that are ranked as the top QS-ranking universities. The following table lists the top 10 QS-ranking universities in the UK:

Post-Study Work Permit in the UK

The UK has a Graduate Visa or the Post Study Work Visa, which allows graduated foreign students to stay for 2 years and take up any work in the country. You can include family members such as partners and children as dependents if they are already living in the country.

Get placed in top companies in the UK

International students who have graduated from UK Universities have International graduates have a high chance of getting placed in top companies in the UK. A few of the popular companies in the country include:

• Amazon
• HSBC
• Bristol Hospital Health and Care Group
• Accenture
• The Royal Bank of Scotland
• Sainsbury’s
• Barclays
• Deloitte
• Starbucks
• Sage

World-recognized courses offered in the UK

The UK universities have many recognized courses in different fields. The top ten courses in the UK that have more demand with higher career prospects are listed as follows:

• Business Analytics
• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Business Administration
• Management
• Medicine
• Finance
• International Business
• Accounting
• Law
• Architecture
• Construction Management
• Engineering
• Fashion
• Interior designing

Acquire skills for your future

Foreign students have to upskill themselves by learning some of the essential skills to stay relevant in the UK job market. One can enhance the possibility of getting employed by learning new skills. The skills required in the UK labour market are as follows:

• Effective communication
• Resilience
• Business Acumen
• Leadership skills
• Planning and research
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Skill of negotiation
• Digital Literacy

Build a career after finishing your courses in the UK

Foreign students are eligible to pursue one of the following after completing their courses in the UK:

• Become a research assistant
• Apply for internships
• Look into volunteering opportunities
• Find seasonal job roles
• Work at the university
• Apply for part-time jobs

The recently graduated students can work for a period of 2 years by applying for a Graduate Visa. The international students have the possibility to transition from a UK Student Visa into a Graduate Visa or a Work Permit by meeting the eligibility criteria. This ultimately paves the path for an UK ILR.

What are the reasons for studying in the UK?

International students prefer studying in the UK as it offers many benefits, like quality education, an inclusive and diverse society, affordable healthcare, and more professional opportunities. The few prominent reasons to study in the UK are as follows:

• Academic excellence: The universities in the UK strive to provide outstanding educational facilities that attract 679,970 international students every year. The UK has many reputed educational institutions like the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, and the Imperial College of London, from which students can choose. The educational certification one receives from the universities in the UK is recognized and accepted around the world. This increases the possibility of getting employed by a prominent company.
• Affordable fee: There are many UK universities that provide programs and courses across a variety of fields and specializations on an affordable budget. International students also have the opportunity to avail themselves of scholarships to fund their education in the country.
• Work while study: Foreign students pursuing full-time study programs with a UK Student Visa can work for a period of 20 hours from Monday to Sunday. However, the students can take up full-time work during their course break. The students can earn an hourly wage from ￡7.49 to ￡10.18 in the country.
• Post-study work options: One can apply for a Graduate Visa after completing their studies and stay for 2 years and work in the country. They are eligible to access more than 1 million job vacancies present in the UK job market.
• Best quality of life: International students can have access to infrastructure, transport, and healthcare and wellness facilities in the country. The cities like London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham and Cambridge in the UK are popular among students for the quality of life offered in terms of cultural enrichment, educational opportunities, employment opportunities, and a liveable environment.
• Vibrant campus life: UK universities have a great campus life with a vibrant student community. One has many options and amenities on the campus that will ensure in having a great experience. There are small cafes, restaurants, and study spaces, clubs for studying, networking and creating new connections.

What are the top universities in the UK?

The UK universities and educational institutions are known for their quality, high academic standards, fostering critical thinking, innovating, and a sense of collaboration among individuals. The universities in the UK are globally acknowledged and recognized, as listed in the following table:

What is the list of affordable universities in the UK?

There are many universities in the UK offering a wide variety of courses, but many international students have a major concern related to the budget. However, to address this issue, the UK has many affordable universities for students planning to study in the country. The following table consists of the affordable universities in the UK:

What are the study intakes in the UK?

The universities in the UK conduct study intakes or admission cycles offering a variety of courses for international students to submit an application. There are 3 study intakes conducted in the UK every year, and they are mentioned below:

The popular intake in the UK is the September and January intake, as there is an availability of many courses like MBA, Engineering, LLM, and Medical programs. At your convenience, you can apply for the May intake as well. Students must make an application and submit 3 to 6 months before the intake commences.

Study intakes and deadlines in the UK for bachelors and masters programs

The following table lists the study intakes, deadlines in the UK for bachelors and masters program:

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Which study intake should I opt for?

It is crucial to opt for the right intake to ensure you have a smooth admission process. You must consider the following factors when opting for a study intake in the UK:

• Get familiar with the academic calendar of the country and select an intake that matches your personal and academic timeline
• Check if your selected course is available in the intake
• Select an intake based on your personal commitments that might influence your decision
• Plan ahead, as the availability of accommodation may vary based on the intake
• Check-in advance the scholarships and funding provided for courses that may vary based on the intake.
• Take into consideration the time taken to process a visa application and migrate to the UK before selecting an intake.

You must remember that the selected intake must align with your career goals. Sign up with Y-Axis to talk to study experts and receive advice about choosing an intake, determining the availability of your ideal course, making and submitting an application, and more.

UK Student Visa

International students must apply for a UK Student Visa to stay in the country and pursue a study program. You are eligible to travel in and out of the country for the duration of your course. The validity of a UK Student Visa is for a period of 5 years. If you are pursuing a degree below the required level, then you can stay in the country for around two years. You can stay longer in the country if you do one of the following:

• Extend your UK Student Visa upon eligibility
• Switch to a Student Visa from another valid visa
• Switch to a Graduate Visa from a Student Visa and stay for another 2 years

What are the different types of UK Student Visas?

The UK has different types of Student Visas, and they are as follows:

• Student visa
• Child Student visa
• Study English in the UK (Short-term study visa)
• Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor

What are the eligibility criteria required for a UK Student Visa?

The eligibility criteria for a UK Student Visa are mentioned below:

• Must have a minimum score of 60% – 70% in your previous study
• Have a CAS from the UK government
• Have an acceptance letter from an educational institution in the UK
• Have the previous transcriptions of education pursued
• Have good English Language ability, such as a 5.5 band score in IELTS or any other language exam
• Proof of health and travel insurance
• Must have a genuine character
• No history of visa refusal or rejection
• Have sufficient funds to support your stay in the country

What are the required documents for a UK Student Visa?

The required documents international students must submit for a UK Student Visa are mentioned below:

• Current valid passport
• Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies from a course provider in the UK
• Proof of funds by submitting a bank statement
• ATAS Certificate
• If you are under 18, proof of guardian/parent consent
• Evidence of your relationship with your parents/guardians
• Medical test reports of tuberculosis
• Letter from your financial sponsor about the sponsorship for your program fees and living expenses in the previous 1 year

What are the conditions for a UK Student Visa?

International students who are applying for a UK Student Visa must adhere to the following conditions:

• Study in the country
• Work in specified job roles for a limited period
• Cannot access public funds
• Cannot work in job roles as a coach or a sportsperson
• Cannot be self-employed
• Not eligible to study at a locally funded school or an academy

What is the cost of a UK Student Visa?

It costs around ￡490 to apply for a UK Student Visa for both onshore and offshore applicants.

What are the steps to apply for a UK Student Visa?

Follow the steps mentioned below to apply for a UK Student Visa:

Step 1: Check your eligibility to apply for a UK Student Visa

Step 2: Arrange the required documents

Step 3: Apply for the UK Student Visa online

Step 4: Get a notification about the visa status and approval

Step 5: Migrate to the UK to pursue your education

Can I bring dependents on a UK Student Visa?

Yes, you are permitted to bring dependents, including legal spouses and children, on a UK Student Visa. You are required to meet the following eligibility criteria to bring in dependents:

• You must be a student sponsored by the government and starting a course in the country that is more than 6 months
• You are a full-time postgraduate student pursuing an RQF level 7 course in the country that is longer than 9 months

What is a UK Post Study Work Permit?

UK Post Study Work Permit, known as a Graduate Visa perm, requires newly graduated international students to stay and work for a minimum of 2 years in the country. You are eligible to work many job roles, be self-employed, or do voluntary work in the country.? You can bring members of your family as dependents on the Graduate visa if they already exist in the country.

What is the cost of a UK Post Study Work Permit?

The cost of an UK Post Study Work Permit or a Graduate Visa is around ￡822 for the visa application and an additional healthcare surcharge of ￡1,035 every year.

What are the requirements for a UK Post Study Work Permit?

You have to meet the mentioned requirements to be granted a UK Post Study Work Permit:

• Must be living in the UK
• Have a current UK Student Visa or a Tier 4 Student Visa
• Have a bachelor's or a master's qualification for a minimum duration
• Provide evidence you have completed your education
• Proof of English language proficiency

What are the costs required for a UK Student Visa?

The costs required for a UK Student Visa is around ￡363 - ￡550. The cost consists of student visa fees, course fees, food, other living expenses like accommodation and others. The following table mentions the cost for the UK Student Visa.

What is the processing time for a UK Student Visa?

The processing time for a Student Visa is around 3 to 6 weeks.

Offshore applicants

Offshore applicants can apply for a UK Student Visa 6 months before the course commences and receive the visa decision in 3 weeks.

Onshore applicants

Onshore applicants can apply for a UK Student Visa 3 months before the course commences and receive a visa decision in 8 weeks.

You are required to apply for a UK Student Visa 28 days before the expiration date of the current visa.

How can Y-Axis assist you?

Y-Axis has been providing unbiased and personalized immigration-related assistance for more than 25 years. Our team of experienced immigration experts is here to provide end-to-end support to help you migrate to the UK. Our services include:

• Access the best Y-Axis coaching services and ace your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE scores.
• Get Y-Axis free consultation and career guidance with our very own campus-ready program for the duration of your course.
• Course recommendation: A Y-Axis initiative, the Y-Path gives expert advice on selecting an ideal course.

Reach out to Y-Axis, for end-to-end support at every step of the process. Email to us at [email protected] or drop a message on our WhatsApp number 8802219999.